Study Guide
Hebrews Study 7 | He Purged Our Sins
Taught by Dr Paul Iles
Bible Class is the teaching ministry of Salisbury Christian Church 56 Henson Rd Salisbury QLD 4107 AUSTRALIA contact@salisburychristianchurch.com.au www.bibleclass.com.au Page 1
Scripture 1. Prologue: A seven-fold description of the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. (Hebrews 1:1-4) 1
Structure 1. Jesus’ glory in relation to the world (Previous Study) • Creator (v2) • Sustainer/Upholder (v3) • Heir (v2) 2. Jesus’ glory in relation to God (Previous Study) • • • •
His Son (v2) Brightness/radiance of God’s glory (v3) Exact imprint/stamp of God (v3) On His throne (v3)
3. Jesus’ glory in relation to us (This Study) • Purged our sins (v3) Purging Our Sins • "Purge" = to purify; to wash; to cleanse. 1. Purging Sins: The Requirements • • • • •
The failure of man (the human race) must be undone. Satan must be overcome, his power broken. The existence of sin must be dealt with. The bondage that sin has over the individual must be released. The guilt that sin imputes to the person must be lifted.
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• God must be satisfied with the work done in lieu of the above. 2. The Purger of Sins: Necessary Qualifications • • • • • •
The redeemer must be free from the need to die for His own sin, in order to die for the sin of others. The redeemer must be able to die, in order to submit to sin’s penalty. The redeemer must be willing to die on behalf of others. The redeemer must have the power to come back to life, thus conquering the power of sin. Nobody from the Adamic human race (as sinners) can fulfil these qualifications. Nobody from outside the human race (eg angels) can fulfil these qualifications (they cannot die, especially not for the sins of the human race).
3. Christ: the Answer to Purge Our Sins • Therefore, God Himself has become a man to accomplish the requirements:
Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery (Hebrews 2:14-15).
• The resurrection proves that God was satisfied with His work:
After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high (Hebrews 1:3).
• And, in doing so, He met the necessary qualifications:
No sin of His own to die for: For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners... (Hebrews 7:26). Able to die for sin: Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things (Hebrews 2:14). Willing to die for sin: Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired but a body have you prepared for me (Hebrews 10:5) The power to come back to life: I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father (John 10:17-18). In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence (Hebrews 5:7).
• Satan is robbed of his power through the work of Christ. The gospel brings liberation and freedom in Christ. 4. Christ versus animal sacrifices • The theme of Old Testament animal sacrifices in Hebrews establishes the reality that sin always brought judgement, penalty and guilt. • But if the sacrifices were sufficient to deal with those things in a final manner, they would not have been constantly repeated. Something more was always needed.
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• Whilst animal sacrifices were not the appropriate or suitable means of sacrifice for sins, they were a symbol of Christ, who became a suitable and appropriate sacrifice, as shown above.
Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him (Hebrews 9:25-28).
4. Application • The victory of Christ over sin and Satan is being actively worked out in the life of the Christian. • As He is faultless before the throne of God in Heaven, so He will lead us there behind Him in the value of His own work. • As the final, successful, suitable and God-approved sacrifice for sin, Christ is the only foundation for salvation.
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Review Questions 1. Ultimately, why does the human race need sin to be dealt with? A. Because of original sin, through Adam. B. We don’t. C. Because of animal sacrifices. D. Because of the death of Christ. 2. "Purge" means? A. To burn off. B. To kill. C. To purify. D. To renew. 3. Why might an angel be an inappropriate sacrifice for sin? A. An angel would be an acceptable sacrifice. B. Because an angel can’t die and come back to life. C. An angel can’t die for sin in the human race. D. Both B and C. 4. Why did Jesus have to be free of sin Himself? A. Because otherwise He would have had to die for His own sin. B. Because He needed to be the best example possible. C. Because He was not really a man. D. None of the above. 5. What was the point of animal sacrifices? A. To foreshadow Christ. B. To purge sin for good. C. To show that sin brought judgement. D. Both A and C. 6. By coming back to life, Jesus...? A. Conquered the ultimate penalty of sin. B. Proved God’s approval of His sacrifice. C. Ended animal sacrifices forever. D. All of the above.
Answers | 1A | 2C | 3D | 4A | 5D | 6D bibleclass.com.au
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