Westside Bible Studies

What the Hebrews author is suggesting regarding the new covenant in Christ is not all that new. Jeremiah anticipated a new covenant, rendering the covenant old.

The New and Living Way | Episode 20 | Hebrews 8:7-13

For if that first covenant had been faultless, then would no place have been sought for a second.

In that he saith, "A new covenant," he hath made the first old. But that which is becoming old and waxeth aged is nigh unto vanishing away.

The Hebrews author summed up his argument: Jesus is a great high priest. He serves in heaven, the reality of which the earthly tabernacle was a sketch. Jesus mediates a better covenant founded on better promises.

The New and Living Way | Episode 18 | Hebrews 8:1-6

Now in the things which we are saying the chief point is this: We have such a high priest, who sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man. For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is necessary that this high priest also have somewhat to offer.

Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, seeing there are those who offer the gifts according to the law; who serve that which is a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, even as Moses is warned of God when he is about to make the tabernacle: for, "See," saith he, "that thou make all things according to the pattern that was showed thee in the mount."

Jesus is the high priest of the oath God swore. If we do not draw encouragement and strength from the ability to draw near to God through Jesus' continual mediation, we ought to repent of how much we have taken for granted what God has done in Christ.

The New and Living Way | Episode 18 | Hebrews 7:18-28

For there is a disannulling of a foregoing commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness (for the law made nothing perfect), and a bringing in thereupon of a better hope, through which we draw nigh unto God.

And inasmuch as it is not without the taking of an oath (for they indeed have been made priests without an oath; but he with an oath by him that saith of him, "The Lord sware and will not repent himself, Thou art a priest for ever)";

And they indeed have been made priests many in number, because that by death they are hindered from continuing: but he, because he abideth for ever, hath his priesthood unchangeable. Wherefore also he is able to save to the uttermost them that draw near unto God through him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

For such a high priest became us, holy, guileless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; who needeth not daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people: for this he did once for all, when he offered up himself. For the law appointeth men high priests, having infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was after the law, appointeth a Son, perfected for evermore.

The Hebrews author had explained who Melchizedek was. Now he explains the imperfection of the Levitical priesthood, the change of law that comes from a change of priesthood, and the eternal priesthood of Jesus according to the type of priesthood of Melchizedek.

The New and Living Way | Episode 17 | Hebrews 7:11-19

Now if there was perfection through the Levitical priesthood (for under it hath the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should arise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be reckoned after the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. For he of whom these things are said belongeth to another tribe, from which no man hath given attendance at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord hath sprung out of Judah; as to which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priests.

And what we say is yet more abundantly evident, if after the likeness of Melchizedek there ariseth another priest, who hath been made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life: for it is witnessed of him, "Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek."

For there is a disannulling of a foregoing commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness (for the law made nothing perfect), and a bringing in thereupon of a better hope, through which we draw nigh unto God.

The Hebrews author finally speaks about Melchizedek. He proved to be an incisive and careful reader of the Genesis text. We do well to heed his argument while being careful to not push it beyond what it can sustain.

The New and Living Way | Episode 16 | Hebrews 7:1-10

For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, to whom also Abraham divided a tenth part of all (being first, by interpretation, King of righteousness, and then also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like unto the Son of God), abideth a priest continually.

Now consider how great this man was, unto whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth out of the chief spoils. And they indeed of the sons of Levi that receive the priest's office have commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though these have come out of the loins of Abraham: but he whose genealogy is not counted from them hath taken tithes of Abraham, and hath blessed him that hath the promises. But without any dispute the less is blessed of the better. And here men that die receive tithes; but there one, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. And, so to say, through Abraham even Levi, who receiveth tithes, hath paid tithes; for he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchizedek met him.

God swore by Himself to bless Abraham, and He was faithful to His promise. God swore to make David's Lord a priest after the order of Melchizedek. God's faithfulness to that promise ought to provide great encouragement and hope for the Christian.

The New and Living Way | Episode 15 | Hebrews 6:13-20

For when God made promise to Abraham, since he could swear by none greater, he sware by himself, saying, "Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee."

The Hebrews author moved to assure his audience of his confidence in their salvation and awareness of their faith and works. He was not nearly as concerned about their heritage and present as he was with their continued endurance in the faith in Christ Jesus.

The New and Living Way | Episode 14 | Hebrews 6:9-12

But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak: for God is not unrighteous to forget your work and the love which ye showed toward his name, in that ye ministered unto the saints, and still do minister. And we desire that each one of you may show the same diligence unto the fulness of hope even to the end: that ye be not sluggish, but imitators of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

The Hebrews author was deeply concerned about the growth and standing of those to whom he wrote. If they were to quit now there would be no hope for them. He provided a sober warning Christians do well to consider deeply.

The New and Living Way | Episode 13 | Hebrews 6:1-8

Wherefore leaving the doctrine of the first principles of Christ, let us press on unto perfection; not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the teaching of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit.

For as touching those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come, and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

The Hebrews author made a full stop and chastised his audience a bit. He certainly would get their attention!

The New and Living Way | Episode 12 | Hebrews 5:11-14

Of whom we have many things to say, and hard of interpretation, seeing ye are become dull of hearing. For when by reason of the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need again that some one teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of solid food. For every one that partaketh of milk is without experience of the word of righteousness; for he is a babe. But solid food is for fullgrown men, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil.

As fully God, fully man, Jesus represented the ideal High Priest for mankind. Thus the Hebrews author sets forth the thesis statement for his argument, rooted in Psalm 110.

The New and Living Way | Episode 11 | Hebrews 5:5-10

So Christ also glorified not himself to be made a high priest, but he that spake unto him, "Thou art my Son / this day have I begotten thee": as he saith also in another place, "Thou art a priest for ever / after the order of Melchizedek."