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Structure
Interesting Questions, Facts and Information
- There are a total of 45 general entries. We are selecting 30 for display.
Special Topics
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 Interesting Questions, Facts, and Information
 Hebrews
| According to chapter 12, if God doesn't ___ you it means you are an illegitimate child. What is this missing word? | Hebrews
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discipline. "If God doesn't discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children after all." 12:8
| Whose parents are mentioned in chapter eleven? | Hebrews
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Moses'. "It was by faith that Moses' parents hid him for three months." 11:23
| The Christians the author was writing to were considering turning away from the faith. The author said they needed __ __ to continue on. What was it that they needed? | Hebrews
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patient endurance. "Do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord, no matter what happens. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that he has promised." 10:35,36
| The author explains that Jesus has gone to heaven to act on our behalf. What does he call Jesus? | Hebrews
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our advocate. "For Christ has entered into heaven itself to appear now before God as our Advocate." 9:24
| From what line of priesthood does the author say Jesus decends? | Hebrews
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Melchizedek's. "And finally, if the priesthood of Levi could have achieved God's purposes -- and it was that priesthood on which the law was based -- why did God need to send a different priest from the line of Melchizedek, instead of from the line of Levi and Aaron?" 7:11. Melchizedek was mentioned in Genesis 14:18-20. He was a High Priest from Salem whose line is said to never have ended.
| Is this verse correct? "So God has given us both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie." | Hebrews
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Yes. The verse continues on to say: "Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can take new courage, for we can hold on to his promise with confidence." 6:18
| What is the author's desire for the Christians who would be reading this sermon? | Hebrews
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That they would keep on loving others as long as life lasts.. "Our great desire is that you will keep right on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true." 6:11
| Does the author call Jesus a High Priest? | Hebrews
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Yes. "That is why we have a great High Priest who has gone to heaven, Jesus the Son of God." 4:14
| Whose descendants does the author say Jesus came to help? | Hebrews
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Abraham . "We all know that Jesus came to help the descendants of Abraham, not to help the angels. Therefore, it was necessary for Jesus to be in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God." 2:16,17
| In chapter one, the author speaks about Christ being greater than whom? | Hebrews
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the angels. "The Son reflects God's own glory, and everything about him represents God exactly. He sustains the universe by the mighty power of his command. After he died to cleanse us from the stain of sin, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God of heaven. This shows that God's Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is far greater than their names." 1:3,4
| Who is the author of Hebrews? | Hebrews
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The author is unknown.. All of these people have been suggested as Hebrews' author, but it is not known for sure.
| "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise - the fruit of lips that confess his name." (Hebrews 13 v. 15)
In concluding, the letter continues its main theme of the centrality of Jesus. What completes the following statement that sums up his eternal significance: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and ________"? | Quizzing the New Testament : Hebrews
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Forever. "Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Hebrew 13 v. 7-8)
This is an oft quoted verse that serves two purposes. Firstly, it looks back to those that had founded this particular church and asks people to imitate their example. This, presumably, included courage under pressure and possibly martyrdom. Such imitation is necessary, the writer says, because the basic nature of Jesus, in whom they have faith, is unchanging from generation to generation.
But it also dovetails with the very beginning of the letter in the theological point that is being made. If Jesus is "the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being" (Hebrews 1 v. 3), how can he ever fail to be dependable, the same yesterday, today and forever?
| In chapter 12, the writer illustrates godlessness by using a character that might not be thought of as the most obvious choice. Who is this person? | Quizzing the New Testament : Hebrews
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Esau. "See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. He could bring about no change of mind, though he sought the blessing with tears." (Hebrews 12 v. 16-17)
Although Esau may not be a perfect example of godlessness, the story is chosen because it, again, serves the writer's agenda of warning against giving up. Esau exchanged something of value for something that seemed pressing at the time but was of no ultimate significance. When he realised the seriousness of what he had done, Esau tried, unsuccessfully, to restore what he had lost. Thus, the writer is urging his readers to cling to their "inheritance" and resist the trials that might, temporarily, seem of overriding importance.
| "Now ______ is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for." (Hebrews 11 v. 1-2)
The book gives a long list of names, described as "a great cloud of witnesses" (Hebrews 12 v. 1). What is it that they are commended for? | Quizzing the New Testament : Hebrews
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Faith. Here's the list in full: Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses' parents, Moses, those that passed through the Red Sea, those that marched around the walls of Jericho, Rahab, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets.
These names all appear in the eleventh chapter but the starting point for the discourse appears at the end of chapter 10. There, it says:
"You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, 'He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him'" (Hebrews 10 v. 36-38).
