The Superiority of the New Covenant: Hebrews

by Bob Utley

Publisher:

Bible Lessons International

, 1999

Overview

The book of Hebrews shows the superiority of Jesus' covenant over the old covenant. It uses many OT texts interpreted by rabbinical hermeneutics to communicate the message. Therefore, it is very important to interpret it in light of first century Judaism, not modern western thought. The author is unknown to us.The Jewish Christians are encouraged to leave the synagogue and identify publicly (fully) with the church. This book is filled with warnings against falling away, or returning to Judaism.

Contents

Top Highlights

“This is the key assertion of this literary unit. It is not just initial faith, but persevering faith that pleases God. All of these examples remained faithful to the end of life, no matter how that end came. Faith is the way that humans believe, receive, accept the promises of God. Salvation and discipleship are both impossible without faith. Faith in God’s actions in the past (creation, revelation); faith in God’s presence in the present (persecution, suffering, even death); faith in God’s promised actions in the future (salvation, heaven).” (Page 116)

“This is the opposite of apostasy. The Greek term for ‘faith’ (pistis) is translated by three English terms: ‘faith,’ ‘belief,’ and ‘trust.’ Faith is a human response to God’s faithfulness and His promise. We trust His trustworthiness, not our own. His character is the key.” (Page 114)

“God is not looking for ‘super-saints,’ but for flawed humans who will respond to Him in repentance and faith and live for Him regardless of the circumstances.” (Page 117)

“God’s self-revelation is described in three ways: (1) it is personified as having a life of its own; (2) it is like the penetrating power of a sword; and (3) it is like an all-knowing judge (cf. v. 13).” (Page 47)

“This book is filled with warnings against falling away (‘shrinking back’ cf. 10:38), or returning to Judaism” (Page 2)

Product Details

• Title: The Superiority of the New Covenant: Hebrews
• Author: Bob Utley
• Publisher: Bible Lessons International
• Publication Date: 1999
• Pages: 169

About Bob Utley

Bob Utley is a dynamic and inspirational Bible teacher. He feels that the Lord has given him a gift of relating to all types of people, especially those who have been turned off by "religiosity." Bob was born in 1947 in Houston, Texas. He is married to the former Peggy Rutta and they have three children and three grandchildren. He has earned degrees from East Texas Baptist College, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and has done post-graduate work at Baylor University, Wycliffe Bible Translators' Summer Institute of Linguistics, and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He has pastored several churches in Texas. Currently Bob conducts revivals and Bible conferences both in the United States and abroad.