InTotalAwe
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Posts posted by InTotalAwe
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Q4. (Hebrews 9:9) Why were external sacrificial regulations unable to cleanse or perfect the conscience?
The Old Testament high priest alone could enter the Holy of Holies once a year to offer sacrifice for both himself and the people. The offering, being the carnal blood of bulls and goats, was only a type and shadow of the spotless blood to come and as such could only temporarily sanctify to the cleansing of the flesh.
The Holiest of Holies, the true tabernacle not made with the hands of man had not yet been made manifest under the old system, because even one carrying the blood of bulls and goats could not have entered in.
Christ, unlike the Old Testament high priest, entered the Holiest of Holies with His own spotless blood which is entirely able to purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
How does a guilty conscience keep us from intimacy with God?
If there is a guilty conscience, sin is evidently present. Not only can there be no intimacy, sin in effect separates us from His presence.
Psalms 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
What is necessary for us to be able to come "boldly" (4:16)?
We must hold fast to our profession of faith knowing that we have a High Priest, who through the sacrificial offering of His own spotless blood, tore down that otherwise impenetrable wall that separated us from our God, and gained 24/7, intimate entrance for us to the very throne of Grace where we can find grace to help in time of need. Heb. 4
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Q3. (Hebrews 9:7) Did the Old Covenant provide forgiveness for intentional, active, maintained rebellion against God?
Intentional sin was not to be tolerated. Those guilty of such were to be cut off from the people, not exceptions were to be made.
Does the New Covenant provide this forgiveness?
Jesus' sacrifice paid for ALL our sins.
What is required for forgiveness to be granted?
Our forgiveness is granted when we humbly confess our sins to the LORD, repent or turn from them and ask forgiveness. This is the promise given to those who are sancitified by faith in Him.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
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Q2. (Hebrews 8:7-13) Why did the Old Covenant fail?
The old covenant failed because the blood of bulls and goats was only a temporary and outward covering of sins which had to be repeated often and therefore not sufficient. It was made for past sins and did nothing to address present and future sins of the person the sacrifice was being made for. Also it was an external act, a ritual that had no abiding effect on the inward man to overcome his dominating sin nature.
What are the primary promises of the New Covenant as prophesied in Jeremiah 31:31-34?
Beautiful and blessed promise; the scriptures themselves say it so much better than I ever could. The beauty of the King James language here is breathtaking.
Jeremiah 31:33-34 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
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Q1. (Hebrews 8:6) In what sense is Jesus the "mediator" of a new covenant?
He is now sitting at the right hand of the throne of God mediating on our behalf.
What did he do to mediate this?
He took our sins upon Himself and made the necessary blood sacrifice on the cross, dissolving the old covenant and becoming mediator of a better covenant which the blood of bulls and goats could never satisfy.
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Q4. (Hebrews 6:12) If we take seriously the writer's exhortation to exercise both faith and patience for the long haul, what effect does that have on our Christian life?
We will not be tempted to turn back in times of adversity and will instead rest in the grace of God knowing that His promises are true.
On our perspective?
It helps us to remain conscious of the 'big picture'; to endure with patience the sometimes harrowing journey of life because we know in the end the glory of the final destination will far outway whatever adversities we have endured to get there.
How can we resist the subtle temptation to think that our salvation depends upon our endurance rather than Christ's atonement and the grace of God?
By realizing that it is only by grace, through faith in the atoning sacrifice that we are both saved and able to endure life's
up and downs. Endurance doesn't save us, but it will keep us from becoming apostate (falling into apostasy).
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Q3. (Hebrews 6:4-6) What is apostasy?
Apostasy is an absolute, no looking back, deliberate separation of oneself from God.
Why is it impossible from a practical standpoint to restore apostates to Christian faith and practice?
Because it is, in effect, blaspheming the Holy Spirit which is unforgivable.
What point was Jesus making in his Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23)?
Jesus is essentially saying that those who have received the word in earnest, sought to understand it and are actively and consistently applying it to their lives are bearing fruit, sowing and reaping along lifes way are true disciples.
What is Jesus' point of the Parable of the Tares or Weeds (Matthew 13:24-30)?
