In this study, we will delve into what the Bible says as to the divinity and superiority of Jesus Christ. We will address who the writer of the Epistle is addressing in this Letter and what is he saying to the audience is addressing. The popular anti-Christ argument is and has been, why Jesus? Many people believe in a "god", but when you say the name Jesus, that number automatically is reduced by 50%. Why do you believe that Jesus is God and what is basis of this belief? This one will be fun, so please join us.
Hebrews Chapter 1 - Why is Jesus to be worshipped as God?
Epistle to the Hebrews
Chapter 1
Why is Jesus to be worshiped as God?
This study will focus on the question; "Why should Jesus be worshiped as God? This particular question is one that has been debated, contested, defended and hated since the time that Jesus walked the streets of Jerusalem.
In the United States, nearly 88% of adult Americans believe in "God" and 76% believe it is the "God" of the Bible and this seems encouraging, but there is an issue. When you ask these believers if they believe that Jesus is God, only 51% say they do and only 19% can tell you why they do from a Biblical perspective (See Matthew 7:22-23 for perspective).
Matthew 7:22-23: On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
We will not settle the dispute in this study and we certainly are not presenting all of the Biblical and Non-Biblical evidence that we could use to support the claim. The point of this study is not to convince people that Jesus is God, but rather to reinforce the Christian believer's faith that He is God and what the Epistle to the Hebrews has to say about His divinity.
Lastly, we want to apply this knowledge to your benefit and strengthen your personal walk with Jesus.
We focus this study starting with Chapter 1, where the author immediately delves into the identity of Jesus Christ. We also are going to look at who it is the author is addressing, who the author compares Jesus too, what can we presume the author's background may have been and finally, the specific issues the author is addressing.
We will do this by dissecting Chapter 1 verse by verse and making it easier to comprehend... So, let us start at the beginning....
About the Epistle or Letter to the Hebrews
Date - it is a widely accepted notion that this Epistle was written before 60 AD. There are two primary factors that drive this notion, which are:
A) The author is very familiar with the ordinances, laws and practices of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem and leaves no doubt as to whether he possesses this knowledge, nor does he leave any doubt about the fact that the people he is writing the epistle to have some of the same knowledge.
This is significant, because the Temple was destroyed in 70 AD by the Romans and the author makes no reference to this event taking place and writes his Epistle in the present tense when addressing the Temple Practices.
B) There is no mention in the Epistle of the most prominent of the Apostles being killed (e.g. Paul, Peter, Matthew, etc), as does Revelation and therefore, it stands to reason that this had not yet taken place either. Peter and Paul are widely believed to have been murdered by the Roman Emperor somewhere around 63-66 AD.
Audience - the specific audience are Jewish Converts to Christianity, either in Rome or throughout the Roman Empire. Since the Epistle was written to one specific gathering of these converts, it would have most likely been a gathering of significant size and importance.
An epistle of this size and theological depth was a monumental undertaking in the first century, and therefore the author must have felt compelled that the effort was well worth it. Regardless of the specific location of Jewish Converts, it is clear that the author is addressing traditional Jewish believers who had accepted the idea that Jesus was the long awaited Messiah of the Jewish people.
Some of these had accepted it faithfully, deeply and spiritually, and others merely had accepted it based on the notion that it made some sense and were not yet well rooted in their faith (see Matthew 13:1-23 for an example of this).
We know that this was the make up of the audience to which the author is addressing because:
A) The Epistle is to the "Hebrews" or "Israelites".
B) The author goes through great pains to explain in detail what makes Jesus the promised Messiah and absolutely divine.
C) The author uses the term "we" when referencing prior things God had done for the Jewish people (e.g. temple, kings, prophets, laws, etc).
D) The author goes into great depth in explaining why angels are subject to Christ, which addressed the deep admiration of angels as first hand representatives of God, as this was a deep seated Jewish belief.
E) Lastly, the tone of the letter seems to indicate that the author was addressing this audience of believers about falling away and losing their faith, as it contains several warnings.
He references Old Testament examples all throughout the epistle as reminders, which a Jewish audience would have been very familiar with.
This has led some to believe that the audience of Christians may have been undergoing great persecution for their faith, which was certainly a major problem for the early Christian church. In addition, it appears that some of this specific group of Jewish converts were seriously considering abandoning their faith in Christ, and returning to ritualistic Judaism.
Author - the specific author is not known, even though for many years it was assumed to be the Apostle Paul. Further research of the text indicated that it is highly unlikely since the writing style was different and he does not use his name, which Paul had done in every other epistle he had written.
