Outline Studies in Hebrews, Chapter 6-7

ALL PENETRATING IN HIS ABILITY

CHAPTER 6

This chapter may be studied in detail as follows: 1. Exhortation regarding Progress., w.1-3."Be wise. Advance".

i. Leave the Foundation Truths,- leave spiritual infancy for full manhood, v. 1 – as a building leaves its founda-tions and a tree its roots.

ii. Look at the Foundation left - solid and broad., good for building upon, v. 2.

Repentance – faith; our personal relation to God. Baptisms – laying on of hands; our relation to others. Resurrection – future judgment; our relation to future life.

2. Exposure of Profession, w. 4-8. “Be warned of Apostasy".
i. Apostasy Described, w. 4-6. This is not backsliding but

wilful departure. Tasted heavenly gift – spiritual experience. Good Word of God – spiritual enjoyment. Powers of world to come – spiritual expectation.

In verse 6 (see R.v.) the form of the verb is the present participle, denoting a continuance of apostasy. The evil is spiritual not moral.

ii. Analogy Drawn, w. 7-8, to illustrate the character of apostasy: The earth receives rain and is blessed, 7; the production of thorns leading to rejection, 8.

3. Evidence of Persistence, vv.9-12."Be worthy of
Approval".

Full persuasion, 9. Note the second person “you” is used here, unlike verses 4-6 where it is the third person.

Fine marks of genuine regeneration, 9-10.

The character of God is the best guarantee for progress, 10.

Full assurance of hope, 11.

Faith and patience are essential, 12.

4.Encouraged by Promises of God, w. 13-20. “Be willing
to act like Abraham".

A shining example: Abraham patient and rewarded, 15.

A sure promise: confirmed by an oath, 16-17.

Strongencouragement:unchangeablenessofGod’s

counsel, 18.

A safe refuge: saved from despair, saved by hope, 18. A secured hope: anchor in heaven where Jesus is for us. A successful Forerunner: for all who follow His steps.

Christ our Refuge – Flee to Him with your troubles.

Christ our Anchor – Faith links us with Him.

Christ our Forerunner – Follow Him in all things.

Christ our Priest – Fully meets all our need.

ALL PREVAILING IN HIS ACTIVITY

CHAPTER 7

Our Lord is the Forerunner who has entered within the vail, there to dwell as an abiding Intercessor; His is a perpetual Ministry. The priesthood of Melchisedec finds its continuance and consummation in Christ.

1. Superiority of His Priesthood, w. 1-3; Pre-eminent.

Personally, 1; He stands alone in Person, Name, royal position and character.

Relatively, the significance of His character from His titles.

Typically; Melchisedec was possessed of divine traits: dignity and superiority.

He possessed regal authority as King. His priestly ministry was “blessed”. His dignity was underived. He was rightful in all authority and peaceful in all activity. His Priesthood was untransmitted.

2. Priority of His Priesthood, w. 4-8. Prior to Aaron’s.

In dignity, 1; in excellency, 2-3; in permanency, 3; in greatness, 4. He was greater because of Benefaction, 4-6a. He received homage from Abraham. Benediction, 6b-j. He refreshed the weary pilgrim. Continuation, 8. No predecessor or successor. Position, 9. Levi paid tithes in Abraham.

3. Excellency and Authority of His Priesthood, w. 9-19.
Powerful. Melchisedec was greater than

Abraham, 4-10. Without ancestry or posterity.

Aaron, 11-14. No feebleness or changeableness.

Authority of law, 11. Weak and imperfect so change was necessary.

The new Priesthood must not be limited by bounds of time, nor associated with a legal system, 12. It would be royal rather than national, 13.

Christ is marked by sovereign sympathy and majestic mercy, 14-16. His ministry is wholly immune from dislocation or disruption, 16-zj. Here we find a different Priest, n; a distinct tribe, 14; a different constitution, 16; a divine acknowledgement, 17; a better hope, 19.

4. Perpetuity of His Priesthood, w. 20-25. Pledged by God.

Its immutability, 20-22, gives us a better hope, a better surety and covenant. Its continuity, 23-25, brings better privileges and results.

It is unique as to its origin, 21; unchanging in its character, 24; unfailing in its objects, 25.

5. Suitability of His Priesthood, vv. 26-28. Perfect.

His power is absolute, 25. He sustains and saves.

His perfections are apparent, 26. Godward, manward, selfward.

White linen garments–type of what Christ was intrinsically. Garments of glory and beauty – type of what Christ became officially.

Superior in personality, 27; He offered Himself.

Superior in potentiality, 28. His service is forever.

6. Finality of His Priesthood, 8.1-6.Provided and
Possessed. He is:

Available - “we have”. Accessible - “an high priest”. Acceptable - "set” on high. Almighty - on the “throne".

Suggestions for Study. Note the tenses of the verbs in chapter 6. Trace the “impossibles” and the many references to the word “once” in Hebrews.

Consider the many contrasts set out in chapter 7. What does the Scripture say of Melchisedec? From the chapter, gather those things which underline how suited a High Priest we have in the Lord Jesus.