The book of Hebrews is a thoroughly rich and encouraging sermon/letter that stands out among the epistles because of its profoundness. Regardless of its unknown author and unidentified recipients, the book contains so much affluent theology that its authenticity should not be questioned. Beginning differently than other letters, Hebrews starts off like a sermon instead of with the usual salutations. Because of many connections with Rome, many intellectuals believe the destination of Hebrews was Rome. Scholars have many ideas as to the author; the early church attributed it to Paul because they desired to canonize it and it contained many similarities to his other letters. However, after further examination of the text is done, it is clear …show more content…
This is also the first indication that Jewish Christians received this letter. The author also identifies Christ as the firstborn of God, which holds meaning in the Jewish culture since they identify firstborns as privileged and superior. He also identifies Christ as the High Priest who purifies us of our sins which was the role first century high priests. Jewish people also viewed high priests as the highest human authority and mediator between them and God; therefore, the author is establishing Jesus as the now highest authority and intercessor. After establishing Christ’s position, the author transitions into a warning to pay attention to the truth. The recipients of this letter were under persecution and spiritually exhausted. Therefore, the author knew it would be tempting for them to revert back to their old ways under those conditions. The author also establishes Christ’s superiority over angels as well as every other created thing. The word that Jesus is in control of everything, even the angels, serves as encouragement for the recipients who are undergoing such hard circumstances. He also confirms Christ having been full human with the ability and experience to relate to our sufferings and temptations (2:14-18). This also would have been comforting to a group of people who may have felt alone in their sufferings. Another example where the text appears geared
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with my eye” New Testament Psalms and Proverbs by the Gideons International. Ps 32:8 Wanting to reach out to those who struggle or who can’t see the light on their own is why I want to attend CCU. Some teens come from a bad background or style of living. Working five years at an alternative high school as a security guard I saw a lot of teens that seemed to have no hope, or know what hope was. I’ve seen them come from broken homes and struggling through their everyday lives thinking the “color” of their shirt mattered. Making my daily rounds on campus, kids would approach me seeding someone to talk to or seek guidance. A big factor that helped through my time there
Chapter three of Engaging the Christian Scriptures goes into detail over selective parts of the sections of history, writings, and prophets. Chapter three gives the reader information over several books in the Bible such as Joshua, Judges, Jeremiah, etc. The chapter dives into the text of Joshua and gives the reader useful insight over Joshua and him leading the Israel across the Jordan river to conquer the land of milk and honey, Jericho. The book of Judges purpose was to teach Israel that God is faithful and certain to punish sin therefore each person must remain loyal and devoted to the Lord. The purpose of Jeremiah was to warn of the destruction that they were about to face and to urge Judah to return and submit to God. Towards the end
Paul's letters to the church, also known as epistles, are considered some of the most important documents in the New Testament. Paul's writings continue to shape and forge church even today. His letters were written in some of the darkest, most intense moments of Paul's life, but they also celebrate the grace, love, and life changing power of Jesus. Paul's journey in faith is shown in raw, unapologetic honesty, and inspires Christians to maintain a forward momentum, and to run the race Paul speaks so passionately about in Hebrews 12:1. Paul is able to write with both confidence and humility as he writes about the Christian journey.
Biblical wisdom emphasis is another approach in which one can investigate to see what reigns to be important. Like the wisdom approach, biblical share in the importance of seeking wise counsel. Horton (2009) states that in the biblical approach several areas are important in determining spiritual discernment. These areas consist of decision being determined by the guidelines in the Bible, common sense, individual gifts, God has a plan but do not reveal it, sovereignty of God, and free to make choices (Horton, 2009). One may object to the fact that God would want us to do something but do not give us the tools or clues to do it. God being sovereign is an area that many can agree on. Gill, (2006) states that it is through the sovereignty of God which is presented through the Holy Spirit that allows for us to understand God’s will for our life. Gill (2006) also implement the wheel of life for the coaching process whereas God is at the center. I highly believe that nothing happens without God ordaining it to happen. God is in control of all things. Roman 8:28 states that God works all things together for those who love him and who are called according to his purpose (NIV). Therefore God is in control and guiding us towards his plan or purpose for our lives.
Having identified this problem, the Hebrew letter was an attempt to solve this problem. By reminding these “babes” of these basic doctrines of the church of Christ, he hoped to be able to move on to discuss greater things. It remains to be seen whether this will actually solve the problem.
Therefore, one question remains: how does one endure suffering? How does the author of Hebrews expect a community, which has been ridiculed and rejected to the point they are tempted to abandon Christ, to endure suffering? The author claims that faith is the means by which the community will endure. The author spends the last section of the book of Hebrews (10:32-13:25) exhorting the readers to remain steadfast and faithful amidst their suffering (Thompson 200). A powerful rhetoric occurs in chapter 11 of Hebrews, as the author uses examples of faith and endurance to urge the audience towards faithfulness, beginning with the statement: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1), and thus setting the stage for an exposition depicting people, whom throughout history, remained faithful to God without seeing a world in subjection to Him. F.F. Bruce states that the people listed, in what is often referred to as the
Once during a passionate sermon at church, my pastor had made a vivid statement about incorporation of sin in law. Pastor Smith stated, “the world has developed loopholes to maintain its dignity by incorporating sin into the law, and as long as we are operating under the law, our actions are perceived as being justified”(Smith). Reflecting on his theory has brought me to the realization that the United Stated has established a profitable industry, governed by the creation and the manipulation of laws. Although, it’s ideal to believe that the standards of laws were truly orchestrated with the foundation of equality, justice, and freedom. It is imperative to be informed of historical events that has transpired through the history of the black race each operating under the ordinance of law. Beginning with the development of slavery, to the alarming rate of black men behind bars. I am compelled to present the clause of injustice that has labeled the United States as the home of 25% of the world 's prisoners ().
