The document provides an overview and outline of the book of Hebrews. It discusses the purpose of Hebrews, which was to encourage early Christians experiencing persecution. A key theme is the preeminence of Jesus Christ. The document also discusses the history of the doctrine of predestination and examines various passages in Hebrews regarding falling away from faith and God's assurances of salvation. It provides summaries of the major exhortations in Hebrews encouraging believers to persevere in their faith.

1. Hebrews: Fate or Freedom?Hebrews: Fate or Freedom?
John Oakes,John Oakes,
June, 2008June, 2008

2. Outline:
I. Overview of Hebrews
II. The history and the doctrine of predestination.
III. Hebrews and the preservation of the saints
IV. How to stay faithful and to grow in Christ to
the very end.

3. IntroductionIntroduction
• Audience: Christians in general, but especiallyAudience: Christians in general, but especially
those who are of Jewish descentthose who are of Jewish descent
• Second generation disciples who are tempted toSecond generation disciples who are tempted to
lose heart in light of coming persecutions.lose heart in light of coming persecutions.
– Remember those earlier days… Hebrews 10:32Remember those earlier days… Hebrews 10:32
• Date of writing: AD 60-70, probably closer toDate of writing: AD 60-70, probably closer to
AD 70.AD 70.

4. Roman Emperor Nero
AD 54-68
Christian Persecutions AD 64
Roman Emperor Titus
AD 79-81
Destroyed Jerusalem
AD 70

5. By calling this covenant “new,” he
has made the first one obsolete;
and what is obsolete and aging will
soon disappear. Hebrews 8:13

6. • Purpose: To give heart to Christians who have enduredPurpose: To give heart to Christians who have endured
but are being tempted to waver in their faith.but are being tempted to waver in their faith.
– Warnings against “falling away.”Warnings against “falling away.”
• Theme: The preeminence of Jesus Christ!!!Theme: The preeminence of Jesus Christ!!!
– His deityHis deity
– The greatness of his ministryThe greatness of his ministry
– The greatness of his sacrificeThe greatness of his sacrifice
– The greatness of his covenantThe greatness of his covenant

7. The Greatness of JesusThe Greatness of Jesus
I Jesus is greater than all the prophets Heb 1:1-3I Jesus is greater than all the prophets Heb 1:1-3
II Jesus is greater than the angels Heb 1:4-14II Jesus is greater than the angels Heb 1:4-14
III Jesus is greater than Moses Heb 3:1-6III Jesus is greater than Moses Heb 3:1-6
IV Jesus the great High Priest Heb 4:14-5:10IV Jesus the great High Priest Heb 4:14-5:10
V The Priesthood of Melchizedek is superior to the Priesthood ofV The Priesthood of Melchizedek is superior to the Priesthood of
Aaron Heb 7:1-3, 7:11-28Aaron Heb 7:1-3, 7:11-28
VI Jesus is greater than Abraham Heb 7:4-10VI Jesus is greater than Abraham Heb 7:4-10
VII The New Covenant (in and through Jesus) is superior to theVII The New Covenant (in and through Jesus) is superior to the
Old Covenant (through Moses) Heb 8:1-13Old Covenant (through Moses) Heb 8:1-13
VIII The heavenly Tabernacle is greater than the earthly Tabernacle.VIII The heavenly Tabernacle is greater than the earthly Tabernacle.
Heb 9:1-10Heb 9:1-10
IX The sacrifice of Jesus is of far greater worth than the OTIX The sacrifice of Jesus is of far greater worth than the OT
sacrifices Heb 9:11-10:18sacrifices Heb 9:11-10:18

8. Exhortations in HebrewsExhortations in Hebrews
• Exhortation #1 Pay attention Heb 2:1-18Exhortation #1 Pay attention Heb 2:1-18
• Exhortation #2 Do not turn back. Persevere Heb 3:6-4:13Exhortation #2 Do not turn back. Persevere Heb 3:6-4:13
• Exhortation #3 Grow up. Become mature Heb 5:11-6:20Exhortation #3 Grow up. Become mature Heb 5:11-6:20
• Exhortation #4 Summary exhortation. Living by faith. NotExhortation #4 Summary exhortation. Living by faith. Not
making this world our home. Hebrews 10:19-12:29making this world our home. Hebrews 10:19-12:29

