Who wrote Hebrews? ...and is it for us, today?
Although God never disclosed the actual name of the man that he wrote the book of Hebrews through, he does however put his name as the first word of that epistle. The first word is "God," and that is the "person" who wrote it! There are men like Barnabas and others who seem to fit the profile of the writer, but no one knows for sure who wrote it, and that's the way God wanted it. What we do know is that the 13 books Paul wrote all start with his name, and God chose to start Hebrews with His own name.
There are some dispensationalists using Hebrews and interpreting it as if it were to us--I believe that this is an error.
Think about the name itself—Hebrews. "Hebrews" means a Jew! Plus, it is usually those who don't have a final authority, like we do with the King James Bible. Consequently, they are not too sure about anything in the scriptures...even the infallibility of it.
It is clear that whoever God used to write it, knew about Paul's revelation, but did not preach Christ the way Paul did.
Romans 16:25
Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
Versus…
Hebrews 1:1-2
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
The reason some people do this is because they read the notes of the "scholars"—who don't rightly divide the scriptures—that say Paul is the author of the book. But, Paul says that every book that he wrote has his name on it.
2 Thessalonians 3:17
The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.
Plus, there is doctrine where the Hebrew readers are told that they can lose their salvation if they don't continue and endure to the end…
Hebrews 6:4; 10:26-29
For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
As we know, our Apostle says that no matter what we do, we cannot lose our salvation
1 Corinthians 1:8
[God, our Father (v3)] Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 1:13
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Philippians 1:6
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
2 Timothy 2:13
If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
So no, Paul did not write Hebrews and although some apply it to us today, it is NOT to us or about us.
Hopefully this helps!
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The Epistle to the Hebrews.—We have another example, very similar to this, in the Epistle addressed to other Hebrew believers.
ReplyDeleteThese were evidently more advanced than those who were addressed by James, and less, perhaps, than those who were addressed by Peter. All these three belonged to the same class; the Diaspora or Dispersion, of Israel.
The epistle of James was addressed to the Diaspora. Two were written by Peter (compare 1 Pet. 1:1 with 2 Pet. 3:1): and another was written to them by Paul. This is distinctly so stated in 2 Pet. 3:15, where Peter says “our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written UNTO YOU:” i.e., you believers among the Diaspora.
Paul was thus the writer of the Epistle to Hebrew believers among the Dispersion; for no other such Epistle of Paul has ever been heard of. Who these Hebrews were, or what they believed, or what their earlier standing was, may be gathered from Acts 21:20, where James says to Paul on the arrival of the latter at Jerusalem: “Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law.” If they were “all zealous of the law,” and continued to offer sacrifices for sins (as it is clear they did from v. 26), they could not have believed that Christ was “the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth” (Rom. 10:4); and they could not have known their standing in Christ. In Acts 21 they are not distinguished from those who beat Paul (v. 32), and cried “Away with him” (v. 36): and their zeal for the law was so great, that, they not only observed it themselves, but would persecute and destroy those who forsook it (Acts 21:21—24; compare 1 Thess. 2:14—16).
It was to such Hebrews as these, who believed so little, and worked so much, that Paul was afterward inspired to write an Epistle.
It was written to those who had “a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they, being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, had not submitted themselves to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law, for righteousness, to every one that believeth” (Rom. 10:2—4).
To make this known to them the Epistle to the Hebrews was written. For Paul’s name to have been prefixed to it, as it was to all his other Epistles, would have been (humanly speaking) fatal to its acceptance or usefulness, after the events recorded in Acts 21:17—40: events which ended his public ministry.
The Holy Spirit therefore suppressed Paul’s name, and put the name of “God” at the beginning of the Epistle. Thus, “God,” who had given the law, was the God who showed how it had been fulfilled and ended in Christ.
Thanks for your opinion Anonymous, and although we disagree with your view on the human Authorship of the epistle to the Hebrews, we do appreciate you reading our blog.
ReplyDeleteWhat you must remember is that the writer of Hebrews INCLUDES HIMSELF in the doctrine presented in the book, and our Apostle Paul was NOT a part of that doctrinal program!
Hebrews 4:11
Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
Paul ALREADY has rest in Christ as a member of the Body of Christ!
Hebrews 4:14
Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession
Paul did NOT have to hold fast, he is ETERNALLY secure as of the MOMENT he trusted Christ!
Hebrews 10:26-27
For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
This does NOT pertain to our Apostle Paul, nor anyone else saved in the dispensation of Grace! We ALL sin willfully at times against our Lord, yet we cannot ever lose our salvation!
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is ETERNAL life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Paul was/is a member of the present MYSTERY Dispensation of Grace, and not a part of the Prophesied earthly kingdom program. So although MANY believe that Paul is the human author, he is not! And, what's most important is that GOD wrote it!
Hebrews 1:1
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
Remember what Paul says...he was given the MYSTERY OF CHRIST! You must RIGHTLY DIVIDE the Word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).
Romans 11:13
For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
Ephesians 3:1-4
For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote aforein few words, Whereby , when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ).
Paul was sent by our Lord Jesus Christ to make known the Mystery, NOT to focus on Prophecy/kingdom program.
Colossians 1:24-26; 4:3-4
Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church: Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: That I may make it [the Mystery of Christ] manifest , as I ought to speak.
2 Thessalonians 3:17
The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.
You must beware of those attributing letters to Paul that he did NOT write...
2 Thessalonians 2:1-2a
Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled , neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as [but not] from us,
Again, Anonymous, thanks for reading our blog.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Ron Knight