Understanding the Book of Hebrews

[Arial]

When I exegete Heb 3:1-4:11 (points therein listed below),
demonstrating the superiority of Christ in terms of Moses and angels,
warning about unbelief,
using the rebellion of Nu 14 in their refusing to go into Canaan's promised rest (from their enemies) as an example of the consequences of apostasy; i.e., a permanent locking out by God,
but there being another promised rest for the people of God,
urging the recipients of the letter not to fail to go into that rest as did their ancestors,
I gather there is a context for this line of exhortation, that it didn't just drop out of the sky and into the writer's mind.
That is precisely how Biblical scholars derive their understanding of backgrounds.
I gather from the content of Heb 1:1-4:11 that the context of such exhortation is pending apostasy, with Heb 6:4-6 being further evidence thereof.

Points found in Heb 3:7-4:11:
unbelief (apostasy) - Heb 3:12,
God's cutting off all their ancestor permanently from entering Canaan (Heb 3:11), with no possibility of return (Heb 3:18-19, 4:3,5)
because of their refusal to enter their promised Canaan rest (from their enemies),
that whole generation dying in the desert (Heb 3:17), never entering God's promised Canaan rest,
there being another Sabbath rest for the people of God (Heb 4:8-9) in gospel salvation where they rest from their own works to save (Heb 4:10),
urgency not to fail to enter that rest (Heb 4:11) and falling by disobedience of not entering,
by which God will cut them off permanently (Heb 6:4-6).

None of which says they were thinking about returning to Judaism. Only that they were feeling doubts and pressure to abandon the faith. They were discouraged! They had no meat of the word! They couldn't return to Judaism. They had no temple, were put out of Jerusalem and Israel, had no priests.

 

[Eleanor]

None of which says they were thinking about returning to Judaism. Only that they were feeling doubts and pressure to abandon the faith. They were discouraged! They had no meat of the word! They couldn't return to Judaism. They had no temple, were put out of Jerusalem and Israel, had no priests.

There was a Jewish sect at Qumran near the Dead Sea they could join.
It could have been some of those priests who joined the faith (Ac 6:7) going over to be their priests.
Stranger things have happened. . .as in Judas.

 

[Arial]

I was familiar with competing theologies, and as I studied all the Scriptures I was able to sort out the Biblical from the non-Biblical, some concepts presented in Scripture being entirely new to me, and it was great confirmation to find something authoritative that, as I experienced it, was in agreement with me, the WCF.

Which is covenant theology.

What you describe is what we all do, or should, but that does not mean you are not influenced one way or the other. And what I don't say but is the impression you give of you, is that there are no influences, I learned it all by myself just from reading the Bible.

 

[Arial]

There was a Jewish sect at Qumran near the Dead Sea they could join.
It could have been some of those priests who joined the faith (Ac 6:7) going over to be their priests.
Stranger things have happened. . .as in Judas.

Coulda, woulda, shoulda.

 

[Eleanor]

Which is covenant theology.

What you describe is what we all do, or should, but that does not mean you are not influenced one way or the other. And what I don't say but is the impression you give of you, is that there are no influences, I learned it all by myself just from reading the Bible.

I told you I was familiar with competing theologies. Some were confirmed in Scripture while others were not, from both sides.
Studying Scripture gave me to see their basis and to understand them correctly.
I found nothing in apostolic teaching to confirm "dispensationalism."

 

[Eleanor]

Coulda, woulda, shoulda.

No one is presenting it as fact, only possibility in light of the facts.

 

[Arial]

I told you I was familiar with competing theologies. Some were confirmed in Scripture while others were not, from both sides.
Studying Scripture gave me to see their basis and to understand them correctly.
I found nothing in apostolic teaching to confirm "dispensationalism."

And yet you believe portions of it. And I told you that all diligent Christians should arrive at their beliefs the same way that you mention. Why are you arguing and what are you arguing about?

 

[Arial]

Coulda, woulda, shoulda.

Back to the subject.
Read post #10. That is the point of what I have been saying about the book of Hebrews.

 

[Eleanor]

And yet you believe portions of it. And I told you that all diligent Christians should arrive at their beliefs the same way that you mention. Why are you arguing and what are you arguing about?

I am presenting the context (Heb 3:7-4:11) of the statement in Heb 6:4-6 on apostasy, which context shows that there is no return from apostasy, for God cuts you off ("they shall never enter my rest," Heb 3:11, 18, 4:3) when you apostasize.

