The Book of Hebrews tells the story of how the very Creator of the universe humbled Himself and took the form of Man. The very Son of God became the Son of Man. He came to establish a new covenant through which God would write His Laws on the hearts and minds of those who believe on the name of Jesus Christ.
But to accomplish this transformation of the old covenant system of meats, drinks, diverse washings, and carnal ordinances, Jesus had to become an everlasting high priest. Rather than blood sacrifices of bulls and goats, Christ offered His own flesh and shed His own blood as a testament of one for the many: the blessings of inheritance granting eternal life to all who rest in the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Throughout Hebrews, one theme resonates over and over again: the just shall live by faith. And that faith places its trust in the completed Work of Christ upon the cross. Remission of sins requires a perfect sacrifice, and Jesus Christ offered His sinless body for that very purpose. Any other means by which Man seeks his own righteousness, the author of Hebrews condemns as “willful sin deserving of judgment and fiery indignation”, for it desecrates the blood of the covenant and insults the witness of the Holy Spirit.
However, once sanctified unto perfection by the atoning Work of Christ, the Holy Spirit inspires all believers onto good works of love: honoring God, loving one another, and fulfilling the roles and responsibilities God has assigned to us.
The Book of Hebrews, a summary outline, adapted from the King James Bible …
Only begotten Son of God
The Son of God: Creator, sustainer, purged our sins, and sits on the right hand of Majesty. (Hebrews 1:1-4)
Let all the angels of God worship Him: the only begotten Son of the Father. (Hebrews 1:5-7)
His throne is forever, a sceptre of righteousness, and Thy years shall not fail. (Hebrews 1:8-14)
Testimony of Son of Man
Heed His words witnessed by signs, wonders, miracles, and gifts. Or disobey unto reward. (Hebrews 2:1-4)
But Jesus, made lower than angels for suffering of death, that He should taste death for Man. (Hebrews 2:5-9)
The Son, for whom and by whom are all things, through perfect sufferings sanctifies many. (Hebrews 2:10-13)
God, made like Man, suffered while tempted, is able to succour them that are tempted. (Hebrews 2:14-18)
Evil Heart of Unbelief
Jesus Christ is our Apostle and High Priest, if we keep confident and hope firm unto the end. (Hebrews 3:1-6)
Take heed lest, by an evil heart of unbelief, you depart from the living God. (Hebrews 3:7-13)
Therefore believe unto the end, for those who believe not shall enter not into His rest. (Hebrews 3:14-19)
Rest in Faith Not in Works
The gospel preached that those who believe would enter into His rest through faith. (Hebrews 4:1-3)
Believe and enter into His rest by hearing His voice and hardening not your heart. (Hebrews 4:4-7)
As God rested on the seventh day from His works, so should we today rest from our works. (Hebrews 4:8-11)
Man without Sin
The Word judges the body, soul, and spirit of Man. They are naked and open to His eyes. (Hebrews 4:12-13)
Obtain grace and mercy from our High Priest, being tempted like us yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:14-16)
Every high priest offers both gifts and sacrifices for his own sins, and the sins of Man. (Hebrews 5:1-4)
Christ a high priest, suffered obedience to perfection, offers salvation to all that obey Him. (Hebrews 5:5-11)
Faith unto Good Works
Be not babes in the word of righteousness but skilled men, discerning both good and evil. (Hebrews 5:12-14)
Return not to repentance from dead works, but move beyond saving faith unto good works. (Hebrews 6:1-3)
To reject God’s Word and Christ’s Work, it is impossible to repent again from dead works. (Hebrews 6:4-8)
For Love of God and Man
Be not slothful, but love God and Man. Thy faith shall be rewarded if patiently endured. (Hebrews 6:9-15)
For our hope is Jesus Christ, our high priest: an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast. (Hebrews 6:16-20)
King and Priest
Jesus is the Son of God: righteous King and Priest after the order of Melchisidec. (Hebrews 7:1-3)
Father Abraham tithed to Melchisedec: Levi did also through the loins of Abraham. (Hebrews 7:4-10)
Continuous Priesthood
Christ perfects the priesthood not by carnal commandment but after power of endless life. (Hebrews 7:11-17)
Christ, the order of Melchisedic: an unchangeable priesthood, a better hope for sinners. (Hebrews 7:18-24)
