What are the requirements for becoming a high priest?
(Hebrews 1-3; 5:1-5; 2 Sam. 7:11-14; Psa. 45:6-7) Blog Jan. 2-8, 2022
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: The deacon, Stephen, was accused of speaking against God’s people, God’s sanctuary, and God’s law. Paul, the apostle, knew well Stephen’s arguments that the Jewish nation was no longer God’s people, that the temple in Jerusalem was no longer God’s house, and that the ceremonial law had been nailed to the cross. From being Stephen’s persecutor, he became the principal proponent of Stephen’s message. In the Book of Hebrews he writes to all believers exhorting them to follow Jesus in his heavenly ministry and to not harden their hearts as Israel did in the desert.
Supreme King
1. Who does Paul introduce as he begins his letter titled Hebrews? In Hebrews Paul begins by introducing Jesus as Prophet, Priest, & King (Heb. 1:1-3).
2. How does the second verse of Hebrews 1 reveal Jesus as Prophet, Priest, and King? Verse 2 of Hebrews 1 says Jesus speaks (prophet), is the firstborn heir (priest), & as Creator is King (Heb. 1:2).
3. How does the third verse of Hebrews 1 reveal Jesus as Prophet, Priest, and King? Verse three of Hebrews 1 speaks of Jesus’ “word” (prophet), his “purging” (priest), & his being “seated” on God’s throne (King) (Heb. 1:3).
4. What is Paul’s emphasis in the first chapter of Hebrews? In Hebrews 1, Paul emphasizes Jesus as King (Heb. 1:4-14).
5. On what basis does Paul say Jesus is better than angels? Paul says Jesus inherited a more excellent name than angels—even that of “Son” of God (Heb. 1:4-5).
6. How does Paul show that the incarnate Son was God while on earth? When Jesus became God’s Son at his incarnation God told the angels to worship him, showing that he continued to be God (Heb. 1:6).
7. In Hebrews 1:8 & 10 what added proof of Jesus’ divinity does Paul give? Paul establishes Jesus’ eternal divinity by quoting Psalm 45 which says Jesus has an eternal throne & then calls him the Lord of creation (Psa. 45:6; Heb. 1:8, 10).
8. What Old Testament promise to David did God fulfill in the incarnation of his Son? When Jesus was born to Mary & Joseph God fulfilled his promise to David that a son of his would reign forever on his throne (2 Sam. 7:11-14; Heb. 1:5).
9. What is it that ensures Jesus’ rule to be good and righteous? Jesus’ rule is righteous for he lived a virtuous life on earth & resisted every temptation to evil (Psa. 45:6-7; Heb. 1:8-9).
Maximum Priest
10. Where in Hebrews is Jesus introduced as our high Priest? Jesus is introduced as our High Priest in Hebrews 2:17 (Heb. 2:17).
11. What are the requirements for becoming a high priest? A high priest must be a human being with access to God & must be called of God (Heb. 5:1-5),
12. In which chapter of Hebrews is Jesus’ humanness emphasized? Hebrews 2 emphasizes Jesus’ humanness (Heb. 2:9-17).
13. With what expressions does Paul point out Jesus’ humanness in Hebrews 2? Paul says Jesus, like Adam & Eve, “was made a little lower than the angels;” being one with humanity Jesus can call us “brethren;” he took our same “flesh & blood;” & he took Abraham’s nature rather than that of an angel (Heb. 2:9-17).
14. What privilege does Jesus have because he is God? Jesus has direct access to heaven because he is God & so can represent us to God (John 16:28; Heb. 1:13).
15. If Jesus is our priest, why does Peter say that we are all priests? Just as many priests served with the high priest on earth so we are priests having only one High Priest (1 Pet. 2:9; 1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 13:15-16).
16. With what high priest is Jesus contrasted in Hebrews? Jesus is contrasted with Aaron for he is a better high priest (Heb. 2:17; 7:11-18).
17. What is the reason for the first four verses of Hebrews 2? Hebrews 2 begins with an exhortation in the light of chapter 1. Paul follows each instructional portion of his letter with an exhortation not to fall back from one’s faith in the Gospel (Heb. 2:1-4 etc.).