We do have a responsibility to warn those who are in open and evident sin. That is not a difficult call to make. However, wheat and tares are very difficult to tell apart. We are not to go about trying to rid the church of what we consider 'tares'. We are to leave that to the Lord. We dare not destroy the good in our feeble attempt to purge the bad. Only God can read the heart and tell the true from the false. Our job is to exhort and build each other up, urging one another on to victory.
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Q5. (Hebrews 5:9) In verse 9, what does "made perfect" refer to, since it obviously isn't talking about Jesus' moral growth and perfection? (Hint: The word teleioĊ means "bring something to its goal or accomplishment.")
Jesus summed it up quite nicely in John 19:30 when on the cross, with his dying breath he said, "IT IS FINISHED". The moment of fulfillment had come. He had completed the task for which He came into the world. He had torn down that wall of separation between man and His God and made reconciliation attainable to all who desired it. In all other religions of the world man is rabidly searching for God through self-punishment, sacrifice and man-made rituals; but in Christianity, God came searching for us. He took the punishment, He made the sacrifice and did away with useless rituals. Now we can come boldly to the throne of grace and find grace to help in time of need. How awesome is our God.
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Q2. (Hebrews 6:4-5) What difference, if any, would you find between the description in verses 4-5 and a Spirit-filled Christian today?
It seems to me this passage is describing those who have more than a nominal experience with the LORD. These persons would be akin to the apostles who walked so closely with Jesus they not only witnessed His miracles but partook of their power also (as at the gate Beautiful where Peter imparts healing to a man lame from birth). How many Christians do you know in this day and age walking in such power? It would indeed be impossible for someone with that deep an experience to make a complete break away and then deny the power of God to be restored. That would be tantamount to blaspheming the Holy Spirit, which is the only unforgivable sin.
What is the writer's point in forming this description?
He was stressing the danger, brevity and consequence of those ministering and participating so closely and deeply in the full ministry of the gospel, and then doing a 180, completely denying it's truth and power as though it were mere sport or fabrication. There could be no greater transgression against Father, Son and Holy Spirit than that.
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Q1. (Hebrews 5:14) How does a person become mature in God's Word according to verse 14?
We must actively and deliberately seek to learn and understand the Word of God by reading and meditating on it until we have a clear understanding. If we do not at first understand, we must pray and ask the Holy Spirit to help us. I have made it a practice in study not to leave a passage until I understand what it is saying.
What can you do to grow in maturity?
We grow in maturity by applying scriptural principles to our daily circumstances and life in general.
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Q3. (Hebrews 4:16) Why should we approach the "throne of grace" with boldness and confidence?
Because Jesus, our high priest, by His sinless sacrifice tore down that middle wall of partition between God and man, gaining for us the privilege of approaching the throne of grace with boldness, knowing that we have been washed and cleansed by Christ's atoning sacrifice.
What are the promises contained in this verse?
In approaching the throne of grace with boldness we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in our time of need.
On what basis is God able to offer us unrestrained mercy and grace for our sins while still retaining his justice as judge?
On the basis that we have a high priest (someone who has made sacrifice for our sins) that has passed into the heavens; that someone being Jesus, the Son of God.
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Q4. (Hebrews 4:12-13) What do these two verses have to do with what precedes them?
Nothing is hid from God. He knows even the very intentions of the heart. If we are doing those things necessary to enter into His rest to be seen of men but that's not really who we are in our heart, He knows it. Only those committed to Him in truth will enter His rest.
How is the Word described?
It is alive and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword.
What effect does the Word have on us?
It divides soul and spirit, and discerns our thoughts.
Why do we need to continually expose ourselves to the Word of God?
To keep our hearts and minds focused on Him; for strength, encouragement and growth in the knowledge of God. The Word is our guide book for life. We are to learn it, live it and pass it on by teaching and example to our children and children's children.
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Q2. (Hebrews 4:15) In what ways did Jesus share our weaknesses?
Jesus shares our weaknesses in that He came in the flesh and lived among us for 33 years.
In what ways was Jesus' tempted?
He was tempted in all 'points' with the same temptations mankind is faced with today. There is no need to point to individual temptations. They all fall under one or the other category; l*st of the eyes, l*st of the flesh or the pride of life.