Christ offered Himself: holy, undefiled, higher than heavens, a continuous priesthood. (Hebrews 7:25-28)
New Covenant
Jesus Christ: sits on Majesty’s right hand, ministers a tabernacle pitched by God not Man. (Hebrews 8:1-2)
Christ a high priest: a mediator of a better covenant, obtained a more excellent ministry. (Hebrews 8:3-6)
Finding fault with the first, for Man continued not within, God made a new covenant. (Hebrews 8:7-9)
God will put the law into the minds and hearts of Man, and will forgive their sins. (Hebrews 8:10-13)
Old Covenant
The old covenant had ordinances of divine service and a worldly sanctuary. (Hebrews 9:1-5)
Meats, drinks, diverse washings, and carnal ordinances made not perfect in conscience. (Hebrews 9:6-10)
Perfect Blood Sacrifice
Christ became the perfect blood sacrifice that purged our conscience from dead works. (Hebrews 9:11-14)
Upon Christ’s death, the new testament granted the promise of eternal inheritance. (Hebrews 9:15-17)
Almost all by law are purged with blood; without shedding of blood is no remission of sin. (Hebrews 9:18-22)
Christ offered once, for sins of many, shall next appear, without sin, unto salvation. (Hebrews 9:23-28)
Sanctified unto Perfection
It is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. (Hebrews 10:1-4)
God neither willed nor pleasured in sacrifice or offering, but a body hast thou prepared Me. (Hebrews 10:5-8)
The offering of Christ’s body once hath perfected forever them that are sanctified. (Hebrews 10:9-14)
Their sins and iniquities I will forget: where remission is, there is no more offering for sin. (Hebrews 10:15-18)
Blasphemy of Unbelief
Let us draw near, in full assurance of faith, hearts sprinkled from evil conscience. (Hebrews 10:19-25)
If we sin wilfully after receiving the knowledge of truth, there remains no more sacrifice. (Hebrews 10:26-27)
For God shall pay any who count the blood of covenant unholy and insult the Holy Spirit. (Hebrews 10:28-31)
Living by Faith
Endure afflictions, reproaches, and plunder knowing of better possessions in heaven. (Hebrews 10:32-34)
Draw not back, for the just live by faith, believing unto the saving of the soul. (Hebrews 10:35-39)
Reward of Faith
Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1-3)
He that comes to God must believe that He is: the rewarder of them diligently seeking Him. (Hebrews 11:4-6)
Enduring Faith
By faith Noah, Abraham, and Sarah hoped upon a future promise before seeing it. (Hebrews 11:7-12)
They died in faith hoping upon a heavenly promise, of which they never doubted. (Hebrews 11:13-16)
By faith Abraham offered Isaac, trusting God was able to raise him even if dead. (Hebrews 11:17-19)
Even when old and dying Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph exercised faith in unseen promises. (Hebrews 11:20-22)
By faith Moses esteemed not security of riches but respected unto recompense of reward. (Hebrews 11:23-29)
By faith Rahab received the spies with peace and survived those who did not believe. (Hebrews 11:30-31)
None received the promise, but by enduring were made perfect through our testimony. (Hebrews 11:32-40)
Chastening unto Righteousness
Follow Christ’s example, for you have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. (Hebrews 12:1-4)
Despise not the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him. (Hebrews 12:5-8)
No chastening is joyous but grievous: yet it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness. (Hebrews 12:9-11)
So rejoice, be strong, and do right: seeking peace with all men and holiness in all matters. (Hebrews 12:12-17)
Heavenly Kingdom
For we come not unto the terrible mountain of an angry God. (Hebrews 12:18-21)
But we come unto the New Jerusalem, unto Jesus, unto just men made perfect. (Hebrews 12:22-24)
We receive a heavenly kingdom; with grace serve God with reverence and godly fear. (Hebrews 12:25-29)
Roles and Responsibilities of Faith
Let brotherly love continue, for the Lord is my helper: I fear not what Man shall do unto me. (Hebrews 13:1-6)
Submit to those whose faith proclaims: Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:7-8)
Do good and communicate, for with such sacrifices, God is well pleased. (Hebrews 13:9-16)
Obey ministers with submission that they may have joy who hold you accountable. (Hebrews 13:17-19)
Glory to Lord Jesus. May He make you perfect in every good work, according to His will. (Hebrews 13:20-21)
Salute all the ministers of God who rule over you and the saints. (Hebrews 13:22-25)
IN THE WORD
