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Why Hebrews Was Written (Part Seven)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe authorship of Hebrews remains uncertain, with no definitive historical proof identifying the writer. Internal biblical evidence, such as Peter's reference to Paul writing to the Dispersion of Jews in Asia Minor, provides some support for Paul's authorship, as does the alignment of Hebrews with Paul's assignment from Christ to bear His name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. However, the writing style of Hebrews differs from Paul's other epistles, lacking the roughness typically associated with his letters and instead displaying an elegant quality of grammar, described by some Greek scholars as the best among New Testament epistles. While Hebrews begins as a formal treatise, it concludes as a personal letter, similar to Paul's usual style. Alternative suggestions for authorship, such as Luke or someone close to Paul, have been proposed, but these remain speculative. The anonymity of the author shifts the focus to the main character, Christ, and underscores the epistle's universal applicability, as it lacks an opening salutation identifying specific addressees.
Why Hebrews Was Written (Part Two)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe authorship of the epistle to the Hebrews remains a matter of speculation. The writing style varies somewhat from Paul's other letters, lacking the normal, pedestrian roughness researchers expect from his writing in other epistles. Some have described Hebrews' prose as elegant, the best written of all New Testament epistles in terms of grammar quality. At its beginning, it is organized as a treatise, a formal and systematic account of a subject, and reads as though it is a college lecture, while it concludes as a personal letter from a church pastor, similar to Paul's usual style. Whoever authored Hebrews had an unusually clear understanding of worship under the Old Covenant as both a participant and a keen observer. Some speculate that Luke, Apollos, or even Priscilla wrote it, but the best candidate for its human authorship is the apostle Paul, though it remains uncertain. It is suggested that Paul provided the accurate material contained in the epistle, but someone more skilled grammatically may have smoothed out his writing.
Hebrews as a Sermon (Part One)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The epistle to the Hebrews presents several challenges in understanding its authorship and form, contributing to its relative neglect among modern church members. One significant issue is that the human author did not sign this labor of love, which, combined with the epistle's complexity and length of 13 chapters, often frustrates readers accustomed to the apparent simplicity and brevity of other epistles. Additionally, internal evidence suggests that the epistle was written around AD 65, before the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in AD 70, as it notes the Temple was still in operation with sacrifices continuing. Many researchers propose that the apostle Paul may be the author, despite his name not appearing on the document, and this is supported by the timing, as Paul was assassinated around AD 67 or 68, allowing for the possibility of his authorship before that period. However, the ultimate Author is God, who inspired the epistle's unique design, blending elements of a letter, treatise, and sermon, making it a magnificent teaching vehicle regardless of its human scribe. The author himself referred to his work as a "word of exhortation," a term commonly associated with a sermon message in that era, as seen in other New Testament contexts, suggesting a primary sermonic intent to prepare recipients for impending trials.
Why Hebrews Was Written (Part Three)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe authorship of Hebrews remains a mystery, which may be one of its significant characteristics. God may have hidden the identity of the writer to prevent any personal bias or distrust from complicating the impact of the epistle's message during a tumultuous time. By keeping the author unnamed, the focus remains on the central figure and content, avoiding distractions that might arise from knowing the writer's identity. This intentional omission could have been designed to diminish resistance to the vital doctrines presented, ensuring that readers concentrate on the heavenly emphasis and the authority of Jesus Christ, who is described from the outset as seated at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
Hebrews: Its Background (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The authorship of the epistle to the Hebrews remains uncertain, though the apostle Paul is considered the most likely author. Whoever wrote it possessed a clear and complete understanding of worship under the Old Covenant, enabling a detailed comparison with the New Covenant. Internal biblical evidence suggests Paul's involvement, as his teachings on covenants align with the content of Hebrews, and he traveled extensively through regions where congregations were established, fitting the context of the epistle. However, the writing style of Hebrews differs from Paul's other epistles, lacking the typical roughness and enthusiasm seen in his works. Hebrews is described as elegant, formal, and systematic, resembling a classroom lecture or treatise, which is not characteristic of Paul's usual approach, though he was capable of such formality. The epistle begins as a treatise but concludes in chapters twelve and thirteen as a personal letter, similar to Paul's typical style. Alternative suggestions for authorship, such as Luke or Priscilla, have been proposed but are considered less likely. Additional evidence pointing to Paul includes specific characteristics, singular words, phrases, and number combinations found in his undisputed writings, as well as the mention of Timothy as a companion, a detail unique to Paul's associations. While the exact author remains known only to God, the cumulative evidence strongly favors Paul as the writer of Hebrews.
Hebrews: Its Background (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughRegarding the authorship of Hebrews, only God knows with complete certainty who wrote the book, and this information is not vital to our salvation. Internal evidence within the Scriptures tends to point to the apostle Paul as the author. Evidence from Peter's epistles indicates Paul's clear contacts with Gentile-dominated congregations and ties the subject material to specific scriptural accounts. Additionally, the epistle to the Hebrews fits comfortably with the assignment God gave to Paul, marking him as the apostle to the Gentiles. However, identifying the author does not add to the primary purpose of understanding why Hebrews was written, which parallels the direction and challenges faced by the church today.
Hebrews (Part One)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughIn terms of spiritual insight, Hebrews is a pivotal book, whose function is to bridge the purposes and themes of the Old and New Testaments.
Hebrews (Part Ten): Chapters 1 and 2
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God created angels as ministering spirits to take care of the heirs of salvation. The Bible is filled with examples of angels rescuing God's people from harm.
The Angel and the Apostle
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeHebrews 1-2 establish Christ's superiority over angels, but notably do not mention the Angel of the Lord. Instead, the author handles the Angel differently.
Hebrews (Part Eleven): A Simple Recap
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Most of the attrition from the truth stems from losing interest. Drifting away is rarely intentional, but the result of choosing to live carnally.
Forging the Canon
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughNeither the original apostolic church nor the Roman Catholic Church authorized scripture, but accepted only what was already canonized. Here is how it happened.
Facing Times of Stress: When God Is Silent (Part Three)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsActs 27 teaches that we must distinguish among several types of suffering. Regardless of the type of suffering, we must remember that God will deliver us.