Hebrews 6:12 - That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
This word slothful is a Greek word (NOTHROI) that means lazy.
Hebrews 7:3 - Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
Melchisedec was without father, and notice how it's translated. It doesn't say he did not have a father. The Greek text indicates that there is no record of a father. No record of a mother, and he is without descent. There's no record. Obviously, he came from somewhere. He was a man. He was real. There were no records at all about this guy.
Having neither beginning of days, nor end of life;
That is, we have no idea where he came from, how old he was, when he died, if he died, whatever!
But made like unto the Son of God;
There is a parallel between Melchisedec and Christ. But this text says that he was made like to the Son of God. It doesn't say he was the Son of God. That's important!
Abides a priest continually. The parallel here is that we know that Jesus had a birth. We know who His mother is and who His Father is. But that's not the parallel. The parallel is that Jesus, let's put it this way, the Christ never had a beginning, and doesn't have an end. And that's why the Lord's priesthood is according to Melchisedec, because Melchisedec is parallel to the eternal existence of Christ.
Hebrews 8:2 - For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.
There are never any candles mentioned in the scripture, even though it's in the translation. It's translated lamp. And there was a lamp and a table in what is called the holy place.
So, they are being told that if you go back into old Judaism, you're not going to find any sacrifice there that's going to take care of your sin problem if you leave Christ. You see, they had a choice to make. They could either surrender to Christ, knowing that they would be persecuted and ostracized by their own family and fellow Jews, or, they could go back and remain in Judaism. So, they received the knowledge of the truth, and now they are being told that they either receive Jesus as their Messiah (Savior), or they can go back into their old sacrificing that can never take away their sin.
So, this verse does not teach that a saved person can lose their salvation as some claim!
Amen! The baptism of John was a baptism of repentance, for the Jews it meant turning away from Judaism and receiving Christ as their Messiah. We see in Hebrews Chapter 9 the superiority of the heavenly sanctuary. The old sanctuary and its sacrifice did not purge or purify anyone. Christ, by means of His death became a mediator for the new covenant.
As you mentioned, "For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator." The word testament means a contract. It's like a will. If I make out a will, it does not come into effect until I die. There must be death. And so, with God's covenant with us, nothing is applied until there's a death. And that was the death of Christ!
Hebrews 10:26 - For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
This is another section of scripture that I believe is very important. This is one of the verses in the Bible that some use to show that salvation can be lost.
It says, "For if we sin willfully, that is, we go back to serving the principle of sin, after that we have received the knowledge of the truth," and again, we saw back in Chapter 6 those who were enlightened, that are no longer coming for fellowship. But just because they were enlightened doesn't mean they're saved. The Lord can enlighten someone as to the knowledge of the truth, they know the truth, they have seen the truth, they understand the truth but have never surrendered their life to Christ.
It goes on to say, "Now if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins."
The writer is speaking to Hebrew people here. These people were following along within a mixed group of Hebrews, and they were all hearing the same truth. So, this crowd consisted of Hebrew believers, Hebrew non-believers, and Hebrew people who were following along and receiving the knowledge of truth, probably agreeing with what they were hearing, but would not denounce Judaism and surrender their life to Christ because they knew what this would mean if they did. They would be rejected by their own family, they would no longer be allowed in their temple, they wouldn't be able to work, and they would be severely persecuted if they surrendered to Christ.
Hebrews 10:23 - Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
Some of these Hebrews who have been enlightened to the truth but have never been saved are thinking of going back into old Judaism. If you remember back in Chapters 4 and 5, what is the confession of our faith? There are two things. Number one, Jesus Christ is our apostle. He is the one who has come from God and represents God to us. The second thing in our confession as believers is that Jesus Christ is our high priest.
Now you can imagine a Hebrew or Jewish person making that confession in and amongst the other Hebrew and Jewish people who have rejected Christ as Messiah. That's going to create problems! And so that's why he says let's hold firm, the profession or confession of our faith; (for he is faithful that promised;) That's the Lord!
