RPG Adults
THE MESSAGE OF THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS (II)
TUESDAY, JULY 2
Hebrews 1:1-3
Acts 2:22-28
“… Jesus … a man approved of God among you
by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did ...”
THE MESSAGE OF THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS (II)
God also communicated through the prophets Elijah and Elisha. They did not write any Old Testament book but their work is recorded in Scripture by other writers. The prophets’ messages conveyed the words of God to the people. God communicated to them by plain speech, and also through signs and wonders. At certain times God spoke through angels and also by means of a theophany, i.e. the appearance of God to man. The writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews was referring to all these means in Hebrews 1:1.
Those messages were given to the Jewish ancestors, referred to as “the fathers” (Heb 1:1). The writer was addressing the new believers who were conversant with God’s dealing with their nation in the past. It was common to include the elders as part of the leaders of the Jews. They exercised authority together with the priests and the scribes. The main point here is the authentication of the Old Testament as the inspired text. It is part of Scripture and it is quoted extensively in this Epistle.
The writer stated that God has “in these last days spoken unto us by his Son” (Heb 1:2). The Epistle to the Hebrews is part of the New Testament. Together with the four Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles, they give in detail the works of Christ. The writer referred to this as God speaking to us. That Christ is God is without dispute in these books. His speech and doctrine is the voice of God Himself. The book of Revelation is the extension of His speech while He was on earth. The message there is necessary to explain God’s plan at the end of the age. The epistles in the New Testament are the exposition of the Apostles of the teachings of Christ. Hebrews 1:2 thus authenticates the record of the New Testament as the inspired Word of God.
THOUGHT: God spoke through the prophets and through Christ.
PRAYER: Father, may I always listen to Thy voice.