What does Paul tell us to imitate?
(Hebrews 13:1-25; ) Blog 20-26 Mar. 2022
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: Having made a complete atonement for every human being, Jesus ascended to heaven to begin his high priestly ministry there. This ministry is only for believers! His continual ministry there includes justification of believers, forgiveness of their sins, and purification of their good deeds. In the final phase of his priestly ministry, he seals believers, blots out their sins, and makes final purification of their good deeds. Since only believers benefit from Jesus’ heavenly ministry, Paul repeatedly urges us to maintain our faith in Jesus and to follow him in that ministry which ends with judgment in favor of those who enter by faith.
Out of Church
1. In light of a final judgment that will determine who will be part of God’s eternal kingdom, how are we to act? We are to “serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear” (Heb. 12:28).
2. How does the book of Revelation express the same thought of how the final generation is to approach judgment day? John writes that in preparation for judgment we are to fear God, give him glory, & worship him as Creator (Rev. 14:7).
3. After stressing “faith” throughout the book of Hebrews, why does Paul now turn to stressing “works”? Paul not only knows that faith always produces good deeds, but he also knows that doing good deeds strengthens “faith” & that faith must always be informed as to what deeds are pleasing to God, else we will invent deeds of wood, hay, & stubble that will be consumed by fire, rather than be rewarded in judgment (Heb. 12:29; 1 Cor. 3:12-15).
4. When Paul in Hebrews 13 expands on the meaning of serving God acceptably, what does he first remind us to do? Paul begins by reminding us to continue to love the church brethren. This he also says in his letter to the Romans (Heb. 13:1; Rom. 12:10; Gal. 6:1-2).
5. As Paul continues to expand on the meaning of serving God acceptably, what does he remind us to do? Paul reminds us to be hospitable just as he also does in Romans (Heb. 13:1; Rom. 12:13).
6. Who does Paul say that believers should not forget? We should not forget prisoners nor those who are mistreated, but rather act towards them as if we were in their place (Heb. 13:3).
7. While living in the time of final judgment should priests or married couples live celibate lives? Paul makes no such requirement for priests nor for married couples, but only for the unmarried (Heb. 13:4).
8. Why should we be content with what we have? We should be content with what we have for God has promised never to leave nor forsake us & to supply all our needs (not all our desires) (Heb. 13:5; Phil. 4:19).
In Church
9. Besides hospitality, prisoners, and the mistreated who else does Paul tell us to remember? Paul tells us to remember our pastors (Heb. 13:7).
10. What does Paul tell us to imitate? Paul tells us to imitate the faith of those who taught us the Bible, while noting how they ended up (remembering that Jesus was consistent to the end (Heb. 13:7-8).
11. When warning us about strange doctrine what example does Paul give? Paul warns us not to make dietary habits the basis of our assurance but rather to trust in God’s gift of grace – the gift of his Son (Heb. 13:9; Col. 2:16-17).
12. What other counsel concerning church leaders does Paul give in Hebrews 13? We are to obey, submit to, & pray for our church leaders for they care for our souls as those who must give account to God (Heb. 13:17-18).
13. What are we to do if a church leader is corrupt and makes unrighteous demands? We are to speak to our corrupt leaders about their wrong course, take others if they don’t reform, &, if necessary, have the church ex-communicate them (Matt. 18:15-17; 1 Tim. 5:1, 19-21).
Heavenward
14. Where is the altar from which we may get food for our souls? We serve as priests of the heavenly sanctuary whose altar of sacrifice was the cross. So, the food for our souls is the body & blood of Christ (Heb. 13:10-12; John 6:53-58).
15. What does Paul mean when he writes that we should go outside the camp? There is no earthly city that is our eternal home. We must leave earthly Jerusalem, Judaism, & all its ceremonies, enduring the reproach that worldlings cast on those who invest in heaven (Heb. 13:12-14; 1 Pet. 4:1-4).
16. What are the sacrifices that please God that we are to offer on heaven’s altar? We are to offer the sacrifices of praise to God, of giving thanks to his name, of doing good, & of communicating the Gospel to others. These are the sacrifices that please God (Heb. 13:15-16; 1 Pet. 2:5).
17. What is our goal in the Christian life? Our goal in the Christian life is perfection. We work & God works to make us perfect in every good work (Heb. 13:20-21; Phil. 3:12-14).
18. With what words of exhortation does Paul end his epistle to the Hebrews? Paul ends Hebrews with a desire that grace (to be considered better than we are) may continue with all his readers (Heb. 13:25).
19. How would you summarize the Book of Hebrews? The message of the Book of Hebrews is that after having made atonement for our sins Jesus entered the heavenly sanctuary to apply that atonement to those who put their faith in him.