Hebrews - Daily Verses - Chapter 13 - Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Hebrews - Chapter 13

13 1 Let brotherly love continue.

2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.

11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.

12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.

13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

18 Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.

19 But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.

20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

22 And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.

23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.

24 Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.

25 Grace be with you all. Amen.

Hebrews Daily Verses - Chapter 12, The Great Declarations - 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.

 

KJV Hebrews 12 - The Great Declarations

1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2 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.

3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:

6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;

13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,

19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:

20 (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:

21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)

22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:

26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.

27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

29 For our God is a consuming fire.

Hebrews - Daily Verses - Hebrews 11 - Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

KJV Hebrews 11

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.

3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:

10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.

16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:

19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.

22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.

23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.

24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;

25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.

31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:

33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.

34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

Hebrews 9 - Daily Verses - And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament...

 

Nota bene - Daily medical assistance, IV infusion at the hospital, is being provided for a neighbor, so the remaining Hebrews chapters will be posted by chapter.

Hebrews 9

1 Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.

2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.

3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;

4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;

5 And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.

6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.

7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:

8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:

9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;

10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.

11 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.

13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:

14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

18 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.

19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,

20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.

21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.

22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;

26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

28 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 - Daily Verses - Chapter 8

 

KJV Hebrews 8

1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;

2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.

3 For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.

4 For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:

5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.

8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:

9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.

10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.

12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

Explanation

Lenski, Hebrews, p. 248 

...We moderns like them because we are scholastics in this respect. Let us, then, say that we think that our division into chapters is properly made at this point and that v. 1, 2 form the preamble to what follows until 10:18. We add that this material seems to divide itself into six minor parts, in each of which a comparison is drawn.

1) The two Ministries Compared;

2) The two Testaments Compared;

3) The two Tabernacles Compared;

4) The two Kinds of Blood Compared;

5) The Two Kinds of Sacrifice Compared;

6) The Final Comparison regarding the Removal of Sins.

We trust that this outline of the thought will serve our purpose in understanding this section.

The argument is lengthy because the alternatives for the audience are -

• Return to Judaism, which is safer than the Christian Faith or -
• View the mysterious figure of Melchisedek as the key to the sacrificial death of Jesus, His suffering for our sins.

The comparisons in this chapter and following show how significant the image of the high priest is. Although the modern tendency is to bypass this extended comparison, it serves well to draw the New Testament into the Old, the Old Testament into the New.

We have become a nation enchanted by Chinese fortune cookie quips, allergic to long, complex essays, quick to cite the latest solution to all problems.

In contrast, we have the Biblical example of Psalm 110:4 looking back to Melchisedec in Genesis 14:18 and forward in the New Testament to Jesus as the Passover Lamb, the high priest, the eternal Savior. 

KJV Matthew 22:41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42 Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The son of David. 43 He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, 44 The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? 45 If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? 46 And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.

KJV Psalm 110

110 The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

2 The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.

3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.

4 The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

5 The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.

6 He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.

7 He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.

KJV Genesis 14:18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.

19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:

20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all. 

Hebrews - Daily Verses - "For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens..."

 

Hebrews 7 

6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.

7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.

8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.

9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.

10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.

11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.

14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.

15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,

16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.

17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.

19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

20 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:

21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)

22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.

23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:

24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.

25 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.

26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.

Explanation

This is the climax of the lengthy argument - If Melchisedec is the great high priest, greater than the Levites, Jesus is greatest of all. The Law established the priesthood, but the fulfillment of the Law is the Gospel, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Some may find this verbose and annoying, but Hebrews points out that the Scriptures are completely unified in  harmony with the Holy Spirit. The Calvinists only see words piled together, which they sort and study, but they lack the all-important emphasis upon the Spirit never without the Word, the Word never without the Spirit.

Perhaps most of Protestantism is content to emphasize verses and passages, but the truth  comes from the perfection of this One, Singular Book of the Holy Spirit, united from beginning to end.

We are all beginners - the beginner sees the two perplexing references to Melchisidec in the Old Testament. Jesus, just before his trial and death, cites Psalm 110, and the picture is almost complete. When the Jewish Christians began to back away from Jesus' fulfilling the role of Melchisedec, Hebrews expanded upon it. This fleeting reference is no longer overlooked and displays how much can be found from reading carefully the entire Bible as one, unified truth.

Hebrews - Daily Verses. Melchisedec - "Without Father, Without Mother, Without Descent, Having Neither Beginning of Days, Nor End of Life; But Made Like unto the Son of God; Abideth a Priest Continually."