Because we know he didn't sin, were his temptations easier or more difficult than ours?
We can look back in history to the Inquisition, or the Roman Coliseum infamous for Christians being fed to lions or being burned alive and see that many martyrs suffered horrendous torture and death. However, none of us has had to do battle with satan face to face as Jesus did during His 40 day wilderness temptation. Few today, at least in America, have shed any blood 'striving against sin'.
Do we have any temptations he didn't have?
Jesus most likely wasn't tempted by chocolate so to speak or the newest BMW or Mercedes on the market, but technically all sin falls under the 3 categories stated above, the l*st of the eyes, the l*st of the flesh and the pride of life.
Why does it comfort us that he can sympathize with our temptations and weaknesses?
It comforts us because it is only by and through Him and His mercy that we can overcome these things. Better still, He can empathize with us, because He has suffered the same frailties and weaknesses Himself. That is why He came. He wanted to walk, talk, breathe and bleed in the flesh so He could experience our plight and relate more closely to our pain before He laid His life down in the ultimate sacrifice. We will never experience any greater love than our very Creator has shown us. How comforting is that?
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Q1. (Hebrews 4:14) What is so important about "holding fast to our confession."
That we may lay hold of eternal life.
What is our confession or profession of faith?
It is our statement of allegiance to the LORD our Saviour.
Why is maintaining this confession so vital?
So in the end we may enter into the eternal rest promised to those who believe.
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Q3. (Hebrews 4:8-11) What do you think the writer of Hebrews means by this promise of "rest" for the believer?
The scriptures tell us that we are strangers and pilgrims on this earth; this is not our home, we are merely passing through. It also tells us that we are 'running a race' so to speak and must labor to reach the finish line. Our rest is not here on this earth. We are to be busy about our Father's business in the here and now. Our rest will be found in the hereafter, in our eternal home with the LORD.
Why does the writer urge us: "Make every effort to enter that rest"?
Because if we fail to hold on to our faith and become disobedient to the call of Christ, we will not be allowed to enter into that place of rest.
What is the difference between apostasy from Christ and the kind of falling into sin that all Christians experience from time to time?
Apostasy is not the mere act of stumbling that every Christian experiences from time to time, but is in fact a complete rejection of the tenets and doctrines of once held beliefs. One is literally separating himself from God by denying the truth he formerly walked in. Most Christians stumble from time to time, but get right back up through prayer and repentance. They did not lose their faith in God, but experienced a temporary veering off course, which is easily done and why we are urged to be deliberate in holding steadfast the beginning of our confidence unto the end.
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Q2. (Hebrews 3:12-14) What is the importance of faith in our relationship to Christ?
Maintaining faith in Christ will keep us strong, steadfast, with full confidence in our walk and service to the LORD knowing in certainty that what He promised, he will perform.
How does sin trick us?
Sin is insidious. It comes in subtley, developing so gradually as to be well established before becoming apparent (if you aren't guarding your walk). It's much like the old analogy of the frog in the pot of water having the heat gradually turned up on him, ever unaware or unconcerned about the gradual change, until it is finally too late and he is doomed.
How does it harden us?
We allow it to creep in gradually until we become immune, even blind to it's destructive tendencies and suffer no conviction in continuing to practice those things offensive to the walk of faith.
What is the value of Christian fellowship to keep our faith strong?
Proverbs 27:17 Iron by iron is sharpened, And a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
We exhort one another to good works and encourage each other with our testimonies and victories to continue steadfastly in the faith that saves us.
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Q1. (Hebrews 3:6b) Why is the writer exhorting his readers to "hold on" to Christ?
Hebrews 3:6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
The implication is clearly that we must make a conscious effort to hang on, to not let go, of our confidence and hope in Christ to the very end if we are to remain in the household of God. We must not be foolish enough to ignore that little 'IF' word.
Why must we continue in our faith?
To guard against having our hearts tricked by sin and falling away from God.
According the writer of Hebrews, what happens if we don't?
Hebrews 3:18 And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?
If we do not hold fast (firmly) to our faith to the very end, we will not be among those entering into the rest of God.