Thirdly, the third hortatory, or encouragement, is in Verse 24.
Hebrews 10:24 - And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
And let us consider one another. KATANOEO is the Greek word, and it has to do with having a perception upon others. Perceive what others are going through.
And we are to consider one another for two things: Number one, for provoking. Let us consider one another for provoking. In fact, the word provoke in Greek means to irritate, and there are a lot of Christians who are home on that one!
To irritate unto love and to good works: The word good is the word for right, correct works, doing things right in the eyes of the Lord. So, unto love and to good works.
Hebrews 10:19 - Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
That's the holy of holies in heaven.
Now in Verses 19 through 25, it speaks about the sufficiency of the provision of Christ. From the Greek text, there are what are called three Hortatory Subjunctives. In the Greek, a subjunctive presents a possibility or probability or purpose. A Hortatory Subjunctive is an encouragement that's in the Subjunctive Mood, and it's translated by the English "Let us."
It almost sounds like it's a command but it isn't. It's an encouragement. And there are three of them, and I'll point them out as I go through Verses 19 through 25.
Hebrews 10:22 - Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Here is our first encouragement: Let us draw near. And notice what he says, with a true heart, genuine, sincere, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and that's an allusion to the sprinkling of the blood over the mercy seat. Our consciences have been sprinkled from an evil conscience. And our bodies washed with pure water.
Those last two are ceremonies that the priests had to go through in order to enter into the presence of God. So, he's saying, using the shadows, spiritually speaking, with boldness, come into the holy of holies in heaven into the presence of Christ because of our high priest, because of the place where He is, because of the provision made for us, our evil consciences have been sprinkled with blood, our bodies washed with pure water, in symbolic form of what He's done for us in the Spirit.
He's saying let us draw near. We should draw near, not stay away for fear of the God of the Old Covenant who is a consuming fire. So, the first encouragement is draw near. Verse 23 is the second encouragement.
Hebrews 9:10 - Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.
Reformation in Greek means restoring that which is crooked, or to make straight that which is crooked, which will be completed at the second coming of Christ.
Hebrews 10:14 - For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Sanctified is a verb form of the word holy. HAGIOS is the Greek word for holy. It's also the word for saint. It's not the word for holy in the sense of purity, but holy in the sense of position. It means to be set apart. For instance, the vessels in the temple were said to be holy and set apart for God's use. But that didn't mean that they weren't scratched or dented or didn't have flaws. It meant their position and use was set apart for God's use.
When the Holy Spirit comes into our lives, it's the word holy. Holy is an adjective. He's the Holy Spirit of God. He's the Holy Spirit of Christ. Holy is an adjective that describes what kind of Spirit He is. He's set apart. He only belongs to God, He only represents God, and He only does the things of God. He doesn't do the common things outside of God's will because He's the Spirit of God.
When the Holy Spirit comes into my spirit, or my soul, I am then called a saint. It's the same word (HAGIOS). Once His Spirit comes into my life, I am set apart for Him. I'm not a saint because of my performance. Whether a Christian understands it or not, that's where our biggest struggle is. God already has us set apart for His purposes, but we keep trying to go the other way. We keep trying to do our purposes. Our struggle is more with the Lord than it is with Satan.
The verb form (HAGIADZO) that represents the coming of the Holy Spirit into my life, that's called my sanctification. I have been set apart. A saved person is sanctified, and everybody that is sanctified has been perfected, completed!
Hebrews 6:12 - That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
This word slothful is a Greek word (NOTHROI) that means lazy.
Hebrews 7:3 - Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
Melchisedec was without father, and notice how it's translated. It doesn't say he did not have a father. The Greek text indicates that there is no record of a father. No record of a mother, and he is without descent. There's no record. Obviously, he came from somewhere. He was a man. He was real. There were no records at all about this guy.
