Pastor’s Bible Class Thomas Road Baptist Church
Series: Praying the Book of Acts and Hebrews Dr. Elmer Towns
Lesson 2: Assurance in Hebrews September 9, 2007
A. INTRODUCTION TO HEBREWS
1. Who wrote Hebrews?
a. Paul.
b. Luke.
c. Apollos.
d. Barnabas.
2. Why Luke wrote the Hebrews?
a. Written to the Jewish Christians (mostly) in Jerusalem, who were going
back into temple practices and Jewish customs. They wouldn’t listen to
Paul if he wrote.
b. Quoted Septuagint version (Greek) of the Old Testament; Paul always
quoted the Hebrew text.
c. Not Pauline syntax (writing is similar to Luke and Acts). Many say the
finest style in the New Testament.
d. Use of medical terms (Luke a doctor).
e. No introduction. “From Paul,” yet writer knew Paul and some
recipients.
3. Argument for Paul’s authorship.
a. Paul preached a sermon “Christ is Better.” Luke wrote it down and/or
translated it.
b. Paul’s content, but Luke’s words and expressions.
c. Origin, early church father, said, “Who the author of Hebrews is only
God truly knows.”
B. KEY WORD AND THEME: THE WORD “BETTER” OCCURS 13
TIMES
1. Christ better than the angels, 1:4.
2. Christ better than Moses, 3:1-19.
3. Christ better than the Sabbath, 4:1-16.
4. Christ better than the high priest, 5:1-10.
5. Christ is better than the ministering priest, 7:7.
6. New Testament better than the Old Testament, 7:22.
7. New Testament has better promises, 8:6.
8. Christ’s sacrifice better than former sacrifices, 9:23.
9. Christ’s offer of Heaven better, 10:34; 11:16, 35.
C. QUESTIONS OF LOSING ONE’S SALVATION
“Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary [principles] of Christ, let
us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from
dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on
of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this we
will do if God permits. For [it is] impossible for those who were once
enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of
the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the
age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they
crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put [Him] to an open
shame” (Heb. 6:1-6).
1. Views of interpretation.
a. Lose one’s salvation, i.e., fall from grace.
b. Only professions, but not really saved.
c. Not lose salvation, but backsliders who face judgment.
d. Hypothetical, if you could fall from grace, you couldn’t be saved a
second time.
e. Jewish believers going back into temple worship.
2. I believe it speaks of Jewish Christians who are going back into Jewish
practices.
a. The beautiful temple vs. the austere lifestyle of believers.
b. Christians were persecuted.
c. Relationship, they had unsaved relations in temple.
d. The day of overlapping grace had passed.
3. Interpretation of 6:1-6.
a. “Elementary principles” (6:1). They were young babes in Christ who
had not grown.
b. “Perfection” (6:1). They had not gone on to maturity.
c. The six introductory doctrines of salvation:
(1) Repentance, (6:1).
(2) Faith to God (6:1).
(3) Baptisms (6:2).
(4) Laying on hands (6:2).
(5) Resurrection (6:2).
(6) Eternal judgment (6:2).
d. “Enlightened” (6:4). Work of Holy Spirit in regeneration.
e. “Tasted heavenly gift . . . word of God.” Means fully drink, not sip
(see 2:9).
f. “Partakers” (6:4) joint activity.
g. “Powers,” what God does for His people.
h. “If” cannot happen, i.e., “If I could fly.”
i. “Renew again to repentance,” can’t get born again twice.
j. “Crucify again for themselves the Son of God.” Personally require
Christ to die again to forgive later sin.
4. Interpretation of 10:26-30. “For if we sin wilfully after that we have
received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for
sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which
shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy
under two or three witnesses: of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye,
shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and
hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an
unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know
him that hath said, Vengeance [belongeth] unto me, I will recompense, saith
the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people” (Heb. 10:26-30, KJV).
a. “Sin wilfully” (10:26).
(1) Intentional: knowing what is sin and choosing to do it.
(2) Greek, continual.
b. “No more sacrifice for sins.” The Old Testament Law had no
sacrifice for deliberate sin, the person was stoned (Num. 15:22-31).
They couldn’t go back into the temple for forgiveness, because Old
Testament sacrifice no longer cleanses.
c. “Despised Moses’ law.” Specific rejection of Old Testament Law.
d. “Judgment and fiery indignation which shall devour” (10:27).
Description of Old Testament physical punishment for this sin.
e. “Trodden under foot the Son of God” (10:29). Apostasy. By going
back into the temple for forgiveness they despise Jesus.
f. “Done despite unto the Spirit of grace” (10:29). Not allow Holy
Spirit to work in their hearts.
D. SOLVING A HERITAGE PROBLEM
1. God settled the clash between cultures (Jewish vs. Gentile), and religions
(Old Testament salvation vs. New Testament salvation) when Titus
destroyed the temple in 70 A.D.
2. The book of Hebrews was doctrinal explanation.
3. There are many reasons to believe in eternal security.
(1) In salvation you are given eternal life.
(2) The Father’s promise, (John 10:27-29; I Peter 1:5).
(3) Christ provides eternal salvation (5:9; 9:12). The Spirit keeps us safe
(Heb. 9:14).
(4) Warning: you may be only a professing Christian (Matt. 7:21-22).
(5) Examine yourself (II Cor. 13:5).
To receive this lesson, log on to www.elmertowns.com. You will find
it under Sunday School lessons. To email Dr. Towns, eltowns@liberty.edu.
For more information on the class, log on to the Internet for TRBC Home page
at www.trbc.org/pbc.
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
For more information on the TRBC Pastor’s Bible Class, log on to the Internet for TRBC Home page at www.trbc.org/pbc.
