Author: Unknown, possibly Apollos or Barnabas. Probably not Paul.
Date: Around 70AD. Before the destruction of the Temple.
Audience: Jewish Christians.
Theme: Jesus is better than anything.
Characteristics: Hebrews shows that Christianity is superior to other faiths by quoting extensively from the Old Testament.
- God speaks to people through the prophets and through his Son. (1.1-2)
- Jesus is greater because:
- He is the heir of the Father (owner)
- He is the creator of all. (Colossians 1.16)
- He radiates God’s glory.
- He is an exact representation of the Faither.
- He sustains all things.
- He provides purification from sin.
- He is at the right hand of God.
- Jesus is better than the angels. (1.4)
- Jesus has been given a great name. (Philippians 2.10-11)
Old Testament Influence:
There are Old Testament quotations in every chapter of Hebrews. In chapter one there are seven.
Signs, Wonders and Miracles… (2.4)
Confirmation (v. 3) is a legal term. It implies that there is evidence.
- Signs: An event or action that would point a person to ‘meaning’ or source.
- Wonders: The effects of a miracle.
- Miracles: Supernatural occurrences that originate with God.