And apart from its context of Heb 3:7-4:11 where God cuts them off, Heb 6:4-6 still shows that those who apostasize do not return, because they have already tasted of gospel salvation and spit it out, and they will not like it any better the next time they "taste" it.

 

[Eleanor]

Back to the subject.
Read post #10. That is the point of what I have been saying about the book of Hebrews.

From post #10:

"We come to the verses 4-8 that are some of the most isolated and fought over by the brethren, passages of all of scripture. All the while those who insist it is stating we can lose our salvation, completely ignore the meat, or never see it. What does the author say immediately following this but, "But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner." So what he said is a manner of speech. If someone were to experience all of the things stated, signs of true faith, and then to deny it it would be impossible to restore them. It is not saying that anyone does those things----though it is possible for a person to be that closely associated with the church and see all that evidence, have all the appearance of being a part of the church, but not be because of unbelief."

And I am explaining that Heb 6:4-6 has in mind those who did do those things, presenting a strong case thereof in Heb 3:7-4:11.
And yes, if they apostasize, it is because they never believed in the first place. One does not lose salvation.

 

[Arial]

"We come to the verses 4-8 that are some of the most isolated and fought over by the brethren, passages of all of scripture. All the while those who insist it is stating we can lose our salvation, completely ignore the meat, or never see it. What does the author say immediately following this but, "But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner." So what he said is a manner of speech. If someone were to experience all of the things stated, signs of true faith, and then to deny it it would be impossible to restore them. It is not saying that anyone does those things----though it is possible for a person to be that closely associated with the church and see all that evidence, have all the appearance of being a part of the church, but not be because of unbelief."

When you quote me put it in a quote box with my name attached to it.

And I am explaining that Heb 6:4-6 has in mind those who did do those things, presenting a strong case thereof in Heb 3:7-4:11.
And yes, if they apostasize, it is because they never believed in the first place. One does not lose salvation.

Heb 3:12 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.

That is much closer to saying they hadn't done it than saying they had. And done what exactly? Are you still saying return to Judaism. Everything that the writer refers to in those passages you say mean that, occurred before Judaism existed. No tent, no temple, no priests---just trusting God and obeying Him.

Heb 3:12-15 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called, "Today" lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end while it is said."Today" (every day) if you will hear His voice do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion. For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses? Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned whose corpses fell in the wilderness? And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

There is a strong case in the verses you give against anyone having done these things. And against it being about a temptation to return to Judaism specifically, though as is always the case, there were probably as many different temptations as there were people. What the author is addressing is sin, which would include sins, but primarily is concerned with the temptation to deny the faith because of the persecution and suffering they had to endure.

It was exhortation and strengthening for them, and we would do well to get the message given, rather than shove it into a box where it doesn't belong. I know a lot of people are counting on the rapture to spare them what is to come, and will be unprepared to endure the persecution that will come upon God's people immediately preceding Christ's coming. (Should there be no such rapture and there is a real good chance there won't be. It is not a historic belief but a modern one.) And find themselves in the very same boat the recipients of Hebrews were in.

In the meantime Hebrews is a warning and an encouragement to pursue righteousness, seeking God's grace in doing so. To not begin to take our sins lightly and treat saving grace and the death of Christ for us, for granted. To remember the vast holiness of God whose image we are to bear as His children, and desire to please Him above all else. To remember what we were saved from----the condemnation of these same sins. To remember it is after all Christ's robes of righteousness we wear, His seal we bear, His name we have. To do all for the glory of God.

But I know you won't change your mind and I have said all that needs to be said as far as I am concerned.

 

[Eleanor]

When you quote me put it in a quote box with my name attached to it.

Heb 3:12 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.

That is much closer to saying they hadn't done it than saying they had. And done what exactly? Are you still saying return to Judaism.

Yes, those NT Jewish Christian proselytes were considering a return to Judaism.

Everything that the writer refers to in those passages you say mean that, occurred before Judaism existed. No tent, no temple, no priests---just trusting God and obeying Him.

Relevance?
Would they not serve as an example of the consequences of apostasy (rebellion, disobedience), which is why the writer is presenting it?

Heb 3:12-15 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called, "Today" lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end while it is said."Today" (every day) if you will hear His voice do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion. For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses? Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned whose corpses fell in the wilderness? And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

There is a strong case in the verses you give against anyone having done these things. And against it being about a temptation to return to Judaism specifically,

The best way to sort it all out is for you to exegete Heb 3:7-4:11, being true its words, consistent with its context, and addressing all the issues and references made there.

