Monday, February 23, 2009
Hebrews 3
Welcome to Hebrews 3! Verse one reads, "Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess." (NIV) In this verse, what do you think the word apostle means? Second, if Jesus is our perfect high priest, in what ways is he also a perfect apostle?
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5 comments:
So, did you really coordinate the calendar and today's (Ephesians 2) reading? "and the CORNERSTONE is CHRIST JESUS Himself"...AMEN and may that always be the case!
No...God worked that one out!
Great question. My thoughts...and this will be long, sorry. I'm going to go on a bit because I'm not planning on talking about this on Sunday.
It is possible that he is referring to the health of one's faith and not whether it is true (saving) faith or not. Even though I am saved, I still sin and even doubt. When I do this I think you could accurately say I am turning away from God, but I don't think that means my relationship with God is broken, rather it is impaired. I think that James would call this dead or useless faith. This is one possibility, supported by the fact that he is speaking to "holy brothers who share in the heavenly calling." (3:1)
It is also possible (and I think more likely) that he is referring to those who will prove (by turning away) that they are not actually saved. This is supported in the context in verse 6, "And we are his house, IF we hold on..." And also in verse 14, "We have come to share in Christ IF we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first." I think the context (immediate and the book) supports that fact that the author is trying to persuade people to persevere. Failing to persevere would ultimately prove that not all are saved. The illustration given in chapter 3 re: the children of Israel not entering the promised land also supports the idea that these are people who will not enjoy eternal "rest". Also, looking ahead a little in 4:1 we read, "be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of [the promise of rest]."
I don't think it needs to trouble us that the author is writing to believers or "brothers". If I was writing to a church today with some advice, I would never presume that everyone in the church is actually saved. But it would be proper for me to write as though I was addressing believers. This is similar to Paul's letter to the Corinthian church where he encourages these "believers" to "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves." (2 Cor 13:5). I think Paul simply asking the question implies that he thinks it is possible that not everyone reading or hearing his words is "in the faith."
I think how one views perseverance is ultimately going to affect how some of these verses are understood in Hebrews. I don't think the author's perspective in Hebrews is explicit, so regardless of what opinion one takes on the matter, other Scripture needs to be consulted. We can say with confidence that there will be harmony in God's Word.
I'll stop now and wait for someone else to share. Don't let my wordy response keep anyone else from weighing in. These are just my thoughts. This is interesting stuff.
I agree. It's wonderful and challenging all at once that we get to participate in the process of each others spiritual journey.
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