9. Question:
Do you believe in Predestination?

10. History of the Doctrine of PredestinationHistory of the Doctrine of Predestination
• Augustine of Hippo AD 354-430 “The City of God”Augustine of Hippo AD 354-430 “The City of God”
• Martin Luther (1483-1546): an Augustinian monk.Martin Luther (1483-1546): an Augustinian monk.
• Ulrich Zwingli (1484-1531) Reformed Churches.Ulrich Zwingli (1484-1531) Reformed Churches.
• John Calvin (1509-1564) “Institutes of the ChristianJohn Calvin (1509-1564) “Institutes of the Christian
Religion”Religion”
• A profound belief in the sovereignty of GodA profound belief in the sovereignty of God
• Double Predestination and TULIPDouble Predestination and TULIP

11. TULIPTULIP
• TTotal depravityotal depravity
• UUnconditional electionnconditional election
• LLimited atonementimited atonement
• IIrresistable gracerresistable grace
• PPerseverence of the saint (once saved, alwayserseverence of the saint (once saved, always
saved)saved)

12. • Q: Scriptures which appear to support theQ: Scriptures which appear to support the
doctrine of predestination?doctrine of predestination?
• Is a believer in this false doctrine lost?Is a believer in this false doctrine lost?
• Q: Scriptures which prove free will and refuteQ: Scriptures which prove free will and refute
predestination?predestination?

13. Hebrews and Falling AwayHebrews and Falling Away
• They shall never enter my rest 3:11, 4:5They shall never enter my rest 3:11, 4:5
• We have come to share in ChristWe have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly to the endif we hold firmly to the end
the confidence we had at first.the confidence we had at first. 3:143:14
• They were not able to enter because of their unbelief 3:19They were not able to enter because of their unbelief 3:19
• Be careful not to be found to have fallen short of it. 4:1Be careful not to be found to have fallen short of it. 4:1
• Some… did not go in because of their obedience 4:6Some… did not go in because of their obedience 4:6
• Let us make every effort to enter that restLet us make every effort to enter that rest so that no one willso that no one will
fall by followingfall by following their example of disobedience 4:11their example of disobedience 4:11
• Do you get the point?Do you get the point?

14.
Historical type/antitype in the Exodus
OLD TESTAMENT
TYPE
NEW TESTAMENT
ANTITYPE
SLAVERY IN
EGYPT
LOST, SLAVE TO
SIN
WANDERING IN
THE WILDERNESS
SAVED, BUT
LIVING THE LIFE
OF A DISCIPLE
ENTERING THE
PROMISED LAND
ENTERING
HEAVEN

15. Hebrews 6:4-6 Who is he talking to?Hebrews 6:4-6 Who is he talking to?
• a. been enlightened (NT church “enlightened” =a. been enlightened (NT church “enlightened” =
baptized)baptized)
• b. tasted the heavenly gift (salvation?)b. tasted the heavenly gift (salvation?)
• c. shared in the Holy Spiritc. shared in the Holy Spirit
• d. tasted the goodness of the wordd. tasted the goodness of the word
• e. tasted the coming age (saved)e. tasted the coming age (saved)
• Yes, you can fall away! Conclusion: You had betterYes, you can fall away! Conclusion: You had better
move on toward maturity in Christ.move on toward maturity in Christ.

16. Hebrews 6:4-8Hebrews 6:4-8
• It isIt is impossibleimpossible… if they fall away, to be brought back to… if they fall away, to be brought back to
repentance.repentance.
• They are crucifying the Son of God all over again.They are crucifying the Son of God all over again.
• Land that produces thorns… will be burned.Land that produces thorns… will be burned.