Then we will have something specific to evaluate if you wish.

though as is always the case, there were probably as many different temptations as there were people. What the author is addressing is sin, which would include sins, but primarily is concerned with the temptation to deny the faith because of the persecution and suffering they had to endure.

It was exhortation and strengthening for them, and we would do well to get the message given, rather than shove it into a box where it doesn't belong. I know a lot of people are counting on the rapture to spare them what is to come, and will be unprepared to endure the persecution that will come upon God's people immediately preceding Christ's coming. (Should there be no such rapture and there is a real good chance there won't be. It is not a historic belief but a modern one.) And find themselves in the very same boat the recipients of Hebrews were in.

What "boat" were they in?

A "pretribulation" rapture, as well as their view of "tribulatiion," has no basis in authoritative NT apostolic teaching.

In the meantime Hebrews is a warning and an encouragement to pursue righteousness, seeking God's grace in doing so

It's not either/or, it's both/and. It is both a warning against apostasy in the first part and an encouragement to pursue righteousness in the rest.

 

[Arial]

Yes, those NT Jewish Christian proselytes were considering a return to Judaism.

You have absolutely no support for saying that. I have showed you this what? three, four times? The Bible tells you the same thing I have been saying in the very scriptures you use to deny it. You do realize don't you that sacrifices were only to be made in Jerusalem after the temple was built, and before that at the tent of meeting, That priests prepared and made the sacrifices. That God was approached in worship at the temple. So how could they revert to Judaism? And why do you ignore what the scriptures say in order to support your theory? There is no need for speculation. They tell us plainly that the problem was that they were beginning to doubt the faith that is in Christ because of their circumstances, and falling into sin.

Relevance?
Would they not serve as an example of the consequences of apostasy (rebellion, disobedience), which is why the writer is presenting it?

The relevance is that I was not talking about what apostasy is (changing the subject? backpedaling?) but addressing your claim that they wanted to revert to Judaism.

The best way to sort it all out is for you to exegete Heb 3:7-4:11, being true its words, consistent with its context, and addressing all the issues and references made there.

Heb 3:12-15 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called, "Today" lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end while it is said."Today" (every day) if you will hear His voice do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion. For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses? Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned whose corpses fell in the wilderness? And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

See all those things I marked in bold? The scripture exegetes itself as to the controversy we are having. That is because it is a theological treatise.

How about you exegete it. I will look forward to it. But I won't hold my breath.

It is both a warning against apostasy in the first part and an encouragement to pursue righteousness in the rest.

Huh? A warning against apostasy of necessity an encouragement to pursue righteousness. Pursuing righteousness is the whole purpose of post salvation sanctification.

What "boat" were they in?

All I can say is oh my gosh! I can only surmise that perhaps you don't really read what I have to say, or you are unable to attach comprehension to the reading.

 

[Eleanor]

You have absolutely no support for saying that. I have showed you this what? three, four times? The Bible tells you the same thing I have been saying in the very scriptures you use to deny it. You do realize don't you that sacrifices were only to be made in Jerusalem after the temple was built, and before that at the tent of meeting, That priests prepared and made the sacrifices. That God was approached in worship at the temple. So how could they revert to Judaism? And why do you ignore what the scriptures say in order to support your theory? There is no need for speculation. They tell us plainly that the problem was that they were beginning to doubt the faith that is in Christ because of their circumstances, and falling into sin.

The Temple was not destroyed.
It and the priestly activities connected to it are referred to in the present tense in Heb 5:1-3, 7:23, 27, 8:3-5, 9:6-9, 13, 25, 10:1, 3-4, 8, 11, 13:10-11.
And surely in a letter to Hebrews, the writer would have mentioned somewhere the temple's destruction and the end of the Jewish sacrificial system had it already occurred.

The relevance is that I was not talking about what apostasy is (changing the subject? backpedaling?) but addressing your claim that they wanted to revert to Judaism.

Reverting to Judaism would be apostasy, from the gospel and Jesus Christ.

See all those things I marked in bold? The scripture exegetes itself as to the controversy we are having. That is because it is a theological treatise.

The issue is unbelief. Why the warning of unbelief (3:12, 19, 4:2) to new Christian proselytes?

How about you exegete it. I will look forward to it. But I won't hold my breath.

