Can you explain Hebrews one and two?
Introduction. The primary purpose of the book of Hebrews was to dissuade the Christians to whom it was written from returning to Judaism and the law of Moses for justification (see chs. 3, 4, 6, 10). To discourage such, the writer exalts Jesus Christ as the Creator (1: 2), God's spokesman (1: 1-2), better than angels (1: 4ff), the Christian's High Priest (chs. 4, 5), testator of the New Testament (9: 15), and better than Moses (ch. 3). Since Jesus was the "captain of their salvation," they would be utterly foolish to forsake Him and His system.
The teaching of Hebrews chapter one. The design of the first chapter of Hebrews is to emphasize the deity of Jesus. Jesus is said to be "the brightness of the Father's glory, and the express image of His person..." (1: 3). Angels, who are superior to man and next to deity, worshipped Jesus (1: 6). Jesus is called "God" (deity) in verse eight. It is affirmed of Jesus that He is "heir of all things, by whom also He made the world" (1: 2).
The teaching of Hebrews chapter two. In chapter two the writer emphasizes the humanity of Jesus. Jesus "was made a little lower than the angels" (2: 9). Jesus tasted death for every man (2: 9). Jesus suffered, was not ashamed to call believers His brethren, and He partook of flesh and blood (2 10, 11, 14). The purpose of Jesus' humanity was perfection through suffering and that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest, totally understanding man's needs (2: 10, 17).
Conclusion. Some claim Hebrews chapters one and two contradict one another. Not so! Modernists use chapter two in an effort to teach Jesus was simply a man. When one accepts the teaching of Hebrews one and two, one appreciates the dual nature of Jesus: Truly, Jesus was deity (ch. 1) and man (ch. 2) at the same time (His incarnation).
The teaching of Hebrews chapter one. The design of the first chapter of Hebrews is to emphasize the deity of Jesus. Jesus is said to be "the brightness of the Father's glory, and the express image of His person..." (1: 3). Angels, who are superior to man and next to deity, worshipped Jesus (1: 6). Jesus is called "God" (deity) in verse eight. It is affirmed of Jesus that He is "heir of all things, by whom also He made the world" (1: 2).
The teaching of Hebrews chapter two. In chapter two the writer emphasizes the humanity of Jesus. Jesus "was made a little lower than the angels" (2: 9). Jesus tasted death for every man (2: 9). Jesus suffered, was not ashamed to call believers His brethren, and He partook of flesh and blood (2 10, 11, 14). The purpose of Jesus' humanity was perfection through suffering and that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest, totally understanding man's needs (2: 10, 17).
Conclusion. Some claim Hebrews chapters one and two contradict one another. Not so! Modernists use chapter two in an effort to teach Jesus was simply a man. When one accepts the teaching of Hebrews one and two, one appreciates the dual nature of Jesus: Truly, Jesus was deity (ch. 1) and man (ch. 2) at the same time (His incarnation).