The Preeminence of Christ

"God . . . has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high" (Heb. 1:1-3).

The book of Hebrews was addressed to an audience composed of Jewish Christians, Jewish non-Christians who were intellectually convinced about Jesus but hadn't yet committed themselves to Him, and Jewish non-Christians who didn't believe the gospel at all.

The author's goal was to demonstrate Christ's superiority over everyone and everything that had preceded Him, whether Old Testament persons, institutions, rituals, or sacrifices. He specifically contrasted Christ with angels, Moses, Joshua, Aaron and his priesthood, the Old Covenant, and the sacrificial system.

The Jewish believers needed this focus on Christ's superiority because most of them were suffering some form of persecution because of their Christian testimony. Some were in danger of confusing the gospel with Jewish ceremonies and legalism, and drifting back into their former practices.

Those who were intellectually convinced but spiritually uncommitted needed to be warned not to stop at that point, but to go all the way to saving faith. They were in danger of committing the greatest sin any person can commit: rejecting Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

Those who didn't believe in Christ at all needed to see that Jesus was in fact who He claimed to be. To such people the author explains the unique priesthood of Christ, and the urgency of turning to Him in faith.

Within your circle of friends and associates, you probably have Christians who are weak of faith and need your encouragement and instruction. Be available to minister to them whenever possible.

Undoubtedly you also know people who are intellectually convinced that Jesus is who He claimed to be, but aren't willing to embrace Him as their Lord. Don't be shy about urging them to move on to salvation.

To those who reject Christ outright, boldly proclaim the gospel and trust the Holy Spirit to convict their hearts.

I would disagree with your assertion that MacArthur is forcing scripture to conform with his doctrine. When I have read Hebrews I have always believe Hebrews was written to, well, Hebrews. Saved and unsaved. Hence the title-Hebrews. It is a sermon to the general church population. MacArthur's commentary on Hebrews confirmed my understanding of the book. So it would be hard to say that we both are trying to shoehorn the book to fit with our doctrine. My doctrine over the years has changed but not my understanding of the book of Hebrews. In fact, as my doctrine has mature, my understanding of Hebrews has only been more confirmed.

Hebrews isn't the only book to be written both to believers and unbelievers. James is written to “the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad” and addressed to “my brothers and sisters” (James 1:1-2). Yet James, when he states “Come now, you rich people, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten. (James 5:1-2)”, is clearly not addressing his “brothers and sisters”. These are unbelievers in the church to whom James is writing.

I think MacArthur is exactly correct, Hebrew is a sermon to Hebrews-both believers and unbelievers. Thus, like James, one has to be careful to know when the writers are talking to believers or unbelievers. MacArthur's commentary on Hebrews is excellent and is straight forward, unlike other commentaries on Hebrews. To me the book of Hebrews is a wonderful book and it seems most fitting that our God would specifically have a book in His Holy Word entirely devoted to calling the Jews to faith in Christ and persevering.

It is written to Hebrews - Hebrews Christians, thus nowhere is there a call to conversion but instead exhortations to continue in the faith, to hold fast to it, and not forsake it, in the light of the exceeding grace given in this so great salvation, with a better high priest, covenant, promises etc. MacArthur must selectively assign certain passages to unbelievers since they warn against departing from the living God and drawing back unto perdition, although the context makes it clear that believers are being addressed as believers. (Heb. 3:12; 10:25-39)

Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; (Hebrews 3:12-14)

Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit. (Hebrews 6:1-3)

For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. (Hebrews 6:7-10)

Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) (Hebrews 10:19-23)

For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Hebrews 10:26-31)

But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. (Hebrews 10:32-36)

For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. (Hebrews 10:37-39)

Which only strengthens my case since this stands in contrast to Hebrews which nowhere addresses and indicts souls as lost except those who drew back like their kin in the OT,but instead it again and again exhorts believers not to become like them by continuing in the faith, as I need to do, by the grace of God.

