Book of Hebrews Background Information The High Priest

Book of Hebrews Background Information The High Priest Source: Dr. Constable’s Notes

Background: Date � Before 70 AD • Author does not mention the destruction of the Temple • He speaks of the Temple, in present tense

Background: Author �Probably one of the following men: • Paul • Barnabus �Spent time with Paul on his first missionary journey • Apollos �Jewish Christian �Very knowledgeable of scripture

Background: Audience �Primarily Jewish converts who were familiar with the Old Testament �They were being tempted to revert back to Judaism (Galatians 2: 14)

Background: Outline of Hebrews 1. Superiority of God’s new Revelation 2. The Superiority of Christ 3. The superior sacrificial work of our High Priest 4. Final plea for preserving faith 5. Conclusion

The High Priest (Old Testament) � The chief religious official of the Israelites � Belonged to the line of Aaron (brother of Moses), the first high priest

The Holy of Holies � The Holy of Holies contained the Ark of the Covenant. � The Holy of Holies was hidden by a veil, and no one was permitted to enter except the High Priest. � The High Priest could only enter once a year on the Day of Atonement, to offer the blood of sacrifice and incense before the mercy seat.

Hebrews 4: 14 -16 14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Hebrews 9: 24 -25 24 For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; 25 not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another—

Hebrews 7: 26 -27 26 Such a high priest [ Jesus ] truly meets our need-one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. 27 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.