Is the following outline adequate or do you want a more detailed presentation?

Superiority of Jesus over the angels and Moses, their tradition being that the angels were involved in giving the law at Sinai (2:2),
God's cutting off all their ancestor permanently from entering Canaan - (Heb 3:11),
due to unbelief (apostasy) - Heb 3:12, 19, 4:2)
with no possibility of return (Heb 3:18-19, 4:3,5)
because of their refusal to enter their promised Canaan rest (from their enemies) - (Nu 14)
that whole generation dying in the desert (Heb 3:17), never entering God's promised Canaan rest,
there, however, being another Sabbath rest for the people of God (Heb 4:8-9) in gospel salvation where they rest from their own works to save (Heb 4:10),
urgency not to fail to enter that salvation rest (Heb 4:11) and not to fall by disobedience of not entering,
by which God will cut them off permanently (Heb 6:4-6), as he did their ancestors in Nu 14:21-23 for failing to enter their promised Canaan rest.

Huh? A warning against apostasy of necessity an encouragement to pursue righteousness. Pursuing righteousness is the whole purpose of post salvation sanctification.

All I can say is oh my gosh! I can only surmise that perhaps you don't really read what I have to say, or you are unable to attach comprehension to the reading.

Heb 1-10 presents the superiority of Christ to the leaders of the Old Covenant: superior to angels, Moses, Aaronic priests and Christ's sacrifice superior to the sacrificial work of the High Priest, ending with a warning (10:26) and exhortation to persevere (10:32 -38), to not shrink back but to believe and be saved (10:39).
Hep 11-12 are a plea for perservering faith, with examples of past heroes peservering in the faith, encouragement for perservering faith, exhortations for perservering faith and motivatiionn for persevering faith.
Heb 13 giving rules for practical Christian living, etc.

Hebrews is about backsliding into Judaism, just as Judges is about backsliding into idolatry.

 

[Arial]

The Temple was not destroyed.
It and the priestly activities connected to it are referred to in the present tense in Heb 5:1-3, 7:23, 27, 8:3-5, 9:6-9, 13, 25, 10:1, 3-4, 8, 11, 13:10-11.
And surely in a letter to Hebrews, the writer would have mentioned somewhere the temple's destruction and the end of the Jewish sacrificial system had it already occurred.

???????? Did I say the temple was destroyed? No, I did not. The recipients of Hebrews were most likely a part of the Dispersion, a scattering of the Jews outside Palestine. They had no access to the Temple.

Reverting to Judaism would be apostasy, from the gospel and Jesus Christ.

??????? Did I say it wouldn't be? I was refuting your claim that the recipients of Hebrews were reverting back to Judaism.

The issue is unbelief. Why the warning of unbelief (3:12, 19, 4:2) to new Christian proselytes?

Because they were Jewish!!! They were familiar with the OT. Time to let go of the tail and move on.

Superiority of Jesus over the angels and Moses, their tradition being that the angels were involved in giving the law at Sinai (2:2),
God's cutting off all their ancestor permanently from entering Canaan - (Heb 3:11),
due to unbelief (apostasy) - Heb 3:12, 19, 4:2)
with no possibility of return (Heb 3:18-19, 4:3,5)
because of their refusal to enter their promised Canaan rest (from their enemies) - (Nu 14)
that whole generation dying in the desert (Heb 3:17), never entering God's promised Canaan rest,
there, however, being another Sabbath rest for the people of God (Heb 4:8-9) in gospel salvation where they rest from their own works to save (Heb 4:10),
urgency not to fail to enter that salvation rest (Heb 4:11) and not to fall by disobedience of not entering,
by which God will cut them off permanently (Heb 6:4-6), as he did their ancestors in Nu 14:21-23 for failing to enter their promised Canaan rest.

Where does that produce your statement that they wanted to revert back to Judaism?!!!!!

Heb 1-10 presents the superiority of Christ to the leaders of the Old Covenant: superior to angels, Moses, Aaronic priests and Christ's sacrifice superior to the sacrificial work of the High Priest, ending with a warning (10:26) and exhortation to persevere (10:32 -38), to not shrink back but to believe and be saved (10:39).
Hep 11-12 are a plea for perservering faith, with examples of past heroes peservering in the faith, encouragement for perservering faith, exhortations for perservering faith and motivatiionn for persevering faith.
Heb 13 giving rules for practical Christian living, etc.

