Category Archives: Hebrews

We Are Persuaded Better Things Of You

Hebrews 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto PERFECTION…

Word Study: The word rendered “PERFECTION” is the Greek teleiotēs (pronunciation tel-i-ot’-ace) which actually means maturity or better Christian maturity. When a person believes in the Doctrine of Christ, that is:

1- We are all sinners deserving of damnation. (Romans 3:10, 23-24)
2- Christ came to save sinners. (1 Timothy 1:15)
3- Faith in Jesus Christ is the only way to be saved from hell. (John 14:6)
4- Christ died to pay for my and your sins. (1 Peter 2:21-25)
5- Christ rose from the grave to be my Lord and your Lord (Romans 10:9-13), my High Priest and your High Priest.
6- I am saved by REPENTING, that is, turning from being my own god, and by SURRENDER to Christ as Lord and Savior. (Luke 3:9-14; Acts 3:19; 26:20). The same applies to you.
7- When I, from my heart, cried out for salvation, Christ sent the Holy Spirit to cause me to be “born again” into the family of God. Every believer is “born spiritually” into the family of God. We are members of His Kingdom, citizens & children. (John 3:5-7)
8- Learning the basics, we do not stay where we were at the point of salvation. We grow spiritually, more like Christ every day.

This last point is what God is addressing now. The Christian has the basics. What are some of these basics?… Continue reading

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The First Principles Of The Oracles Of God

Hebrews 5:10-14 {Jesus} Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchizedek. 11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull (nōthros, pronunciation no-thros’, means SLOTHFUL, SLUGGISH, LAZY) of hearing. 12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

The Danger Of Becoming Stalled In Your Faith… Continue reading

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Jesus Is A Priest Forever

Hebrews 5:1-6 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: 2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. 3 And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. 4 And no man taketh this honor unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. 5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. 6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

Jesus Came To Lead Israel From Old Covenant
To New Covenant

I do a lot of reading – and studying – because I’m fascinated with the Bible. I read an article the other day from a College Professor (Emeritus, City University of N.Y) named Bernard Starr (Ph.D). This learned man made the statement:

“Christianity began as a Jewish sect and that Jesus was a thoroughly dedicated practicing Jew who never suggested the launch of a new religion … Jesus lived and died a dedicated Jew, as observed by Christian writer Jean Guitton in his book ‘Great Heresies and Church Councils’ … Jesus did not mean to found a new religion. In his historical humanity, Jesus was a devout Israelite, practicing the law to the full, from circumcision to Pesach, paying the half-shekel for the Temple. Jerusalem, the capital of his nation, was the city he loved: Jesus wept over it”.

As many of the “great theologians” of the Scripture have done, they often ignore passages of Scripture while pushing their own doctrines. Jesus was a Jew, born of the lineage of David, of the Tribe of Judah. The Bible says that as Messiah:

John 1:11-12 (NKJV) {Jesus} came unto His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them gave He the right to become children of God, to those who believe in his name …

Jesus came to the Jews first, the Messiah, to save whosoever would believe in Him. Jesus followed the laws of Judaism insofar as they were correctly interpreted. Jesus said, Continue reading

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With Whom We Have To Do

Hebrews 4:13-16 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. 14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

The past few weeks we have been looking at Israel, God’s Old Testament people. The Word of God led Israel out of Egypt, through the Red Sea, through the deserts, and to the base of Mount Sinai. When God gave His Word to Israel through Moses, His people – saved by Grace – said:

Exodus 24:3 (NKJV) … All the words which the Lord has said we will do ..

The Way To Blessing Is To Hear & Obey God

Yet Israel did not do it. Rather than hear the Word of God and do it, they murmured and complained and balked. In the end the first generation of Israel did NOT go into the Promised Land (other than Joshua and Caleb) because they disobeyed His Word. God had warned Israel:… Continue reading

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God’s Word Our Rest – Hebrews 4:1-12

Hebrews 4:1-3, 8-9 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into HIS REST, any of you should seem to come short of it. 2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. 3 For we which have believed do enter into REST, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into MY REST: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. … 8 For if Jesus had given them REST, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. 9 There remaineth therefore a REST to the people of God.

