Epistle to the Hebrews Study #3

Our home Bible study group here at "Villa Scriptura" picks back up in Hebrews 1:14, as we begin to grapple with the scriptural concept of our inheritance as a future event. As the seven citations from Chp. 1 demonstrate to us, the "So-Great Salvation" is a coming event that will be inaugurated when the "firstborn" is brought back into the inhabitable world (1:6). It will be at that time when the angels--the "ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to INHERIT SALVATION"--will be commanded to worship the Son as He rules from the throne He has inherited from His Father/His God (i.e., the Davidic throne). During this study, we are introduced to the author's first warning, as he implores us that we MUST PAY CLOSER ATTENTION to what we've heard, lest we "DRIFT AWAY FROM IT" (the "IT," we learn, is the "great salvation" outlined in 1:5-13). We conclude by exploring how this salvation was delivered by our Lord, attested to "us" by those who heard (i.e.,the apostles), and borne witness to by signs, wonders, various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to the direct will of God. Chapter 2 then concludes by showing how the "author" or "pioneer" of our salvation is bringing many sons to glory as "a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God," making "propitiation for the sins of the people," having suffered in the flesh then crowned with glory and honor. Our next study in planned for Tuesday, July 13th.  The audio podcast recording can be accessed here: Epistle to the Hebrews Study #3
Notes for this study are here: Notes for Hebrews Lesson #3

Epistle to the Hebrews Study #2

Our home Bible study continues to look into this magnificent Epistle to the Hebrews, concluding our investigation of the seven citations the author refers to as he allows the Scriptures to define the "Son" for us and helps us to determine why He is the only one qualified to "become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent that theirs." (Heb. 1:4). After we review the previous citations from Psalm 2, 2 Samuel 7, and Deuteronomy 32:43, we wrap up our examination of what friends Bill and Steve Ramey have called these "Seven Pillars of the So-Great Salvation" by delving into Psalm 104, Psalm 45, Psalm 102, and finally Psalm 110, where we bump into the epistle's first mention of the "priest forever after the order of Melchizedek." I hope you will all enjoy getting into the Holy Scriptures with us. Our next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 29th.You can listen and study with us online here: Villa Scriptura Episode #2
Study/review notes are here: Study and Review Notes for Lesson #2

Launch of our New Home Bible Study in the Epistle to the Hebrews

We launched our first home Bible study in the Epistle to the Hebrews on Thursday, June 3rd.  Sabrina, Tim, Cortni, Bruce, and Joyce were together to dive into this extraordinary New Testament letter.  After providing some historical background, we looked into the Son's impressive "résumé" as the "appointed heir of all things,"(1:2b) "having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs." (1:4)  We also started discussing the first three of seven citations the author uses to elaborate on the preeminent nature of the Son--Psalm 2:7, 2 Sam. 7:14, and Deut. 32:43.  We looked at all of these citations in their original context.  You can hear our study via this podcast site: Villa Scriptura Podcast Episode #1

Notes are available and part of the text from Hebrews (Chps. 1-3) are found here:  Intro notes/Heb. 1-3