troysal Loc: Picayune MS

Many 'orthodox' Christians read Hebrews 1 as teaching the deity of Jesus. But is this really the best reading of that passage or is something else going on there? Find out in this article:

https://letthetruthcomeoutblog.wordpress.com/2021/09/30/an-interpretive-key-to-hebrews-chapter-1-part-1/

TexaCan Loc: Homeward Bound!

Still taking advantage of free advertising I see! LOL! 😉

Zemirah Loc: Sojourner En Route...

The Book of Hebrews and the Deity of Christ

"Today teaching theology is absent from many Churches, resulting in many members becoming subject to the cults, who have honed their arguments to convince them that Jesus is not God or that there is no triunity in His nature.

Jesus cannot become anyone's Savior who fails to comprehend that He is Lord. To be "Lord"means more than just master; to the Hebrews it meant Yahweh the Creator. The book of John concentrates on the deity of Christ, starting with His preexistence and continuing throughout His life and His claims to prove from whence it was He came. His miracles are presented as proof He was who He claimed to be. Old Testament typology is used to prove that Jesus was claiming to be the "I Am" of their deliverer from Egypt and the true tabernacle of God.

The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord. This means to have a respect for our maker, wisdom is when we act upon the knowledge we have received, to ignore it is wisdom lacking There is very little fear of the Lord in the Church today, because of the lack of comprehension of who Jesus is. He is God.

The only place this is learnable is in the Scriptures where eyewitness accounts are historically recorded. It is the most thoroughly documented teaching in the Scripture and the early Church. Accordingly, it has been the most attacked doctrine throughout history, and still is today.

There is no clearer evidence of the truth that Jesus is God in any book of the Bible than in the Book of Hebrews. The author of Hebrews reveals superior knowledge of Judaism and the functions of the tabernacle, sacrifices and their prophetic significance, using the three most important subjects to the Jews: the angels, the priesthood, and the sacrifices, culminating in the marked superiority of the Son in comparison to them all.

Scripture consistently states God is eternal and does not change. If there is an eternal Father, then there is an eternal Son. These are terms of relationship to one another. The title Lord (which is Yahweh) is applied to the Father, to the Son and to the Spirit. All three are called LORD, (YAHWEH). They are three persons but one Lord and God.

“I the Lord do not change” (Malachi 3:6). The God of the Scriptures is presented as eternal in his nature, unchanging. (Deuteronomy 33:27). “ From everlasting to everlasting you are God” (Psalm 90:2). The word also teaches that all three persons of the Godhead are eternal, all belong to the order of eternity. Anything that undergoes a change in nature cannot be God. Change describes something not retaining its own being. Only something that is created is subject to change. Therefore God’s attributes, characteristics and persons are as eternal as His nature.

Hebrews 1:2 states that God has in these last days spoken to us by His Son whom he has appointed heir of all things, “through whom He made the worlds.” This agrees with John 1:3: “all things were made through Him and without Him nothing was made that was made.” All means all, not all other things as the Jehovah’s Witnesses insert into Colossians 1:15. Here we see the Bible teaching that the Son exists prior to creation, which makes Him more than just a creature.

However, we need to be able to prove this. The Bible's evidence of this fact is not lacking, it is overwhelming. The same Son that was manifested in the flesh was present at creation. This is the same Son that was in the bosom of the Father before any thing was created Ex Nihilo (John 1:14,18). Hebrews 1:2 tells us that God made the worlds through the Son. The Son had to have existed before anything was created, in order to cre­ate everything that exists, as did the Father. They are, therefore, both uncreated. 2nd Peter 3:5: “they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old.” Psalm 33:6: “By the Word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.” v.9 “For He spake, and it was done, He commanded, and it stood fast.” Christ is the word, the word is a person Psalm 148:1-6: “For He commanded and they were created.” Col. 1:16-17 Speaking of the Son; “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” The text reveals that it was “in Him” that all things were created (Greek- en as the essential instrument of agency).