17. Falling Away Hebrews 10:26-31Falling Away Hebrews 10:26-31
• Crucifying the Son of God all over again.Crucifying the Son of God all over again.
• Subjecting Jesus to public disgraceSubjecting Jesus to public disgrace
• Trampling the Son of God under foot. (Heb 10:29)Trampling the Son of God under foot. (Heb 10:29)
• Insulted the Holy Spirit (Heb 10:29)Insulted the Holy Spirit (Heb 10:29)
• Blasphemed (spoken against) the Holy Spirit (Matt 12:32)Blasphemed (spoken against) the Holy Spirit (Matt 12:32)
• Committed the unforgivable sin (1 John 5:16 )Committed the unforgivable sin (1 John 5:16 )
• What is the “unforgivable sin?” To willfully, deliberatelyWhat is the “unforgivable sin?” To willfully, deliberately
continue in sin. (Hebrews 10:26)continue in sin. (Hebrews 10:26)
• Also; Hebrews 12:14-17, 12:25 you will not escape… if youAlso; Hebrews 12:14-17, 12:25 you will not escape… if you
turn away…turn away…

18. God’s Assurance: Hebrews 6:9-20
Two unchangeable things:
God’s Word
God’s Oath (Genesis 22:16-18)
Jesus, your anchor, is behind the veil with the
Father

19. God’s Assurance: Hebrews 10:19-23
We have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place
Let us draw near to God… in full assurance of
faith.
For he who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:35-36 Do not throw away your
confidence; it will be richly rewarded…. You will
receive what he has promised.

20. Practicals: How can we be assured of makingPracticals: How can we be assured of making
it into that Sabbath rest with God?it into that Sabbath rest with God?

21. 2:1-18 Exhortation #1 Pay careful attention!2:1-18 Exhortation #1 Pay careful attention!
• ““pay attention” =pay attention” = prosecheinprosechein = to fix, moor a ship.= to fix, moor a ship.
• ““drift away” =drift away” = pararreinpararrein = to slip away, as with the tides,= to slip away, as with the tides,
by careless inattention.by careless inattention.
• violation =violation = parabasis =parabasis = outright rebellionoutright rebellion
• disobedience =disobedience = parakoe =parakoe = careless hearing orcareless hearing or
unwillingness to hearunwillingness to hear
• LISTEN UP!!!LISTEN UP!!!

22. Exhortation #2Exhortation #2
• Do not harden your hearts. (Hebrews 3:8)Do not harden your hearts. (Hebrews 3:8)
• Do not turn away. (Hebrews 3:12)Do not turn away. (Hebrews 3:12)
• Do not let your bodies fall in the desert. (Hebrews 3:17)Do not let your bodies fall in the desert. (Hebrews 3:17)
• Do not fall short. (Hebrews 4:1)Do not fall short. (Hebrews 4:1)
• Make every effort to enterMake every effort to enter (do not rest). (Hebrews 4:11)(do not rest). (Hebrews 4:11)
– Don’t fall asleep at the switch. It takes work and attention.Don’t fall asleep at the switch. It takes work and attention.

23. Exhortation #3Exhortation #3
• Grow up!Grow up!
• Move on to maturity.Move on to maturity.
• Mature in life and docrine (1 Timothy 4:16)Mature in life and docrine (1 Timothy 4:16)
• Do not beDo not be nothrosnothros (slow-moving in mind, torpid, witlessly(slow-moving in mind, torpid, witlessly
forgetful, dull of hearing)forgetful, dull of hearing)
• Are you on a diet of milk?Are you on a diet of milk?
• Read a book of theology, Read a commentary, Take a classRead a book of theology, Read a commentary, Take a class
• Let your Bible study time and your life with God be anLet your Bible study time and your life with God be an
adventure…. Part of a never ending story.adventure…. Part of a never ending story.

24. Exhortation #4: Salad time!Exhortation #4: Salad time!
• 10:2210:22 Let usLet us draw near [to God]draw near [to God]
• 10:2310:23 Let usLet us hold to our confession of hopehold to our confession of hope
without waveringwithout wavering
• 10:2410:24 Let usLet us be concerned about one anotherbe concerned about one another
and encourage one another toward love andand encourage one another toward love and
good deedsgood deeds
• 10:2510:25 Let usLet us not stop meeting together.not stop meeting together.
• 10:2510:25 Let usLet us encourage one another.encourage one another.

