Today, we continued building a solid foundation of understanding the position of the book of Hebrews in our Bible, as well as the author. Hebrews follows the 13 epistles of Paul to Gentile churches and church leaders. It gives us a smooth transition into the last nine books of the Bible which all have a distinct Jewish focus. As we discussed, I believe the author's name was left off on purpose, so that the Jews reading this letter would not have an immediate bias against a human author, especially one who betrayed his heritage like Saul of Tarsus / Paul.
We read Acts 8:1, 9:1-9, and 22:1-5 to get a timeline concerning Paul's journey from Jewish inquisitor sent to arrest, imprison, and even put to death those who left Judaism to follow these who believe in the resurrected Jesus of Nazareth. His miraculous conversion on the road to Damascus is recorded at least three times, including Acts 26. Evidence was given that points to Paul as the author of Hebrews. Philippians 3:1-6 is a personal testimony of Paul where he describes his upbringing and his commitment to Judaism as a Hebrew of the Hebrews and Pharisee of the Pharisees. No one was more Jewish than Paul. He quieted the crowd in Acts 22 by speaking Hebrew to them.
1 Corinthians 9:20: And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
No one was more qualified to speak of the supremacy of Christ concerning the Law than Paul! Hebrews is laid out in a perfect apologetic describing how the Son of God supreme to angels in chapters 1 & 2. He is supreme to Moses in chapter 3, and supreme to Joshua in chapter 4, etc.. Paul would walk into a city and make a beeline to the synagogue and teach on the Sabbath day, and any other time the leaders would allow him to speak.
Acts 17:1-4: Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. And some of them believed and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.
We are going to have some exciting times studying this incredible Jewish book that was not written to us but was written for us as Romans 15:4 states. Books like this were written for our learning to gives a deeper understanding of the Son of God, the great high priest, our mediator!
1 Timothy 2:5-6: For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