 

Aleph was used by the phony Tischendorf to designate the fraudulent Sinaiticus manuscript as the best. It was even newer than Codex Vaticanus. Guess which modern Greek New Testaments come from Sinaiticus and Vaticanus? RSV, NRSV, ESV, NIV, and evil Beck.

KJV Hebrews 7

1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;

2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;

3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.

4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.

5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:

6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.

Explanation

We all encounter difficulties in Biblical reading that lead us to bypass the troublesome passage. Some resolve it by corrupting the original Greek New Testament, which is the handiwork of the Evil Four Plus Beck (RSV, NRSV, ESV, NIV plus Beck). In many cases, besides contradicting each other and themselves, they erase verses entirely or change the meaning for dunce readers.

In addition, the devilish dogmatics professors (Pieper, Braaten-Jenson, Tillich, Barth) covet prestigious positions and the awe of their groupies. 

Difficult passages reward us when we are diligent and patient. The old adage is true - use the light passages to illuminate the apparent dark passages. The Canaanite woman's miracle (Matthew 15) is superficially seen as Jesus being hard-hearted and insulting. Through patient reading we can understand the intent, the actual meaning - the scales fall from our eyes.

Hebrews is written for the Jewish Christians who wanted to return to Judaism, perhaps because Judaism was a legal religion in the Roman Empire, Christianity not.

Melchisedec, King of Salem, Priest of the Most High God

One is tempted to consider Melchisedec serving as the Son of God before His incarnation. Some think so, but I favor Lenski's interpretation. There are only three episodes in the entire Bible where Melchisedec is named. 

1.

KJV Genesis 14:18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.

14:19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:  

14:20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

2.

KJV Psalm110:1 The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

2 The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.

3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.

4 The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. 

3. Hebrews 5:6 - Hebrews 7:21 

The Genesis example is mysterious, but Psalm 110 could easily be named the Melchisedec Psalm, and Jesus quoted it in the famous passage. 

KJV Matthew 22:44 The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?

Jesus applied the two Melchisedec passage from the Old Testament to Himself, silencing His Jewish opponents. Therefore, the Jewish Christians who were tempted to go back to Judaism without the Lord were trapped by their own Old Testament passages.

In Luther's unified approach to the Scriptures, we have to look far ahead to see the predictions of the future, because that is how the Holy Spirit works. My late brother-in-law worked at IBM and told us about the upcoming ability of their computers to see everything at once, unified information.

We also have to look back centuries in the past to comprehend Jesus using Psalm 100 about Himself, silencing the haters. The Lord Jesus Christ was not in the line of the ordinary priesthood but the direct line from Melchisedec, with so many honors, King of Salem and Priest of the Most High God. This also involves Abraham, the Father of Faith (sorry LCMS-WELS-ELS-CLC), and Justification by Faith - the Chief Article of Christianity, not just Lutherans but all who acknowledge grace only comes through faith in Him.

Reubens - Abraham and Melchizedec

Hebrews - Daily Verses.

 

 

KJV Hebrews 6

9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.

10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:

12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,

14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.

15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

16 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.

17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:

18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;

20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Explanation

Scholars enjoy debating whether the Apostle Paul - or someone else with the same name - wrote Hebrews. Paul signed his letters, but Hebrews is not signed. Luther suggested that Apollos might have written Hebrews and yet the Reformer also referred to the author of Hebrews as Paul.

We often use or hear the phrase "labor of love," which is found only in Paul's 1 Thessalonians 1:3

and in Hebrews 6:10.

1 Thessalonians 1:3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; 

Hebrews 6:10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 

Another Pauline trait in writing is to follow critical passages with a genuine expression of encouragement and affection, as we see in this passage from Hebrews 6.

We should also note the reference to Abraham - the Father of Faith - definitely related to Justification by Faith. The patriarch's name appears about 27 times in the New Testament.

As Luther wrote, people turn Moses into the Savior and Jesus into the Lawgiver. One would never know from modern Fuller-trained "Lutheran" leaders that Calvin is their heart-felt teacher, their theologian, their burning light.

Let us all repeat this piece of wisdom from C. Peter Wagner, which his Lutheran followers have failed to understand.

Hebrews 6

 

KJV Hebrews 6

1 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,

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.

7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:

8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

Explanation

In this passage the author is assuming that the readers understand the milk. The should know the basics and do, but the author urges them to deal with the deeper matters of the Faith.

 Cho gave new meaning to the word "cell."

Hebrews - Daily Verses. Chapter Six. Apostasy.

