The document summarizes chapters 1-7 of the Epistle to Hebrews. It discusses how Christ is superior to angels and the prophets as God's son. It explains how Christ's humanity allowed him to taste death for mankind. It also describes how Christ offers a true rest and superior priesthood over the Levitical priests as a priest in the order of Melchizedek. The document provides context on the authorship and purpose of Hebrews in establishing Christ's supremacy for redemption.

1. ACE Men’s Bible Study
The Epistle to the
Hebrews
Chaps 1-7

2. ACE Men’s Bible Study
“One of the best things we can say about human nature
is this - that whenever a situation occurs that can only be
solved by an individual laying down his life for his
friends, some heroic person is certain to come forth and
offer himself as a victim. A (Marcus) Curtius to leap into
the Gulf, a Socrates to drink the hemlock, or a Christ to
go and get himself crucified at Calvary.”
God’s Last Word to Man
G. Campbell Morgan

3. Epistle to the Hebrews
• Written to Jewish “believers”, but teaching is
extremely relevant to all (seekers and believers)
• Author unknown – Paul, Understudy, other?
• As Romans defines the sufficiency of Christ for
redemption…
• Hebrews defines the supremacy of Christ for
redemption

4. Epistle to the Hebrews
• From Adam to Moses – 2500 Years
• From Moses to Malachi – 1100 Years
• For 3600 years - God revealed himself by speaking
directly to man and thru the prophets
• Then - silence for 400 years
• After 4000 years “God sent His Son, and in His Son,
the revelation of God is perfect” Dr. William Pettingill

5. Epistle to the Hebrews
• Chap 1: The deity of Christ – superior to the
prophets, higher than the angels
• Christ is the Son of God
• Christ is the Heir of all things
• Christ is the Creator of the world
• Christ is the Radiance of the glory of God
• Christ is the Exact Imprint of God‟s nature

6. Christ is Higher than Angels
• Jewish writings taught that angels not only served as
mediators (messengers) between God and man, but that
angels were involved in God’s decision making. Nothing
higher except God.
• Genesis 1:26
Then God said “Let us make man in our image, according to
our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and
over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the
earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the
earth”.

7. Christ is Higher than Angels
Job 38: 4-7
4 Where were you when I laid the foundation of the world! Tell
me if you have an understanding.
5 Who set its measurements – surely you know? Or who
stretched the line upon it?
6 On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone,
7 when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God
shouted for joy?

8. Christ is Higher than Angels
Hebrews 1:6, 13-14
6 And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he
says, “Let all God’s angels worship Him”.
13 And to which of the angels has he ever said, “Sit at my right
hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”.
14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the
sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

9. Epistle to the Hebrews
• Chap 2: The humanity of Christ – made lower than
the angels so He might taste death
• Fully God – brought deity to earth (God revealed)
• Fully Man – took humanity to heaven (Man‟s rep)
• Merciful and faithful High Priest
• The first of six warnings to believers: “Drifting”
“How shall we escape if we neglect such a great
salvation”? Hebrews 2:3

10. Epistle to the Hebrews
• Chap 3 & 4: The True Rest in Christ
• Moses & Joshua were unable to offer His rest
• Resting (trusting) in Christ each and every day
• God “rested” on the seventh day of creation
• A “Sabbath rest” for the people of God
• Not all will enter His rest: Doubting or Unbelief
• Living in His rest means living in the Word of God

11. Epistle to the Hebrews
• Chap 5-7: Christ‟s Superior Priesthood
• Christ‟s superior priesthood over OT priests
• Over the Levitical priesthood (people under the law)
• After the order of Melchizedek, King of Salem
• Priest of God Most High
• Salem = Jerusalem
• Received tithes from Abraham (Levi)
• Jesus assumes the role of High Priest Forever
• Humanity moves from priestly care under the law..
• To priestly care under grace!

12. Application: The “Gospel Gap”
• Phil was very familiar with Scripture
• Always pointing out something wrong around him
• Successful at very little himself – relational paraplegic
• Tumultuous marriage – no oxygen left
• Never fought publicly, never separated or divorced
• Rarely talked beyond today‟s plans
• Relationship with grown children was “distant”
• Unsatisfied in his career, unsatisfied in his church
• Faithful attendance, tithing, teaching Sunday School
• Easily irritated at home, spent free time online
• Theological man, believing wife, yet a gospel gap

13. Peter’s Caution & Instruction
3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life
and Godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to
His own glory and excellence,
4 by which He has granted to us His precious and very great
promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the
divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the
world because of sinful desire.
5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your
faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge,
6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with
steadfastness, and steadfastness with Godliness,
7 and Godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection
with love.

14. Peter’s Caution & Instruction
8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep
you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our
Lord Jesus Christ.
9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is
blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former
sins.
10 Therefore brothers, be all the more diligent to make your
calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you
will never fall.
2 Peter 1: 3-10

15. Something to Think About this Semester
• Recall the three time horizons:
• New Year‟s Eve 2014
• First day of your retirement
• Death bed
• For each horizon…
• Look back - what will truly define your life?
• Where does „change‟ and „purpose‟ fit into your
schedule and priorities?
• How are lives changed from the inside out?

16. Tapping into the Power of the Gospel
• Recognize the difference between „strength‟ and „power‟
• Your strength – rise to the occasion, make it happen!
• God‟s power – kneel to the occasion, let go, let God!
• “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses
his life for my sake and the Gospel‟s will find it”. Mark 8:35
• Start each day by asking the Lord: “Empty me of me and fill me
with the Holy Spirit”
• Let‟s challenge each other to lose our lives so each one of us will
find the life that God has in store for us every day!

17. ACE Men’s Bible Study
The Epistle to the
Hebrews
Chaps 1-7