We took a break from Hebrews last Sunday to commemorate “Resurrection Sunday” or what many call “Easter”. We talked about the importance of the Resurrection of Christ, and explained how – without the Resurrection – there is no proof that Jesus of Nazareth is the One and Only Messiah. I brought out last Sunday that there were two very common names in Israel, … Continue reading

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Holy, Not Hardened, Hearts: Hebrews 3:7-19

Hebrews 3:7-12 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, 8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: 9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. 10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do always err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. 11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) 12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

All of the Scripture is God Breathed, God inspired, God spoken. The Apostle said in:

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV) All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God {the believer} may be complete, equipped for every good work.

We know that all Scripture – this Bible we cherish – is theopneustos, God breathed out. It is the very Word of God. We know that the text we study every week is written by “holy men of God who SPOKE AS THEY WERE MOVED BY THE HOLY GHOST” (2 Peter 1:21). We know this. But here today as we read our text we see the words:

Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith…

The Bible here makes it a POINT that what is being said comes from the Holy Spirit of God. This isn’t something David Buffaloe is saying. This is something God is saying. It starts with “Wherefore”. This refers back to what we studied last week. We saw a comparison between The House of Moses and The House of Christ. Both Houses are led by faithful men. But the House of Christ is SUPERIOR to the House of Moses, because Jesus is superior to Moses. The House of Moses was built by those who had faith in … Continue reading

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The House Of Christ: Hebrews 3:1-6

Hebrews 3:1-6 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; {2} Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses [was faithful] in all his house. {3} For this [man] was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath built the house hath more honor than the house. {4} For every house is built by some [man]; but he that built all things [is] God. {5} And Moses verily [was] faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; {6} But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.

Internal Erosion Of The Church

The reason that the Book of Hebrews was written was because the devil began to try and erode the Church from the inside. As people came to know Christ as Lord and Savior, being “born again” into the Kingdom of God, the Church began to grow. Satan attacked the Church externally, but this only made it stronger. So Satan infiltrated the Church. He put on a suit and tie, and joined the local Churches. Through the Pharisees he began to teach that – in order to be saved – the Christian had to return to the “shadows” of the Law.

Males had to be circumcised.
The Church must keep the Feasts.
Every believer must continue in the animal sacrifices.
The priesthood would continue with a few select men.
Christ is our Savior, the Law our Lord.

In congregations where this didn’t work, the Devil came in the guise of the liberal Sadducees. He came teaching:… Continue reading

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The Danger Of Drifting And Not Walking With Jesus: Hebrews 2:1-4

Hebrews 2:1-4 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. 2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; 3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; 4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

Opening: I often order items through companies like Amazon or Walmart, because I can’t find what I want locally. It saves a lot of gas and running around, especially when I’m looking for something like an “UHB to Ethernet Adapter”. I may have to pay shipping, but I can find exactly what I want and have it delivered. Most of the time. There are times when what I ordered is late coming in, and I get a little nervous if it was delivered to the wrong address. Thank goodness that the UPS Driver always takes a picture of what he delivered when he delivered it, so I can find it. Continue reading

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Divine Destruction Of Death: Hebrews 2:14-16

Hebrews 2:14-16 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

Last week we saw that Jesus was NOT an Angel. Angels are superior to humans in strength and duration. Angels are spirit beings, composed of light. Humans are carbon based, who have limited earthly lives. We saw that:

Hebrews 1:4 {Jesus is} … so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

Jesus is God the Son. He is co-eternal and co-equal with the Father and the Spirit. Jesus is Creator God. Hebrews 1:2 noted that through Jesus God made the worlds. So Jesus is NOT an Angel, He is BETTER than the Angels. But Jesus is also – willingly – LESSER than the Angels. We read:

Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

Jesus was made LOWER than the Angels. Why?… Continue reading

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Jesus Is No Angel

One of the heresies that crept into the Church was that Jesus is a great Teacher, but just a Man. Last week God told us in Hebrews that Jesus is no mere Man – that He is God in the flesh. A mere Man, no matter how moral, could not have paid for our sins on Calvary. We are all born sinners, all, that is, but Jesus Christ. He was born into humanity to save us from the condemnation of our sins.

While some were saying that Jesus is just a Man, others claimed that Jesus was no Man, but an Angel of God. The Jehovah’s Witnesses, Seventh Day Adventists and the Muslim cults teach that Jesus was an Angel or an Angelic messenger. But as we come to Hebrews once more we find out, NOT ONLY is Jesus NOT JUST a Man, but… Continue reading

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