BiblicalMastery Buddy's bible blog

Lesson 3

The Infallible Word of God

Hebrews 2:1-18

September 27, 2015

 

Each morning as I pray the very fact that God would have anything to do with me amazes me. As I think about all of the limitations that I have I am so thankful that God never will turn away and leave me to fend for myself. Somehow out of all the others just like me He has reached down with His awesome love and chose me to be part of His family. I could never take credit for any part of my salvation because I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I do not deserve it. Now, you might ask how do I know for sure that I was lost and then found? The answer for me is that His word from cover to cover shows the state of man without Christ and what happens to him after the Lord comes into his life. One example that I have used many times from comes from my thoughts from the very beginning of the Bible. To me it is surprising that God knew for the foundation of the world that Adam and Eve were going to stumble in the Garden of Eden and yet He created them anyway. That one fact shows just how much God loves man created in His own image. From the beginning God had a plan for man that was sidetracked because of sin. Our study will show us that plan and how we will be restored to that calling.

 

One of the reasons so many are turning their backs on the church today is the shallow regard they have for the Word of God. Each of us would not take a course in school unless we planned to read and study the textbook assigned for the class. We know at the end we will be tested on the material contained in its pages. Classes are taken so that one can graduate. They are a preparation for one’s field of endeavor whether it is to be a doctor, lawyer or one of all of the thousands of opportunities available to them. Today, we seem to think that the church can remain unscathed by the world without endeavoring to know the guidebook that we have been given. Our responsibility is to be God’s representatives in the world to bring people into a relationship with Him yet we make no effort to learn how to do that very thing. There is a great danger that we will be found wanting because we do not obey the simplest command that He gave to us. It is “make disciples” of all people by teaching them everything He said and taught. How are we going to do that if we do not take seriously His word?

 

Hebrews 2:1

In chapter 1 the writer used a number of Old Testament passages to show the supremacy of Christ over the angels. Notice they were quotes from the Word of God. He then pointed out in this verse in strong terms how important it is to heed the Word of God. He warned the priest and man of every age that if one does not stay constantly in the study of and meditation on the Word the value and meaning will slowly drift away from a person like a ship that has gotten loose from its mooring.

 

1. What did the writer use as the source of his characterization of Christ in comparison to the angels?
2. What does the writer call each Christian to do? (Pay close attention to what is written in the Word.)
3. What is the danger we see in the church today? (Biblical illiteracy)
4. Why did he use the term slipping or drifting away? (The lost of meaning of God’s word in a person’s life does not happen all at once but is gradual.)
5. How can we make sure that we learn to pay close attention to what God wants to say to us?
6. What is the resulting life of one who neglects God’s word?

 

Hebrews 2:2

It is very clear that the writer sees the Bible as absolute truth. He began by talking about the Ten Commandments. Using the Jewish mindset of the work of the angels as messengers of God they viewed the angels as the intermediaries that actually gave the Law to Moses. Whatever way man received the Law the writer wanted the people to know that God’s commandments could not be altered in any way. They were the infallible word of God. There would be a judgment rendered on those who violated even the commandments brought to man by angels. The word used here for sinning was transgressions. They are a deliberate stepping over the line into sin by breaking God’s commands.

 

1. What word did the writer use to indicate his belief in the infallibility of God’s word? (Unalterable)
2. What made his argument even stronger? (His belief that even breaking the word of the angels if they gave the Law to Moses would be tolerated.)
3. What happens when we commit transgressions against God’s commandments? (There is judgment and a penalty to come.)
4. What does the word transgression mean?
5. Can you think of times when you have purposefully broken God’s commandments?
6. How can we minimize doing so? (Living according to the infallible word of God.)

 

Hebrews 2:3

The writer wanted the priests, who were about to turn their backs on the salvation given them through Jesus to consider some important facts. They had been provided multiple witnesses that pointed to the person of Jesus as the Messiah. Although not mentioned here in this verse the Old Testament painted a picture of the Messiah. Paul explicitly pointed out the importance of the Old Testament when he spoke of the process by which Timothy had come to salvation. He said to him, “And that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:15
What the writer did include began with Jesus, the Lord Himself. On a number of occasions He told the disciples who He was. See John 8:58 as one example. One of the most well known conversations between Jesus and His disciples occurred at Caesarea Philippi. Jesus asked them first, who did men say He was. After various answers He then asked them who did they think He was. Peter answered for all mankind when he said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Matthew 16:13-16

 

Following His death and resurrection those who had followed Him went out and proclaimed the good news everywhere. See 1 John 1:1-3 for John’s explanation of the mission of the apostles.

 

1. What are the circumstances under which a person will turn his back on Christ? (He or she refuses to see all of the evidence found in God’s word that point to Jesus as the Savior of the world.)
2. What are some of the important passages that give the wisdom that leads to salvation?
3. In what ways did Jesus make the claim to be the Son of God?
4. What are the particular Scriptures that have helped you on your journey to salvation?
5. How do you respond to John’s words in 1 John 1:1-3 in regard to Hebrews 2:3?

 

Hebrews 2:4

If words were not enough that God provided He also witnessed to His Son by meeting the needs of all people. John Phillips in Exploring Hebrews shared the three different ways He met those needs. He witnessed with

• Signs and wonders to convince the Jews.
• Various miracles to convince the Gentiles.
• Gifts of the Holy Spirit to confirm the message to the Christians.

 

All of the methods were used by God so that the world would know the One who provided only what His Son could do because He was greater than anyone in all of creation.

 

• In order to have an ongoing relationship with God we must constantly spend time studying and meditating on God’s Word.
• Watch out for those things and people who may cause you to drift away from God.
• Understand that the word of God is the same yesterday, today and forever.
• Look for the examples of how God has worked in history to save both Jews and Gentiles.

 

We must take the word of God seriously. There is enough distraction in this world today to cause anyone who does not stay focused on the truth “to be tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine,” as Paul said in Ephesians 4:14. Thankfully, our church takes seriously the study and preaching of the Bible as the guidebook for life. It is obvious that it has made and impact on the lives of many in our church. They have remained faithful in good times and the difficult periods. We understand that discipleship is a process and that only by working at it can we be victorious. We are never to fall short on what God has called us to be. We are in the race for the long haul. It is not a sprint for any of us but a marathon. There is a good reason that God has allowed us to be part of His family. We will see that reason in the next part of chapter 2.