Clearly the author was very familiar with the Jewish law, the ordinances of the Temple, the practices and procedures of the Levitical priesthood and the Old Testament and therefore, it is thought that the writer may have been a converted Jewish Pharisee.
The author also seems to have been a person of high standing and authority to the church of Jewish Christians he addresses, as speaks as a person of authority. This also indicates that the writer is well known, connected and important.
Summary:
A) This Epistle was probably written within 25-30 years of the resurrection of Jesus.
B) It was written to Jews who accepted Jesus as the Messiah/Divine at various levels.
C) It was written by a well educated and knowledgeable Jewish Christian.
D) The writer addresses the Jewish audience with warnings about losing their faith.
Epistle to the Hebrews (ESV)
Chapter 1
Hebrews 1:1: Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets,
Throughout the history of mankind, God has spoken by way of prophets, mediated by angels (Enoch, Noah, Moses, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, etc) and He did so in various ways. Sometimes God would use nature to confirm His message from a prophet, other times He would use dreams, sometimes He would have the prophet do bizarre things in order to demonstrate God's plans, sometimes He would use various supernatural acts and miracles, etc.
The Author is stating this upfront, so as to remind the Jewish people that God has often spoken to us and in many ways, all of which are recognized as important however; the significance of Jesus is much higher than all the previous messages and messengers who spoke them.
Hebrews 1:2: but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.
This is a profound statement, as the author is unequivocally stating in this one verse:
A) The last days were upon the Jewish nation, the Jewish law and that God has made this clear (before the destruction of the temple) by speaking through His Son.
B) He is stating that Jesus is God, and on the same level as God. In the Jewish culture, the Son was the heir and equivalent to the Father (See John 5:18).
John 5:18: This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
C) The writer is saying that God created all through Jesus Christ - meaning the power of God the Father, working through the word of Jesus Christ.
In saying these things, the author is making it clear that Jesus is the divine and eternal Son of God, that He existed before all things, and that God the Father created all things by way and means of Jesus, who is the living Word of God.
Hebrews 1:3: He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
This leads along the same path, as the author is saying that Jesus is the EXACT imprint of God. The author does not say "reflection" of God, but he says "imprint" or "representation' of God's very nature and that the glory of Jesus is the radiance of God's glory (meaning He is the light that radiates from God the Father). "If you have seen me, you have seen the Father...." (See John 14:9)
John 14:9: Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
The writer also makes clear that "all" things are upheld by the "word of his power". What the author is saying is that Jesus carries the very power of God in His words and that He is in fact, the living Word of God. (See John 1:1-13)
John 1:1-13: 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
This is very important because the author starts off in verse 1 as saying that God has spoken through His Son. No one can uphold all things and be the ruler of all things, unless they are God.
The author finishes out Verse 3 by saying that Jesus sat down at the right hand of the "Majesty on High" (which means the one esteemed) after He had accomplished the purification of sins.
This means that the Son shares a throne next to His Father, which is only reserved for God and God alone. It states that Jesus "came" to do what needed to be done, and then "returned" after He had accomplished the will of His Father (See John 6:38).
John 6:38: For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.
This is important, because the author is advocating that Jesus is in fact:
A) The exact image and glory of God the Father.
B) The Word of God.
C) The Eternal Son of God.
D) The Creator of all things on behalf of God the Father.
E) The ruler of all things created for God the Father.
F) The spotless lamb provided by God the Father.
G) Sitting beside God the Father on the same throne.
It is very important to understand that the author is saying this to "Jewish" believers that were raised under the Mosaic Law, whose fathers had held to the belief in the "One" God (See Deuteronomy 6:8) and yet, they had accepted that Jesus was God. This is a much different audience than that of the Apostle Paul's, who were previously gentile pagans.
Deuteronomy 6:4-6: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.
We know that they had accepted Jesus as God, because the writer opens with these statements as a matter of fact, not a source of debate or contention - therefore it was an accepted principle among this group of believers at various levels.
If the author was to be implying that Jesus was some kind of demi-god or a second god, and that there was more than one God, this would have been blasphemous and the author would have immediately been shot down. So we can safely state without a doubt that this group of believers understood the concept of the Trinity quite clearly (1 BEING of GOD, represented in the 3 PERSONS of GOD).
Hebrews 1:4: having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
Here, the author is stating that Jesus is, was, and has become (in the minds of the converts) greater than all of the other messengers, including angels (angels are considered divine messengers).
