What was Jesus’ role as “forerunner”?
(Hebrews 5:11 – 6:20; 10:26-29) Blog Feb. 6-12, 2022
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: In Hebrews Paul presents Jesus as one equal with the Father in glory, substance, and power who by himself atoned for our sins and rose to heaven to begin a high priestly ministry there. His ministry is superior to that of Aaron for as “heir of all things” God chose him to be our prophet, priest, and king. This required Jesus to be divine (Heb. 1), to be human (Heb. 2), and to be a faithful messenger (“apostle” Heb. 3:1-6). Besides becoming an high priest after the order of Melchizedek he was also the surety of the covenant, thus becoming the sacrifice and offering that priests are required to offer to God in behalf of their sinful brethren. Only as we continually look to Jesus in faith will his sacrifice and ministry be effective for us. Otherwise our hearts will become hard, causing us to miss out on God’s eternal rest.
“Dull of hearing”
1. Why did Paul tell his readers that they were “dull of hearing?” Paul, like Peter, believed that every believer should be ready to teach others making it necessary to pay close attention to the deep things he was trying to teach about Jesus as a priest after the order of Melchizedek (Heb. 5:11-12; Deut. 6:7; John 16:12; Col. 3:16; 1 Pet. 3:15).
2. What characteristics will be manifest in those who are ready to teach? The mature will be skillful in the Word & have discernment as to what is good or evil (Heb. 5:13-14; 2 Tim. 2:15; Rev. 3:18).
3. What goal does Paul have for his readers? Paul desires his readers to advance onward to perfection (Heb. 6:1).
4. Who are those who “have repented from dead works, placed their faith in God, and been baptized”? Those who have repented from dead works and placed their faith in God are true believers (Heb. 6:1-2; Mark 1:15; 16:16).
5. Who are those who are “enlightened, tasted the heavenly gift, and received the Holy Spirit”? Those who are enlightened, tasted the heavenly gift, and received the Holy Spirit are true believers (Heb. 6:4-5; Rom. 6:23; 8:9).
6. What does Paul say is impossible for true believers to do if they fall away from faith in Jesus? Paul says that it is impossible to renew true believers again to repentance if they fall away from faith in Jesus (Heb. 6:4-8).
7. How has Paul previously in Hebrews expressed this same thought about the possibility of losing one’s salvation after having been justified? Paul warned of letting the received Gospel “slip,” of “departing from the living God” through heart hardening, of coming short of entering God’s rest, & of falling “after the same example of unbelief” as Israel in the desert (Heb. 2:1; 3:12; 4:1, 11).
8. Where does Paul give the same warning later on in Hebrews? In Hebrews 10 Paul again warns believers not to “sin willfully” like the man who despised Moses law & gathered sticks on the Sabbath for then there is no more sacrifice for sins (Heb. 10:26-31; Num. 15:30-36).
“Better things”
9. What contrast does Paul make with those that fall away from Christ? Paul encourages his readers by saying that he is persuaded better things of them for they are actively demonstrating their faith by ministering to fellow believers (Heb. 6:9-11).
10. What two things does Paul say will result in inheriting God’s promises? Paul says that through faith & patience we will inherit God’s promise of eternal life (Heb. 6:12-15; 3:6; Matt. 24:13; Rev. 14:12).
11. What two unchangeable things should give us great encouragement as we look for future salvation? God’s promise & God’s oath should give us strong consolation regarding our future salvation for God cannot lie (Heb. 6:16-18; Gen. 22:16-18).
12. Where were God’s promises to Abraham and to David fulfilled? God’s promises to Abraham & David were fulfilled in their mutual Offspring, Jesus Christ, through whom all nations are blessed & who inherited the everlasting throne of David (Luke 1:31-33; Gal. 3:13-16).
“The hope set before us”
13. What is “the hope set before us”? The “hope set before us” is the hope of being perfected through Jesus’ ministry in heaven’s Most Holy Place (Heb. 6:18-20).
14. What is included in Jesus’ Most Holy Place ministry? In his Most Holy Place ministry Jesus first examines a person’s life record looking for evidence that they continued believing in him for their salvation. He then blots out the sinful record of those who pass this scrutiny & places on them the seal of the living God pouring out his Spirit in Latter Rain (Heb. 4:12-13; Acts 3:19; Rom. 14:10-12; 2 Cor. 5:10; Rev. 7:2).
15. What was Jesus’ role as “forerunner”? As “forerunner” Jesus performed the role of Moses in dedicating the sanctuary & all its compartments anchoring our hope in his Most Holy Place ministry “within the veil” (Heb. 3:1-6; 6:19-20; 9:18-21; 10:19-22).
16. If Jesus’ ministry as our high priest has two phases (Holy & Most Holy Place) how do we understand Hebrews 6:19-20? As Forerunner, Jesus entered the Most Holy Place of the heavenly sanctuary to dedicate it as our New Moses, the prophet. Having done this he, as our New Aaron (high priest), began his ministry of forgiveness of sins in the Holy Place of heaven’s sanctuary. His final, Day of Atonement, ministry of blotting out sins was to follow at the hour of God’s judgment and bring to a close the second phase of his high priestly ministry (Heb. 6:19-20; 9:1-10, 18-24; Ex. 24:6-8; Rev. 14:7).