Unpacking the Book of Hebrews: Chapter 7

Please bear in mind that the Book of Hebrews is written to Jewish converts to Christianity, many of whom were contemplating going back to Judaism (The Law) because of the persecution they were subjected to by those outside the Christian Faith.                                      

Note: In the body on this article the verses from Hebrews are in italics, the explanation of the verse/s follows in straight text with additional scriptures shown in bold italics.

Background to Chapter 7

In this chapter the writer returns to a theme that he first introduced to us in chapter 2 verse 17 in which he sates that Jesus is our High Priest and he also expands upon the theme he introduced in chapter 5 verse 6 about Jesus being "a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek."

The Priestly Order of Melchizedek

1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace. 3 He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever. 4 See how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils! 

In verses 1-4 the writer gives us a little more information about the mysterious priest Melchizedek from what is written in the Old Testament. He met Abraham when he was returning home from defeating the alliance of the four kings (see Genesis 14:17-20) who had taken Lot, Abraham's nephew, captive. In these verses from Genesis we learn that Melchizedek was:

• A priest of the Most High God
• His name means king of righteousness
• King of Salem (an ancient name for Jerusalem), salem (a derivation of the Hebrew word "shalem"), it means peace so he was also the king of peace
• He is without genealogy - without mother or father and has neither beginning nor end 
• He resembles the Son of God in that he continues as a priest forever
• Melchizedek is considered to be a great man of God

When we look at the above attributes of Melchizedek that the Bible gives us, we can see that he is a shadow of or a type of Christ. And like Jesus did with his 12 disciples he broke bread with Abraham and pronounced a blessing over him, and Abraham, in recognition of the spiritual greatness of Melchizedek, gave him a tithe of a tenth of his spoils of war!

Melchizedek in his blessing of Abraham gave praise and glory to God for giving Abraham the victory over the four kings! Melchizedek was fully in line with the will of God.

Genesis 14:17-20 (ESV)

17 After his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley). 18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) 19 And he blessed him and said,

“Blessed be Abram by God Most High,

    Possessor of heaven and earth;

20 and blessed be God Most High,

    who has delivered your enemies into your hand!”

And Abram gave him a tenth of everything. 

The inferior is blessed by the superior

5 And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers, though these also are descended from Abraham. 

In verse 5 the writer explains that the Levitical priesthood was established through the Mosaic Law and the Law commanded them to take tithes from their fellow Israelites even though they were all Abraham's descendants.

6 But this man who does not have his descent from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. 

In verses 6 and 7 we learn that as Melchizedek is not descended from Abraham, he received tithes from Abraham, who carried God's promise of being a father to many nations, and blessed him. This shows that Melchizedek was greater than Abraham and that Abraham was inferior to Melchizedek as he gave tithes to him and was blessed in return - the inferior is blessed by the superior!

8 In the one case tithes are received by mortal men, but in the other case, by one of whom it is testified that he lives. 9 One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, 10 for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.

In verses 8, 9 and 10 the theme of Melchizedek being greater than Abraham is continued. The Levitical priesthood, down through the ages, received the tithes of Israel as mortal men as they are all descended from Abraham. 

The Levitical priests, because of their mortal lineage through Abraham, thus paid tithes through Abraham because the Levitical priests throughout the ages were still in Abraham's loins, so to speak, when Abraham met Melchizedek.

Jesus Compared to Melchizedek

11 Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? 

Verse 11 tells us that if we could receive salvation (being perfect) through the Law (the Levitical priesthood) there would be no need for us to have a Saviour and thus no need for another High Priest to arise in the order of Melchizedek! The Levitical priesthood never made anything perfect!

12 For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. 

It was always God's plan for man to be made perfect through the saving grace of His Son, our Lord Jesus. It is only through the name of Jesus that man can be saved - made perfect!. 

So with the advent of Jesus as our High Priest forever and our only Saviour, the law was not only changed but fulfilled in Christ! This was a necessity in order for man to be saved (made perfect) in Christ Jesus! Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law and it is only by repentance and receiving Him as Lord and Saviour that man can be saved.

Acts 4:12 (ESV)

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Matthew 5:17 (ESV)

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

Jesus is from the tribe of Judah

13 For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.

Jesus could not be a priest in accordance with the Mosaic Law as he was from a different tribe. He, in his humanity, was of the lineage of the tribe of Judah, not Levi! Jesus as our High Priest is therefore much higher than the Levitical priesthood as He is pronounced by God to be in the order of Melchizedek.

15 This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is witnessed of him,

“You are a priest forever,

    after the order of Melchizedek.”

In verses 15-17 the writer explains that Jesus is not a priest descended from a legal requirement (the Mosaic Law - Levitical Priesthood) but He became our High Priest forever by the power of an indestructible life! 

The grave could not hold Him. He was resurrected in the power of the Holy Spirit! This was prophesied hundred of years before by the Psalmist in Psalm 110:4:

The Lord has sworn

    and will not change his mind,

“You are a priest forever

    after the order of Melchizedek.”

God will not change His mind, Jesus is our High Priest forever!

18 For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.

In verses 18 and 19 we learn that the former commandment from the Law has been changed and set aside because it was never able to make anyone perfect because it was weak and useless, but in the new covenant of faith in Christ Jesus our hope for eternity is secure as in Him we are able to draw near to God and are called His sons and daughters!

Jesus' sacrifice on the cross paid our debt of sin in full once and for all whereas the Law commanded animal or bird sacrifices for all types of sin on a continual basis. 

