Podcast 120, Hebrews, “Pt 1, Ch 1”

Paul was one of the most fascinating apostles of the early church. He began as an enemy to the church. He said he was, “An Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee.” A Pharisee was devoted to the Law of Moses and strictly observed religious traditions. They believed in the doctrine of the resurrection, the existence of angels, the coming of the Messiah, and the final judgment. Nicodemus was also a Pharisee as was Gamaliel. Paul was noted for consenting to the stoning of Steven and for making “havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women and committing them to prison.”

His conversion to the church was spectacular.

Acts 9:1-5

And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

Paul’s testimony to King Agrippa has become a classic.

Acts 26:13-18

At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Paul became an apostle and special witness of Christ and one of the greatest missionaries the church has ever known. He is famous for his letters to the Saints. In the following Podcasts we shall examine Paul’s letters to the Hebrews. Some of the greatest doctrines of the Church come from the letters of Paul.

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;

Paul validates the prophets of the past whom, as a Pharisee, he would have studied carefully. He interestingly refers to his time as “these last days.” As we shall see in the writings of Paul, he also spoke of “these last days” as referring to the Second Coming of Christ.

In the above he affirms that Christ is the creator of “the worlds.” It is not logical that Paul is merely referring to our solar system. He specifically used the term “worlds.” Clearly that refers not only to our solar system but to many other solar systems and galaxies with inhabited planets.

The next important doctrine of Christianity is the idea that Christ is the “appointed heir of all things.” The principle of inheritance is important in Christianity. From whom did he inherit those things? The answer can only be from the Father. Christ obeyed the Father in all things. It is only logical to accept the doctrine that the Father is the Father and Christ is the only Begotten Son or the law of inheritance doesn’t make any sense. Both at the baptism of Christ and on the Mount of Transfiguration the voice of the Father was heard by witnesses saying, “This is my Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.”

The principle of inheritance is a family thing. It has another reason for being very special to Christians.

Romans 8:16–17

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

The Seed of Abraham expands to include all those who have faith in Christ, whether Jew or Gentile, and all who are worthy shall inherit the promises of Abraham.

Galatians 3:26-29

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Paul, having seen the resurrected Lord in vision, speaks of a heavenly inheritance,

Hebrews 1:3-4

Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.