Here we find the consistency of the teaching in the New Testament of his pre-existence as the Creator yet as Hebrews 1:2 says it was through Him God made everything. We can see the Sons role was not a secondary one but primary. Scripture teaches that creation was from the Father- through the Son - and by the Spirit. The Father, as the source, created through the Son, who is the agent, and the Spirit was the power. If the Son is not pre-existent then why should we believe the Father is? If we apply the same rules of interpretation to both, this is the only allowable conclusion... the truth is that they both exist eternally. How then could God make the worlds through the Son in Hebrews 1:2 if He did not exist prior to creation? This text should stand alone from any attacks of anti- Trinitarians.

The book of Hebrew’s chapter one explains the Son's participation in creation and his incarnation. Hebrews 1:3: “Who being the brightness of His glory and express image of his person.” Athanasius used Hebrews 1:1-4 in his controversy with Arius to prove Christ did not having a beginning, that His true essential nature was of God. There are a number of Greek words that are explicit in their explanation. Being (Greek:oon) meaning Absolute and timeless existence (Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament) "glory" is the expression of the divine attributes collectively. It is the unfolded fullness of the divine perfections, (Vincent's Word Studies of the New Testament) "the very image” (or impress) of his substance." (ibid.) He is the perfect representation of another person therefore He too is a person of that nature. Jesus is called the exact image, the word used is an illustration of an engraving tool that would stamp its impression on a coin or seal. It bears the image produced by it having the exact reproduction of the original, yet the image is not the same identity as the seal, neither is the Son the identical person as the Father, except in his nature. The impress would be found in His humanity as Colossians 2:9 states "In him dwells the fullness of the Godhead in bodily form.”

Hebrews 1:3 calls Christ “The effulgence of his glory the very image of His substance,” This is what was within Him that was expressed by His life, His teachings and actions. Here Jesus shows that He has the glory of God that manifested itself in the Old Testament and dwelt in the tabernacle. It is this glory that was revealed on the Mount of transfiguration when this image became visible to the disciples. The Father's voice from heaven testifies “this is my beloved Son, hear Him.” Notice that he says to listen to Him. God was not pointing to a human but to the Son. In John 17:5, Jesus prays “And now, O Father, glorify thou Me with thine own Self with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was.” Here is Jesus asking to be restored to His glory that He always had that was presently concealed under the veil of flesh.

In speaking of the Son in Hebrews 1:4: “having become so much better than the angels.” How, did he become better? By exaltation at the resurrection that returned Him to His former position in heaven. He already was better in nature before His incarnation, being deity, the very one who created all the angels. Yet He was made a little lower than the angels. Hebrews 1:5: “For to which of the angels did He ever say “you are my Son today I have begotten you?” Here the writer is proclaiming the Son as superior to all the angels. Angels as a species are called Sons of God (Elohim) (Psalm 29:1), but no single angel is ever called God’s Son, they are called the sons of God collectively. No creature is ascribed to them the name of " My Son". Angels are the greatest of God's creation and the Son is said to be unique, how? Because the Son of God is of the same nature as His Father! This should shut down any entertained thought of Jesus being an angel as the Jehovah’s Witnesses claim. The whole of chapter one and two of Hebrews compares Him to angels, and He is superior. (V.5) “To which of the angels does he say you are my Son?” (V.13) “To which of the angels did He say sit at my right hand?” The answer is not one ever.

In Hebrews 2:5 “He (God) has not put the world in subjection to angels.” If the world is subject to Jesus (and it is) then He is not an angel. God did not put any angel in control of all things, so Michael the Archangel cannot be God’s Son.

In Hebrews 1:6 The Father tells all the angels to worship the Son. Certainly God is not telling angels to worship another angel or a human, - to worship any creature except God is forbidden, yet here we have God the Father telling the angels to worship the Son. The Father is saying that Jesus is the eternal Son. This certainly settles the issue of whether He is an angel or a man. This quote is in both Deuteronomy 32:43 and Psalm 97:7 of the Septuagint where it speak of angels worshiping the Son. Angels can worship the Son only because they are subordinate to Him. Jesus said “That all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.” Does the Father command us to give the same honor to a human that we are to the Father who is God? No, thus Jesus is more than a man.

