Hebrews 7 is a very theological, rich chapter  . . .  a lot of food for thought.  Read it, friends.

1.  Prophet, Priest, Seer – How come it isn’t Prophet, Priest, King?

2.  Are you without father, without mother, without genealogy?  Then who is?

3.  If you are at the elevated status of a preexistent Son of God, how come the devil doesn’t come to you and ask, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”

4.  To whom ultimately do you pay your tithe?  Why?

5.  Do the sons of Levi come to your house and collect a tenth from you?  Is this Christ’s law?

6.  What need is there for a contemporary Aaronic priesthood in S.E. Idaho?  If the Melchizedek priesthood shares the better hope, why continue the Aaronic priesthood?

7.  The Melchizedek Priest perfects people.  Right?

8.  No priest abides forever except one.  Right?

9.  No priest saves forever except one.  Right?

10.  Do you think the “Melchizedek priests” in Idaho Falls fulfill Psalm 110:4?

This is interesting news (HT: SI).

Is this the prelude to a Mitt Romney and Sarah Palin speaking engagement? (chuckling)

It has been a good night.

Tonight, at Grace Baptist Church in Salt Lake City, I listened to a sermon, a theological overview, and an exhortation by Dr. Kevin Bauder on the issue of biblical inerrancy.

I agree with Kevin.  Inerrancy is a watershed issue and a fundamental to my Christian faith.

One third of American evangelicals don’t believe in biblical inerrancy.  Another third of American evangelicals don’t believe that it is a heart issue to get upset over.  And then there is the last third who consider the doctrine of biblical inerrancy to be foundational.

Are you curious to hear about a key biblical text shared on this issue and then the four stages of development surrounding this debate in the last four decades in America?

Hebrews Questions for Chapter 6

(This is what we are delving into here tonight in Ammon, Idaho.)

Observation

1.  What is the elementary teaching about the Christ?
2. Who “have” what (vv. 4-6)?  List the five haves about them.
3. What is it impossible for them to do?
4. Why?
5. What is the concluding point in verses 7-8 to illustrate this?
6. Provide a summary statement of verses 1-8.
7. What is the “but” in verse 9 contrasting?
8. What is God’s promise?
9. What two things are unchangeable?
10. What is the anchor of the soul?

Interpretation

1.  What is the “instruction about washings”?
2. What is the “laying on of hands”?
3. Can a man lose his salvation?
4. Do you think that the ones who have fallen away in verse 6 and the “beloved” in verse 9 are separate groups?
5. Do we become high priests forever like Jesus in the order of Melchizedek?

Application

1.  What hope is there for those who apostasize?
2. Will God forget your work of love?
3. Will you be diligent to the very end?
4. Who can you imitate?
5. In what area of your life, have you been tempted to quit running in the race?

It is an unbiblical question to ask in Southeastern Idaho in light of the scriptures that you have in your possession.

Hebrews 6:13 shares with us:  “For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself.”

And here are two more truths about God.

• God is not unrighteous (Hebrews 6:10)
• It’s impossible for God to lie (Hebrews 6:18 – you really can trust His Word in these days of apostasy.)

He is the source of salvation to those who obey Him (Heb. 5:9).

Now what is involved in obeying Him so that one might experience eternal salvation?

That is a fundamental question in Idaho Falls.

Certainly, if you are not obeying Jesus Christ, you are in big danger.

What do you think of this guy?

Would you agree with these propositions maintained by him (HT: Alister McGrath)?

1. Adam’s sin harmed only himself, not the human race as a whole.
2. Children are born in the same state as Adam before his fall.
3. The Law of Moses is just as good at leading us to heaven as the gospel of Christ.

Jumping ahead in Hebrews in my own personal study, I am thinking of the question posed in Hebrews 7:11,

Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron? (NASB)

Does the extensive organizational structure of the LDS Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthood permeating every aspect of our religious culture follow closely the line of authoritative reasoning set forth by the author of Hebrews?

Questions for Hebrews 5

Observation

1.  What did the high priest in the O.T. do?  How does Heb. 7:27, 8:3f; 9:9; and 10:11 shed light on this?
2. Who is Aaron?
3. Who put Aaron in the position of high priest (v. 4)? 
4. What if someone else in the O.T. tried to be high priest like Aaron?
5. Who is Melchizedek?
6. Where would one glimpse Jesus in “loud crying and tears”?
7. How did Jesus become the “source of eternal salvation”?
8. What is the summary of verses 1-10?
9. What are the spiritual concerns that the author has for his Hebrew readers?
10. Provide for me a summary statement of verses 11-14.

Interpretation

1. What does it mean “Jesus learned obedience”?
2. How does that differ from us?
3. If Jesus is already sinless and perfect, what does it mean for the Son in “having been made perfect” (v. 9)
4. Could an Aaronic high priest become a Melchizedek high priest?
5. Why or why not?

Application

1.  Are you a mature believer or still a baby?
2. If you are still a babe, what will it take to get you off the milk and on to the solid food?
3. Why do some Christians stay as babies?
4. What sources are available to you for eating solid food?
5. Where and to whom can you be a teacher?

Jesus told Mary on that first Easter Sunday,

I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God (20:17).

Now here is once again where I would clash with LDS friends in interpretation.