 

KJV Hebrews 6

1 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,

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 [apostasy], to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:

8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

Explanation

Jews converted to Christianity could have felt pressure to return to Judaism alone, because that religion was legal in the Roman Empire. Christianity was not.

The main argument seems to be - Moses was powerful and influential, a key figure in Judaism, but Jesus Christ is the ultimate, greater than Melchisedech, the fulfillment of the Old Testament.

Those who fell back from the Gospel, for whatever reason, would have a very difficult experience in returning.

These verses are very much like John 15:1ff. in the Parable of the Vine. Those remaining in the faith would grow, but justified by faith in Him and be fruitful. Those not remaining in Christ would be pruned, thrown away, dried up, gathered, and burned.

The Last 100 Years

In the last century, American Protestantism has fueled apostasy, turning away from the Apostolic Bible -  the KJV, with only a trickle following bad ones. 

The academics went to Europe to learn the latest in Pietism (Halle) turned to Rationalism (Halle and the rest). The mainline, liberal academics trained the ministers and professors to deny the Trinity, the Creation, the divine preservation of the Scriptures, and the divinity of Christ. Clergy like Walter Rauschenbusch re-interpreted the content of the Bible to justify social activism.

Rauschenbusch was a liberal (Northern) Baptist, and his denomination continued that trend. Now we can see, a century later, the conservative Southern Baptists repudiating what they once stood for. 

Christina and I visited the huge Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, to do some dissertation research. Andy Stanley's father, as head of their convention, could not get the faculty to confess what they actually believed about the the Virgin Birth and the Resurrection of Christ.

One could say the same things about the LCA merging into ELCA-hood, with the ALC no longer pretending to be immaculate.

Fuller Seminary is shrinking faster than a cheap suit during a downpour. This is about 2018 from the Christian Post.

Fuller Seminary (not my fault) was born about the same time as I was. They started with a watered-down statement about inerrancy and went downhill from there.

WELS leaders went bonkers when I published Liberalism: Its Cause and Cure. All I did was expose their Fuller Seminary lust to Luther and the Book of Concord. 

Hebrews - Daily Verses. Chapter Five. "For Every One That Useth Milk Is Unskilful in the Word of Righteousness: For He Is a Babe."

 

KJV Hebrews 5

1 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:

2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.

3 And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.

4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.

5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.

6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.

11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.

12 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.

13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

14 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.

Explanation

Like many difficult passages, this one seems almost opaque at first, but soon resolves into the high place of Jesus Christ the high priest but also the sacrificial lamb.

The typical priest of the old order sacrificed for the sins of the people but also for himself, because earthly priests are also sinful. 

Jesus is the great high priest, after the supreme order of Melchisedec, but different in being appointed by God the Father.

5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.

6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

The priests of today, whether they are Roman, Byzantine, or quasi-Lutheran, are samples of the Old Testament, glorying in their robes and incense, silver and gold vessels, Almy-approved improvements.

The entire Bible emphasizes the Savior as the ultimate priest and sacrificial lamb, whether in Abraham's obedience as a father and his only son (Genesis 22) or the Suffering Servant in Isaiah 53. 

Verses 12 and 13 remind the reader to know the Oracles of God, the absolute truths of the Scriptures. They must begin in small steps - milk - and build up to the Word of Righteousness, which the Objective Faithless Justification mob cannot handle after all these years.

Hebrews - Daily Verses - "For the Word of God Is Quick, And Powerful, And Sharper Than Any Twoedged Sword..."

 

 

KJV Hebrews 4

12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

13 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.

14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Explanation

Verse 12 shows that the Word of God is always effective (or efficacious). That alone repudiates the claims of the Word and the Holy Spirit going their separate ways, making the Word "dead" at times and the Spirit fickle. The reason for many saying "Sovereign Lord" is to say God may be present or not during a sermon, a baptism or the Lord's Supper.

Verse 13 teaches that the Word is 100% discerning, which may be why so many shun the Word out of guilt or scorn, giving up the peace and joy from forgiveness through faith in the Savior.

Verse 14 portrays Jesus Christ as our great high priest, reason enough to avoid calling pastors "Father" and instituting a priesthood lacking in the New Testament but dominant in the minds of quasi-Romanists.

Verse 15 emphasizes the Two Natures of the Son of God, His human nature having experienced the trials, suffering, and pain of our human condition. The key point is Christ tempted just as we are, yet without sin - His divine nature. As the Word made flesh, He is the face and voice of God.

Verse 16 reveals that the Promised Messiah helps us come to the Lamb of God, slain for our sins, and receive grace through faith alone, and mercy.

Hebrews - Daily Verses, "Not Mixed with Faith."