The Father, in v.8 "But to the Son He says: 'Your throne, O’ God is forever and ever... God, even thy God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.'" (Hebrews 1:8) Here is God the Father saying to the Son, He is God and he has a throne which is eternal. Does a human have a throne that is forever, or is it God? Jehovah’s Witnesses go to this extreme in reinterpreting this to say God is the throne, meaning He’s become a chair... revealing the length to which they will go to deny His deity.

In the Hebrew, in Psalm 45:6-7 (kic'akaa 'Elohiym `owlaam wa`ad) means” Thy throne, O God, is forever, and to eternity:” the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.” The Son also has a kingdom. The later part of the verse is better translated, "O God, thy God hath anointed thee." The title God is given to two individual persons, God says to another who is also God, that he has anointed him with the oil of gladness. There are two and both are called Elohim.

Isaiah prophesies in Isaiah.42:1: “Behold My servant, whom I uphold; My chosen, ( Jesus) in whom My soul delights, I ( the Father) have put my spirit (Holy Spirit) upon Him.” There are three persons in this verse, the speaker is one person, the servant is the other who is to be anointed, the third person is the Spirit of God.

When we come to the New Testament we find who the other is that is anointed. This event occurred at Jesus’ baptism as he had the fullness of the Spirit rest upon Him. All the functions and gifts of the Spirit were active and present in Christ. It is this event that is spoken of in Luke 4:17-18: “And there was delivered unto Him (Jesus) the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He (Yahweh the father) hath anointed me (Jesus).”


Let Us Reason Ministries

(CONT.) The Book of Hebrews and the Deity of Christ

Zemirah Loc: Sojourner En Route...

Conclusion: The book of Hebrews and the deity of Christ

"Irenaeus one of the early church's greatest theologians wrote in 200 A.D. “The Father is the anointer, the Son the anointed, the Holy Spirit the unction. As the word declares through Isaiah, "the Spirit of God is upon me because he has anointed me." The Father sent the Spirit upon the Son, who is also God, three Coherent persons, the Giver of the command to the Receiver and the Spirit as the executor.” Jesus was anointed as human, who is also God, above all who maintained a priest or kingly office, for He is King of Kings. What better source do we have to confirm the deity of the Son?

In Hebrews 1:10 The Father speaking of the Son says, “You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of your hands... and they shall be changed: but thou art the same.” This is a quote from the Old Testament of Psalm 102:25 and is speaking of God. The writer attributed the "name" Yahweh to the Son in Hebrews 1:10, and the Father addresses the Son as eternal and being immutable “they will perish, you will remain.”

We know from Scripture the Father is eternal (James 1:17). This is never disputed by anti-Trinitarians. Since it is essential for God to possess an eternal nature and exist in this manner to create all things. What is disputed is that the Son is also eternal. Speaking of Jesus “whose goings forth are from old (ancient times) from everlasting (from eternity).” (Micah 5:2) “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8) meaning His nature is unchangeable.

Heb.1:.10 the Father still speaking to the Son “and You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the Earth and the heavens are the work of Your hands.” This agrees with John 1:1-3; Hebrews 1:2; Colossians 1:15-17. The words “the foundation of the Earth” and “heavens” means all parts of the universe, all that was made came through His hands, so the Father states the Son is the Creator of all things. If the Son is the creator, then the Son is God the creator of Genesis 1:1. The testimony of the Father who is recognized as God, should be heeded. It is impossible for the Son to not really be Lord or God, if the Father calls him such since "God cannot lie. "It is clear the writer meant to apply it to the Lord Jesus to prove conclusively that He is deity. No one, on reading the Psalm 102:25-27 would question it referred to God, neither should they in Hebrews 1:10.

