Page 77 - Hebrews- Student Textbook

Human effort cannot bring salvation or assurance. However, a changed and changing life of faith is the
evidence that one has truly been redeemed. The normal result of meeting a Holy God is a holy life of
service (Matt. 5:8).

Biblical assurance was never meant to be turned into a doctrine to be affirmed, but a life to be lived! For
those who claim to know Christ but live apathetic, indifferent, worldly, self-centered, unfruitful, non-
productive, godless lives—there is no assurance!

10:23 let us hold fast the confession of our hope that it waver not; for he is faithful that promised:

NASB "for He who promised is faithful"
NKJV "for He who promised is faithful"
NRSV "for he who has promised is faithful"
TEV "because we can trust God to keep his promise"
NJB "because the one who made the promise is trustworthy"

The only VERB is an AORIST MIDDLE (deponent) PARTICIPLE, "promised." This is the theological balance to
the three "let us. . ." statements of vv. 22-24. This paradox of a free salvation, provided, produced, and
protected by God, must produce an appropriate covenantal human response! God's sovereignty and
mankind's free will are both biblical truths and must be held in tension.

The trustworthiness of God is the believers' strongest confidence (cf. 11:11). God's promises are sure;
God's Word is true!

10:24 and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works;

"how to stimulate one another" This is a strong Greek term usually with a negative connotation. It is
used only twice in the NT. The other place is Paul and Barnabas' argument in Acts 15:39. This may reflect
tension between believing and unbelieving Jews worshiping in a synagogue, which best explains the
groups ("us," "you," and "them") of Hebrews 6.

10:25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one
another; and so much the more, as ye see the day drawing nigh.

Verses 24-25 list three things that believers should do.
1. Stimulate one another to love and good deeds
2. Assemble together (root meaning of "synagogue," used only here in the New Testament)
3. Encourage one another because the Second Coming is approaching

This is the only text in the New Testament which encourages believers to gather for worship. This may
reflect the historical setting of Roman persecution directed toward Christianity (a non-approved
religion) versus the relative acceptance of Judaism (an approved religion). It may also reflect different
worship days. Very early after the Church began to spread within Judaism, the rabbis (i.e., revival of
pharisaic Judaism at Jamnia around A.D. 90) developed a "curse" oath required of every member of the
synagogue, which involved rejecting Jesus of Nazareth as the promised Messiah. At this point most
believers left the synagogue with its Sabbath schedule but continued in their Sunday worship with the
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