1 John 3:1-3(ESV)

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

Jesus appointed by the Father's oath - verses 20-22

20 And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath, 21 but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him:

“The Lord has sworn

    and will not change his mind,

‘You are a priest forever.’”

22 This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.

All the Levitical priests before Jesus were appointed according to the Aaronic bloodline and not with an oath. But Jesus was appointed and anointed a High Priest for ever by an oath from God which makes him a permanent High Priest - not even death could hold him! But every priest before him perished! 

This makes Jesus our guarantor of an eternal life - a far better covenant than the Law! His is the covenant of our salvation and reconciliation with God the Father!

Acts 2:24 (AMP)

But God raised Him up, releasing Him and bringing an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in death’s power.

23 The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, 24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

Verses 23-25

Every priest before Jesus had a finite ministry because they were subject to physical death just like every other human. But Jesus holds His priestly position forever as He is not subject to death - He was resurrected after the cross and lives forever! Consequently it is only through Jesus that mankind can receive eternal salvation! We can only be reconciled to God through Jesus since He constantly lives to intercede with God on our behalf.

Romans 8:34 (AMP)

Who is the one who condemns us? Christ Jesus is the One who died [to pay our penalty], and more than that, who was raised [from the dead], and who is at the right hand of God interceding [with the Father] for us. 

26 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. 28 For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.

Verses 26-28

Jesus is better qualified to be a High Priest than any priest from the order of the Law of Moses - the Levitical Priesthood.

In verses 26-28 the writer reiterates that it is only right that Jesus should be our high priest forever because He the only one who is without sin and undefiled - He was not and is not a sinner as the Levitical priests are and we are. 

Jesus is holy and blameless and does not have to atone for His own sin as the Levitical priests did and as we do. Jesus is exalted above all things and the only name by which man can be saved! See Acts 4:12 above.

Two facts prove the perfect character of Jesus. Firstly, His is exalted in heaven and secondly, because He was sinless He did not need to offer up sacrifices for His own sins – which the other priests needed to do daily.

A Levitical priest could bring a sacrifice and offer it on the altar. But Jesus was both the priest and the sacrifice. Jesus' death and resurrection is the best and only sacrifice brought to God the Father by the best priest for mans salvation.

When Jesus offered up Himself it was a willing sacrifice done in love!

For the Levitical high priests were men who had weaknesses and were corrupted by sin: But Jesus is God's Son who has been perfected forever and was and is without sin and corruption. 

Because He is a perfect High Priest, He is able to offer up Himself as a perfect sacrifice for our sin. Jesus is perfectly qualified to be our perfect High Priest – perfected forever.

Prayer

Dear Father in Heaven

Thank you for Jesus my Lord and Saviour. Thank you that it is by His name alone that I am saved, and it is only through Him that I receive your sonship and can share in your spiritual blessings that are for Your children only. Help me, Father by the power of your Holy Spirit to walk in a manner that is worthy of my salvation in Christ Jesus and keep me from developing a sinful, rebellious heart of unbelief and help me to come before you in humility.  Help me Lord to immerse myself in your Word and wall on the path to spiritual maturity so that I can be a blessing to others and glorify the name of Jesus. Help me in my unbelief I pray!. Amen.

To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!

Jesus the Name above all names!

Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for reading and studying the Bible for yourself. My word is flawed - the Bible is not!

Unpacking the Book of Hebrews: Chapter 6

 

Please bear in mind that the Book of Hebrews is written to Jewish converts to Christianity, many of whom were contemplating going back to Judaism (The Law) because of the persecution they were subject to by those outside The Faith, that is Christianity - faith in Christ Jesus!

Note: In the body on this article the verses from Hebrews are in italics, the explanation of the verse/s follows in straight text with additional scriptures shown in bold italics.

Background to Chapter 6
Having chastised the Jews in Chapter 5 for their lack of spiritual maturity and their desire to leave the faith and return to the Law, In this chapter (6) the writer's focus is on them moving on from the basic foundations of Christianity (being babes in Christ) to spiritual maturity - the meat of the Word.

At the same time the chapter contains a warning to the Church about the peril of falling away from the Faith - abandoning Jesus and returning to live the way you did before you were saved, living a life of sin!

For more information on moving on to spiritual maturity in Chris Jesus, please read my Blog "From Milk to Meat: The Christian Path to Spiritual Maturity" on the below link.
https://rayskilton.blogspot.com/2021/04/from-milk-to-meat-christian-path-to.html

1 Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.

In verses 1-3 the writer's instruction to the Jews and us today is to move on from the elementary doctrine of Christ (milk of the Word) into maturity (the meat of the Word, solid food) in order to grow to Spiritual maturity in Christ Jesus.

Let's remind ourselves of the last two verses in Chapter 5. We must move on to spiritual maturity in Christ Jesus. In other words when we, as born again Christians, have grasped the basic Christian foundations of repentance, faith in God alone (through Christ Jesus), instructions about water baptism, the knowledge of the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead and facing eternal judgement, we must then "walk on" to spiritual maturity in Christ Jesus by being filled with and led by the Holy Spirit as Jesus was!

Matthew 3:16-17; 4:1 (AMP)

16 After Jesus was baptized, He came up immediately out of the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he (John) saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him (Jesus), 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased and delighted!”

Matthew 4:1 (AMP)

Then Jesus was led by the [Holy] Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

Hebrews 5:13-14 (AMP)

13 For everyone who lives on milk is [doctrinally inexperienced and] unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a spiritual infant. 14 But solid food is for the [spiritually] mature, whose senses are trained by practice to distinguish between what is morally good and what is evil.