Hebrews 3:2-6: We find Christ is faithful to Him who appointed Him just as “Moses also was faithful in all his house.” That He is counted to have more glory than Moses, for “He who built the house has more honor than the house.” As v.4 states “For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God.” V.6 “But Christ as a Son over his own house whose house we are.” Christ is the head of the house - the body of Christ. He is the architect (builder) of all things (Colossians 1:15-17) therefore He is God. In John 14, we are told just as the earth was formed by His hands, He went to heaven to prepare a place for His household, that where He is we may be also. He is the wisdom personified in Proverbs 8:22 and called the master craftsman in v.30. He as the Son is attributed to be co-creator with the Father in Proverbs 30:4, when Agur asks, "what is God's name what is his son's name, if you know?"

It is God who created all things. The New Testament is not lacking in attributing divine creatorship to His hands as in John 1:1-3: “He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.” V. 10 “and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.” Colossians 1:16-17: “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.” Revelation 4:11:"You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.” (The whole chapter of Hebrews 1 attributes Christ being the Creator by His Father). In Acts 4:24-25, the disciples in “one accord and said: "Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them.” Certainly, to the primitive church, to call one Lord meant He was God.

“In all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in all things pertaining to God.”(Hebrews 2:17) How was He made like His brethren? In His humanity, as God took on human flesh, He could, in all ways understand the human condition, experiencing it personally.

Hebrews 4:14: “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 confession.” The priestly function is tied with the New Covenant, it is dependent on the God/man accomplishing salvation and distributing the benefits of it for those who enter into the Covenant by faith. We see this Scripture clearly states that Jesus is still the Son and has not changed to another person. He was the Son before and He is the Son for all eternity. He continues in his mediatorial role, Hebrews 6:20: “He is our high priest forever,” 7:3 “abides continually,” V.17: “forever.” His mediatorial role insists that there is another person who is God, for with whom would He be mediating on the behave of believers?

If He is only a man how can He pray and intercede for everyone. 1 John 2:1: “And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” Jesus is our advocate to the Father. An advocate means someone who is as a defense lawyer and pleads our case to another authority. But this advocate is sinless, which no man ever was. Can a man hear all our prayers at the same time, can he pray for everyone, Can He answer all our prayers? The only way possible is that He is more than man, but is God/man.

“You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek, (Hebrews 5:6) To function as an eternal priest in an eternal priesthood, proves Him to be eternally God/man. 1st Corinthians 5:21: “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself.” Jesus is both man and God, two natures in one person and because of this He is able to mediate for both parties. “Now a mediator does not mediate for one only but God is one.”(Galatians 3:20) One who mediates has two sides to reconcile, mankind and God.

The writer of Hebrews In 5:9-11 identifies the Son as the author of eternal salvation to all who obey him. To be the author means the source and originator. Since God is the source of all things eternal and in Isaiah he calls out “look to me all the ends of the earth to be saved”, there is salvation in no other (Acts 4:12), because God (the Son) alone can save and forgive sins.

Again the theme of Hebrews is using comparisons of the Son to three most important subjects in Judaism, angels, the priesthood, and the sacrifices. Showing he is better and greater than all of them, in Heb.7:15 the author states “And it is far more evident, if in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest who has come, not according to the law of the fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life.” This Son is called by God the high priest of the order of Melchizedek which never ends.

The author of Hebrews contrasts the two priesthood’s. Jesus served as a priest on earth not from the tribe of Levi but of Judah (Hebrews 7:14;8:4) which is unheard of. There is only two mentions of the Melchizedek priesthood in the Old Testament and one was before the Levitical priesthood was established.(Genesis 14:18; Psalm 110:4) When the Old Testament law was given in exodus a priest was required to be a descendant of Levi. High priests who performed the atoning sacrifice on the Day of Atonement were required to be descendants of Aaron, Levi's great grandson (Numbers 18; Hebrews 5:1-4). To be an Aaronic priest, one had to trace their ancestry to Aaron, to be a Melchizedek priest was of a divine appointment. Christ is a priest from the line of David, from the tribe of Judah; He was not from the Levitical order. The Melchizedek priesthood is superior because it is eternal in contrast to Aaron's priesthood that was temporary and continually changed due to death of the priest. While the Levitical priesthood ministered to only one nation, the Melchizedek priesthood is able to minister to all.