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Q5. (Hebrews 2:16-18) Why in God's plan did Jesus have to become human like us?
In becoming human like us, Jesus was tempted with the same things we are, which gives Him the ability to be touched with the feeling of our infirmities (weakness and moral frailty, disease and sickness). He knows exactly how we think, feel and what we're up against in our fallen condition.
How does his humanity provide encouragement and help to us when we are in trouble?
Because of His first hand understanding of man's dilemma in dealing with sin and temptation, He can truly empathize. This makes for more merciful judgment and tender consolation for those who are repentant. It also allows us to go boldly to the throne of grace to find help in time of need (Heb. 4:16)
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Q3. (Hebrews 2:10) What does it mean, to bring many sons and daughters "to glory"?
Bringing them by grace through faith to salvation. Those who receive salvation are now the spiritual sons of God and as such have an eternal home in 'glory' with Him.
In what sense did Jesus become "perfect" through suffering?
Through His sufferings he learned obedience and was victorious in carrying out the Father's will in that He conquered death, hell and the grave. In the deliberate and willing suffering and sacrifice of His own life blood, He became the perfect Lamb of God, an acceptable offering, victoriously redeeming mankind from the curse of sin. He, through suffering, was perfectly fitted to become our sinless, spotless Saviour.
What are the implications for our own lives?
We are now blessed to be called the sons of God, by adoption; and if sons, then heirs and joint heirs with Christ. We are heirs of the kingdom which he has promised to them that love him, and accordingly should walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh as a witness to the marvelous grace we have received.
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Q4. (Hebrews 2:14-15) What was the purpose of Christ's death according to verses 14 and 15?
All flesh and blood must taste death, which most men fear. Jesus became flesh and blood in order to taste death Himself, and by rising again defeated both the devil and death. Death can no longer 'hold' us. When Jesus returns we're coming out of that grave. Our corrupted bodies will be come incorruptible and we will be with the Lord forevermore.
In what sense is this mission accomplished?
Knowing that both the devil and his power over death have been destroyed, man may live the here and now free from the fear of both. Christ our Redeemer has the keys to death, hell and the grave. Satan doesn't even have the keys to his own house, and if you belong to Christ, he (the devil) doesn't have the keys to yours either. How awesome is that?!
In what sense will it see its final completion in the future?
Since Christ triumphed over the devil and death openly, we now have the promise and glorious expectation of the resurrection and eternal life with Him. At the end of the millennium (thousand year reign) the devil and his angels will be cast into the lake of fire permanently and we will finally be completely free of the devil's evil influence ever again. What a glorious hope! A world no longer stained by sin. Thank you my precious Saviour. You truly are worthy of our praise.
What is the result in our lives from Christ's accomplishment?
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory; we have been delivered from the bondage of living fearful (frightened) lives and may now live in the blessed fear (reverence/awe) of the Lord our Deliverer and what He has done for us instead. We need not fear (be frightened of) what man may do to us because we know he has no power over our eternal lives. Therefore, we can be bolder, more effective witnesses which gives us greater power in building the kingdom of God.
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Q2. (Hebrews 2:9) In what way did Christ "taste death for everyone"?
By becoming that spotless and final sacrifice that we are incapable of providing for ourselves or through the law of Moses which only covered the sins temporarily, it didn't take them away. Sacrifice was made often and only for the individual offering the sacrifice (unless the high priest was offering sacrifice for the nation of Israel).
Hebrews 2:9a "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death"...
Hebrews 10:10 "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all"..
Hebrews 9:22 "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission."
Heb 9:12 "Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us."
Also, we note that he was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death.
Hebrews 2:16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
Taking on the form of man allowed Him to better identify with humanity in their temptations and sufferings (even death). Everyone knows the person best suited to minister to the hurting has the ability to empathize rather than sympathize. They have been through the same thing first hand and know exactly what they're going through. Had He come in the form of an angel, He could not have tasted death since angels are eternal beings and do not die.
Why is this so dependent upon God's grace?
Hebrew 2:9c " ...that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man."
