Themes from hebrews: Christ is God

Hebrews teaches fundamental doctrine about the Christ. He is superior to angels, Moses and the priests. His new covenant of salvation is greater than the old covenant of the law. Hebrews builds the case of Christ as God.

It is uncertain when Hebrews was written or who its author is, but it was probably written before 70 A.D. when the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed as there is no mention of this event even though the text of the book discusses affairs of the Temple and the priests. Suggested authors are Paul, Luke and others but the author never names him or herself. The book was written for Jewish Christians who were stumbling in their faith. Using the foundation of Jewish traditions, the author builds the case for Christ as God.

The Old Testament references used in Hebrews were important to the audience and the argument being established. It is by the use of these references that the author establishes the basis of the case. It’s also an important message to Christians today about the relevance of the Old Testament. It is on the foundation of the Old Testament that the New Testament is built. The Old Testament foretells the Christ, the New Testament reveals the Christ.

Some Christians feel that the Old Testament is no longer relevant, that the New Testament has replaced its teachings. This is not true; both texts have important lessons for us. It is by knowing the complete Word of God that we gain understanding and a deeper relationship with God.

Using the teachings of the Old Testament, Hebrews teaches the Jewish Christians that Christ is superior to the angels. “Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.” (Hebrews 1:4) Christ is called the Son of God where the angels are never described as such. (Hebrews 1:5-6, Psalms 2:7)

Next it is established that Christ is the Creator where angels are creations. “And, Thou, Lord, (in context speaking of Christ) in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:” (Hebrews 1:10, see also Psalm 102:25) Since God is the Creator Christ must also be God.

In the Old Testament, Moses is held in highest regard. He was a type or metaphor of Christ as Savior. Moses saved the Israelites from slavery in Egypt just as Christ saves us from slavery to sin and its penalty of death. It was Moses that received the Law from God; the Law is the old covenant between Man and God. Joshua called Moses “the man of God”. (Joshua 14:6) Of all humans, Moses was one that God held up as an example. Hebrews sets out to prove that Christ is greater than Moses, a point that would be very important to the Jewish Christians in establishing Christ as God. Christ is bearer of the new covenant, just as Moses was bearer of the old covenant.

“For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honor than the house.” (Hebrews 3:3)

While Moses was the man of God, Christ is the Son of God. Moses was created Christ is the Creator. Again, since God is the Creator Christ is God.

Creator is not the only attribute of God that Hebrews assigns to Christ. The author also says, “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” (Hebrews 4:13) This would make Christ omniscient, or all seeing. Only God has this power giving further evidence to Christ as God. (See also 2 Chronicles 16:9)

Having established Christ as God, Hebrews goes on to show how the Old Testament covenant of the Law is replaced with the covenant of Christ. Christ is our High Priest. Under the law, the priests had the duty of making sacrifices and offering gifts to wash away the sins of themselves and the people. Once a year, the priest would enter the part of the tabernacle called the Holy of Holies and make these offerings. This was symbolic of entering the presence of God and could only be done by the priests and by sacrifice. “For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:” (Hebrews 5:1)

Christ’s covenant fulfills for all time the duties of the priests. His Priesthood is superior because His blood sacrifice on the cross makes it possible for us to enter the Holy of Holies, which is God’s presence, without sacrifice. We need only to ask forgiveness of our sins in Jesus name and accept Him as our Savior. Since the priesthood has changed by Christ’s sacrifice, so must the law change. (Hebrews 7:11-12) “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25)

Christ is greater than the angels, greater than Moses and is God. His death fulfills the penalty required for sin, which is death. No other sacrifice could have fulfilled this penalty for all time because no other sacrifice was perfect. Only Christ is perfect and only His sacrifice frees us from death. “For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;” (Hebrews 7:26)

Christ’s death fulfills the old covenant and establishes the new covenant.

“But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” (Hebrews 9:11-12)

We may now enter the presence of God because our High Priest, Jesus Christ, has sacrificed His perfect self for us. “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” (Hebrews 9:28) When we accept His perfect sacrifice, the penalty for our sin is paid and we are spared death.

Jesus Christ is God. Only God could be Creator, only God could be omniscient, only could be perfect, only God could set aside the death penalty brought by sin. God in the person of Christ established a new covenant with us that requires only our faith in Him and acceptance of His sacrifice for us. The law is dead and Christ lives and reigns as God.

(All Scripture is KJV)