Episode 43 (Nov. 4 - 10) Jesus Christ, “the Author of Eternal Salvation”
Listen to Episode 43 (Nov. 4 - 10) Jesus Christ, “the Author of Eternal Salvation” here.
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This week we discuss who *really* wrote the book of Hebrews (and does it matter???), y'all get to meet my sister Christie, and I talk a bit about balancing my CFM studies with my reading of the Book of Mormon. Sorry, these notes are more rambly than normal and they've got the CFM text in them, but it is what it is!
November 4–10
Hebrews 1–6
Jesus Christ, “the Author of Eternal Salvation”
Recording spiritual impressions helps you recognize what the Holy Ghost wants to teach you. Acting on your impressions demonstrates your faith that those promptings are real.
RECORD YOUR IMPRESSIONS
Create a Note
We all have to give up something in order to accept the gospel of Jesus Christ—whether that be bad habits, incorrect beliefs, unwholesome associations, or something else. For Gentiles, conversion often meant abandoning false gods. For the Hebrews (Jews), however, conversion proved to be, if not more difficult, a little more complicated. After all, their cherished beliefs and traditions were rooted in the worship of the true God and the teachings of His prophets, extending back thousands of years. Yet the Apostles taught that the law of Moses had been fulfilled in Jesus Christ and that a higher law was now the standard for believers. Would accepting Christianity mean that the Hebrews must give up their earlier beliefs and history? The Epistle to the Hebrews sought to help settle such questions by teaching that the law of Moses, the prophets, and the ordinances are all important, but Jesus Christ is greater (see Hebrews 1:1–4; 3:1–6; 7:23–28). In fact, all these things point to and testify of Christ as the Son of God and the promised Messiah the Jews had been waiting for. The message for the Hebrews, and for all of us, is that sometimes we must give up traditions to make Jesus Christ the center of our worship and our lives—for it is through Christ “that we may obtain mercy” (Hebrews 4:16).
Nursery prayer
Ideas for Personal Scripture Study
Hebrews
Who wrote the Epistle to the Hebrews?
Some scholars have questioned whether Paul wrote the Epistle to the Hebrews. The literary style of Hebrews is somewhat different from Paul’s other letters, and the earliest versions of the text did not name an author. However, because the ideas expressed in Hebrews are consistent with Paul’s other teachings, Latter-day Saints, in keeping with Christian tradition, have generally accepted that Paul was at least involved in writing this epistle.
See also Bible Dictionary, “Pauline Epistles.”
Uchtdorf, Come Join Us: “Some struggle with unanswered questions about things that have been done or said in the past.
Sometimes questions arise because we simply don’t have all the information and we just need a bit more patience. When the entire truth is eventually known, things that didn’t make sense to us before will be resolved to our satisfaction.
Sometimes there is a difference of opinion as to what the “facts” really mean. A question that creates doubt in some can, after careful investigation, build faith in others.
It is unfortunate that some have stumbled because of mistakes made by men. But in spite of this, the eternal truth of the restored gospel found in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not tarnished, diminished, or destroyed.
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters—my dear friends—please, first doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith.8 We must never allow doubt to hold us prisoner and keep us from the divine love, peace, and gifts that come through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Hebrews 1–5
Jesus Christ is “the express image” of Heavenly Father.
Many Jews found it difficult to accept Jesus Christ as the Son of God. The Epistle to the Hebrews teaches that everything about Jesus testifies of and exemplifies His Father. As you read the first five chapters of Hebrews, you might keep a list of Jesus Christ’s titles, roles, attributes, and works you find mentioned. What do these things teach you about the Savior? What do they teach you about Heavenly Father?
Hebrews 1: 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his aSon, whom he hath bappointed cheir of all things, by whom also he dmade the eworlds;
Hebrews 2: 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little alower than the bangels cfor the suffering of ddeath, ecrowned with glory and honour; that he by the fgrace of God should taste gdeath for every man.