I'm not sure how James strengthens your case. I would suggest that Hebrew 6 and 10 are written to those people who the writer question their faith just as James was writing to the rich in the church who were abusing their power. This also isn't anything different than Paul in 2 Corinthians 13 telling the Corinthians to test themselves to see if they're in the faith. Paul was having serious doubts about some of the Corinthians.

Frankly, I'm not sure why this is so hard to understand (not just you mind you). It's no different than a pastor getting up on a Sunday morning and preaching to a crowd of people. All the people in church fall into three categories; 1) true believers, 2) tares who believe they're believers but aren't, and 3) unbelievers. These letters (with perhaps the exception of 2 John and 3 John), are written to entire congregations back then who were no different then today. A good pastor will tailor his message for believers while throwing in exhortations and warnings about falling away from what is heard.

I'm not sure how James strengthens your case.

Exactly as I described You simply cannot confalte the two.

I would suggest that Hebrew 6 and 10 are written to those people who the writer question their faith just as James was writing to the rich in the church who were abusing their power. This also isn't anything different than Paul in 2 Corinthians 13 telling the Corinthians to test themselves to see if they're in the faith. Paul was having serious doubts about some of the Corinthians.

Simply wrong. No unbeliever is being addressed in Hebrews as is the case in James and Corinthians. Instead, in describing those "nigh unto cursing, whose end is to be burned" in Heb. 6 the writer is addressing those who have realized "the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, (6:1) warning of those who do not continue in the faith after being enlightened, and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, (Hebrews 6:4) but with those being addressed manifesting "things that accompany salvation" (Hebrews 6:9) and which they are exhorted to continue in, That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (Hebrews 6:12)

It's no different than a pastor getting up on a Sunday morning and preaching to a crowd of people.

Rather, while a pastor in such a situation would address both respectively as regards having or needing salvation, Hebrews only addresses believers are believers, with no calls to conversion but only exhortations to persevere in the faith and warnings against not doing so, and becoming as unbelievers, whom he describes.

A good pastor will tailor his message for believers while throwing in exhortations and warnings about falling away from what is heard.

Even then, who is being addressed is manifest, and it is contextual manifest that it is believers that are being addressed as believers in such verses as I provided. You do not admonish and exhort souls to "hold hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end" and "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God" (Hebrews 3:6,12) unless they were believers in the first place.

Likewise unless they are believers do not exhort souls "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering," (Hebrews 10:23) and warn them against "forsaking the assembling of ourselves together," and becoming like those who "hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace," for "ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise." For "if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him" but instead be like them who "are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul." (Hebrews 10:23,25,29,36,39)

Acts 17:32 There is simply no comparison. Paul here is only addressing the lost.

In conclusion let us summarize this grand key, these “Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet”, for our salvation depends on them.

1. The prophet is the only man who speaks for the Lord in everything.
2. The living prophet is more vital to us than the standard works.
3. The living prophet is more important to us than a dead prophet.
4. The prophet will never lead the church astray.
5. The prophet is not required to have any particular earthly training or credentials to speak on any subject or act on any matter at any time.
6. The prophet does not have to say “Thus Saith the Lord,” to give us scripture.
7. The prophet tells us what we need to know, not always what we want to know.
8. The prophet is not limited by men’s reasoning.
9. The prophet can receive revelation on any matter, temporal or spiritual.
10. The prophet may advise on civic matters.
11. The two groups who have the greatest difficulty in following the prophet are the proud who are learned and the proud who are rich.
12. The prophet will not necessarily be popular with the world or the worldly.
13. The prophet and his counselors make up the First Presidency—the highest quorum in the Church.
14. The prophet and the presidency—the living prophet and the First Presidency—follow them and be blessed—reject them and suffer.

I testify that these fourteen fundamentals in following the living prophet are true. If we want to know how well we stand with the Lord then let us ask ourselves how well we stand with His mortal captain—how close do our lives harmonize with the Lord’s anointed—the living Prophet—President of the Church, and with the Quorum of the First Presidency.

Ezra Taft Benson

(Address given Tuesday, February 26, 1980 at Brigham Young University) http://www.lds.org/liahona/1981/06/fourteen-fundamentals-in-following-the-prophet?lang=eng

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