Man has proved time and again that he is not capable of keeping the totality of the law for very long at a time because of his fallen nature. He always stumbles and falls, or strays completely away from the LORD. The entire purpose of the law anyway was to teach us that we cannot live up to the holiness of God while trapped in these bodies of flesh.
Ga 3:24
Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Ga 3:25
But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
God's solution was to prepare an acceptable sacrifice for us in His Son. Now we can come to Christ and live by faith in the atoning sacrifice of the spotless 'Lamb' which washed our sins away, never to be remember against us again. We are able to do this only by and through the grace of our loving and merciful God.
If Christ died for your blackest and most stubborn sins, what are the implications for you?
Christ died for our sins so we could be saved simply by accepting His grace through faith and nothing we can do. We have been ordained to walk in good works as a testimony to His saving grace (not works that save us, but works that are an outward manifestation of the inner grace we have received...(sort of a natural by product of salvation).
Ephesians 2:8-10 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
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Q1. (Hebrews 2:9) In what ways did Jesus suffer during his life and death?
Christ suffered much tribulation, pain, mental anguish, etc. during His time of visitation while on this earth, but the ultimate pain came in those last days. Those closest to Him deserted and denied Him while he underwent the excruciating mockery of a trial. He was falsely accused and cruelly punished because the religious leaders of that day saw their power threatened; but on that cross, our holy, loving, sinless Saviour, out of necessity and out of a love for His creation far greater than man is capable of understanding, carried in His body every dirty, filthy, vile and perverted sin of humanity. He was deserted by friends, mocked, reviled and rejected by the very people He was willfully undergoing the ultimate suffering for in laying down His life. All the while, in the time of His greatest need, He was unable to receive the love and comfort of even the touch of either His mother, who He knew was standing by helplessly watching, or His Father in heaven who had to turn His back on Him because He cannot look upon sin. Is it any wonder He cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" There was no mercy on that day for the One Who was at that very hour making provision for the ultimate mercy - forgiveness of sins - even for those at whose hands he was scourged and placed upon that cruel cross,
and friends we also are guilty of putting Him there. Our sins were among those carried in His holy, sinless body. No, we are not blameless.
In what ways are we likely to suffer?
We in the Western Hemisphere, because of the sufferings of those who came before us, probably suffer less and profit more than any people in history. This is so because of comfort, complacency and probably cowardice. We fear men more than we fear God. We are determined not to 'rock the boat', much less step out on the water; those who do are labeled fanatics, or right wing nuts. As I recall, Jesus was accused of having a devil, also. In all but rare occasions we are unlikely to suffer more than verbal abuse or in some cases law suits to shut us up, but for the most part we aren't going to stand up or speak up; so much for our great sacrifice. Listen up
Does suffering have any value?
If you live in the USA or any other Christian country, take a good look around you. Look at the blessings you take for granted everyday. Do you have more than adequate shelter, food on your table, clothing? Do you have a car, do you and your children have more toys and modern gadgets than 3 quarters of the known world? Do you have the freedom to own and read a Bible, to go to church openly without fear of arrest or persecution, or for that matter, especially if you're a woman, to even step outside your home and to communicate with anyone other than family members without fear of being killed? Do you have the freedom to have as many children as you want? Do you have the freedom to keep all the children you have, or does your husband have the say so of whether or not your newborn will live or die as they did before Christianity put a stop to that common practice. Do you have the freedom to go to school, to choose your profession, to speak out against injustices? Do you have access to medical and dental care? Can you own your own property and have the right to dispose of it as you will? This is just a small sample, and granted many of these freedoms we are at risk of losing even in America today. But it's because we allow it to happen. These freedoms aren't free; they come with a price. So with an absolute YES I say suffering does have value, not only for us, but for the generations to come after us should the Lord tarry.
What happens when we live in such a way to avoid all suffering?
If we live in a way to avoid all suffering, we lose everything those who went before us fought and died to gain. God help us to understand and prevent that from happening. We need to remove the rose colored glasses and realize that what we aren't willing to fight for, the enemy will gladly take. It's our decision. God will be with us in the struggle, but He isn't going to do it for us. It is our job to do what we can do and leave the rest to Him; but in the end we must do what we can do if we want to retain our God given rights.
