THE SUPREMACY OF CHRISTI JESUS IN THE BOOK OF HEBREWS

(Community : Antigua Community )
Pastor Ken Bell, Jesus, Book of Hebrews

THE SUPREMACY OF CHRISTI JESUS IN THE BOOK OF HEBREWS Pastor Ken Bell

A PAPER PRESENTED TO THE FACULTY OF THE CALIFORNIA GRADUATE SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

BY KENNETH R. BELL APRIL 22, 1983
 

THE SUPREMACY OF CHRIST: JESUS IN THE BOOK OF HEBREWS

Introduction: One of the key words in the book of Hebrews is "better". Jesus is supreme in all He is, says, or does. He is a supreme being over angels (1:4), a supreme prophet over Moses (3:3), a supreme Priest over Aaron (7:11) who offers supreme sacrifices (9:23) in a supreme tabernacle, (9:11) and a supreme leader over Joshua (4:8). He is the mediator of a supreme covenant (7:22, 8:6, 12:24).
I. Supreme in His Person
A. His Deity                                                                                                              
1. Described as God by His Traits
     a. Eternal (1:8,11; 7:3,16,24,25)
     b. Righteous (1:8,9)
     c. Sinless (4:15, 7:26, 9:14)
     d. Immutable (1:12, 7.24, 13:8)
2. Demonstrated as God by His Tasks
     a. Creator (1:2, 10; 2:10; 3：3,4)
     b. Sustainer of the universe (1:3)
     c. Heir of All Things (1:2)
     d. Object of Worship and Glory (1:6, 3:3, 13:21)
     e. Revelation of God (1:3)
     f. Builder of a spiritual House (2:10, 3:3, 10:21)
     g. Resurrection from the Dead (13:26)
3. Declared as God by His Titles
     a. God (1:8)
     b. Son of God (1:5; 3:6; 5:5,8; 6:6; 7:3; 10:29)
     c. Lord Jesus (l3:6,20)
     d. Jesus Christ (9:28, 13:8)
B. His Humanity
1. Born in Human Flesh
     a. Partook of Flesh and Blood (2:14)
     b. Took on the Seed of Abraham (2:16) l
     c. Descended from the Tribe of Judah (7:14)
     d. Possessed a Human Body (10:5,10,20)
2. Associated with the Human Family
     a. Identified with Human Experiences (2:17, 5:7)
     b. Faced with Human Temptations (4:15)
3. Free from Human Faults
     a. Overcame Temptations (4:15)
     b. Displayed Perfect Obedience (2:10, 5:7-9, 10:7-9)

II. Supreme in His Position
A. Prophet
1. Spoke the Words of God (1:2)
2. Proc1aimed the plan of Salvation (2:3)
3. Warned the Rejectors of His Words (12:25)
B. Priest
1. His Order 
     a. Performed In the Heavenly Tabernacle (4:14, 8:2, 9:11)      
     b. Appointed by God (5:5,10)
     c. Like that of Melchisedec (5:6,10; 6:20; 7:1-4)
     d. Eternal (5:6; 7:16,17,21,24,25)
     e.Unchangeable(7:24)                                                                                        
2. His Offering
     a. Himself (7:27, 10:10)
     b. His Blood (9:12)
     c. Through the Spirit (9: 14)
     d. In Heaven (9:12,24)                                                                                        
3.His Occupation
     a. Redemption for Sinners
          1) Eternal (9:12)
          2) Through His Blood (9:15)
     b. Reconciliation for Sins (2:17)
     c. Intercession for the Saints (7:25, 9:24)
     d. Mediation of the New Covenant (8:6,9:15,12:24)
4. His Observation
     a. Merciful and Faithful (2:17, ):1, 10:2)
     b. Compassionate (4:15)
     c. Holy (7:26)
     d. Joyful. (1: 9, 12: 2)
C. Potentate
1. Declared a King by the Father (1:8)
2. Ascended into Heaven (4:14, 6:20, 8:1)                                                 
3.Seated at the Father's Right Hand (1:3, 8:1, 10:12-13,12:2)                             
4. Exalted to a Position of Glory and Honor (2:9, 7:26)
5. Established a King after the Order of Melchisedec (7:1-3, 15)

III. Supreme In His Passion
A. His Willingness to Submit
1. Made Lower than Angels (2:9)                                                                           
2. Glorified Not Himself (5:5)
3. Faithful to His Father (3:3)
4. Feared His Father (5:7)
B. His Willingness to Suffer
1. Many Things (2:10, 5:8)
2. Temptation (2:18)
3. Reproach Without the Camp (13:12,13)
4. Rejection (12:3)
5. Death (2:9) as a substitute
     a. Shamefu1 (2:9, 7:27, 9:15-16, 9:28)
     b. By Crucifixion (6:6, 12:2)
     c. To destroy the Devil (2:14)
C. His Willingness to Sacrifice
1. Himself (9:26)
2. Once for All Time (9:12,26; 10:10,12,14)
3. His Blood (9:12,14; 10:19,20,29; 12:24)

IV. Supreme in His Power
A. To Save                                                                                                            
1. As the Author and Finisher of Our Faith (5:9, 12:2)
2. As the Captain of Our Salvation (2:10)
3. To the Uttermost (7:25)
4. By His Blood Opening Up the Way (9:8; 10:19,20)
5. By Purging Our Sins (1:3, 9:14)
6. Through a Spiritual Union with Christ (2:11, 3:14)
7. Through the Blood of An Everlasting Covenant (13:20)
8. By His Return to Complete Our Salvation (9:28, 10:37)
B. To Sanctify
1. By the once and for All Offering of His Body (10:10,14)
2. Through His Blood (10:29, 13:12)
3. In Identification with His Brethren (2:11)
c. To Succor
1. Delivers from the Fear of Death (2:15)
2. Aids in the time of Temptation (2:18)
3. Answers Prayers for Mercy and Grace to Help (4:16)
4. Always Supplies His Presence and Provision (13:5,6)
5. Leads and Feeds as a Shepherd (13:20)
6. Equips to Do Good Works and God's Will (13:21)

Conclusion: As the Apostle of our profession (3:1) and our forerunner into heaven (6:20), Jesus has given us a supreme hope (7:19) because of the supreme way His bloody sacrifice has opened for us into the holiest (9:8; 10:19,20).

By Pastor Ken Bell