Hebrews 8:1-13

Series In Hebrews: Jesus Is Truly Better

OT Jeremiah 31:31-37 14:17-24,  NT 8:1-13

“Jesus has now obtained a superior ministry... He is the mediator of a better covenant”

Introduction

Hebrews 8 represents a theological fork in the road because it forces its readers to make a decision on how they are going to understand the relationship between covenants.  If the original audience accepts the old covenant with its blessing curse principle they will stand in judgement of a righteous God who expects full compliance both inward and outward.  However, if they accept the new covenant a covenant of grace ratified by Christ Himself they will continue to be persecuted among family and friends, but their sin will be atoned for by the Great High Priest once and for all.  Paul also explains this well in Galatians 3:10-18.

Hebrews 6:13-20

Series In Hebrews: Jesus Is Truly Better
OT Lesson Genesis 22:1-19 NT Lesson Hebrews 6:13-6:20
“We have this [hope]-like a sure and firm anchor of the soul”

Introduction: Having just dealt with the thorny issue of apostasy (6:4) in order to explain why some have left this congregation and returned to Judaism, the preacher now explains why he is    “confident of the better things connected with salvation” (6:9).  What follows is an exhortation to confidence in God’s covenantal promise of grace.  This conclusion made after five chapters of explaining Christ’s superiority.  It is because of Christ’s superiority that “We have this [hope]-like a sure and firm anchor of the soul” (6:19).

Quote of the Day

"I also adduced another passage in which Isaiah exclaims: “‘Hear My words, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. Behold, I have given Him for a witness to the people: nations which know not Thee shall call on Thee; peoples who know not Thee shall escape to Thee, because of thy God, the Holy One of Israel; for He has glorified Thee.’ This same law you have despised, and His new holy covenant you have slighted; and now you neither receive it, nor repent of your evil deeds. ‘For your ears are closed, your eyes are blinded, and the heart is hardened,’ Jeremiah has cried; yet not even then do you listen. The Lawgiver is present, yet you do not see Him; to the poor the Gospel is preached, the blind see, yet you do not understand. You have now need of a second circumcision, though you glory greatly in the flesh. The new law requires you to keep perpetual sabbath, and you, because you are idle for one day, suppose you are pious, not discerning why this has been commanded you: and if you eat unleavened bread, you say the will of God has been fulfilled. The Lord our God does not take pleasure in such observances: if there is any perjured person or a thief among you, let him cease to be so; if any adulterer, let him repent; then he has kept the sweet and true sabbaths of God. If any one has impure hands, let him wash and be pure."


—Justin Martyr, Dialogue With Trypho the Jew, ch. 12.

Quote of the Day

"SALVATION through Jesus Christ, is according to "the determinate counsel, and foreknowledge of God’1 He was pleased to make known to the fathers, his purposes in this behalf, in the form of covenants, which were of different characters, and revealed at various times. These covenants enter into the very nature, and pervade with their peculiar qualities, the whole system of divine grace. A perfect knowledge of the Gospel therefore, involves necessarily, a correct comprehension of the covenants. But by whom among us, are these covenants clearly understood? To most men, you need only to speak on this subject, and you at once perceive that "Even unto this day, the vail is upon their heart."2 They fail to perceive what the covenants are in themselves, in their relations to each other, and consequently in their bearings upon the designs of God in the Redeemer! This darkness is lamentable in all its aspects, since falling short of the knowledge of these, — "the rudiments of the doctrine of Christ," — obscurity must necessarily rest upon the whole Gospel system. How can he who does not perceive "the first principles" of any specified science, ever become a master of that science?" -RBC Howell

For a complete read of RBC Howell's teaching on Covenant Theology click here.