Characteristics of Fellowship (2:28-5:3), A. Consequently the silence of the second century and the caution of the third century posed no insurmountable problems for the careful scholarship of the canonical councils of the fourth century.91. First, the book was quoted by Clement of Rome in A.D. 95 so it had to have been written before that time. There are both resemblances and dissimilarities to the theology and style of Paul, but Paul frequently appeals to his own apostolic authority in his letters, while this writer appeals to others who were eyewitnesses of Jesus ministry (2:3). It is argued that (1) an uneducated man (Acts 4:13) could not have written something so profound as this gospel; (2) a fishermans son would not have known the high priest as did John the apostle; and (3) an apostle would not have called himself an elder. Were on a mission to change that. First, in the earliest manuscript editions of the New Testament books, Hebrews is included after Romans among the books written by the. 11:10; 11:14-16; 12:22; 12:25-29. The extant records are not extensive, but the Eastern church plainly accepted Hebrews as Pauline. .[36]. He is seen as our Redeemer who, having been made like His brethren, has once and for all dealt with our sin and done that which the temporary sacrifices could never do. Harnacks argument that Priscilla deliberately disguised her gender by using the masculine gender is sheer speculation, and his theory remains a curiosity of New Testament scholarship. Hebrews has been described by William L. Lane as "a delight for the person who enjoys puzzles." It is no surprise then, that the question of authorship was uncertain as early as the Church Father Origen, whose opinion was recorded by Eusebius, that "only God knows the truth" regarding who wrote Hebrews ( Church History 6.25.14 ). For these reasons, Apollos of Alexandria has been a leading contender for the authorship of Hebrews at least as far back as the great Protestant Reformer, Martin Luther, but he has not been the only contender. Clement of Alexandria (ca. Why Apollos might have been the author of Hebrews. He concluded that "as a result of this translation, the same complexion of style is found in this Epistle and in the Acts: but that the [words] 'Paul an apostle' were naturally not prefixed. I. Apollos? These connections make it very likely that the author was originally from the Alexandrian church, regardless of where he was when he penned the letter, and regardless of to whom it was originally sent. The Development or Cultivation of Christian Character (1:3-21), III. Heres what we know about Apollos from the Bible: We also know from the very early history of the church that Apollos would also fit the memory handed down to both Clement of Alexandria (c. AD 150215) and to Origen (AD 185253), who claimed a Pauline association. Some would assert that James effectively uses these characteristics as a series of tests to help his reader evaluate the reality of their relationship to Christ.82 Others would stress that James is writing to warn believers about the consequences of a dead, inactive faith both personally and corporately and to stir them to growth and true spiritual maturity. The style of Hebrews, except in the closing verses (13:1825), is quite unlike any other writing of Pauls that has survived. Others, however, see this as a reference to those Christian Jews who had been scattered after the death of Stephen.79, While a few suggest a date for James as earlier as the late 30s and some as late as A.D. 150, most scholars date the book about A.D. 45. The Epistle to the Hebrews of the Christian Bible is one of the New Testament books whose canonicity was disputed. Second Peter and Jude are eschatological, warning believers against the presence of false teachers and calling them to contend for the faith. Romans and Hebrews, of similar length, may be the two great pillar epistles of Christian theology, and yet far more is known, and certain, about Romans. Apostleship, we might say, is at the center of canonicity, but not the entirety of it. Also, the writer states that he wrote the letter from "Italy", which also at the time fits Paul. In contrast to 1 John 4:2 where he used the perfect participle, has come in the flesh (eleluthota), here John used the present participle (erchomenon), is coming or is come in the flesh. Since the present participle may simply emphasize the results and is sometimes translated like a present, there may be no distinction here, but perhaps John meant to broaden the focus on the significance of the incarnation. Defense and Exhortation to Believers (17-23). Tertullian (On Modesty 20) suggested Barnabas as the author: "For there is extant withal an Epistle to the Hebrews under the name of Barnabasa man sufficiently accredited by God, as being one whom Paul has stationed next to himself". Commandment to Continue to Love One Another (1:5-6), IV. Other proposed candidates have included Luke, Silas, and Priscilla. Gentile readers would have noted Peters exhortation