Page 66 - Hebrews- Student Textbook

"in ignorance" Only sins that were not pre-meditated could be dealt with by the sacrificial system.
Intentional sins, or "sins of the high hand" (KJV) could not be atoned for (cf. Lev. 4:2; Num.
15:24,27,30,31; Ps. 51:17).

9:8-10 These verses show (1) the preliminary nature of the Mosaic covenant and (2) the superiority of
the new covenant. How is the new covenant in Christ better?

1. In the old only the high priest entered the inner shrine once a year for his sins and the
unintentional sins of Israel (limited access and limited forgiveness).

2. In the new covenant all believers are brought near to God because of Jesus' sinlessness and
the removal of the distinction between intentional and unintentional sins (full access and
full forgiveness).

The new covenant (cf. Jer. 31:31-34), based on faith in the finished work of Christ, not meritorial human
performance of an external code, has given worshipers confidence (a new heart, a new spirit, cf. Ezek.
36:20-27) to approach a holy God, not through ritual procedures or liturgy (cf. 6:1-2), but through the
gospel.

9:11 "But when Christ appeared as high priest" When did this occur:
1. Before creation (cf. Rev. 13:8)
2. at Calvary (cf. v. 12)
3. After ascension to the Father's right hand (entered sanctuary in heaven, cf. 9:24-25)

Did Jesus offer Himself twice? If so, why the emphasis on "once for all?" Possibly He offered Himself as
sacrifice on Calvary, but acted as high priest after His ascension or it may be simply (1) theological
imagery or (2) inspired rabbinical mysticism.

9:12 "not through the blood of goats and calves" The goats were for the people's sin (cf. Lev. 16:11)
and the calves were for the high priests' sin (cf. Lev. 16:11). The sacrificial system of the Old Testament
(cf. Lev. 1-7) was God's gracious provision of allowing (as a foreshadowing of Christ's death) an
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unblemished animal to pay the death penalty for human sin (cf. Lev. 17:11).
"the holy place" Here this implies "the Holy of Holies" of the heavenly tabernacle.

9:13 "if" This is a FIRST CLASS CONDITIONAL SENTENCE which is assumed to be true. God accepted the Mosaic
sacrificial system as a means of covering sin until Christ!

"ashes of a heifer" The red heifer's ashes were used for ceremonial cleansing (cf. Numbers 19).

"who through the eternal Spirit" This is either Christ's pre-existent spirit or the Holy Spirit. The United
Bible Societies' A Handbook on The Letter to the Hebrews by Ellingworth and Nida, lists several reasons
why it probably should be a small "s" when the majority of modern translations (NASB, NKJV, NRSV, TEV,
NJB, NIV) have a capital.
1. There is no DEFINITE ARTICLE
2. The author often speaks of "the Holy Spirit" and addresses Him by this full title

50 Uttly (9:12)
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