25. Hebrews 11 Heroes of the FaithHebrews 11 Heroes of the Faith
The key to perseverence is faithThe key to perseverence is faith
• Hebrews 11:1, 11:6 Definition of faithHebrews 11:1, 11:6 Definition of faith
• Heb 11:1 Faith is being certain of what we doHeb 11:1 Faith is being certain of what we do
not see.not see.
It requires that we deny our senses.It requires that we deny our senses.

26. Why were these men and women commended byWhy were these men and women commended by
God?God?
• They refused what the world calls greatness andThey refused what the world calls greatness and stakedstaked
everything on God.everything on God.
• They chose what is unseen rather than what is seen.They chose what is unseen rather than what is seen.
Lesson: In many ways, our worst enemy is success and prosperity.Lesson: In many ways, our worst enemy is success and prosperity.
What the world seeks is what will destroy everything that isWhat the world seeks is what will destroy everything that is
important.important.
Example: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego Daniel chapter 3Example: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego Daniel chapter 3

27. Those of whom the world was not worthyThose of whom the world was not worthy
• Hebrews 11:13Hebrews 11:13 StillStill living by faithliving by faith (not by sight) when they(not by sight) when they
died.died.
• xenoixenoi foriegners, aliens, strangers, refugees in this world.foriegners, aliens, strangers, refugees in this world.
• parepidemosparepidemos sojourners, temporary residents, green card holders,sojourners, temporary residents, green card holders,
people who do not put down roots.people who do not put down roots.
• Lived by faith despite never seeing the promise fulfilled.Lived by faith despite never seeing the promise fulfilled.
• Therefore, God is not ashamed to call them his.Therefore, God is not ashamed to call them his.

28. Hebrews Ch. 12 If They Can DoHebrews Ch. 12 If They Can Do It, So Can WeIt, So Can We
• Throw off whatever hinders you in the race.Throw off whatever hinders you in the race.
– What are you unwilling to throw off?What are you unwilling to throw off?
• Keep your eyes on the goal: in heaven with Jesus.Keep your eyes on the goal: in heaven with Jesus.
• Look at Jesus (and the cloud of faithful witnesses in ch. 11)Look at Jesus (and the cloud of faithful witnesses in ch. 11)
– The pioneer, trail blazer,The pioneer, trail blazer, archegos.archegos.
– The perfector, completer, race-finisher,The perfector, completer, race-finisher, teleios.teleios.
• Accept hardship as discipline from a loving father/God.Accept hardship as discipline from a loving father/God.

29. Attitudes Toward Discipline are ImportantAttitudes Toward Discipline are Important
• Accept it with resignation.Accept it with resignation.
• Accept it and get it over with as soon as possible.Accept it and get it over with as soon as possible.
• Accept it with a “woe is me” attitude.Accept it with a “woe is me” attitude.
• Accept it but think of it as punishment.Accept it but think of it as punishment.
• Accept it as it is; discipline given reluctantly by a lovingAccept it as it is; discipline given reluctantly by a loving
Father who cares about you.Father who cares about you.

30. SummarySummary
• Predestination, understood correctly, is biblical, but so is freePredestination, understood correctly, is biblical, but so is free
will.will.
• One thing for sure: Hebrews warns against “falling away.” TheOne thing for sure: Hebrews warns against “falling away.” The
purpose of the book is to prevent this happening!purpose of the book is to prevent this happening!
• In order to prove faithful to the end and to make it to heavenIn order to prove faithful to the end and to make it to heaven
two things are required:two things are required:
– Know and understand how unimaginable fantastic Jesus is.Know and understand how unimaginable fantastic Jesus is.
– Mature in your faith, with the emphasis being on your faith.Mature in your faith, with the emphasis being on your faith.
• Listen to God!Listen to God!
• Grow up!Grow up!
• Believe in things unseenBelieve in things unseen