Ultimate Prophet
18. Where in Hebrews is Jesus’ role as prophet emphasized? Besides the first few verses of Hebrews, Jesus’ role of prophet is emphasized in chapter 3 (Heb. 3:1-6).
19. With what Old Testament prophet is Jesus contrasted? Jesus is contrasted with & better than Moses who was the greatest of the Old Testament prophets (Heb. 3:1-6).
20. What is the work of a prophet? A prophet’s work is to bring messages from God to the people (Num. 12:6-8; Deut. 18:18; Heb. 1:1; 3:1, 7-9).
OUTLINES OF CHAPTER 2 FOLLOW:
Neglecting salvation (Hebrews 2: 1-5)
Hebrews 2 begins by presenting the great importance of the Gospel for it is possible to lose salvation if a believer lets it escape little by little from his memory, thus distancing himself from the salvation once received.
I. Why give more earnest heed to the Gospel?
A. “Therefore we ought” (1)
1. the Son of God has an everlasting & just kingdom [Heb. 1:8-9]
2. enemies to the kingdom of Christ still exist [Heb. 1:13]
3. angels still minister to believers [Heb. 1:14]
B. It is possible to slip (lose justification) (1)
C. Every transgression will have retribution also in today’s world (2)
II. How can we pay more attention to the Gospel? (1)
A. Earnestness “Add to your faith, virtue” do not be lazy [2 Pet. 1:5]
B. Be careful not to slide
1. “Guard your heart” “Examine yourselves” [Prov. 4:23; 2 Cor. 13: 5]
2. “Beware of” false doctrines [Mar. 8:15; 1 Tim. 4:16]
3. “Beware of covetousness” [Lk. 12:15]
III. How to neglect our salvation
A. The Gospel = our great salvation (“the things which we have heard”)
1. Christ announced – time fulfilled & kingdom at hand; repent and believe [Mar. 1:15]
2. life, death, and resurrection were confirmed to us by disciples, elders, and deacons
3. God testified with signs, wonders, miracles, and gifts of the Spirit
B. slide = forget the Gospel little by little (1)
C. neglect = regaining more interest in self or in things not revealed [Matt. 23:13-14] (3)
D. be indifferent = ceasing to appreciate the light before received
The New High Priest (Hebrews 2:5-18)
Hebrews 2 presents the first dominion that was given to man and how he lost it. Then it presents Jesus as the man who rescued the first domain in order to bring many children to salvation.
I. Dominion over this earth (5-9)
A. The first dominion (5-8)
1. God-given
2. given to a man – Adam
3. given to one lower than angels
4. includes two things
a. “Glory” = nature = condition
b. “Honor” = office = position
5. dominion over all creation = priesthood
B. The dominion sold
1. Adam sold it to Satan (Rom. 5:16-17)
2. Satan represents it in heaven (Job 1:6-7; 2:1-2)
3. Satan, king of this world, offered it to Jesus (Matt. 4:8-9)
C. The new dominion (9)
1. God-given
2. given to a man – Jesus
3. given to one lower than angels – to die
4. includes two things to be able to represent everyone
a. “Glory” = nature = condition
b. “Honor” = office = position
5. dominion over all creation = priesthood
II. The Inventor of our salvation (10-13)
A. Desires to bring many sons to glory
B. He had to perfect the Author through afflictions [Isa. 53:1-10; Sant. 1:3-4]
C. The Author must be equal to those whom he sanctifies:
1. part of the congregation (Ps. 22:22)
2. I will trust the Lord (Isa. 8:14-17)
3. me and the children that God gives me (Isa. 8:18)
III. The Author of our salvation (9-18)
A. His degenerate / non-depraved human nature
1. he participated in flesh and blood just like the others
2. he took the seed of Abraham
B. His earthly work
1. lived to free captives
2. died to destroy the devil
C. his heavenly work – just and merciful
1. make reconciliation = apply the atonement made on earth
2. succor = help us overcome temptation and purify our good deeds