Part 1 Study in Hebrews Led by Tony Eradiri

The Study of the Epistle to the Hebrews

In my study of the book of Hebrews, out of the many captions “Time to Decide” stands out more appropriate. So I am going to give this study the caption:

Time to Decide

The Author: I some times wonder why so much big deal is made on authorship of the books of the bible. The bible says “Every scripture is inspired by God …” 2 Timothy 3:16. How does who wrote it bless our spirit man other than believing the truth that it is inspired by God. There are inconclusive suggestions of the authorship by bible scholars, the earliest statement from Clement of Alexandria, who is of the opinion that Paul wrote it in Hebrew and Luke translated into Greek (Eusebius, History 6.14.2). Many commentators disagrees, that style of the writing does not fit Pauls style of writing. This is echoed by Farrar quoted by Dods and Bruce quoting Calvin. Yet, Tertullian in the early 200s, think is Barnabas; Martin Luther believed that Apollos wrote the book of Hebrews and Adolf Harnack of another school of thought by suggesting Priscilla with her husband Aquilla. I would rather safely say the human author is unknown but inspired by the Holy Spirit as is evident in the book.

Date of Writing: It is widely agreed by Bible scholars that it may have been written before the destruction of Jerusalem and the second temple in A.D. 70. David Guzik in his introduction to the book of Hebrews explained that since the writer is so engrossed with the passing of the Old Covenant, it seems unlikely that s/he would have ignored the destruction of the temple, if it had happened before the writing.

Purpose: A good number of the early Christians were Jewish converts. So during the years surrounding the writing of the book, they were faced

with can’t-turn-back decision. Should they stick with the familiar routine of the Jewish religion? After all, it enjoyed Romes’s official protection and had traditions going back thousands of years. Or should they take a risk and join the growing body of people who called themselves Christians? They needed some compelling reasons to choose Christianity. At that time new converts were being thrown out of Jewish temples, tossed into jail, and even tortured. Was faith in Christ worth the risk?
Point by point the author shows how Christ improved on the Jewish way. The book of Hebrews, therefore, contrasts between the good things of Judaism and the better things of Christ. The new faith is worth any risk.
The main focus of the book is on Jewish religion, comparing it to Christianity, the book also speaks to our time. Today the questions people ask, “Are religions all that different? Isn’t the most important thing to be sincere?” Hebrews insists there are decisive reasons to choose Christ. The author urges his readers to leap forward to a new experience with God through Jesus.

Chapter 1

God Has Spoken Through Jesus 1:1-4
Various ways of revelation was given through the prophets – sometimes through parables, proverbs, dramatic presentation, historical narrative, prophetic confrontation, psalms.
God has spoken to and through the prophets such as: Moses by a burning bush (Exodus 2), to Elijah by still, small voice (1 Kings 19), visions (Isaiah 6, Ezekiel 8:4, 11:24), to Hosea by his family crisis (Hosea 1:2) and to Amos by a basket of fruit (Amos 8:1), dreams (Daniel 2:3) angels (Zechariah 1:19) and direct speech (Genesis 12:1).
Spoken to us by His Son: The Son does not speak in Hebrews; the
Father speaks concerning the Son. The book of Hebrews is the Father telling us what the Son is all about.
He is the One upholding all things by the word of His power, but upholding is better thought of as “maintaining.” The word does not have the idea of passively holding something up (like the mythical Atlas held the earth), but of actively sustaining.

In His earthly ministry, Jesus constantly demonstrated the power of His word. He could heal, forgive, cast out demons, calm nature’s fury all at the expression of one word.

He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high: His position alone is enough to set Him above all angels.

Jesus Is Superior to the Angels 1:5-14
He is superior because He is the eternal Son of God and the glorified and exalted Man

- Superior because He was made perfect (our redeemer) through sufferings (Hebrews 2:10) – something no angel has ever done.

Christ is the full disclosure of God and serves as the one fixed point amid all the chaotic periods of history – the ‘time past’ of Old Testament history (1:1), the difficult times that the readers of Hebrews were enduring (12:4-13), and our own times in which we struggle against spiritually hostile forces (Ephesians 6:10-13). A number of believers still do not understand what exactly happens when they accept our Lord


Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour. Hence, the disappointments, or attempting to use methods of the world to attaining Kingdom answers to their prayers or even backsliding. I find the book “Spirit, Soul and Body” by Andrew Wommack useful in explaining these three personalities, when Christ comes into our lives. The spirit becomes like Jesus including His abilities John 14:12. The Soul and the Body are yet to be transformed Romans 12:2, to accept what we are in our Spirit man John 14:12. When we become bold enough to attempt it, often times, doubt in our Soul and Body stops the manifestation. We can only attain spiritual result according to the power of the Holy Spirit that we allow to work in us Ephesians 3:20. We should kill our flesh for our spirit man to reign.
Therefore, as we face the temptation to doubt God or forsake His ways, this letter assures us that our key resource is the incomparable Christ.
- God’s communication to us (1:2)
- The heir of all things (1:2)
- The Creator of the worlds (1:3)
- A full reflection of God’s glory (1:3)
- The Sustainer of all things by the Word of His power (1:3): In His earthly ministry, Jesus constantly demonstrated the power of His word. He could heal, forgive, cast out demons, calm nature’s fury all at the expression of a Word
- The one who has purged our sins (1:3): external purification for sins is introduced. This is far apart from the idea that we can purify ourselves (as the Pharisees thought)
- Our representative with God (1:3)
- Superior to the angels (1:4)
- The possessor of ‘a more excellent name - Son’ (1:4)

The angels are ministering spirits, not governing spirits; service or not dominion is their calling.

