____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ June 28, 1998 ____________________________________________________ Studies In Hebrews #1 by Alex D. Ogden With this issue we begin a series of studies through the New Testament book of Hebrews. A study of Hebrews is rich and rewarding. The book is unlike other New Testament books, especially in the unique picture which is presented of Jesus. Introductory Material One of the perplexing things about the book of Hebrews is that the author does not identify himself. Several have been suggested as the author such as Paul, Barnabas, Luke, Priscilla & Aquila and Apollos. Since the author does not identify himself in the book, all such conclusions are guesswork. We must conclude as Origen did, ``God alone knows.'' It is best for us to call him ``the writer of Hebrews'' or ``the Hebrew writer.'' Even though we do not know by name the writer of Hebrews, we do know a few things about him. He was well acquainted with his readers' spiritual condition (5:11-14). He was well aware of their past (6:10; 10:32-34). He was certain they could do better spiritually than they were doing (6:9). When you read the book it is clear he had a thorough understanding of the Old Testament, thus showing he had Jewish influences upon him. Another question we need to answer about the book is, ``Who were the recipients of the book?'' Most of our Bibles have ``The Epistle to the Hebrews'' at the beginning of the book. This title would indicate the book was written to Hebrews, or Jews. But this title to the book was added later. For us to learn who the book was written to we need to look inside the book itself. Some ``scholars'' have put forth the idea that the book was written to Gentiles [Moffatt & Windisch]. Their position is based on Hebrews 3:12. They feel that if Jewish Christians are being addressed, their relapse into Judaism would not involve ``falling away from the living God'' because they would still be worshiping the God of Israel. Therefore, at least in their mind, the book had to be written to Gentiles. There is plenty of proof from the book itself to show the book was written to Jews who had become Christians. (1) Hebrews 6:1 says, ``not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works.'' The ``dead works'' would seem to refer to the Jewish rites and ceremonies that were mere works void of any spiritual cleansing for the soul (see 9:9-14). (2) The continual appeal to the Old Testament scriptures by the author shows the author was confident his readers were well acquainted with those scriptures. Jews, not Gentiles, were taught the scriptures daily. (3) The recipients seem to accept the Levitical priesthood. In 7:11 the writer says, ``Now if there was perfection through the Levitical priesthood...'' If it were written to Gentiles, they would naturally answer the author, ``we never thought there was!'' The Jews, not the Gentiles, would relate to the things said by the writer in the book about the priesthood. (4) Hebrews 10:32-34 speaks of the recipients as having been persecuted by others. When the Jews obeyed the gospel they were persecuted by unconverted Jews (Acts 8:1). Generally speaking, Gentiles who obeyed the gospel were NOT persecuted as the Jews were. Therefore, the recipients of the book would have been Jews. From these and other pieces of evidence we can conclude the book was written to Jewish Christians -- people who were born to Jewish parents and perhaps raised as Jews but who had obeyed the gospel of Jesus Christ. From where was the book written? This question seems to be answered in 13:24 when the writer says, ``They of Italy salute you.'' The book seems to have been written from Italy. From which city in Italy is not stated but it may have been Rome, since Rome played such an important role in early church history. What was the destination of the book? Some have suggested places such as Alexandria in Egypt, Syrian Antioch, Colossae, Ephesus, Cyprus or even Rome itself. It seems apparent to me, however, that it was sent to Jewish Christians living in the region of Palestine. If the persecutions of 10:32-34 are those referred to in Acts 8:1, which seems to be an acceptable conclusion, then it is clear the book was sent to Jewish Christians living in Palestine. We would conclude this because those living outside of Palestine suffered relatively little from the Jews for their conversion to Christ. From 8:4 it seems there were those who still offered sacrifices according to the Law. At the time the book was written this was done very little outside of Palestine. Whether or not our conclusions are correct about the book's destination, always remember they were Jewish Christians. It is clear from the book that it was written prior to 70 A.D. This is seen from the fact the Temple in Jerusalem was still standing (see 8:4; 9:8; 10:1ff). An exact date is really not important. Just remember it was BEFORE 70 A.D. The purpose of the book is stated in 13:22 when the writer describes his work as a ``word of exhortation.'' These Jewish Christians had been faithful and zealous at one point (10:32-34), but at the time the book was written they were immature (5:11-14), weak (12:12,13) and perhaps at the very point of falling away (2:1; 3:12). Because of the possibility of their returning back to the Jewish religion and turning their back on the Lord, the Hebrew writer sent this letter in hopes it will cause them to realize the superiority of the Law of Christ to the Law of Moses and thus be sufficiently encouraged to remain in faithful service to the Lord. ___________________________________________ THE LORD'S CHURCH... MEANS OR RESULT OF SALVATION? by Robert F. Turner When followers of Christ are likened unto a physical body, Christ is the head and the saints are the members of that body, the church (Eph. 1:22-23). All who are in Christ are, by this figure, considered members of His body. We ignore priorities if we say one becomes a saint by becoming a member of His body. The body figure describes certain characteristics of Christ's followers--it does not tell us how to become followers, nor does it provide the means of becoming such. The church is not the means of our redemption from sin, it is the result. The church does not save, it is the saved. The Christian life is lived in faithfulness to the LORD (Acts 11:20-23), not to the ``church.'' When we say one can not be saved without being in the church we mean that all we are