John 16:13 (NIV)

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

Ephesians 5:18 (AMP)

Do not get drunk with wine, for that is wickedness (corruption, stupidity), but be filled with the [Holy] Spirit and constantly guided by Him (be continually filled).

3 And this we will do if God permits.

Verse 3 is a short sentence that carries a mighty punch. "If God permits" does not mean that God does not want us to go further than the basics and into maturity, but rather it signifies that we should rely totally on God in everything, and have a spiritual desire to walk to maturity!

It is a statement that says that God won't lead us by His Spirit into spiritual maturity until we fully grasp the basics of Christianity and are well seasoned in applying them to ourselves and in our lives. Our Christian walk is a proactive one. If we don't grasp the basics and fully apply them to our lives then we remain spiritual "babies"!

The sad part of this that there are so many people that are born again but have not grasped the basics and fully applied them to their lives, thus we have Christians that have been born again for 10, 20, 30 ,40.....years, but are still "babies" in Christ.

Come on Church keep growing towards maturity - I'm speaking to myself as well!

James 1:22-25 (AMP)

22 But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth]. 23 For if anyone only listens to the word without obeying it, he is like a man who looks very carefully at his natural face in a mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he immediately forgets what he looked like. 25 But he who looks carefully into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and faithfully abides by it, not having become a [careless] listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he will be blessed and favored by God in what he does [in his life of obedience].

2 Peter 3:17-18 (AMP)

17 Therefore, [let me warn you] beloved, knowing these things beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men [who distort doctrine] and fall from your own steadfastness [of mind, knowledge, truth, and faith], 18 but grow [spiritually mature] in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory (honor, majesty, splendor), both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

4 For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.

In verse 4-6 the writer gives the Jews and us today a stern warning that we need to grasp and fully understand!

We must bear in mind that the writer is addressing Jews that have converted to Christianity (The Way) and thus they are now born again believers. He wrote this letter to warn them of losing their salvation as some of them, because of the persecution they were enduring, were considering returnin to Judaism - their old selves! God will never leave us - it is us that leave Him! We are new creations!

2 Corinthians 5:16-17 (AMP)

16 So from now on we regard no one from a human point of view [according to worldly standards and values]. Though we have known Christ from a human point of view, now we no longer know Him in this way. 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life].

This warning is still very relevant to the Church today. We cannot willfully turn our backs on Jesus and revert to the people we once were before our salvation and resume a life of willful sin - if we do this we cannot be restored again (verse 6) and verse 4 says it is impossible for us to be restored once we have been enlightened (saved), have received the Holy Spirit .

Let's examine the phrase "fallen away" in verse 6 so that we can better understand the seriousness of what the writer of Hebrews is telling or warning us of.

The phrase "fallen away" is a transliteration of the Greek word "parapiptó" (Pronounced: pah-rah-PEEP-to - Strong's 3895) and its full meaning is: to fall away from something you once believed, to apostasise, to deliberately deviate from the right path, to deviate from or abandon a truth you once believed in.

There is no second Calvary; hence deliberate rejection leaves no further means of grace, you cannot re-crucify Christ! We must remain in Christ and not willfully and deliberately reject His path!

John 15:5-6 (AMP)

5 I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for [otherwise] apart from Me [that is, cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken off] branch, and withers and dies; and they gather such branches and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.

7 For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. 8 But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.

In verses 7-8 the writer gives us a great practical example of the seriousness of falling away by using the ground on which we grow our food and the rain that is needed for the crop to grow!

When we are born again we become God's fallow ground and we, like the ground of the farmer, need the rain of the Holy Spirit to fall upon us so that we can, like the crops in the field that are water by physical rain, can grow to maturity and bear good fruit!

This how we grow to maturity in Christ Jesus to bear much fruit to the Father's glory. If we are not bearing good fruit than we are worthless to God and close to being cursed and being sent to Hell - burned (see John 15:6 above)!

John 15:8 (AMP)

My Father is glorified and honored by this, when you bear much fruit, and prove yourselves to be My [true] disciples.

What is the fruit that we should be producing? I believe it is the fruit of the Spirit!

Galatians 5:22-23 (AMP)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.

It is from this position, when we are living a Spirit filled life in Christ Jesus, that the Holy Spirit leads us into the good works that the Father predestined us to do long ago to His glory, not to ours, it's all about Jesus! This is how we grow to Spiritual maturity and leave our "babyhood" behind!

9 Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation.

In verse 9 the writer softens the tone of the "seriousness of falling away" and encourages them to look to the "better things that belong to salvation", being eternal life in Christ Jesus!

Whenever we are facing times of trial and tribulation, our first move should be to look to Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith as in Him we can overcome all things. We live by faith! The book of James tells us to count our trials as joy!

Hebrews 12:1-2 (AMP)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of [a]witnesses [who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness], stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us, 2 [looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, [b]disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work].

Romans 8:37 (AMP)

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loved us [so much that He died for us].

James 1:2-4 (AMP)

2 Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. 3 Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.

10 For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.

Like the Jews who had newly converted to Christianity, we too can often become discouraged and feel sorry for ourselves and feel like God is no longer with us! But in verse 10 we are told that be because our God is just, He does not miss anything that we do, have done or will do for others especially when we serve Him in love.

11 And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end,

In verse 11 we get our first indication that the writer is not alone in His encouragement of the Jews but, as he uses the first person plural "we", indicating that he is also speaking as a representative of the other Church leaders of the time. The writing of the letter to the Hebrews has the backing of other leaders as well as his own! They all desire the Jews to continue in their faith steadfastly until the end, until their race is complete!

The Church's only hope and assurance of salvation and everlasting life is in Christ Jesus!

