Ancient witnesses attributed the letter to the Hebrews to Paul. Modern scholars tend to be skeptics, even discounting testimony. Hebrews addresses the question of who is Jesus? Is Jesus higher than the angels? Do angels worship Him? Is the Son also called God? Did Jesus taste death for everyone? Did a Sabbath keeping people not find rest? Do we who have believed enter that rest?
Is Jesus a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek? Should we eventually move on beyond very basic Christian doctrines to deeper things? Is Jesus the perfect high priest? What does the new covenant place in our hearts? Was the earthly tabernacle a picture of heaven? Was the law a shadow of the good things to come? Did the patriarchs and matriarchs have a faith that pleased God before the law? Does the Lord discipline those He loves? Have we come to the city of the living God? How important are love and hospitality in a church? Let’s begin.
Hebrews 1 God the Son
Is Jesus higher than the angels? Do angels worship Him? Is the Son called God? Who is His God? Did Jesus lay the foundation of the earth? Is there a huge difference between Jesus and the angels? Let’s find out in Hebrews 1.
Who is Jesus? Is He the heir of all things? Was He instrumental in creation?
God, having spoken long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days spoke to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds, (Hebrews 1:1-2 LSB)
Whose nature is He an exact representation of? Where does He sit? Is He above the angels in stature?
And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, to the extent that He has inherited a more excellent name than they. (Hebrews 1:3-4 NASB)
Why is He above angels? Why is He worshiped? Is He also God along with the Father? Does the author quote the Old Testament extensively throughout this section to prove the divinity of Jesus? Was Jesus Michael the Archangel as some non-Christian cults claim?
For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father”? Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son”? And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.” (Hebrews 1:5-6 NIV Psalm 2:7; 2 Samuel 7:14; 1 Chronicles 17:13; Deuteronomy 32:43; Psalm 97:7 LXX)
Does God call the Son God? Is the Father also called His God?
And of the angels He says: “Who makes His angels spirits And His ministers a flame of fire.” But to the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.” (Hebrews 1:7-9 NKJV Psalm 104:4; 45:6-7)
Who laid the foundation of the earth? Who will remain forever?
He also says to the Son, “In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with your hands. They will perish, but you remain forever. They will wear out like old clothing. You will fold them up like a cloak and discard them like old clothing. But you are always the same; you will live forever.” (Hebrews 1:10-12 NLT Psalm 102:25-27)
What are the angels? Are they serving spirits?
But which of the angels has he told at any time, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet?” Aren’t they all serving spirits, sent out to do service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation? (Hebrews 1:13-14 WEB Psalm 110:1)
Is Jesus higher than the angels? Do angels worship Him? Is the Son called God? Who is His God? Did Jesus lay the foundation of the earth? Is there a huge difference between Jesus and the angels? You decide!
