Keep Growing: a bible study on Hebrews 5:11-7:28
Keep Growing
The writer to Hebrews is worried about his readers
stagnating in their faith
worse – reverting to a childish (not childlike) faith that does withstand the temptation to look for something other than or in addition to Jesus
worse still deliberately forsaking their faith.
Stagnation in Faith
Question 1: Milk
We will see what “milk” is in the next section but here we are told what happens if we stay an infant. (Hebrews 5:11-14) If we stay on milk what aren’t we acquainted with? Put positively, if we go to solid food, what can we do? What does this mean? Do we distinguish between good and evil with respect to behaviour or belief?
The milk is: (Read Hebrews 6:1-3)
Foundation:-
repentance (turning from), faith (turning to). Both of these are fundamental to the apostolic preaching. Are they irrelevant to everyday Christian life? Do you stop learning about and practising repentance and faith?
Instruction about:-
signs:- Baptisms/Ablutions and laying on of hands
last days:- Resurrection and Judgement.
What extra knowledge would you consider is necessary to know if you were to become a mature Christian?
Question 2: A Warning
This passage begins with a dire warning. It follows the last section;
“Let us move on….3. And God permitting we will do so.”
So why should we move on?
Who are the people described in v3b-6a? ”It is impossible…to be brought back to repentance.”
People who were real Christians and stopped being Christians? (see John 10:27-28)
People who just looked like Christians and stopped even pretending? (see 1 John 2:18-19)
Real Christians who hear a warning of a really terrifying possibility and avoid it? (partly because of the warning)
Read Heb 6:9-12. What reason does this passage give for the readers never actually falling away?
Read Hebrews 6:17-19. What sort of God do we believe in? Does he give false hope?
To go back a step… How severe are the effects of ignoring the warning?
“it is impossible…back to repentance”
“they are crucifying the Son of God all over again”. Is this a private or public falling away?
What is the purpose of this teaching? (Heb 6:12)
Question 3: God’s Commitment
The writer takes up the idea of what has been promised and how it was kept.
In Heb 11:13 the writer points out that Abraham did not received all that he was promised in his lifetime. Here the writer reminds his readers of the promise to Abraham that he would be given many descendants. Abraham waited patiently and he received what was promised. Well, a few descendants in his lifetime anyway.
God’s promise to Abraham, sealed by an oath, and trusted by Abraham is not only an example of honesty and trust but also a promise from which we benefit. We are descendants of Abraham (Heb 2:16ff). We have fled to take hold of the hope Abraham had – that God would be faithful.
The hope is behind the inner sanctuary’s curtain. (Heb 6:19) What does that mean? Is our hope an ideal or a person?
Who is behind the curtain? (note the curtain referred to was in the Tabernacle. It provided access to the Holy of Holies. A High Priest could only enter the Holy of Holies once a year and probably once in a lifetime.). We have read about Jesus a High Priest before in Hebrews. Why is it important that Jesus is a High Priest, a human being, and not Just divine?
The problem is that Jesus was not born into the correct tribe to be a priest (Hebrews 7:13,14), let alone a high priest. The writer turns the problem into a plus by using it to demonstrate God’s eternal provision of a mediator.
Melchizedek is an obscure figure in the OT to say the least.
What does his name and title mean in Hebrew? (7:2)
There is no record of his parentage. He appears from nowhere. What conclusion does the writer draw from this? (Heb 7:3)
What did Abraham receive from Melchizedek? (Heb 7:1,6) What did Abraham give to Melchizedek? (Heb 7:1,6). What conclusion does the writer draw? (Heb 7:7)
Melchizedek was not descended from Levi. In fact, Levi was yet to be a descendant of Abraham. Who is “superior” in the High Priest stakes Melchizedek or Levi? (Heb 7:9,10)
This appears to be an argument that is as obscure as Melchizedek. The writer, however, is making a simple point. Melchizedek is the architype of the sort of High Priest Jesus is. The writer quotes Psalm 110.
How long is Jesus a priest? (Heb 7:17)
How was he established a High Priest (Heb 7:21)
The point is that Jesus can fulfil all that the work of the priests promised. What does Heb 7:18,19 say? The Old Testament system is not replaced by plan B. It is fulfilled. How long had God been planning that Jesus would be High Priest?
Jesus, the Son, has been made perfect forever. (Heb 7:28) We have read this before. His path to perfection as High Priest came through discipline and suffering. How does this provide an example for our life’s pattern as we are encouraged to stay faithful to our hope? (Heb 5:8; 12:7)