12 so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

If we continue steadfastly in our faith in Christ Jesus we will not become "sluggish" (dull, slow, discouraged, tired) and think of throwing in the towel and just giving up but by being faithful in imitating those that have brought them the gospel, we will inherit (not earn) all the promises of God!

2 Corinthians 1:20 (AMP)

For as many as are the promises of God, in Christ they are [all answered] “Yes.” So through Him we say our “Amen” to the glory of God.

The Certainty of God's Promise
13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” 15 And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise.

In verses 13-15 the writer, because we was addressing a strictly Jewish audience at the time, refers them back to Abraham who most Jews of the time revered as a "founding father" of their nation, and reminds them that God's promises to Abraham (The Abrahamic Covenant) were fulfilled in every way and a son was born to Abraham and Sarah in their very old age!!

Genesis 12:1-3 (ESV)

Now the Lord said[a] to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Genesis 15:4 (ESV)

4 And behold, the word of the Lord came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.”

Genesis 18:10-14 (ESV)

10 The Lord said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah. 12 So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?” 13 The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard[d] for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.”

Genesis 21:1-2 (ESV)

The Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did to Sarah as he had promised. 2 And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time of which God had spoken to him.

16 For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. 17 So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath,

At the time this letter was written and for many years before, when people settled disputes or made significant promises to do something of significance they would swear on an oath as final confirmation of what they had promised to do, and this oath was sworn on something that was greater than themselves to prove to the person or persons they were promising that they were committed to doing what ever they were swearing to do!

In this case there was nobody or nothing greater than God to take an oath on so God swore on Himself to Abraham. This showed Abraham and all the heirs of the promise thereafter that God's has an unchangeable and all His promises are "Yes and Amen." Time and history has proved this! See 2 Corinthians 1:20 above.

18 so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.

In verse 18 we are told that in two unchangeable things it is impossible for God to lie - his promises (all His promises are Yes and Amen!) and His oaths. These two things are the essence of who He is, all His Godly characteristics and His unbounding love for us! God cannot lie!

We who have fled for refuge, our refuge is in our salvation in Christ Jesus, we have fled from our sin and our now new creations in Christ Jesus - He is our refuge and strength.

Psalm 46:1 (ESV)

God is our refuge and strength,

a very present help in trouble.

19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain,

In verse 19 the writer uses the analogy of a "sure and steadfast anchor" to show how strong our position is in Christ Jesus. In the times that this letter was written just about everybody would have been familiar with sailing ships and just how important the anchor was in stabilizing a ship in port especially in stormy weather.

The writer show Jesus in this analogy s our anchor of the soul. Jesus who keeps us steadfast in time of trouble and who is the one that stabilizes us in all things! And it is through Jesus that we can enter into God's presence behind the "curtain", in Jesus we can enter into the Holy of holies into God's presence.

Ephesians 2:18-22 (ESV)

18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

20 where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

In verse 20 the writer tells us that it is "behind the curtain" that Jesus has gone before us, which to me suggests that this is at the right hand of the Father. Jesus has gone to the father on our behalf. Jesus is our High Priest forever! This is how we can enter into God's through Jesus our Saviour!

Acts 7:55-56 (ESV)

55 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

Romans 8:33-35 (ESV)

33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?

Prayer
Dear Father in Heaven
Thank you for Jesus my Lord and Saviour. Thank you that it is by His name alone that I am saved, and it is only through Him that I receive your sonship and can share in your spiritual blessings that are for Your children only. Help me, Father by the power of your Holy Spirit to walk in a manner that is worthy of my salvation in Christ Jesus and keep me from developing a sinful, rebellious heart of unbelief and help me to come before you in humility. Help me Lord to immerse myself in your Word and wall on the path to spiritual maturity so that I can be a blessing to others and glorify the name of Jesus. Help me in my unbelief I pray!. Amen.

To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!

Jesus the Name above all names!

Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for reading and studying the Bible for yourself. My word is flawed the Bible is not!

Unpacking the Book of Hebrews: Chapter 5

Please bear in mind that the Book of Hebrews is written to Jewish converts to Christianity, many of whom were contemplating going back to Judaism (The Law) because of the persecution they were subject to by those outside The Faith, Christianity - faith in Christ Jesus! This chapter explains how better off we are if we hold to our faith in Jesus and not turn back to our old life and ways of sin!

Note: In the body on this article the verses from Hebrews are in italics, the explanation of the verse/s follows in straight text with additional scriptures shown in bold italics.

In this chapter the writer's focus is on Jesus being our great high priest forever. This is not a role that Jesus took on by himself, it is a role that was bestowed upon him by God the Father!

Jesus is greater than any other high priest that came through the Mosaic Law and old covenant. It is through Jesus being our high priest that we, as born again Christians are able to enter into God's presence!

Qualifications for High Priesthood
1 For every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness. 3 Because of this he is required as for the people, so also for himself, to offer sacrifices for sins. 4 And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was.

In verses 1-4 the writer reminds the "Hebrews", and us (born again Christians) today, that up until the arrival of Jesus, the High Priest role or position was ordained by God for men under the Mosaic Law. It was a role given to a man by God, the first High Priest being Aaron - see Exodus 28.

All subsequent High Priests were descendants of Aaron's line, and like Aaron had to come from the tribe of Levi!

The High Priest had to be a man of compassion and recognise his own weaknesses in order to make the annual atonement fo the sins of Iarael as well as for his own sins before God in the Holy of Holies. He was the only man who could enter the Holy of Holies to make the sin offerings! Every High Prriest had to be called by God just as Aaron was.

