Page 121 - Advanced New Testament Survey Student Textbook

Hebrews 12:3-11 – Though this passage talks about chastising and discipline, which is a painful
experience, the author is more encouraging to help us understand that God’s discipline does not spring
from anger or hate but from love because we are His own. The day He will stop disciplining, we should
get concerned because He would have stopped caring. So, if we need His care then we need His
discipline. Do you accept God’s discipline when it hurts?

Hebrews 13:1-3 – This passage reminds us that the idea of hospitality is not about money, it is all about
love, attitude, and servanthood. When the foundation is set right, we can now use anything we have,
including money, time, and energy to express our hospitality to strangers and those in need for His
glory. What motivates you hospitality?

key passages

• Prologue: The Superiority of God’s New Revelation (1:1–4)
• The Superiority of Christ to Leading Figures under the Old Covenant (1:5—7:28)
o Christ Is Superior to the Angels (1:5—2:18)
o Christ Is Superior to Moses (3:1—4:13)
o Christ Is Superior to the Aaronic Priests (4:14—7:28)
o Jesus, Mediator of a Better Covenant (8:1-9:12)
o Jesus, Our Willing Sacrifice (9:13-10:18)
o Let Us Draw Near: Confidence of Faith (10:19-39)
o Let Us Believe: Nature of Faith (11:1-6, 11)
o Let Us Trust: Perspective of Faith (11:7-12:2)
o Let Us Endure: Perseverance of Faith (12:3-29)
o Let Us Love: Workings of Faith and Epilogue (13:1-25)

Practical Application: 169

Rich in foundational Christian doctrine, the Epistle to the Hebrews also gives us encouraging examples of
God’s "faith heroes" who persevered in spite of great difficulties and adverse circumstances (Hebrews
11). These members of God’s Hall of Faith provide overwhelming evidence as to the unconditional
surety and absolute reliability of God. Likewise, we can maintain perfect confidence in God’s rich
promises, regardless of our circumstances, by meditating upon the rock-solid faithfulness of God’s
workings in the lives of His Old Testament saints.

The writer of Hebrews gives ample encouragement to believers, but there are five solemn warnings we
must heed. There is the danger of neglect (Hebrews 2:1-4), the danger of unbelief (Hebrews 3:7–4:13),
the danger of spiritual immaturity (Hebrews 5:11–6:20), the danger of failing to endure (Hebrews 10:26-
39), and the inherent danger of refusing God (Hebrews 12:25-29). And so we find in this crowning
masterpiece a great wealth of doctrine, a refreshing spring of encouragement, and a source of sound,
practical warnings against slothfulness in our Christian walk. But there is still more, for in Hebrews we
find a magnificently rendered portrait of our Lord Jesus Christ—the Author and Finisher of our great
salvation (Hebrews 12:2).

169 https://www.gotquestions.org/Book-of-Hebrews.html (used with permission)

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