GOD HAS SPOKEN Priming the Pump!
(Hebrews Eighteen)
Hebrews 5:11—6:20 Hebrews 5:12a; 6:1a: “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic elements of the oracles of God. . . . Therefore let us go on toward perfection, leaving behind the basic teaching about Christ, and not laying again the foundation . . .”
With the exception of Christ, no one attains perfection in this life.
Therefore let us go on toward perfection.
Introduction
Today, we prime the pump!
Hebrews 1:1—4:16 has been concerned
to identify Jesus in his person as the Son of God and to present Jesus in his work as the Christian’s Great High Priest.
With Hebrews 5:1 the author is ready to expand on who the Son is in his work as a high “priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” He begins with a lengthy exhortation, at first subtly implicit, then boldly explicit. The Hebrew writer restates his intent first by setting up a comparison with the Levitical priesthood (vv. 1-4) followed by introducing Jesus’ priesthood in a slightly ambiguous development (vv. 5-10). These verses took us two lessons to present under the title “The Education of Jesus”:
5So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”; 6as he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.” 7In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; 9and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, 10having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.
As the consequence of 5:5-10, today we begin to wonder if we can talk about “The Education of the Christian,” or would a title like “Christian Perfection” be more appropriate in the light of 6:1: “Therefore let us go on toward perfection.” So today I am asking for your help, not primarily for an appropriate title, but also for the writing of the coming lessons on a significant, and at points, difficult passage (5:11—6:20). As we read through 5:11—6:20 helped only by Kevin Anderson’s out line, what are your
Comments? What do you see? Questions? What is difficult? What don’t you understand?
Preparing for Advanced Teaching on Christ’s High Priesthood (5:11—6:20)
Reproof Concerning Arrested Spiritual Development (5:11-14)
11About this we have much to say that is hard to explain, since you have become dull in understanding. 12For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic elements of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food; 13for everyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is unskilled in the word of righteousness. 14But solid food is for the mature (perfect), for those whose faculties have been trained by practice to distinguish good from evil.
Exhortation to Go On to Maturity (6:1—3)
1Therefore let us go on toward perfection, leaving behind the basic teaching about Christ, and not laying again the foundation: repentance from dead works and faith toward God, 2instruction about baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3And we will do this, if God permits.
Warning About Irreversible Apostasy (6:4-8)
4For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6and then have fallen away, since on their own they are crucifying again the Son of God and are holding him up to contempt. 7Ground that drinks up the rain falling on it repeatedly, and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. 8But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and on the verge of being cursed; its end is to be burned over.
Words of Reassurance (6:9-12)
9Even though we speak in this way, beloved, we are confident of better things in your case, things that belong to salvation. 10For God is not unjust; he will not overlook your work and the love that you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do. 11And we want each one of you to show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope to the very end, 12so that you may not become sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Powerful Encouragement Based on God’s Trustworthiness (6:13-20)
13When God made a promise to Abraham, because he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, 14saying, “I will surely bless you and multiply you.” 15And thus Abraham, having patiently endured, obtained the promise. 16Human beings, of course, swear by someone greater than themselves, and an oath given as confirmation puts an end to all dispute. 17In the same way, when God desired to show even more clearly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it by an oath, 18so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible that God would prove false, we who have taken refuge might be strongly encouraged to seize the hope set before us. 19We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters the inner shrine behind the curtain, 20where Jesus, a forerunner on our behalf, has entered, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
Conclusion
?? The following outline is that of Kevin L. Anderson, Hebrews: A Commentary In The Wesleyan Tradition, New Beacon Bible Commentary (Kansas City: Beacon Hill Press, 2013), 5-6. I. Hearing the Apostle and High Priest of Our Confession: Hebrews 1:1—4:13 II. Jesus’ Superior High Priesthood: Hebrews 4:14—10:18 The Qualifications of the Great High Priest (4:14—5:10). The Great High Priest (4:14-16). Qualifications of Ordinary High Priests (5:1-4) Qualifications of the High Priest like Melchizedek (5:5-10) Preparing for Advanced Teaching on Christ’s High Priesthood (5:11—6:20) 1. Reproof Concerning Arrested Spiritual Development (5:11-14) 2. Exhortation to Go On to Maturity (6:1—3) 3.Warning About Irreversible Apostasy (6:4-8) 4.Words of Reassurance (6:9-12) 5. Powerful Encouragement Based on God’s Trustworthiness (6:13-20) The High Priest like Melchizedek: The Son Perfected Forever (7:1-28). The Superior Ministry of the Son’s High Priesthood (8:1—10:18) III. Call to Persevering Faith and Acceptable Worship: Hebrews 10:19--13:25 Saint Augustine as quoted by Herbert L. Prince, “Long Ago God Spoke: Part 16: Overseers of the Faith,” (July 20, 2014), 2. Hebrews 6:1. The first of the two was given the title of “The Education of Jesus” in retrospect in my files! So NASB, KJV. Greek teleiōn. Greek teleiotēta.
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August 10, 2014 sdfc c&g