The Sermon on the Mount is a sermon given by Jesus Christ found in the book of Matthew in the Holy Bible. The beginning of this sermon includes a list of blessings called the Beatitudes. Jesus uses these to explain God’s favor towards those who are striving for righteousness. For those who had come to believe and follow Jesus as the son of God, every word that he spoke in the Sermon on the Mount was intended as words of encouragement for Jesus’s disciples and were taken as such. For those who were skeptical, the crowd, that Jesus was truly the son of God, Jesus’s words took on a totally different meaning. The Beatitudes, simple words that promote the humility of man, were explicit words of encouragement for Jesus’s disciples. Yet at the same time, to the crowd listening, the Beatitudes were an implicit invitation to become men of God by believing that this man is God in the flesh, God in spirit, God almighty, God omniscient, God omnipresent, and God omnipotent.
The Pilgrim Galilee Christian Church Praise Team just finished singing the church happy now it’s time for the announcements. Curtis Bracy, the announcement clerk stepped up to the podium and begins the announcements. I was thinking to myself, I should write the announcements so I will not be clueless when another member what day is a particular event on. Curtis Bracy said the words SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS NEEDED FOR ADULT CLASS, I sat up straight it was like music to my ears. I know what I can do to serve in my church I can be a Sunday School Teacher. He announced members who are interested please speak with the Sunday School Superintendent after morning worship service. I was excited I was going to be a Sunday School Teacher, how hard could it be? I was a member of Toastmaster and I spoke at different functions at different occasions. I already study faithfully and come to Sunday School on a regular basis. I love study the word of God so teaching a Sunday School should not be a problem that’s what I thought.
The Sermon on the Mount is one of the most time-honored narratives in the Bible. I have attended many different denominational churches throughout my life and this passage has always been an important part of each denomination; much like the Ten Commandments. Jesus asserted that He was not trying to “destroy the law of the prophets, but to fulfill” them (Van 289).
For many, the Hebrew bible is read and accepted without question. It plays a significant role in the practice of many religions and yet not many dare to wonder who wrote such sacred writings that would still be read to this very day. For generations, it was almost unheard of to ask or even fathom the identity of the author. Richard Elliot Friedman, a biblical scholar and graduate from Harvard University, explores, studies, and analyzes the bible to discover who wrote it. Having earned a master degree in theology, B.A degree in Philosophy, and master degree in Hebrew literature, Friedman proves to be a knowledgeable expert in his field of studies. From the years of work he invested into, Friedman aims to provide convincing evidence that the book is written by four persons through historical, archaeological, logical proof.
This book in the bible was written about 48 A.D. and the audiences for this book were Jewish Christians. James purpose for writing his letter was to show Christians how to practice their faith in God ( James Richards p.1352).
“The Sermon on the Mount” is a very interesting topic because it has a lot to do with my religion. It is talked about in church often and makes one think about their perspective on life. “The Sermon on the Mount” is a part of the bible that everyone, not just Christians should read and understand. It gives a good perspective on the world and how one should think. People today do not always have the best mind set on how to see the world. In this class we learned on how to see the world in a different way. People are not all the same, but we should all live by the same correct morals. “The Sermon on the Mount” is in the book of Mathew (Holman). This Sermon is about Jesus and what his expectations are for all of his followers (Holman) and
The New Testament is characterized by the existence of imperative Biblical figures, with the likes of Jesus Christ, the Apostles, among many others. Peter was among Jesus’ first disciples. From his turning point, as manifested in the book of John 21, to his progress as a dedicated leader as manifested in Acts, to his final emergence as a co-elder as manifested in the Epistles of 1st and 2nd Peter, Peter exhibited traits of a transformational and charismatic biblical figure (Neil & William 409).
The genre of Ephesians 2:1-10 is an Epistle. The Epistles were letters teaching specific churches or groups of people; often inspired by God. They are split into two categories: Pauline Epistles, written by Paul and traditionally Paul was the first word of the book in Greek, and General Epistles, often referred to as the Catholic epistles and were written to the universal Church. The Pauline Epistles consist of: Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. The General Epistles consist of: Hebrews, James, 1 and 2 Peter, 1, 2 and 3 John, and Jude. The interpretive principles of this genre are that it is meant to be read as a whole and in one sitting in order to get the main idea of the passage, one must view the paragraphs as the main unit of thought in the passage, one must know the structure to understand the letter, and one must do background reading to fully comprehend the main concept and the history and culture of the setting.