Upon Christ’s resurrection, He became an eternal priest “according to the order of Melchizedek” (Hebrews 5:5-10; 6:19-20). Jesus is the eternal Son who died once and resurrected continuing in his priesthood forever as His priesthood is based on an endless life. The only one who can guarantee forgiveness has to be the mediator of the New Covenant vs.22-28 This is a perfect priesthood unlike the old which changed, this continues forever administered by the eternal Son of God to all who are in the house of God. (Hebrews 9:15-10:21) Christ became the high priest after he sacrificed his life, was resurrected and went to heaven, now sitting down in His mediatorial role at the right hand of the Father. In Hebrews 7:26, "He became higher than the heavens," (v.28) “For the law appoints as high priests men who have weaknesses, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever.”

No prophet or king was allowed to hold the three ruling offices in Israel. Jesus holds to all three offices eternally, but He functions in them Chronologically. He came as a prophet (John 4:44), today he is currently holding the office and functioning as our high priest (Hebrews 5:6,10). He was announced as King in his first coming, but was rejected (Matthew 12:22-45). At his second coming, He will be realized as King, and accepted. (Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 25:34-45).

Just believing in Jesus doesn't save you, although you may feel good and secure about Him, unless He is understood to be Lord, God, without this, you don't have Christianity nor do you have the true Christ.

The Son is just as real and present before the creation of the world as is the Father. Who said so? The Father!"


Let Us Reason Ministries

troysal Loc: Picayune MS

Such shallow and pitiful exegesis. What ignorance! But this is what orthodox indoctrination does to a person.

TexaCan Loc: Homeward Bound!

Thank you for another excellent study of the Bible! Many Christians don’t understand exactly who Jesus is and the Trinity. This study is easy to understand and follow for those that haven’t spent much time studying the Bible. Providing the scriptures is absolutely necessary in any study and repetition and comparison of scriptures even deepen the understanding.

We are living in a time that the Bible and true Christians are being attacked by not just those that declare they don’t believe, but by those that claim that they have been chosen to spread Truth! The internet is full of false profits. There is a group of men and women that claim that their eyes have been opened and are spreading dangerous lies both politically and Biblical. Jews are being viciously attacked from all sides and something that is called the Jesus Strand is being promoted……Jesus was married to Mary and they had a child, replacement theology, using numbers to predict truth, using Tarot cards, and absolutely more unbelievable lies that they claim are true and revealed to them by God! All the while using vulgar language that they claim is OK with God! 🤯

I believe that we must stand up against those that are leading unsuspecting individuals down this evil path. Prophecy warns us about this very thing happening in the end times and here we are! Jesus gave us the Bible and He gave us discernment through the Holy Spirit……We need to use it! IMHO!

TexaCan Loc: Homeward Bound!

As opposed to the little piece that you wrote that was about as clear as MUD with big words and long sentences………….It didn’t make it more convincing or impressive. LOL!

troysal Loc: Picayune MS

You said concerning what Zemirah posted: "This study is easy to understand and follow for those that haven’t spent much time studying the Bible." Yes but for those who have spent much time studying the Bible it is inane.

troysal Loc: Picayune MS

Was it too hard for you to follow?

TexaCan Loc: Homeward Bound!

I know the truth! Why would I follow anything a Unitarian had to say? 🤷🏻‍♀️

TexaCan Loc: Homeward Bound!

I guess you’re getting a little low on the contributions for your internet site…………Time to fill up the coffers, right Troy! 😉

troysal Loc: Picayune MS

Go to my blog and if you can find a donate button I'll give you $100. If you can't how about not slandering me?

Zemirah Loc: Sojourner En Route...

Troy, no one has ever been saved because of their multi-syllable words or the length of their sentences, but only with the Faith of a Child:

Matthew 18:3
And [Jesus] said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Luke 18:17
"Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

Matthew 19:14
But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”

Mark 10:13-16
And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

Matthew 18:1-14
At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me.

Romans 10:17
"Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

Rose42

Such as yourself? Others who have spent much time studying the bible would not agree with your opinion on it

Rose42

Uh-huh. You aren’t the authority you believe you are and this post sure isn’t going to win anyone over to your opinion