14 aForasmuch then as the children are partakers of bflesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might cdestroy him that had the power of ddeath, that is, the edevil;
15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to abondage.
16 For verily he took not on him the nature of aangels; but he took on him the bseed of Abraham.
17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make areconciliation for the sins of the people.
18 For in that he himself hath suffered being atempted, he is able to bsuccour them that are tempted.
Hebrews 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make areconciliation for the sins of the people.
18 For in that he himself hath suffered being atempted, he is able to bsuccour them that are tempted.
Hebrews 4: 15 For we have not an high priest awhich cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points btempted like as we are, yet without csin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of agrace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 5: 8 Though he were a Son, yet alearned he bobedience by the things which he csuffered;
9 And being made aperfect, he became the bauthor of eternal csalvation unto all them that obey him;
What does the following statement from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland add to your understanding of the teachings in these chapters? “Jesus … came to improve man’s view of God and to plead with them to love their Heavenly Father as He has always and will always love them. … So feeding the hungry, healing the sick, rebuking hypocrisy, pleading for faith—this was Christ showing us the way of the Father” (“The Grandeur of God,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2003, 72).
In that sense Jesus did not come to improve God’s view of man nearly so much as He came to improve man’s view of God and to plead with them to love their Heavenly Father as He has always and will always love them. The plan of God, the power of God, the holiness of God, yes, even the anger and the judgment of God they had occasion to understand. But the love of God, the profound depth of His devotion to His children, they still did not fully know—until Christ came.
So feeding the hungry, healing the sick, rebuking hypocrisy, pleading for faith—this was Christ showing us the way of the Father, He who is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, long-suffering and full of goodness.”14 In His life and especially in His death, Christ was declaring, “This is God’s compassion I am showing you, as well as that of my own.” In the perfect Son’s manifestation of the perfect Father’s care, in Their mutual suffering and shared sorrow for the sins and heartaches of the rest of us, we see ultimate meaning in the declaration: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”15
I bear personal witness this day of a personal, living God, who knows our names, hears and answers prayers, and cherishes us eternally as children of His spirit. I testify that amidst the wondrously complex tasks inherent in the universe, He seeks our individual happiness and safety above all other godly concerns. We are created in His very image and likeness,16 and Jesus of Nazareth, His Only Begotten Son in the flesh, came to earth as the perfect mortal manifestation of His grandeur.
Hebrews 2:9–18; 4:12–16; 5:7–8
Jesus Christ suffered temptation and infirmities so that He can understand and help me.
Do you feel that you can “come boldly unto the throne of grace” and seek mercy? (Hebrews 4:16). One message of the Epistle to the Hebrews is that despite our sins and weaknesses, God is approachable and His grace is attainable. What do you find in Hebrews 2:9–18; 4:12–16; 5:7–8 that strengthens your confidence that Jesus Christ will help you with your mortal challenges? Consider recording in a journal your thoughts and feelings about what the Savior has done for you.
See also Mosiah 3:7–11; Alma 7:11–13; 34.
Hebrews 3:7–4:11
In order to receive God’s blessings, I must “harden not” my heart.
Even though they had been converted to Christianity, some of the Jewish Saints found it difficult to fully accept the gospel of Jesus Christ and its blessings. By retelling the story of the ancient Israelites, Paul hoped to persuade the Jews to avoid the mistake their ancestors made—rejecting God’s blessings because of unbelief. (You can read the story Paul alluded to in Numbers 14:1–12, 26–35.)
Consider how Hebrews 3:7–4:11 might apply to you. To do this, you might ponder questions like these:
How did the Israelites provoke the Lord? (see Hebrews 3:8–11). What are the consequences of having a hard heart?
When have I allowed my heart to become hardened? Are there any blessings God wants to give me that I am not receiving because of a lack of faith?
What can I do to develop a soft and contrite heart? (see Ether 4:15; Proverbs 3:5–6; Alma 5:14–15).
See also 1 Nephi 2:16; 15:6–11; Jacob 1:7–8; Alma 12:33–36.
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