Exodus 28:1-2 (NIV)

1 “Have Aaron your brother brought to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, so they may serve me as priests. 2 Make sacred garments for your brother Aaron to give him dignity and honor.

A High Priest Forever
5 So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him:
“You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.”
6 As He also says in another place:
“You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek”;

In verse 5-6 we are told that Jesus, the Son, did not place himself as High Priest to bring glory to Himself, but it was the Father who ordained Him High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek! We will examine Melchizedek more closely when we unpack chapter 7!

Verse 5 is a quote from Psalm 2:7 and verse 6 is a quote from Psalm 110:4.

Psalm 2:7 (NIV)

I will proclaim the LORD’s decree: He said to me, “You are my son; today I have become your father.

Psalm 110:4 (NIV)

The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”

None of the Levite priests from Aaron down were ever declared to be High Priests forever, but God was signifying the deity of Jesus when He ordained Him to be a High Priest forever. In His humanity Jesus was not a Levite but in His human lineage He was from the tribe of Judah, the kingly line. This not only sets Him apart from any other High Priests as a High Priest forever but it also confirms Him as the King of kings.

7 who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, 8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.

In verses 7-8 we learn of Jesus' perfect and sinless life. It was the complete submission of His own will to the Father's throughout His ministry, a submission that resulted in His death on the cross even though He asked the Father if their was another way, made him sinless! He suffered greatly for our sin but remained true and faithful to the Father in total submission to the Father's will!. Scripture proves this!

Luke 22:42, 44 (NIV)

42 "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."

44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

The work of Jesus the Son was to do the will of the Father. To do the will of the Father was His "food", His sustenance, that which sustains Him. As His children we, the Church, will be sustained and fed by being imitators of Christ, Jesus is the bread of life the only thing that sustains and empowers us to do the will of the Father in the power of the Holy Spirit!

John 4:34 (ESV)

Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.

John 6:35 (NIV)

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

Jesus is the sustainer of all things! He is the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end!

Colossians 1:16-20 (ESV)

16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Revelation 22:12-13 (ESV)

12 “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,

Jesus' perfect and sinless life makes Him the only name by which mankind can be saved, through His perfect life of obedience and submission to the Father, He became the author of our eternal salvation and the perfecter of our faith.

Acts 4:12 (ESV)

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

10 called by God as High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek,” 11 of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.

Verse 10 reminds us that Jesus was called and ordained by God to be our High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. We will learn more about Melchizedek when we unpack chapter 7 of Hebrews!

Spiritual Immaturity
12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.

In verse 12 the gist of what the writer is telling them and us is that there is an expectation for us to grow into spiritual maturity. The "Hebrews", like so many of us today, had been Christians for some time but because of the persecution and trials that they had been through they were no longer growing in faith but had rather regressed to the point of leaving the faith to return to the Law of sin and death!

Instead of growing in faith from milk (immaturity) to solid food or meat of the Word (maturity) they needed to be taught the basis principles of Christianity again!

13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.

We don't expect newly born again Christians to be fully knowledgeable in the teachings and mature things of the Word for they need to grasp the basic principles (milk) first!

Christians demonstrate immaturity by both their lack of discernment between good and evil and in their contemplation of giving up on Jesus. They allow the trials and tribulations of life to defeat them rather than keeping their eyes on Jesus, believing in faith that through Jesus we have the victory.

1 Corinthians 15:57 (ESV)

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The mature Christian is marked by their discernment and by their unshakable commitment and submission to Jesus Christ and their full obedience and compliance with the teachings of the Bible.

14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

But for those who have been walking with the Lord for a number of years should be walking the road to Christian maturity, they need to have learned by immersing themselves in the Bible to discern both good and evil - becoming spiritually mature Christians and being led by the Holy Spirit to glorify the name of Jesus.

To learn more about walking the Christian road to maturity, please read my blog: "From Milk to Meat: The Christian Path to Spiritual Maturity" on the following link.

https://rayskilton.blogspot.com/2021/04/from-milk-to-meat-christian-path-to.html

Prayer
Dear Father in Heaven
Thank you for Jesus my Lord and Saviour. Thank you that it is by His name alone that I am saved, and it is only through Him that I receive your sonship and can share in your spiritual blessings that are for Your children only. Help me, Father by the power of your Holy Spirit to walk in a manner that is worthy of my salvation in Christ Jesus and keep me from developing a sinful, rebellious heart of unbelief and help me to come before you in humility. Help me Lord to immerse myself in your Word and wall the path to spiritual maturity so that I can be a blessing to others and glorify the name of Jesus. Help me in my unbelief I pray!. Amen.

To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!

Jesus the Name above all names!

Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for reading and studying the Bible for yourself. My word is flawed the Bible is not!

Unpacking the Book of Hebrews: Chapter 4

 What is God's Rest for His Church?

Please bear in mind that the Book of Hebrews is written to Jewish converts to Christianity, many of whom were contemplating going back to Judaism (The Law) because of the persecution they were subject to by those outside The Faith, Christianity - faith in Christ Jesus! This chapter explains how better off we are if we hold to our faith in Jesus and not turn back to our old life and ways of sin!

Note: In the body on this article the verses from Hebrews are in italics, the explanation of the verse/s follows in straight text with additional scriptures shown in bold italics.

In this chapter the writer's focus is on individual Christians entering into God's rest for our own protection, on how God knows each one of us intimately and nothing can be hidden from him and finally on Jesus our compassionate High Priest and how he can sympathise with us in our daily woes, trials and tribulations as He has suffered more than all of us and yet did not sin!

The promise of entering His rest
1 Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it.