It is likely that some were falling away through disappointment that Jesus had not yet returned. The reason for this long list, therefore, is to induce patient perseverance by referring to people that showed faith even though "none of them received what had been promised" (Hebrews 11 v. 39). The logical conclusion comes at the beginning of the following chapter:
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us" (Hebrews 12 v. 1).
| Hebrews further develops the idea of Jesus being the heavenly high priest. Jesus is described as having entered which place on humanity's behalf? | Quizzing the New Testament : Hebrews
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The inner sanctuary behind the curtain. "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek." (Hebrews 6 v. 19-20)
The inner sanctuary of the temple in Jerusalem was, symbolically, the dwelling place of God's presence. No human could enter beyond its curtain except for the high priest, once a year, on the Day of Atonement. On this day, his sacrifice was to make restitution for any of the nation's sins not otherwise covered (Leviticus 16). Hebrews argues that Jesus does just that for Christians:
"... but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them" (Hebrews 7 v. 24-25).
Jesus is described as being a high priest, not in a physical descent from Aaron, but spiritually from Melchizedek. Melchizedek appears in just three verses of the book of Genesis, where he is described as king of Salem and, mysteriously, "priest of God Most High" (Genesis 14 v. 18). This was, of course, long before the priesthood was instituted. In the centuries leading through to the New Testament, his story seems to have taken on a symbolic reinterpretation as evidenced by the verse that the writer quotes from Psalms:
"The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind: 'You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek'" (Psalm 110 v. 4).
| "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin." (Hebrews 4 v. 15)
These words have often appeared in the liturgy of services but, in their original context, give a pointer towards the probable situation that the writer was addressing. Which is what? | Quizzing the New Testament : Hebrews
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The temptation to fall away under persecution. "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." (Hebrews 4 v. 14-16)
The recipients are urged to stand firm because every human trial they may be facing has been experienced by Jesus. He will give them help in their "time of need". Evidence of their situation can be found at several points in the letter but is perhaps best illustrated thus:
"Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised" (Hebrews 10 v. 32-36).
| "They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven." (Hebrews 8 v. 5)
The writer claims that the activities of the high priests in the earthly tabernacle are a shadow replica of the work of Jesus in Heaven. In saying this, he is coming close to the thought of which famous Greek philosopher, known for his analogy of a cave? | Quizzing the New Testament : Hebrews
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Plato. "For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence." (Hebrews 9 v. 24)
The jury is out amongst scholars as to whether the writer is influenced by Platonic thought or merely using a similar idea. The analogy of the cave appears in book VII of Plato's "Republic". His premise is that humans are like prisoners in a cave, chained so that all they can see is the back wall. They have been there so long that this is all they know. Between them and the entrance to the cave are a fire and objects that cast shadows on the back wall. As they are aware of nothing else, the prisoners assume that the shadows on the wall are reality. They are unaware that these are merely copies of the reality that exists behind them and, at an even deeper level, outside the cave.
All of these reasons are given. (The gifts of the Holy Spirit confirm it., There have been accompanying miraculous signs and wonders., Those who heard Jesus confirmed what he had said.). "This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will." (Hebrews 2 v. 3-4)
The writer wants to encourage any waverers by affirming the truth of the Christian gospel that they have heard. It was, he says, originally preached by Jesus and subsequently passed on by his disciples. He goes on to reflect the typical view of the early Christians who saw the Holy Spirit as God's down-payment on their salvation (2 Corinthians 1 v. 22). Miraculous occurrences, and the working of the Holy Spirit through people's lives, were taken as evidence of God's confirmation of the message.
The name stuck after it was used by a second century theologian who thought the book was aimed at Jewish Christians.. The book has no title and no named author. It was originally attributed to Paul but its style makes this extraordinarily unlikely. Other candidates have included Apollos, Barnabas, Clement, Epaphras, Luke, Priscilla and Silas but none with any great conviction. The task is virtually impossible as there are no biographical details and insufficient clues to allow an accurate dating or even to know who or where the recipients are.
Tertullian was the second century theologian responsible for the book gaining its title. He championed the claim of Barnabas to be the author of, in his words, "The Epistle to the Hebrews". He assumed, from the Old Testament allusions and central idea of Jesus as celestial high priest, that the book was written to Jewish Christians. This has since been challenged by those who note that, despite this, there is the assumption that all of the old Jewish practices have been superseded. This, they claim, makes it more likely to be aimed at Gentile Christians as part of the ongoing debate about what constituted proper Christian practice.
Yes. In the final greetings the author says that Timothy had been released, although it doesn't specifically from prison, and if he shows up then the author would visit him. Other than this no one is mentioned by name.