Having neither beginning of days, nor end of life;
That is, we have no idea where he came from, how old he was, when he died, if he died, whatever!
But made like unto the Son of God;
There is a parallel between Melchisedec and Christ. But this text says that he was made like to the Son of God. It doesn't say he was the Son of God. That's important!
Abides a priest continually. The parallel here is that we know that Jesus had a birth. We know who His mother is and who His Father is. But that's not the parallel. The parallel is that Jesus, let's put it this way, the Christ never had a beginning, and doesn't have an end. And that's why the Lord's priesthood is according to Melchisedec, because Melchisedec is parallel to the eternal existence of Christ.
Hebrews 8:2 - For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.
There are never any candles mentioned in the scripture, even though it's in the translation. It's translated lamp. And there was a lamp and a table in what is called the holy place.
Hebrews 10:26 Continued
So, they are being told that if you go back into old Judaism, you're not going to find any sacrifice there that's going to take care of your sin problem if you leave Christ. You see, they had a choice to make. They could either surrender to Christ, knowing that they would be persecuted and ostracized by their own family and fellow Jews, or, they could go back and remain in Judaism. So, they received the knowledge of the truth, and now they are being told that they either receive Jesus as their Messiah (Savior), or they can go back into their old sacrificing that can never take away their sin.
So, this verse does not teach that a saved person can lose their salvation as some claim!
I believe this is pivotal section for understanding the "baptism of John" Also Christ being baptized along with so many other things in scripture.
Jesus (the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.)
John 1:29
Mathew 26:28.
I believe the Lord was Identifying with the priesthood of the OT and all the sacrifices and rituals that pointed towards Christ.
He ended the Old Covenant and eventually brought in the New Covenant
(For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.)
Also as you mentioned it should clear up the way this section of scripture is misinterpreted.
God bless you.
Amen! The baptism of John was a baptism of repentance, for the Jews it meant turning away from Judaism and receiving Christ as their Messiah. We see in Hebrews Chapter 9 the superiority of the heavenly sanctuary. The old sanctuary and its sacrifice did not purge or purify anyone. Christ, by means of His death became a mediator for the new covenant.
As you mentioned, "For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator." The word testament means a contract. It's like a will. If I make out a will, it does not come into effect until I die. There must be death. And so, with God's covenant with us, nothing is applied until there's a death. And that was the death of Christ!
Blessings to you also!
Hebrews 10:26 - For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
This is another section of scripture that I believe is very important. This is one of the verses in the Bible that some use to show that salvation can be lost.
It says, "For if we sin willfully, that is, we go back to serving the principle of sin, after that we have received the knowledge of the truth," and again, we saw back in Chapter 6 those who were enlightened, that are no longer coming for fellowship. But just because they were enlightened doesn't mean they're saved. The Lord can enlighten someone as to the knowledge of the truth, they know the truth, they have seen the truth, they understand the truth but have never surrendered their life to Christ.
It goes on to say, "Now if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins."
The writer is speaking to Hebrew people here. These people were following along within a mixed group of Hebrews, and they were all hearing the same truth. So, this crowd consisted of Hebrew believers, Hebrew non-believers, and Hebrew people who were following along and receiving the knowledge of truth, probably agreeing with what they were hearing, but would not denounce Judaism and surrender their life to Christ because they knew what this would mean if they did. They would be rejected by their own family, they would no longer be allowed in their temple, they wouldn't be able to work, and they would be severely persecuted if they surrendered to Christ.
Hebrews 10:23 - Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
Some of these Hebrews who have been enlightened to the truth but have never been saved are thinking of going back into old Judaism. If you remember back in Chapters 4 and 5, what is the confession of our faith? There are two things. Number one, Jesus Christ is our apostle. He is the one who has come from God and represents God to us. The second thing in our confession as believers is that Jesus Christ is our high priest.