saved become, by the same process, members of His universal body. What was God's ``eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus''? Paul says it was ``that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel'' (Eph. 3:3-6,8-11). Salvation from sin, in Christ, for whosoever will; that was God's eternal purpose. The wisdom (and love, and mercy) of God is ``made known'' (demonstrated) by the product: Jews and Gentiles serving God together in the church. What was to be established ``in the last days'' according to Isa. 2, Dan. 2, Mic. 4, Joel 2? The ``mountain of Jehovah'' was to be established--the rule or government of God in Christ. ``Kingdom'' (basileia) always refers to rule; then by extension to citizens, etc. ``Out of Zion shall go forth the law (instruction), and the word of Jehovah from Jerusalem.'' Those who came to the mountain, who followed the instructions of the King, were the fruit or result of the means of salvation, Jesus Christ. Thus, the church was established in Jerusalem. The church is called the temple of God (1 Cor. 3:16-17), the bride of Christ (2 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 5:23-32), and other like terms which stress various characteristics of God's people. It is the people who are under consideration, not some institutional concept of ``church'' apart from saints. Perhaps there is a sense in which God instituted church as He did marriage: by sanctioning and giving rules and regulations for all who enter this relationship, but neither marriage nor church exist apart from or before people so related. We therefore reject the Catholic institutional concept of ``church'' as a ``society'' which is the means of redemption. They think of the New Testament as the product of the church; we think of the church as the product of the New Testament. Catholic Encyclopedia (V. III, p. 752) says ``only by entering the Church can we participate in the redemption wrought for us by Christ.'' We say, only by participating in the redemption wrought for us by Christ can we enter the church. They say ``Incorporation with the Church can alone unite us to the family of the second Adam.'' We say we are born of water and spirit into the family, which is the church (Jn. 3:5; 1 Cor. 12:13; Eph. 2:19; Heb. 12:22-23). The Catholic concept of ``church''---sometimes called ``historical'' or ``institutional'' concept---puts a society between Christ and His people. Study this statement from Catholic Encyclopedia, V. III, p. 752: ``It is to the Church that Christ has committed those means of grace through which the gifts He earned for men are communicated to them. The Church alone dispenses the sacraments. It alone makes known the light of revealed truth. Outside the Church these gifts cannot be obtained.'' This gives ``the Church'' sole right to teach truth, to baptize, and hence to establish new congregations. It explains why ``historic'' churches claim succession from the Roman or other ``mother'' churches. It denies the ``restoration'' concept, whereby an individual may learn truth from the written Word, obey, upon no authority save that inherent in the Word, and thus become a child of God. The ``Bible alone'' was accepted in pioneer days; but as ``the church'' grew this product took on new status. ``We'' alone can scripturally baptize, ``we'' must send (authorize) preachers, ``we'' must validate the Lord's Supper. Unintentionally, and without realizing logical implications of our statements, many have accepted the Catholic, institutional concept. We have been slow to face this problem, thinking we might minimize ``the importance of the church for which Christ died.'' But Christ did not die for a society or institution; He died for Sam, Ann, Ike, Ned, Tom, and Sue--and that spells SAINTS. Ironically, our reluctance to fight the basic institutional concept is due to our own institutional concept. Should today's conservative churches all ``go liberal'' to the extent of complete apostasy, would an individual have the right to study the Bible for himself? Learning what he must do to be saved, could he obey without resorting to the apostate church? Teaching others, could he baptize them? Could they form themselves into a local church, partake of the Lord's Supper, etc.? Does the ``authority for'' or validation of any divinely decreed service hinge upon approval of any man or group of men? I believe an individual could learn truth, obey, and serve God acceptably; for I believe succession is in the seed, not in the sower (Lu. 8:11-15). This does not reject the N.T. concept of ``church''--for the obedient individual is a member of Christ's church; and his kind, the world over, make up the universal church on earth. This does not reject the local church as an organized entity, for faithful followers of Christ must and will associate themselves with other saints as opportunity permits, to worship together and promote the cause of the Lord collectively as well as individually. To this end the scriptures authorize local church oversight, treasury, and function. But the authority for divine things comes from divinity, not from man. We reject the idea that God has given into man's hands (elders or ``church'') either legislative, executive, or judicial authority. Christ is absolute monarch, ruling directly through His Spirit-filled Word. We are individually and directly responsible to our King, to serve Him in all good conscience. We pray for God's help in doing this. -- Via Plain Talk, vol. 13, no. 3, May, 1976 ___________________________________________ NEWS & NOTES Greetings to each of you who are visiting with us for today. So far, not counting today, we have had 19 different visitors during June. I also noticed recently that since we started meeting in our new location (February 25, 1998), we have had 40 different visitors; and because some of these had come more than once, the total number of visitors who make up our attendance-number since February 25 has been 53. Free Bible courses are available upon request. Why not ask for yours today? ________________________________________ Tri-State CHURCH OF CHRIST 1314 Montgomery Avenue, Ashland, Kentucky 41101 Sunday: 10:00 A.M. Bible class 10:50 A.M. Worship 6:30 P.M. Worship Wednesday: 7:30 P.M. Bible study evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (606) 325-9742 e-mail: tedwards@zoomnet.net Gospel Observer web site: http://www.zoomnet.net/~tedwards/go ________________________________________