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Q3. (Hebrews 2:1) In what ways are we not immune to drifting away from the gospel?
Everyone is vulnerable who is not 'taking in' what he is hearing. It is very easy for the word to be snatched from someone who does not understand what he is hearing. That is why in our witnessing we should strive not to plant 'surface seed' or 'religious jargon' that the enemy can easily snatch away.
According to the author, how can we successfully resist the tendency to drift?
By not surface reading, taking heed to what we're hearing.
Personal comment: If we don't understand something, pray for understanding and then keep reading the verse/verses we don't understand until they make sense. Read cross references. Don't rely on a single scripture by itself, and don't move on until we understand the thing that has us baffled at the moment. James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, and upbraids not; and it shall be given him. "Upbraideth not" - He will not scold or criticize or find fault with you for asking. He will reward you with a solid understanding.
How did Jesus describe this phenomenon of "drift" in the Parable of the Sower?
It is the situation that though one may at first receive the word with joy, for various given reasons (some don't even give it a second thought) they don't hold on to it and nurture it and allow it to penetrate the heart and mind deeply enough for it to bear fruit in their life. They fully expect their shallow, sickly, under-nourished understanding to make them completely exempt from any and all attacks from the enemy. Then when something happens they get upset, blaming God and determining that there evidently was no truth or power in what they heard.
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Q4. (Hebrews 2:3b-4) In what way has the truth of salvation been confirmed to you?
The truth of salvation has been confirmed to me in so many ways, but here are some of them:
Firstly, the radical and instantaneous change in thinking in my own personal conversion; my desire to know the true and living God, to study His Word and be in His presence which was not present before. Watching as the Lord changed the lives of friends and family that also were born again. Then later in studying the lives of the precious saints who went before us, their courage and convictions even unto death, that could make sense only if they KNEW what they were dying for to be true, helped to solidify what I already knew in my heart. The history of nations who served the Lord verses those who were/are ruled by tyrants with false gods and the differences in peace, prosperity, freedom, respect for life and love for our fellow man, the rule of law and in education whether one is free to follow every avenue of discovery or restricted by a regime with an agenda as represented by those who serve/served God and those who didn't/don't.
Would signs and wonders help or hinder establishing the truth of Christ's ministry today?
I would simply ask, "did signs and wonders help or hinder establishing the truth of Christ's ministry in the day of the apostles"? It would certainly help now, just as it did then. The time of signs and wonders has not ceased as some claim. Why would we be less in need than those who physically walked with the Lord? Is there no further need of healing? Of course there is. Nobody will need healing in heaven. We are a continuation of the book of Acts. Jesus has not yet returned. He still desires that our faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
Co 2:4
"And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:"
ICo 2:5
"That your faith should stand in the demonstration of the Spirit and of power and not in the wisdom of men."
From which portion of the Bible have you formed your opinion of the value of signs and wonders today?
The two mentioned above, Joel 2, Ps. 103, Isaiah 53, Acts 10:38 and many, many more. The bible is replete with healing scriptures and coupled with the fact that God is no respecter of persons, it's an obvious conclusion.
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In what way do you think the author of Hebrews is using the word "Son"? As a metaphor? As a biological relationship?
The author is clearly using the word 'Son' as a biological relationship. He is 'heir' to the throne, whereas a prophet is a 'servant' even to the 'heir' of throne.
How would a Son's words have more weight than a prophet's?
A prophet being mortal can only bring forth the divine message or word from God; the Son is the Word being the very essence of divinity Himself, thereby, possessing divine authority and power the prophet is not privy to. To be more precise, the prophet is 'a messenger'; the Son of God is 'the message'.
Q5. The Meaning of Redemption
in 7. Jesus, Mediator of a Better Covenant (Hebrews 8:1-9:12)
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Q5. (Hebrews 9:11-12) What does "redemption" mean?
Deliverance, ransom, buy back (that which once belonged to you but is now in the possession of another).
What were we redeemed from?
Redeemed from the evil one, from death, hell and the grave.
What was the price of our redemption?
The precious, spotless blood of The Lamb of God, Christ Jesus our Savior.
How long does our redemption last?
It is without end.
2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.