to holy living in light of their background of complete ignorance of Gods Word (1:14). Since we have now been justified by his blood; offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.. Cautions and Instructions Against False Teachers (1:7-11), V. Concluding Remarks and Final Greetings (1:12-13). Finally, he encouraged his readers with the certainty of Christs return (3:1-16). Ron was a classmate at Dallas Seminary and this is typical of his excellent work. von Harnack, Adolph, "Probabilia uber die Addresse und den Verfasser des Habraerbriefes". Get started with a free online course. . It is one of the most accurate and innovative outlines I have seen on the book of James. Tertullian (c. 160220) suggested Barnabas, who partnered with Paul in gospel triumphs on the first missionary journey (Acts 13:115:35). Here is a right stirring epistle designed to exhort and encourage, to challenge and convict, to rebuke and revive, to describe practical holiness and drive believers toward the goal of a faith that works. But uneducated did not mean illiterate, only without formal training in the rabbinic schools; some fishermen were well-to-do (cf. No theory of authorship has won the day and for good reason, for the answer to our quest lies outside the domain of historical knowledge. This was an official title for the office of an elder, but it is perhaps more likely that he was using it as an affectionate designation by which he was well known to his readers. And the biggest riddle of them all is information that church history, and the faithful today, do not consider to be lacking for any other New Testament document: who wrote it. Henry Thayer, in his classic treatment, cites Calvins succinct conclusion: I cannot be brought to acknowledge Paul as its author. Thayer, Authorship and Canonicity of the Epistle to the Hebrews in Bibliotheca Sacra, October 1867. 92 tn Verse 20 is variously interpreted. Because of the uncertainty of its authorship, its recognition as a part of the New Testament canon, at least in the West, was delayed until the fourth century when it was finally accepted in the Western church through the . Some aspects of the language, style, and theology of Hebrews are very similar to Pauls epistles, and the author also refers to Timothy (13:23). The text as it has been passed down to the present time is internally anonymous, though some older title headings attribute it to the Apostle Paul. To walk in the light means an honest acknowledgment of the problem of sin. . The soteriology of Hebrews is quite consistent with Pauls own teaching. . taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual), Piper writes, Apostolicity is the supernatural transmission of naturally incomprehensible reality to spiritually discerning people (those who are spiritual, 1 Corinthians 2:13), through writing that is taught by the Spirit. This means that the recognition by the church of the apostolicity of the 27 books of the New Testament was neither a mere historical judgment about who wrote the books nor a mere preference for some over others. Martin Luther suggested that Apollos may have been the author, probably because in the book of Acts he is described as "a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures" who was eloquent in public debate ( Acts 18:24, 28 ). This conclusion is supported by the resemblances in the Greek between this epistle and the speech of James at the Council of Jerusalem (James 1:1 and Acts 15:23; James 1:27 and Acts 15:14; James 2:5 and Acts 15:13).78. Jerome placed 2 Peter in the Latin Vulgate (ca. Paul, by way of contrast, emphasizes repeatedly his authority as an apostle of Jesus Christ and refuses to put himself in a subordinate position to the apostles and eyewitnesses. Eusebius does not list Epistle to the Hebrews among the antilegomena or disputed books (though he included the unrelated Gospel of the Hebrews). Again, as in 1 John, 2 John is concerned with protecting the biblical doctrine of the incarnation. sn 2 John is being written to warn a sister church some distance away, referred to as an elect lady, of the missionary efforts of the secessionist false teachers (discussed in 1 John) and the dangers of welcoming them whenever they arrive.96. He has prepared for us a better country (11:16) and will raise us, after death, to a better life (11:35). Choosing a key chapter in James is difficult, but chapters 1 and 4 certainly stand out. The goal of this theme is to warn his readers against the dangers of giving up the substance of what they have in Christ for the temporary shadows of the Old Testament system. This word normally refers to Jews not living in Palestine but scattered out across the Mediterranean world. They supplement the thirteen Pauline Epistles by offering different perspectives on the richness of Christian truth. In accomplishing the purpose to show the superiority of Christ, Hebrews undoubtedly becomes the most Christological single book of the New Testament. 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