Hebrews is about backsliding into Judaism, just as Judges is about backsliding into idolatry.

Hebrews is about leaving the faith----period. Circling back now to your opening premise and my comment on it. There is no reason to and no support for concluding that Hebrews is about backsliding into Judaism as the central issue.

 

[Arial]

Superiority of Jesus over the angels and Moses, their tradition being that the angels were involved in giving the law at Sinai (2:2),
God's cutting off all their ancestor permanently from entering Canaan - (Heb 3:11),
due to unbelief (apostasy) - Heb 3:12, 19, 4:2)
with no possibility of return (Heb 3:18-19, 4:3,5)
because of their refusal to enter their promised Canaan rest (from their enemies) - (Nu 14)
that whole generation dying in the desert (Heb 3:17), never entering God's promised Canaan rest,
there, however, being another Sabbath rest for the people of God (Heb 4:8-9) in gospel salvation where they rest from their own works to save (Heb 4:10),
urgency not to fail to enter that salvation rest (Heb 4:11) and not to fall by disobedience of not entering,
by which God will cut them off permanently (Heb 6:4-6), as he did their ancestors in Nu 14:21-23 for failing to enter their promised Canaan rest.

That is not true eisegesis. It is simply reiterating what the scriptures say. And the conclusion is correct but it is not your conclusion. This is yur conclusion:

Hebrews is about backsliding into Judaism, just as Judges is about backsliding into idolatry.

Which is completely outside of what the scriptures or the book of Hebrews says. Yes, reverting to Judaism would be leaving the faith, but leaving the faith is not isolated to returning to Judaism, nor is it said in the scriptures that that is what the writer is addressing.

This book has been the subject of much controversy and the source of many a battle over, frankly, things the book is not even addressing. So what is it addressing?

And as an aside, Hebrews is a wonderful example of applied theology with every bit of that theology grounded solidly in the OT---which is the theological book they had at the time.

Chapter 1 begins with "God who---" and lays a solid foundation of who Jesus is in relation to the Trinity. Chapter 2 begins with the word "Therefore---" as do chapters 3 and 4. This "therefore" is critically important as it applies what was said before to what is being said following the "therefore." In chapter 2 it gives a warning about drifting away by not taking heed to what we have learned, of Christ and salvation, and of neglecting this salvation. Now this could refer to not coming to salvation and probably does to some extent, as the writer was most likely aware that this letter/sermon would reach the ears of both those who were believers and who were not yet believers. But given the rest of the body of the book, it is a warning to believers of the importance of persevering in the faith, as our faith is continuously tested. And as God sees our hearts, the testing is not for Him but for us, that we might grow in righteousness.

And that I believe is the purpose and point of Hebrews. Growing in righteousness. In chapters 2-5 the author continues to profoundly anchor all that he is saying in the OT, relating it to the wilderness wanderings and the the old priesthood to the new Priesthood of Christ. Laying the foundation for how he begins Chapter 6 and all that follows.

It is striking the way in which he uses the wilderness wandering and unfaithfulness to entering or not entering His rest, and applies it to those in Christ. Heb 3:16-19 For who having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses? Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness? And to whom did He swear that they would not enter his rest, but those who did not obey? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief?

And in what way did they not obey. Psalm 78 tells us best, and is extremely succinct in verses 17-20 But they sinned even more against Him by rebelling against the Most HIgh in the wilderness. And they tested God in their heart by asking for the food of their fancy. Yes they spoke against God: they said "Can God prepare a table in the wilderness? Behold, He stuck the rock, so that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed. Can He He give bread also? Can He provide meat for His people? And this was after He had fed them the bread of angels.

So when the writer of Hebrews begins chapter 6 with the words "Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ---" (which he has just laid out) let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrines of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead and of eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits." he is not saying these things are not important or that is it is not necessary to know them. He is saying "Grow up. Move on from the milk to the meat. So what is the meat?

We come to the verses 4-8 that are some of the most isolated and fought over by the brethren, passages of all of scripture. All the while those who insist it is stating we can lose our salvation, completely ignore the meat, or never see it. What does the author say immediately following this but, "But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner." So what he said is a manner of speech. If someone were to experience all of the things stated, signs of true faith, and then to deny it it would be impossible to restore them. It is not saying that anyone does those things----though it is possible for a person to be that closely associated with the church and see all that evidence, have all the appearance of being a part of the church, but not be because of unbelief.