In verse 1 the writer uses the word "Therefore" which indicates that he is carrying on with the same theme that he ended with in Chapter 3, namely not entering God's rest. Today we as born again Christians are promised to be able to enter into God's rest but we need to make sure that we don't come short of this promise. Unbelief, lack of faith in Jesus and disobedience to the Word and sin that we have not repented from will prevent us from entering God's rest.

So, what is God's rest for us today as born again Christians? Well God's rest for us can only be found by and in our faith in Christ Jesus alone! But what is God's rest for us in Christ Jesus?

To start let's examine the Greek word for "rest" in this verse.

The word "rest" in this verse is a transliteration of the Greek word "katapausis" (pronounced "kah-tah'-pow-sis" and it's full meaning is: to be in a lifestyle of rest, reposing and in perfect peace in our current circumstances. It brings to mind the rest and repose that the apostles had with Jesus at the last supper, John in particular!.

John 13:25 (AMP)

Then leaning back against Jesus’ chest, he (John) asked Him [privately], “Lord, who is it?”

The peace we should have is also only found in Christ Jesus as it is so different from the peace that we have in this imperfect and sinful world.

John 14:27 (AMP)

Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]

Rest means being at peace with God by trusting fully in Jesus. Living by faith in Christ alone and not any any thing man has to offer. Without faith in Christ Jesus it is impossible to please God and live in His perfect peace!

Hebrews 11:6 (AMP)

But without faith it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him.

This verse also encourages us to hold a reverent fear of falling short of God's rest. Do we trust Him implicitly in everything! Are we concerned for others that fall short. We should be continually encouraging and building each other up in our faith!

Hebrews 3:13 (AMP)

But continually encourage one another every day, as long as it is called “Today” [and there is an opportunity], so that none of you will be hardened [into settled rebellion] by the deceitfulness of sin [its cleverness, delusive glamour, and sophistication].

2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.

In order for God's Word to benefit us it needs to be embraced in faith and true belief that what we do not yet see will come to be in Christ Jesus. The Israelites in the wilderness disqualified themselves from entering God's rest because of their lack of faith and unbelief!.

Hebrews 11:1 (AMP)

Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses].

3 For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said:

“So I swore in My wrath,
‘They shall not enter My rest,’

although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works”; 5 and again in this place: “They shall not enter My rest.”

In verses 3-5 the writer shows us the contrast between those that believe and walk in faith as opposed to those that do not believe and walk in faith. Those that do come into His rest with all His provision, peace, love and comfort regardless of the circumstances we find ourselves in. Those that don't are unable to enter God's rest fully and experience His peace in all circumstances - they are blown back and forth by the winds of trouble and strife!

God's rest for us is remaining in Jesus and walking in faith and belief in Him and His Word! When we remain in Christ, He remains in us and therein we find God's rest for us!

John 15:5 (NKJV)

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides (rests, remains) in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

(Brackets are mine)

Ephesians 4:14 (NIV)

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.

When we are fully immersed in God's rest we move out of Christian infancy into Christian maturity, we are no longer babes in Christ!

6 Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience, 7 again He designates a certain day, saying in David, “Today,” after such a long time, as it has been said:

“Today, if you will hear His voice,
Do not harden your hearts.”

In verse 6 we are told that that we His Church can enter His rest when we become born again by the blood of Jesus and exercise total faith and belief in Him in our daily walk. We are warned that we mustn't be like those (the Israelites) who first heard the gospel (see verse 2 above) and did not believe and did not walk in faith!

In verse 7 the writer uses a quote from Psalm 95:7-8 written by King David a man after God's own heart, to encourage us to enter into God's rest today, we mustn't waste any time in disobedience - Jesus is coming soon! 

Disobedience to God and His Word and lack of faith in Christ Jesus leads to a hardened and sinful heart. The longer we take to live (abide) in His rest the worse sin will envelop us!

8 For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. 9 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.

In verse 8 the writer mentions Joshua who led the Israelites into the promised land which was meant to be God's place of rest for them. The names Joshua and Jesus both mean Saviour. Jesus finished what Joshua was unable to, that is to provide true and eternal salvation and rest for God's children!

Our rest as born again Christians is found only in the person of Jesus Christ our Saviour! His is the only name by which man can be saved and find the rest that God has for us as verse 9 tells us.

Acts 4:12 (NIV)

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved."

10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.

When we repent of our sins and accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, we are enabled to enter God's rest for us. This does not mean that we cease to do good works, it means we cease to do works of the flesh outside of Christ Jesus to achieve righteousness. 

Jesus is our righteousness and He finished the work on the cross! The good works we should do now are those that God predestined us to do in Christ Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit and in accordance with His Word!

Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

The Word Discovers Our Condition
When we read and study the Bible the Holy Spirit reveals our spiritual condition to us, even the things that we think we have hidden or those things that we have buried in our hearts!

11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.

In verse 11 we are encouraged to enter God's rest for us, that is putting faith in Christ Jesus alone. We are told to be "diligent" in doing this!

Here the full meaning of the word for "diligent" is a transliteration of the Greek word "spoudazó" (pronounced "spoo-dad'-zo" Strong's 4704) and it expands to mean to quickly ensure to endeavour, to labour (work at), to make every effort and be eager to study. To be earnest to quickly receive our rest in Christ Jesus.

Our diligence to enter God's rest and our faith in Christ Jesus go hand-in-hand, they should never be uncoupled! Apart from Jesus we can do nothing.

John 15:5 (AMP)

I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for [otherwise] apart from Me [that is, cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.

By using the words "therefore be diligent" in this verse we are almost commanded to enter into God's rest (Jesus) as quickly as we can, we mustn't waste any time in accomplishing all that God has for us in Christ Jesus!

