carmi said:
AThe precedig (with the exception of Titus, 1 & 2 Timotheus and Philemon - written to individuals), are written, addressed (carry the name) of cities. Paul greets members of churches, saints in that city and the area.
There is no such greeting in Hebrews. It is an epistle to the Hebrews (there is no city or area named Hebrew or Hebrews). That cannot be a coincidence. The epistle to the Hebrews starts off completely different than those written to Romans, Philipians etc. etc.
While I believe that the epistle is not exclusively written to Hebrews, I think it is written to the Hebrews in the first place. And Hebrews is followed by James who writes to the 12 tribes which are scattered abroad. Again, I believe James is not exclusively written to the 12 tribes and Peter writes his first epistle to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynja. And again, I don't believe it's written exclusively to these strangers.
They were written to them, but for us as well.
If I am in doubt, or when I see a contradiction (apparent contradiction), I would go to those epistles that were written to and for us. But I can't give one verse in the Bible where it says, one should do that - it's just my personal belief/opinion.
Thanks carmi, here's a thought... I have heard that it's possible Galatians was the Cover Letter to Hebrews. Which would be why it starts of like no other NT writing.
Some suppose the letter heading was simply "To the Hebrews..."
Hebrews has one thing in mind. "A Prize" or there is something to earn; much like the letter to the Philippines
Phi 3:12-15 KJV Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. (13) Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, (14) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (15) Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
One does not have to be perfect to have eternal life in Christ; that my friends would be impossible. But we are called to be as perfect as we can be. Notice what Paul says in verses 14 and 15 above
I press on after a mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Then as many as are perfect, let us be of this mind; and if you think anything differently, God will also reveal this to you. (Phi 3:14-15 LITV)
...We (as many as are perfect) should strive for the prize. Paul also describes this aspect of our walk with Christ as a Race.
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. (1Co 9:24-27 KJV)
We are called to run in a race with the prize of an incorruptible crown. We cannot lose our hope of eternal life in Christ, but we can through continual disobedience be castaway out of the race. Therefore keep under our bodies, and bring it into subjection.
This is the aspect of our salvation, which Paul addressed in Hebrews; James also addresses it in James. Its our walk by faith, which earns us our incorruptible crown. That faith in what we have to GAIN assures us our reward is does NOT assure us of our salvation.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Eph 2:8-9 KJV)
We need to accept what Paul says in Eph 2:8-9, not of works by grace, and realize that same faith continues to grow and it what strives us on to perfection (simply being saved does not make you perfect).
The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.
(Luk 6:40 KJV)
If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
(Phi 3:11-12 KJV)
Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
(Phi 3:15 KJV)
Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
(1Th 3:10 KJV)
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
(2Ti 3:16-17 KJV)
So to some up
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. (Heb 12:2-3 KJV)
Hebrews is also talking to Hebrews about the race they must run and the prize they have to earn. Jesus is the author and the finisher of our faith; there can be no compromise.
Now to those pesky verses
Heb 6:1-6 KJV Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God
Therefore; the very first thing you should ask is therefore what?- Lets jump back to chapter 5.
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Heb 5:12-14 KJV)
So, because you are of full age, are able to eat meat and can discern both good and evil (in otherwords they HAVE eternal life in Christ)
let us go on to perfection and EARN something (back to Hebrews chapter 6)
(2) Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. (3) And this will we do, if God permit. (4) For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, (5) And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, (6) If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
Now, what I am saying is that this verse has NOTHING to do with what you will receive by simply believing that Jesus Christ rose from the dead
These people here were (1) once enlightened
Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, (Eph 1:16-18 KJV)
Enlightenment come AFTER salvation and through prayer as Paul stated in Eph 1 above. These Hebrews were also said to have (2) tasted of the heavenly gift (3) made partakers of the Holy Ghost (4) have tasted the good word of God (5) and the powers of the world to come.
Those the powers of the world to come have not even been dished fully yet; we had a foretaste I the Gospels AND in the beginning parts of Acts
No one today can bring a person back from the DEAD. No one can WALK on water and NO ONE can call fire down from heaven. --------- In any case. Hebrews, just like Philippians, has a goal in mind, which is what those who fall away could not be renewed unto repentance back to
Take the fornicator in 1 Cor 5 for example.
It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
(1Co 5:1-5 KJV)
This man abided in sin, was judged by God and killed for what he did. However, his spirit will be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
Now, what prize was Hebrews talking about?
(Heb 4:4 KJV) For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.
(Heb 4:8 KJV) For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.
(Heb 4:9 KJV) There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
Its talking about earning entrance into His Rest Or, the millennial rest.
(Heb 3:11 KJV) So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)
(Heb 3:18 KJV) And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?
(Heb 4:1 KJV) Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
(Heb 4:3 KJV) For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
(Heb 4:5 KJV) And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.
(Heb 4:11 KJV) Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
That is something they (and us today) can fall short of earning, and has nothing to do with our salvation from the penalty of sin.