What the author is saying is that Jesus and His word are greater than ALL the prophets of God, AND greater than the divine angels who carried God's Word to those prophets. The author makes it clear that Jesus is greater than any man or divine being that exists, and is not part of the creation.
Hebrews 1:5: For to which of the angels did God ever say, "You are my Son, today I have begotten you"?
Here is the author is tying Jesus and His identity directly to (See Psalm 2:7), where King David proclaims the decree he received from the LORD, and this decree is a prophecy that God the Son would come in the flesh, through the human ancestry of King David's line, as promised to David.
Psalms 2:7:I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you.
Hebrews 1:5 Continued: ...Or again, “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son”?
Once again, the writer is referencing God's promise to King David, regarding his Son, who would become God incarnate and what was to happen during the crucifixion of the Christ. (See Samuel 7:14)
2 Samuel 7:14: I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men,
Hebrews 1:6: And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him."
Here the author is referencing (Psalm 97:7), where God damns idol worshipers and commands all "gods" or "angels/divine beings" to worship the Son.
Psalms 97:7:All worshipers of images are put to shame, who make their boast in worthless idols; worship him, all you gods!
Of course, only God can command and receive worship under Jewish Law. (see John 9:38 for example.)
John 9:38: He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.
Hebrews 1:7: Of the angels he says, "He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire."
Here the author is quoting (See Psalm 104:4) and his point in doing so is to remind the readers what God has said about the status He has given to the angels, in contrast to what He states in verse 8 about Jesus.
Psalms 104:4:he makes his messengers winds, his ministers a flaming fire.
Hebrews 1:8-9: 8 But of the Son he says,
"Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions."
Here the author is quoting (Psalm 45:6-7), which is another Messianic Psalm of David, referring directly to the coming of the Christ.
Psalm 45:6-7: Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness; you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions;
Hebrews 1:10-12: 10 And,
"You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; 11 they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, 12 like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end."
Here the author is quoting (Psalm 102:25-27) and referencing the fact that Jesus is the ETERNAL Son and that He created all things and will live long after all things - the Alpha and the Omega.
Psalms 102:25-27:Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, but you are the same, and your years have no end.
Hebrews 1:13: And to which of the angels has he ever said, "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet"?
Here the author is quoting (Psalm 110:1) and making the final point that God the Father promised a better promise to the eternal Son than to the angels and of course, is referencing Jesus sitting at the Father's right hand.
Psalms 110:1: The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.”
Hebrews 1:14: Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?
The point of this statement is to solidify the superiority of Jesus over other divine beings, namely angels. The author does this by stating that the divine beings are ministers FOR those who are saved, but Jesus is the Savior of those who are saved...holding Him in much higher regard.
Let's ask ourselves some questions, based on what we have learned from our review of Chapter 1 of the Epistle of Hebrews.
- Do you have a deeper understanding of what the Bible says about the divinity of Jesus now?
- If you do have a better understanding, then how can that be applied to your walk with Jesus?
- If Jesus is in fact God the Son and the exact representation of God the Father, how does that change your perception of who God is and how He relates to you?
- If Jesus is God the Son and has ALL authority over ALL creation, what does this mean for you, as a fellow heir with Christ?
Other Scripture that supports the truth that Jesus Christ is the God of Bible -
The Apostle Thomas called Jesus God Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
The Apostle Peter called Jesus God Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
The Apostle Paul called Jesus God training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
The Apostle John called Jesus God Verses 1-3: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Verse 14: And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Jesus accepts worship, which only God can do And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Jesus confirms that He believes only God is to be worshiped and yet, He accepts worship And Jesus answered him, “It is written,
“‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’”
Jesus says that only God is good and yet, He is called "good" all throughout the scriptures And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.
John 10:11: I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
Jesus spoke and commanded, as if He was in fact "God" “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.
John 14:15: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
Matthew 7:28-29:And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.
Jesus claims to be omnipresent, which only God can be. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
Jesus is called "Lord of Lords" and "King of Kings", which is a direct reference to God in Psalm 136:3 They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”
1 Timothy 6:15: which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,
Psalm 136:3: Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever;
Jesus is credited with being the Creator of All things For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
John 1:3: All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
The Jews who crucified Jesus understood Him to be saying that He was equal with God This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
John 10:33:The Jews answered him, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.”
Jesus called Himself “I AM”, the name God calls Himself in Exodus 3:14 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.
Exodus 3:14: God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I am has sent me to you.’”
Isaiah the Prophet said the Promised Messiah would in fact be God in the flesh For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