 

KJV Hebrews 4

1 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.

2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

3 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.

4 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.

5 And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.

6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:

7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.

9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

Explanation

Hebrews can be quite involved in its statements, but this also leads to the most glorious passages, ones which we know, but often without recalling the location. That is true of Hebrews 4:12.

One way to clarify is to go back a few verses to see if the classic declaration has an introduction. A big question concerns why the Gospel is proclaimed but not believed. Lutherans - the true Pentecostals - know the Word is never without the Spirit and the Spirit never without the Word  (Hoenecke). Thus others imagine the Word requires a charming pastor, or gorgeous costumes from CM Almy, or splendid architecture, or a way to make the message reasonable or sweet or humorous. Lacking these props, the Word is not profitable when not mixed with faith. 

Not mixed with faith can influence the preacher and his/her gimmicks or the congregation with their demands. In our era of Rationalism, Satan worship, and Whack-a-Doodlism, people may still glean from long-held truths sprinkled in a worship service, remnants from the past. But many are without this nurture, as Hebrews states.

Various times I have been invited to preach for another congregation or group. Teaching the basics - such as the inerrancy of the Scriptures or the divinity of Jesus Christ - means that arms will fold and scowls will form, or heads will nod in agreement. The Spirit at work in the Word hardens and darkens those who oppose God's truth. The Word energized by the Spirit also converts, encourages, strengthens, and calms the others.

How did we get to the point where people would recite the Sparkle creed - from a United Church of Christ minister - and ignore the wisdom of Theodore Schmauk? Lutheran pastors seem to graduate from seminary without Luther - how much weaker are they in understanding:

1. Schmauk
2. Jacobs
3. Loy
4. Krauth?

And yet they can recite the canons of McGavran, Kelm, and Drucker!

Hebrews - Daily Verses, Hebrews 3 - "Consider the Apostle And High Priest of Our Profession, Christ Jesus."

 

KJV Hebrews 3

3 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;

2 Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.

3 For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.

4 For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.

5 And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;

6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.

Explanation

The comparison of Moses and Jesus addresses the temptation of emphasizing Moses over Jesus, which continues today. People are more comfortable with the Law, as exhibited in Roman Catholicism. The Lutherans who ape the Church of Rome think they have to wear the ancient costumes, as if Jesus and the Apostles could have afforded such Medieval frills. Did Jesus say, "Take up your cope and follow Me?"

Significantly, Rome has made Moses the Savior and turned Jesus into the Lawgiver. Roman Catholicism teaches that grace is not grace unless it includes works. This notion fuels the need for works to alleviate some of the torture in Purgatory, which was borrowed from paganism, not mined from the Scriptures.

The Pope, as the so-called Vicar of Christ, creates and supports laws from the "throne of his heart." They must be obeyed, and when obeyed, are rewarded in a grudging way. 

Faith in Jesus Christ is the only access to the grace of God (Romans 5:1-2). Good works, the fruits of the Spirit, are the result of salvation, not the cause of salvation.

Hebrews - Daily Verses - "For For Verily He Took Not on Him the Nature of Angels; But He Took on Him the Seed of Abraham."

KJV Hebrews 2

16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

Explanation

Nothing is more obvious today than the Reformation heirs departing from the Bible and clinging to the title of priest. The agenda is clear - they are to be called Father and identified by their expensive costumes. They want to be known by their gestures and clouds of incense while performing the Mass and despising the Gospel. 

Jesus is the priest and the seed of Abraham. When God promised the patriarch followers more numerous than the stars in the sky, He was predicting the millions of Christian believers trusting in the Promise and being forgiving - Justification by Faith, Romans 4 - 5:2.

KJV Genesis 15

15 After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

2 And Abram said, Lord God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?

3 And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.

4 And, behold, the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.

5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.

6 And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

Not satisfied with the key verse of Genesis, which they forget every time they boost their Objective Faithless Justification, they take away the faith of Jesus from their Bad Bibles shelf, all based on the fraudulent Tischendorf-Westcott-Hort-Nestle Aland snip-and-clip Greek New Testament.

KJV Romans 3:21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

and 

KJV Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. 

and 

KJV Philippians 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Pay close attention to the Bad Bible Boosters of ELCA-WELS-ELS-LCMS-CLC. They adore the Tischendorf-Westcott-Hort-Nestle Aland snip-and-clip Greek New Testament and despise the Apostolic (Traditional) text of the King James Version. Oh yes, the faith of Jesus is in their apostate GNTs but they feel compelled to erase that clear phrase - the faith of Jesus - from the Apostle Paul.