12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

Dear Reader, for me verses 12 and 13 are probably two of the most powerful and challenging verses in the Bible in that they clearly show that God is "all knowing" and actively participating in each of His children's lives not to mention that He knows what is happening with everybody alive in the world. Nothing and nobody is hidden from Him!

The Word of God discovers and reveals the true condition of our hearts and the depth of our faith in Him. He sees everything, even our thoughts, and we will all have to give an account of ourselves on judgement day, there is just no getting away from it, is there?

Proverbs 15:3 (NIV)

The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.

Isaiah 46:10 (NIV)

I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.'

Job 34:21 (NIV)

“His eyes are on the ways of mortals; he sees their every step.”

Romans 4:12 (ESV)

So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.

Matthew 12:36 (ESV)

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,

Our Compassionate High Priest

14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

In verse 14 the writer is telling the Jewish converts that in Christ Jesus they (and us) have a greater high priest than any high priest that has ever been. No other high priest was ever resurrected and no other high priest has ever ascended to heaven. No other high priest was the Son of God. 

Only Jesus has fulfilled these things and because of this truth we must hold on to our confession and faith in Him alone! Jesus is the Name above all names!

Philippians 2:5-11 (ESV)

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,c being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

In verse 15 the writer emphasizes the fact that because Jesus was fully God and fully man He is able to sympathize with us in our weaknesses, our frail humanity. Jesus as a man was, like us, tempted in every way yet, unlike us, He did not sin!

John 10:30 (ESV)

I and the Father are one.”

Hebrews 4:15 (NIV)

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet he did not sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

In verse 16 we are told that because Jesus is our High Priest who is without sin and because we receive sonship through Him, we can come boldly to God's throne of grace.

Galatians 4:6

Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”

"Boldly" means that we can come before God in boldness and confidence, speaking plainly and openly and opening our hearts to Him knowing that He is our helper and always has our bests interests at heart! It is in this place that we receive the fulness of God's grace and mercy for us in Christ Jesus!

When we come before Him like this in true humility, He lifts us up! Even in His unbiased justice and judgement we will receive grace and mercy because we are in Christ Jesus!

James 4:10 (NIV)

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

God provides help in our time of need. No request is too small, because He wants us to be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer… let your requests be made known to God.

Philippians 4:6 (NIV)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Prayer
Dear Father in Heaven
Thank you for Jesus my Lord and Saviour. Thank you that it is by His name alone that I am saved, and it is only through Him that I receive your sonship and can share in your spiritual blessings that are for Your children only. Help me, Father by the power of your Holy Spirit help me to walk in a manner that is worthy of my salvation in Christ Jesus and keep me from developing a sinful, rebellious heart of unbelief and help me to come before you in humility. Help, Lord, to enter your rest in all fulness! Help me in my unbelief I pray!. Amen.

To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!

Jesus the Name above all names!

Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for reading and studying the Bible for yourself. My word is flawed the Bible is not!

Who is God?

 

Who is God!
In answering the question, "Who is God?", and indeed any other question we have on Christianity, our first and only point of reference is the Bible - The Old and the New Testaments. God’s handbook for all Christians – the owner and creator of man‘s life manual!

The question, “Who is God?” Is probably the most asked question of all time by both Christians and non-Christians alike. In fact this question was asked of God by Moses when God sent him to deliver Israel from slavery in Egypt. Moses asked, "Who shall I say sent me?" God's response to Moses is recorded in Exodus 3:14a as shown above.

The phrase translated “I am who I am” in Hebrew is "ehyeh asher ehyeh." This Hebrew phrase can also be more accurately translated as "I will be who I will be."
When God told Moses to tell the Israelites in Egypt that "I am" sent him, He was letting them know that He had a personal interest in them and that He had heard their cries for help. 

Before this the Israelites knew God as "Elohim" or "YAHWEH "or "El Shaddai" which is translated in English as "God Almighty" or "The Lord God Almighty." These terms for God are titles rather than names but the term "I am" is a personal name that God called himself for the first time to man. This is, after God's relationship with Adam and Eve in the the Garden of Eden before 'the fall', God showing Israel and 'mankind' that He wants to be personal with us.

Now, moving to the New Testament, through Jesus our Saviour, God continues this personal line of relationship with us by using the "I am" statements that Jesus makes! These statements reinforce that God "will be who He will be" - the creator and centre of all things created - He created everything! He Himself has always been in existence.

When Jesus makes the "I am" statements he is reinforcing the fact that He is God in Spirit and also fully man in the flesh as the Son of God! Through Jesus and for Jesus, God created all things.

All these things together speak of the eternal nature of God and that He has always existed.

1. “I Am the Bread of Life” - John 6:35

2. “I Am the Light of the World” - John 8:12

3. “I Am the Door” - John 10:9

4. “I Am the Good Shepherd” - John 10:11

5. “I Am the Resurrection and the Life” - John 11:25

6. “I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” - John 14:6

7. “I Am the True Vine” - John 15:1

8. “I Am the Alpha and the Omega” , the beginning and the end" - Revelation 1:8

9. “I Am the Root and the Offspring of David, the bright Morning Star” - Revelation 22:16

10. “Before Abraham Was Born, I Am!” - John 8:58

What does scripture tell us of who God is in more depth? Let's have a closer look!
Here we will have a look at what both the Old and New Testament’s say as the second book of Timothy tells us that all scripture is relevant to us.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

God the creator:
Now in the very first verse of the very first book of the Bible we see that we are told that God is the creator of the heavens and earth.

