Page 107 - New Testament Survey Student Textbook

Study Section 12: Epistle to the Hebrews: Living in Christ

12.1 Connect

Christianity back then, and Christianity today, has never gone without some form of
persecution. You will realize that to be a Christian today in some places is considered to be old
fashioned, in some countries you can’t share the gospel in a public place, and in private, if the
recipient of the gospel feels like they are forced to accept it, they can sue you. In some African
areas the gospel is considered to be a white man’s religion. In some Arabic nations, in the
Middle East, the gospel is a Western Religion. In some families, accepting the gospel means forsaking
the gods of the family, thereby becoming an outcast. In some marriages, accepting the gospel means
divorce. In highly corrupt countries, accepting the gospel means missing out on great business/job
opportunities. In some communities, accepting the gospel means declaring enmity with your gang
members, which might even lead to death. Examples are endless. By nature, persecution at any level is
evil because it is a greatest force to try to cause a believer to deny the gospel they first accepted,
therefore, requires endurance (long suffering), courage, boldness, faith (trust that the Lord is with you).
This is the point of Hebrews in its context. The first-century audience of Hebrews was experiencing
opposition to their faith in Jesus and facing pressure to give up. The writer reassures them that
everything they seek can be found in Christ. Hope in Christ is so much better than what society has to
offer. Once their entire lives are transformed in Christ, the believers can withstand any persecution the
world throws their way. Let’s begin…

12.2 Objectives

1. The student shall be able to demonstrate their knowledge of the author of Hebrews.

2. The student shall be able to locate when and where the book was written.

3. The student shall be able to name the recipients of the book.

4. The student shall be able to describe the occasions under which the book was written.
5. The student shall be able to describe the themes and purposes of the book.

6. The student shall be able to explain the structures and outlines of the book.

7. The student shall be able to demonstrate mastery of the atmospheres at the time of the writing of the
book.
8. The student shall be able to name the key passages in the book.

9. The student shall be able to recite the key words in the book.

12.3 Hebrews

Author

The author of Hebrews is unknown, and the audience is not clearly identified. However, the
recipients of the letter must have clearly known the author, and the author must have clearly

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