What follows through chapter 12 is a continuation of establishing and grounding of who Jesus is and what He did, (the King of what? righteousness),of our hope and our faith in the OT, the old covenant, and bringing it into the new covenant in its fulfillment, and the reason we hold to the hope of our confession to arrive at chapter 12:28-29 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire. 13:1 Let brotherly love continue. Followed by further instructions in righteousness, and leaning on, identifying with Christ.

Though we are not saved by our own righteousness, and never could be, we wear the very robes of Christ's righteousness. And it is still righteousness that is what it is all about. It is our righteousness before a holy God that we lost, it is that righteousness that God by grace and through the redemptive, substitutionary work of Christ is applied to us, it is unto righteousness that the Holy Spirit sanctifies us, it is still righteousness with which we must walk before our God. Not as works, but as obedience to the One who first loved us, and whom though we do not now see, we love. We always are growing in righteousness by the grace of God and receive His mercy as we grow. But when He has firmly established us in the elemental things of Christ, it is time to grow in righteousness. We do this by heeding His corrections that go to the very heart of us, things often hidden from ourselves, but can be exposed by the word For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow and is a discerner of the thought and intent of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

As soon as we think we have "arrived", something even Paul recognized that he had not, that is when, we will be shown by, yes, the grace of God and for His glory, that no we have not. We have still miles to go and now we realize how much we must seek His grace and His power towards us. Just how poor and needy, and wretched, and thirsty we still are when measured against His holines, His righteousness.

 

[Arial]

@Eleanor

The book of Hebrews is about not persevering in the faith of Christ. It points out many ways this is done. By not believing in the sufficiency of Christ's death on the cross. For in His death on the cross the sins of those who are in Christ through faith met the just penalty of God in the body of Christ. It is more than "He died for the forgiveness of my sins, therefore my sins are forgiven." He took their just punishment, wherein justice and mercy kiss (Psalm 85)that we might be justified through faith in Him. And we are justified and counted as righteous for a purpose. To return to righteousness in our relationship to the Holy God. Progressively through the work of the Holy Spirit in us.

Therefore, in addition to not believing in the sufficiency of Christ to be apostasy (leaving the faith) so too would be returning to unrepentant sin. That is the warning the author of Hebrews is giving, and the encouragement to continue in the faith. He supports all that he says with the OT. Those are the scriptures they had, even the non Jewish audience that was also receiving the letter, and that is what was telling the gospel and shadowing it. Not just for the believing Jews but for all believers. That is the theological anchor. The entire NT is anchored in the OT. Which is why it is so often quoted and referred to by Jesus and the apostles and in Acts and the epistles.

 

[Eleanor]

That is not true eisegesis. It is simply reiterating what the scriptures say. And the conclusion is correct but it is not your conclusion. This is yur conclusion:

Which is completely outside of what the scriptures or the book of Hebrews says. Yes, reverting to Judaism would be leaving the faith, but leaving the faith is not isolated to returning to Judaism, nor is it said in the scriptures that that is what the writer is addressing.

Nor is it said in the Scriptures that God is Trinity, but is is the testimony of Scripture nonetheless.

 

[Eleanor]

@Eleanor

The book of Hebrews is about not persevering in the faith of Christ. It points out many ways this is done. By not believing in the sufficiency of Christ's death on the cross. For in His death on the cross the sins of those who are in Christ through faith met the just penalty of God in the body of Christ. It is more than "He died for the forgiveness of my sins, therefore my sins are forgiven." He took their just punishment, wherein justice and mercy kiss (Psalm 85)that we might be justified through faith in Him. And we are justified and counted as righteous for a purpose. To return to righteousness in our relationship to the Holy God. Progressively through the work of the Holy Spirit in us.

Therefore, in addition to not believing in the sufficiency of Christ to be apostasy (leaving the faith) so too would be returning to unrepentant sin. That is the warning the author of Hebrews is giving, and the encouragement to continue in the faith. He supports all that he says with the OT. Those are the scriptures they had, even the non Jewish audience that was also receiving the letter, and that is what was telling the gospel and shadowing it. Not just for the believing Jews but for all believers. That is the theological anchor. The entire NT is anchored in the OT. Which is why it is so often quoted and referred to by Jesus and the apostles and in Acts and the epistles.

We are agreed that Hebrews is about leaving the faith.

 

[Arial]

Nor is it said in the Scriptures that God is Trinity, but is is the testimony of Scripture nonetheless.

Apples and oranges.