Hebrews 1
The Divinity of Christ before the Incarnation
v1 God spoke through the prophets (OT) Numbers 12:6.
v2 God now spoke by His Son. (NT) John 1:3.10.14.18.
v2 Father created worlds by His Son Colossians 1:16.
v3 Son brightness of Father’s glory John 17:5.
v3 Son express image of Father’s person. Col 1:15. 2 Cor 4:4.
v3 Father upholds all things by the Son Col 1:15.17.
v3 Son sat at right hand of the Father Heb 1:13. 10:12. Ps 110:1.
v4 Son better than angels Hebrews 1:9.
v4 Son inherited a better Name Ps 2:7. Isaiah 9:6.
v5 Father said, ‘Thou art My Son’ – begotten Psalm 2:7.
v6 First begotten, firstborn Romans 8:29.
v6 Angels to worship the Son Revelation 5:12-14.
v7 Angels are spirits Psalm 104:4.
v8.9. Father said, ‘Thy throne, O God’ Psalm 45:6.7.
v9 Son’s God anointed Him Rev 1:6. 3:12.
v9 Son anointed before creation of earth. Proverbs 8:23.
(Hebrew ‘set up’ means ‘anointed. Compare Ps 2:6 ‘set’ same word)
v10-12 Earth perish, Son will remain Psalm 102:25-27.
Chapter 1 shows the divinity of Christ
- The Son created the worlds with His Father
- The Son is the brightness of His Father’s glory
- The Son is the express image of the Father’s person
- The Son upholds all things, together with His Father
- The Son sits at the right hand of the Father
- The Son is higher than the angels
- The Son better than angels, received name by birth - inheritance
- The Son is begotten of the Father
- The Son is the Son of the Father
- The Son is the first begotten of the Father
- The angels are to worship the Son
- The Father says of His Son, ‘Thy throne O God’
- The Son is divine like His Father
- The Father anointed His Son above the angels
- The Son laid the foundations of the earth; they will perish
- The Father says of His Son, ‘Sit at My right hand till I make your enemies your footstool’
None of this can be said of the angels
They were created beings, sons, but created
They are ministering spirits
They minister to those who are heirs of salvation
Hebrews 2
The Humanity of Christ on the Earth
v9 The Son made a little lower than angels Gal 4:4. Phil 2:5-8.
v9 the Son received glory and honour before earth.
- On earth: John 12:23.28. 13:31.
- In future: John 17:5. Phil 2:9.10.
v9 The Son tasted death for every man. Luke 24:46.
v10 The Son was made perfect through suffering. Hebrews 5:8.
v11. He who sanctifies and those sanctified are one. John 17:23.
v12 The Son is not ashamed to call those sanctified His brethren
(All humanity can be called Jesus’ brethren in the flesh, but this chapter speaks of those who are surrendered as Abraham was surrendered)
v12 The Son will declare God’s name Ps 22:22. Jn 17:6.26.
v13 The Son will put trust in God Ps 18:2.3. Luk 23:46.
v13 Children given to the Son John 17:6.9.11.12.
v14. Children – flesh and blood. Romans 8:3.
v14 The Son will destroy devil 1 John 3:8.
v15 Christians can serve without fear of death Luke 1:74.
v16 Son not nature angels, but seed of Abraham Gal 3:14.16.
v17 The Son made in all things like His brethren Gal 4:4-7.
v17 So He could be a merciful High priest Heb 4:14-16. 7:25.
Chapter 2 shows the humanity of Christ
- The Son made a little lower than the angels for suffering of death
- The Son was crowned with glory and honour
- The Son tasted death for every man
- The Son was made perfect through suffering
- The sanctified Son is one with those who are sanctified
- The Son is not ashamed to call the sanctified ones his brethren
- The Son will declare His Father’s name in the church
- The Father has given His Son sanctified children
- The Son is flesh and blood like men are flesh and blood
- The Son will destroy the devil; the redeemed serve no fear of death
- The Son took not nature of angels, but the seed of Abraham
- The Son made like His brethren in all things, to be a merciful high priest.
“By His humanity, Christ touched humanity; by His divinity, He lays hold upon the throne of God. As the Son of man, He gave us an example of obedience; as the Son of God, He gives us power to obey.” The Desire of Ages p24.
“Children inherit the name of their Father. The Son of God ‘hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than the angels’. That name is the name of His Father.” R.F. Cottrell. The Review and Herald, June 1, 1869.
Hebrews 1 & 2