Coachlight Bible Study – Hebrews 1:1 – 2:4

Christ Is Superior Because Of Who He Is – His Deity

 

The book of Hebrews is a letter without a greeting.  This, has been the cause for many to suppose that this Epistle was not written by Paul.

The internal evidence (Hebrews 13:22-25), demonstrates that Timothy has been released and shortly to be with the author and if Timothy returns shortly the author would soon see the readers.

The author did not quote from the Septuagint as many suppose.  Christ was “begotten” as He was exalted(Acts 13:33; Hebrews 1:1-5; Hebrews 5:1-5)  Angels worshipped Him at His exaltation. (Revelation 5) Romans 15:26 tells us that the Christian Jews in Jerusalem were poor – these were not. (Hebrews 6:10). Most probably this Epistle was written in Rome as Timothy had gone to Rome with Paul. (Colossians 1:1)

The book of Hebrews is a great work on the subject of Christology – much like the book of Colossians.  It truly demonstrates that Christ’s identity and work is far superior than the types found in Judaism, which were all designed by God to point forward to Christ.  It is also demonstrated that an enduring faith walk will result in receiving their inheritance – the very covenant given to their father Abraham.  In other words, this book is a great exhortation for converted Jews not to settle for just the type rather than the real so that they can endure to the end.

This Epistle has many great applications for the Christian today, whether he is a Jew or Gentile.  Once we realize the superiority of Christ, and the importance of the faith walk, we can have the hope or assurance that if we remain steadfast until the end, we shall then receive our inheritance. (Galatians 3:29)

This first lesson begins building the case of Christ’s superiority over the angels with seven proofs from the Old Testament, and the first exhortation not to neglect.

 

I. Christ Is God’s Last Revelation –  He Fulfilled And Is Fulfilling The Prophets

 

Hebrews 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

Hebrews 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

Hebrews 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

 

A. God spoke in the past to the fathers by the prophets

1. At different times

2. In different ways

B. God speaks to us

1. In these last days

2. By His Son

C. The Son’s Majesty - 7 Actions of the Son mentioned

1. The Son has been appointed heir of all things

2. The Son made the worlds

3. The Son is the brightness of His glory

4. The Son is the express image of His person

5. The Son upholds all things by the Word of His power

6. The Son by Himself purged our sins

7. The Son sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high

D. Look at Paul’s description of Christ in Colossians:

 

Colossians 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

Colossians 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: {his…: Gr. the Son of his love}

Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Colossians 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

Colossians 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

Colossians 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

 

II. Christ is superior over the angels – 7 Proofs

 

A. Christ has obtained a more excellent name than the angels

 

Hebrews 1:4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

Hebrews 1:5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?

 

B. God never called an angel His only begotten Son – In Psalms He declared:

 

Psalm 2:7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. {the decree: or, for a decree}

Psalm 2:8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

Psalm 2:9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.  (See Acts 13:33; Hebrews 1:1-5; and Hebrews 5:1-5) to see when Christ was begotten)

 

Hebrews 1:6 And again, when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.

Hebrews 1:7 And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. {And of: Gr. And unto}

 

C. When God’s Son was exalted, the host of heaven including angels worshipped Him – Again Psalms – Also see Revelation 5

 

Psalm 97:1 The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof. {Multitude…: Heb. many, or, great isles}

Psalm 97:2 Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne. {Habitation: or, establishment}

Psalm 97:3 A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.

Psalm 97:4 His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.

Psalm 97:5 The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.

Psalm 97:6 The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.

Psalm 97:7 Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.

Psalm 97:8 Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O LORD.

Psalm 97:9 For thou, LORD, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods.

 

D. God’s Created the angels to serve the Creator

 

Psalm 104:1 Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.

Psalm 104:2 Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:

Psalm 104:3 Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:

Psalm 104:4 Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire:

 

Hebrews 1:8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. {Righteousness: Rightness}

Hebrews 1:9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

 

E. God told the only Begotten His Kingdom would be known by Righteousness

 

Psalm 45:6 Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.

Psalm 45:7 Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

 

Hebrews 1:10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:

Hebrews 1:11 They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;

Hebrews 1:12 And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.

 

F. Christ is the Creator

 

Psalm 102:25 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.

Psalm 102:26 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: {endure: Heb. stand}

Psalm 102:27 But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.

Psalm 102:28 The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee.

 

G. Christ is superior to the angels – By position

 

Hebrews 1:13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?

Hebrews 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

 

1. The angels are sent

2. The Son sits on the Father’s right hand

 

Psalm 110:1 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

Psalm 110:2 The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.

III. The First Exhortation In Hebrews

 

Hebrews 2:1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed<4337> to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip<3901>. {run out as leaking ships}

Hebrews 2:2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;

Hebrews 2:3 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;

Hebrews 2:4 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? {gifts: or, distributions}

 

A. Don’t let Great Salvation “slip”

 

1. The meaning of: “slip”

3901 pararruew pararrhueo par-ar-hroo-eh’-o  AV-let slip 1; 1

 

2. The meaning of “Give the more earnest heed”

 

4337 prosecw prosecho pros-ekh’-o; v

beware 7, give heed to 5, take heed to 3, give heed unto 1, take heed 1, take heed unto 1

1) to bring to, bring near

1a) to bring a ship to land, and simply to touch at, put in

2) to turn the mind to, attend to be attentive

 

3. The meaning is to not let the Gospel teachings slip like a ship drift out to sea

 

B.  There is no escape if we neglect

1. Meaning of Neglect – “To recognize but ignore”

2. The Great salvation:

a. The steadfast message was delivered by the angels

(Galatians 3:19; Acts 7:53)

b. Every transgression and disobedience had its reward

 

C.  The Great salvation was

1.  First spoken of by the Lord

2. Confirmed by the Apostles

 

D. God gave witness

1. With signs and wonders

2. With many kinds of miracles

3. With gifts of the Holy Ghost

 

E. We keep salvation from slipping by our not drifting from God’s Word

Hebrews Chapter One – Christ Is Superior Over The Angels

 

Hebrews 1:1-3

Before God spoke through prophets in various ways and times

Now, The Son Hath Spoken In These Last Days

1. Christ has been appointed Heir of all things

2. By Christ, the worlds were created

3. Christ is the brightness of God’s Glory

4. Christ is the express Image of God’s person

5. Christ upholds all things by the Word of His Power

6. Christ has purged our sins

7. Christ has sat down at the right Hand of the Father