No. Hebrews 12:5-6 refers to a verse in Proverbs that says that God disciplines those he loves and punishes everyone he accepts as sons. Discipline helps keep people in order. It makes them think twice before doing something wrong again. "For what son is not disciplined be his father?" - Hebrews 12:7. Verse 8 says that if you're not disciplined then you're not a legitimate child. It goes on to say that we all had fathers that disciplined us and we respect them for it. Verse 11 says "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.".
| According to Hebrews 11:29 of the NIV Bible, why were the Israelites allowed to pass through the Red Sea on dry ground but when the Egyptians tried to they drowned? | BBB Bible Series: Hebrews
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They had faith. The story talked about in the verse can be found in Exodus 13:17-14:31. Let me back up a little bit and tell you of the events leading up to it. The Israelites had been enslaved in Egypt for 430 years. Then God sent Moses to tell Pharaoh to set the Israelites free. It wasn't until after the Egyptians had suffered through the Ten Plagues that he finally let them go.
God then led them into the desert toward the Red Sea. However, Pharaoh changed his mind and set out with all of the chariots in Egypt to stop them. He pursued them to the Red Sea and that's where God performed a miracle. The Israelites came to the Red Sea then they looked back and saw the Egyptians and were afraid. God told Moses to raise his staff and stretch his arm over the sea. Moses did this and God parted the waters of the sea and the Israelites crossed over on dry ground. When they had all crossed over the sea God told Moses to stretch his hand over the sea again. God then let the water flow back on the ground and the sea drowned the Egyptians. After this the Israelites praised God for giving them victory.
The shedding of blood. In Leviticus God told Moses how everything was going to be. He gave Moses the law and told him what to do for every sin that might be committed. If someone wronged someone else they had to make a sacrifice before they could be forgiven. Before the Israelites left Egypt they had to sacrifice a lamb and coat their door frames with its blood.
For the forgiveness of sins today, Christians believe that if you confess your sins to God he will forgive you. The blood was shed when Jesus died on the cross for us all about 2,000 years ago. That's what Christians are all about right there!
A sinful, unbelieving heart. The verse tells us to not have a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from God. Verse 13 says that we should instead encourage each other daily so that sin doesn't deceit us.
| According to Hebrews 2:11 of the NIV Bible, Jesus is not ashamed to call those who have been made holy ___? | BBB Bible Series: Hebrews
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His brothers. "Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers." - Hebrews 2:11
Another verse that supports Christ's followers as his brothers is Romans 8:17. Romans 8:17 says that if we share in Christ's sufferings then we are children of God and therefore his heirs and co-heirs with Christ.
So the summary of the verses according to Christian belief:
If we share in Christ's sufferings then we are made holy and Jesus will not be ashamed to call us brothers.
| According to Hebrews 2:9 of the NIV Bible, what is Jesus now crowned with because he suffered death? | BBB Bible Series: Hebrews
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Glory and honor. "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone."-Hebrews 2:9.
Christians believe that about 2000 years ago Jesus came to earth. He lived a perfect life and at the age of 33 he died on a cross. Three days later he rose from the grave, conquering death forever. According to Christian belief he's still alive in Heaven and is crowned with glory and honor.
Jesus. "For to which of the angels did God ever say,
'You are my Son; today I have become your Father'?
Or again, 'I will be his Father, and he will be my Son?'
And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says,
'Let all God's angels worship him.'"-Hebrews 1:5-6.
We see in these verses and additional references in Hebrews 1 that Jesus is higher than the angels. However, it does say in Hebrews 2 that Jesus was made lower than the angels for a little while so that he could taste death for everyone.
No. There's nothing in the book that shows for sure who the author was. It was probably written either late 63 or early 64 AD. Some believe that it was Paul because it says in the final greetings that those from Italy sent their greetings. Paul was in Rome during the time frame that the book was probably written in so, him being in Italy, it is possible that he wrote it and the other believers with him sent their greetings.
Others believe it wasn't Paul because of its many differences from Paul's epistles. But nobody knows for sure, so, no, we don't know who wrote it.
| How is marriage described in chapter 13 (King James Version)? | Hebrews
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honorable. It says in Hebrews 13:4, "Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled, but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge."
This verse may speak of waiting until marriage to have sex when it says "the bed undefiled."
| How does the author describe God at the end of chapter 12 in the King James Version? | Hebrews
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a consuming fire. It says in Hebrews 13:29, "For our God is a consuming fire."
This verse says that even though God loves, he also, like, fire destroys ... and what he destroys is sin (i.e. evil). One could cross-reference this verse with Matthew 12:30a, which states, "He that is not with me is against me."
| Chapter 11 of Hebrews is commonly known as the "Faith Chapter", as it deals with the men of faith in the Bible. What is the definition of "faith" according to this chapter in the King James Version? | Hebrews
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The substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.. It says in Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
The word "hope" in this verse is not like "I hope I get a new bike for Christmas", where one does not know but really wants it. This hope is more like trusting that what you hope for is coming; the verse could say, "of things expected".
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