Gen 1:1

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

He created all things including man:

Gen 1:27

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

So here we have it – God is the creator of everything!

Now at this point you are probably saying to yourself that this is all very well, but who created God?

Much has been written about this and man ofttimes likes to make things intellectually and scientifically complicated. So I‘m going to keep this explanation simple!

Our Christian walk is a walk of faith (I will be dealing with “What is Faith” in a Blog to come in the near future) and our belief in God is an integral part of this faith walk. The more we walk in faith and the more we believe in the Bible, the more God will reveal himself to us.

We must believe in faith that God has always been in existence and that it is He that is able to create things where there was once nothing. This is how all things created came into existence, planets, sun, moon stars, galaxies, man and so on.

Isaiah 40:28

Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of his understanding.

Hebrews 11:3

Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

God the sustainer:
We are told in the book of Colossians that God was here before all things came into being and that it is God that holds and maintains everything in its place.

Col 1:17 (AMP)

And He Himself existed and is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. [His is the controlling, cohesive force of the universe.]

God sustains and maintains everything, including life. He holds everything in place – all creation!

God is Spirit:

We are told in the Book of John in the New Testament that God is a Spirit.

John 4:24

God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

God is spirit and is therefore invisible to human eyes. The Hebrew word for spirit in the Old Testament is ‘Ruwach – pronounced roo-akh (ref: Strong’s Concordance H7307)’ and also has the meanings of ‘breath’ and ‘wind’ both of which we can feel and hear but cannot see.

This is the same for us as born-again believers – we have the ability to both feel and hear God in our spirit (which is the spirit of God within us) but we cannot see him.

In Genesis 2:7 we learn that it is the spirit of God within us that gives our bodies life. He enables us to breath and to live within the boundaries of the world that He has created for us.

Genesis 2:7

And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

In the above verse, the Hebrew word for breath here is ‘ruwach’. Thus, as we’ve learned above from the Hebrew meanings of ‘ruwach’, that the breath of life in us is that which enables us to live, is God’s spirit!

God is love:

Whenever the New Testament writers are referring to God’s love they use the Greek word ‘agapē’ – pronounced ag-ah-pay’ which when expanded to its full meaning reads in English as a love that is unconditional, benevolent, charitable and freely given - we don’t have to do anything to earn it or give anything in return for it, we just need to receive it.

And as we receive God’s agapē so it is our duty as God’s children to shed His love to others in all we do and in our service to Him.

This will bring glory to the name of Jesus!

1 John 4:8

He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

God is our Father:

Probably the most famous bible verse that shows us that God is our Father comes from Matthew 6:9, the Lord’s Prayer:

Matthew 6:9

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

This verse is the start of the Lord’s prayer where Jesus is teaching the disciples, and ultimately us as well, how to pray. It is quite clear from this verse that we can address God as our Father!

When we are born-again we become and have the right to call ourselves children of God. And if we are children of God it, makes sense that He is our Father. Just examine the two verses below to confirm this!

John 1:12, 13

12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

When we receive Jesus as our Lord and Saviour we become born-again and therefore we become the sons and daughters of God and He becomes our Father.

God is three persons but one entity:

This characteristic of God can be difficult to grasp for many new Christians. God is three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Commonly referred to in many Christian circles as The Holy Trinity.

When we examine the scriptures in Genesis 1:1, 2 in the Old Testament and in John 1:1-5, 14 in the New Testament we see quite clearly that God is three persons in one.

Genesis 1: 1, 2 (KJV)

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

Alright then in the verses above from Genesis, we are told that God created the heavens and the earth and right there with Him at the very beginning is the Spirit of God (the Holy Spirit). Now let’s jump forward a few thousand years to the New Testament and the book of John – not the Baptist, but John the beloved disciple of Jesus, the one who wrote the Book of John and Revelation.

In the below verses from the book of John we see quite clearly that the Word (The Bible) was with God in the beginning and in verse 14 it clearly states the Word was made flesh and lived among us, this is Jesus.

John 1:1-5, 14 (KJV)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Now, what do these Genesis and John verses tell us? Simply this, they expose the full Godhead, Father, Son and Holy Spirit – The Holy Trinity!

Just to summarise these verses quickly we have ‘In the beginning’:

a. God (and the Word - Jesus) – Father
b. Jesus (the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us) - Son
c. And the Spirit of God – the Holy Spirit – the Spirit of God and thus the Spirit of Jesus.

The Holy Spirit is God, just as Jesus is God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the Holy Trinity – God in three persons. Just like there are three parts to an egg – yolk, white and shell, three parts but one egg!

Other scriptures referring to who God is

There are many other scriptures throughout the Bible that refer to who God is and I am listing a few of them in the table below. I would encourage you to read and study them in your own time. The more you read God’s Word (the Bible), the more God will reveal himself to you – your mind will be renewed through the washing of the Word!

All verses are from the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible.

Ex 3:14
And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you.

Nu 23:19
God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

1 Tim 1:17
Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Prov 3:19
The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.

Is 40:28
Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.

Is 44:24
Thus saith the Lord, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the Lord that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;

Rev 1:8
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

Conclusion
To summarise God is:

• Love
• Our Father
• The creator of all things created
• The sustainer and maintainer of all things
• Spirit
• Three persons in one – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – The Holy Trinity
• Believed on by Christians in faith

Dear Father in Heaven
Thank that you are the great "I AM" and that you are the creator of all things created. Thank you that your are the one true God and that there are no other things before you. Thank you for Jesus my Lord and Saviour. Amen!

To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!

Jesus the Name above all names!

Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for reading and studying the Bible for yourself. My word is flawed the Bible is not!