Now you can imagine a Hebrew or Jewish person making that confession in and amongst the other Hebrew and Jewish people who have rejected Christ as Messiah. That's going to create problems! And so that's why he says let's hold firm, the profession or confession of our faith; (for he is faithful that promised;) That's the Lord!
Thirdly, the third hortatory, or encouragement, is in Verse 24.
Hebrews 10:24 - And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
And let us consider one another. KATANOEO is the Greek word, and it has to do with having a perception upon others. Perceive what others are going through.
And we are to consider one another for two things: Number one, for provoking. Let us consider one another for provoking. In fact, the word provoke in Greek means to irritate, and there are a lot of Christians who are home on that one!
To irritate unto love and to good works: The word good is the word for right, correct works, doing things right in the eyes of the Lord. So, unto love and to good works.
Hebrews 10:19 - Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
That's the holy of holies in heaven.
Now in Verses 19 through 25, it speaks about the sufficiency of the provision of Christ. From the Greek text, there are what are called three Hortatory Subjunctives. In the Greek, a subjunctive presents a possibility or probability or purpose. A Hortatory Subjunctive is an encouragement that's in the Subjunctive Mood, and it's translated by the English "Let us."
It almost sounds like it's a command but it isn't. It's an encouragement. And there are three of them, and I'll point them out as I go through Verses 19 through 25.
Hebrews 10:22 - Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Here is our first encouragement: Let us draw near. And notice what he says, with a true heart, genuine, sincere, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and that's an allusion to the sprinkling of the blood over the mercy seat. Our consciences have been sprinkled from an evil conscience. And our bodies washed with pure water.
Those last two are ceremonies that the priests had to go through in order to enter into the presence of God. So, he's saying, using the shadows, spiritually speaking, with boldness, come into the holy of holies in heaven into the presence of Christ because of our high priest, because of the place where He is, because of the provision made for us, our evil consciences have been sprinkled with blood, our bodies washed with pure water, in symbolic form of what He's done for us in the Spirit.
He's saying let us draw near. We should draw near, not stay away for fear of the God of the Old Covenant who is a consuming fire. So, the first encouragement is draw near. Verse 23 is the second encouragement.
Hebrews 9:10 - Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.
Reformation in Greek means restoring that which is crooked, or to make straight that which is crooked, which will be completed at the second coming of Christ.
Hebrews 10:14 - For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Sanctified is a verb form of the word holy. HAGIOS is the Greek word for holy. It's also the word for saint. It's not the word for holy in the sense of purity, but holy in the sense of position. It means to be set apart. For instance, the vessels in the temple were said to be holy and set apart for God's use. But that didn't mean that they weren't scratched or dented or didn't have flaws. It meant their position and use was set apart for God's use.
When the Holy Spirit comes into our lives, it's the word holy. Holy is an adjective. He's the Holy Spirit of God. He's the Holy Spirit of Christ. Holy is an adjective that describes what kind of Spirit He is. He's set apart. He only belongs to God, He only represents God, and He only does the things of God. He doesn't do the common things outside of God's will because He's the Spirit of God.
When the Holy Spirit comes into my spirit, or my soul, I am then called a saint. It's the same word (HAGIOS). Once His Spirit comes into my life, I am set apart for Him. I'm not a saint because of my performance. Whether a Christian understands it or not, that's where our biggest struggle is. God already has us set apart for His purposes, but we keep trying to go the other way. We keep trying to do our purposes. Our struggle is more with the Lord than it is with Satan.
The verb form (HAGIADZO) that represents the coming of the Holy Spirit into my life, that's called my sanctification. I have been set apart. A saved person is sanctified, and everybody that is sanctified has been perfected, completed!
This comment thread is locked. Please enter a new comment below to start a new comment thread.
Note: Comment threads older than 2 months are automatically locked.
Do you have a Bible comment or question?
Posting comments is currently unavailable due to high demand on the server.
Please check back in an hour or more. Thank you for your patience!
Report Comment
Which best represents the problem with the comment?