Journal: Central Bible Quarterly
Volume: CENQ 13:4 (Winter 1970)
Article: The Book Of Hebrews
Author: Richard V. Clearwaters

---

CenQ 13:4 (Winter 1970) p. 2

The Book Of Hebrews

Richard V. Clearwaters

President Central Baptist Theological Seminary of Minneapolis

It seems that the author of the book of Hebrews was the Apostle Paul because of the book’s imperious logic. Notice the Apostle Paul’s two major presumptions in writing this book: (1) the existence of a personal God, and (2) the fact that this personal God can and does manifest and make Himself known to mankind.

Chapter One

Introduction. The thesis or proposition: Christianity is superior to Judaism, as seen in Christ its founder, who is superior to prophets, angels, Moses, and Aaron. Note the antithesis: the priesthood of the temple and the ritual of the synagogue.

Outline. Preeminence of the Son.

I. God’s previous revelations were preparatory for God’s sending His Son. These previous revelations differed from God’s last revelation in His Son in four ways: (1) In time: from the dawn of creation, contrasted with “in the fullness of time God sent forth His Son.” (2) In the recipients: the nation Israel contrasted with the world. (3) In the agents: prophets, angels, Moses, and Aaron contrasted with God’s Son, Jesus Christ. (4) In the manner: the mode or manner of God’s revelation varied with the message, the messengers, and those through whom He sent His revelations “unto the fathers.” These included (a) Law, (b) Prophecy, (c) History, (d) Psalms, (e) Signs, and (f) Types. Illustration: The finality of the revelation of God’s Son is seen in the Greek word, “ekathisen,” translated in the margin of the King James Bible, “sat Himself down.” A priest sits down only when he has finished his work.

II. The person and position of God’s Son was superior to the prophets that preceded Him in seven ways: (1) His universal and unique Lordship, (2) His universal and unique Creatorship, (3) His universal and unique

CenQ 13:4 (Winter 1970) p. 3

mediation of God’s ‘effulgence’ (see marginal translation), (4) His universal and unique expression of God’s person, (5) His universal and unique position as Sustainer of the universe, (6) His universal and unique ministry as Redeemer, and (7) His universal and unique ministry as Ruler.

III. The person and position of God’s Son was and is superior to angels. (1) He has a “more excellent name than they.” (2) He has a better origin than the angels, “Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.” (3) He has a better relationship than angels, “I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son.” (4) He is better than the angels because “the angels of God worship Him.” (5) He is better than the angels because God ...

visitor : : uid: ()