Angels work for us (those who will inherit salvation).


Anthony U. Eradiri
Mulberry Place Prayer Group
08 July 2010

Tower Hamlets Christian Prayer Group Prayer Walk

Tower Hamlets Christian Prayer Group Prayer Walk
15 July 2010

2 Chron 7:14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Point 1.
Thanks & Praise
Mulberry Staff
Mayor & Chief Exec
Councillors

Point 2.
Post room –Tony
Christian Groups in Borough – to effective and well attended.
Group leaders (Steve, Doreen, Arline, Ola)
East End Life newspaper

Point 3.
Christian MP’s
National Government –wise decisions
London Mayor
Labour Mayoral candidates decision (Uma King, Ken Livingstone)

Point 4.
Transport (DLR Strike)
Anchorage staff
Olympics

Easter Plans

Easter is fast approaching, and our heart is to share good news with people and be available to serve our colleagues in both prayer and providing information.

Two years ago we had a literature table in the foyer of Mulberry Place during the week prior to and after the Easter weekend.

This year I felt it would be good to do the same but to have a table in other buildings too: Anchorage, Albert Jacob and Jack Dash.

It will need for everyone to get involved. Last time we created a rota to stand behind the table and smile sweetly offer help and pray. Many from other buildings came and joined in during that time. This year, as there hopefully will be other buildings having tables of their own, we will need more of you to back this by being available.

I have generated a poster which I think is quite striking. This will go on the wall or a display board behind the table.

Another thing I felt would be good would be a prayer box. A place for people to put private prayer requests in and for the group that meets in that building to pick up the slips and pray.

We hopefully will be giving out "Hot Cross Buns" and mini easter eggs, and these will come free with a leaflet!

The Dates planned are 29th March to Thursday 1st April.

The times when someone should be at the table is 8-10am, 12-2pm and 4 - 6pm.

This will need funding so if you feel you can give please call me.

Please do you best to get involved.

Steve

Visiting Albert Jacob House Christian Prayer Group

Recently, as you know, we have gained prayer rooms in two of the buildings in the borough. Albert Jacob House Christian group had been praying for some time for a room they could call their own to meet in and pray in. They were so thrilled that last week they were given a small room on the ground floor. They are so grateful to God for having this facility to use.

Today I joined their meeting to pray and dedicate the room to God.

The group in Albert Jacob House are a passionate and committed group; really on fire for Jesus.

Two or three gave exhortations about how they would use the room and prayed that God would bless it's use. One exhortation was from Sister Julia reading from 2 Chron 7:1-5, The dedication of the Temple.

I then shared our Easter plans(more of that later).

Just before I had to leave (I had a long bus ride to get back to Mulberry), they prayed for me so I left there feeling really blessed.


Steve

Answered prayer

Recently we have been told a number answers to prayer within the group.

Last week we had a praise and thanks meeting at Mulberry to give glory to God for all he had done.

Here are some of the things mentioned.

Toyin passed her accountancy exams. (Since then Toyin has told of her son getting first choice for his school).

Flora had her trip back to Nigeria miraculously provided for.

Felix’s friend eyes have improved.

Andy’s Daughter-in-law got not just one job but two!

Fear Comes By Hearing... A message from Doreen Kersey

Beloved of God,

I just wanted to share these thoughts with all of us the Saints of God wonderfully and fearfully made in His image.

We already know that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). Caleb and Joshua were distinguished gentlemen that brought faith-inspiring report because they have been trained on hearing the right things. Exodus 17:14 - And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. Fear, like faith, also comes from hearing and hearing the wrong words from the wrong sources. How?

In Luke 8:49, carriers of evil report came to Jairus to tell him not to trouble Jesus anymore because his daughter had finally died. Jesus - who was not the one being addressed- realizing that fear cometh by hearing and hearing the wrong words (words that do not originate from God) intervened immediately before Jairus' brain could process the evil report! Luke 8:50 - But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.

Finally, brethren, I beseech you by the mercies of God, disassociate yourselves from carriers of bad news. God did the same – He permitted only Caleb and Joshua (of all the Israelites that were born in Egypt) to enter the Promised Land. Jesus did the same – He locked out all the messengers of doom from the room where He resurrected Jairus' daughter!

In His Service

Doreen.

Mike Hewett's talk on the Cross to the group

Today we had a quest speaker. Mike Hewett, from Church for The City- East London. He spoke from Colossians 2:13-15.

He gave four points:

1. We were dead. Dead people are not able to respond, or feel, or experience. So we were not able to feel or experience or hear God because we were spiritually dead. We were dead in our trespasses. When we trespass we go where are not meant to go or do what we are meant to do. But God made us alive through Christ’s death on the cross and His resurrection.
   


2. We have been forgiven Our sin has been cleared. Jesus said “he, who has been forgiven much, loves much.” We had a massive amount of sin against us but it is ALL forgiven.
   


3. God cancelled the written code All the rules and all the penalties for not following those rules have been cancelled, thus there was no debt outstanding.
   
   
4. The Cross triumphed The shame of our sin has turned tables and shamed Satan. Christ at His weakest, most vulnerable, loneliest, has won the victory through the Cross.