Hebrews was most likely written in an era of much mayhem in regards to the general concept of Christianity.
The letter to the Christian believers in Rome, which most likely were of Jewish origin, was written to reinforce and restore others in their commitment to Christ Jesus.
In fact, history reveals it was a time in Rome where a number of Jewish believers in Christ were considering returning to their former faith of Judaism, because of the "cost" it involved to give your life to Jesus Christ.
Many residents living in Rome followed after Roman and/or the Greek mythological gods, and Christians were looked upon more like atheists, because of their refusal to recognize any other god but God the Father and Lord Jesus Christ.
The price for making a decision to give your life to Jesus Christ during this era in the city of Rome could be quite high. A person was put at risk of having job loss, daily friendships come to an end, their general social status and associations deeply affected, and even their own family relations could have been in dire jeopardy. Physical persecution was not out of the realm of a real possibility as well.
The Christian church in Rome was most likely a group of "house churches"(early 60's A.D.). The church is thought to have its origin in the 30's A.D., from new believers in Christ Jesus returning home after witnessing for themselves and participating in the Day of Pentecost.
The city of Rome had over 1 million inhabitants with a fairly large Jewish population estimated between 40 to 60 thousand Jews...or Hebrews as they were identified in Roman culture.
(a portrayal of Paul)
Initially, the Christian believers in Rome demonstrated tremendous courage and endurance in following after Christ Jesus, but now at the time of Paul's writing to the Hebrews, the "honeymoon was over" sort of speak, and the general adherence to Christ Jesus had weakened, perhaps even become quite "cold".
Numerous biblical scholars think the letter to the church in Rome was actually a sermon of Paul's, simply because he does not do his normal identifying of himself or to whom the letter is intended for at the beginning of the letter, as was his custom in all the other letters to Christian churches written by Paul.
Whether it be a letter or sermon, the contents of the letter are a "masterpiece of literary writing" as some have called. Here Paul writes with a depth of heart concerning what all the believers in Rome were facing: tragedies, losses, and general pains inflicted upon them because of their personal belief on Christ Jesus.
There is a strong consensus among biblical scholars that along with the letter to the Romans in the New Testament, the letter to the Hebrews were perhaps the 2 greatest writings of Paul the Apostle and to the spreading of the Christian message.
Paul writes to Rome with deep conviction, establishing deep roots and solid guidance on following after Christ.
The book of Hebrews is a thought-provoking letter that demands a reader's attention coupled with contemplation, a "pondering" if you will, digesting the words Paul was conveying during this time frame.
As William L. Lane once wrote: " Hebrews is a delight...for the person who enjoys puzzles."
The final main section in Hebrews, starting in chapter 10:19, and to the very conclusion of the letter itself, offers this challenge, this allegiance we must always embrace..through all the eras and ages of time...to remain faithful!
" Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming allegiance to His very Name. And don't forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are truly the sacrifices that please our God."
Hebrews 13:15 (Living Translation)
The letter to the Christian believers in Rome, which most likely were of Jewish origin, was written to reinforce and restore others in their commitment to Christ Jesus.
In fact, history reveals it was a time in Rome where a number of Jewish believers in Christ were considering returning to their former faith of Judaism, because of the "cost" it involved to give your life to Jesus Christ.
Many residents living in Rome followed after Roman and/or the Greek mythological gods, and Christians were looked upon more like atheists, because of their refusal to recognize any other god but God the Father and Lord Jesus Christ.
The price for making a decision to give your life to Jesus Christ during this era in the city of Rome could be quite high. A person was put at risk of having job loss, daily friendships come to an end, their general social status and associations deeply affected, and even their own family relations could have been in dire jeopardy. Physical persecution was not out of the realm of a real possibility as well.
The Christian church in Rome was most likely a group of "house churches"(early 60's A.D.). The church is thought to have its origin in the 30's A.D., from new believers in Christ Jesus returning home after witnessing for themselves and participating in the Day of Pentecost.
The city of Rome had over 1 million inhabitants with a fairly large Jewish population estimated between 40 to 60 thousand Jews...or Hebrews as they were identified in Roman culture.
Numerous biblical scholars think the letter to the church in Rome was actually a sermon of Paul's, simply because he does not do his normal identifying of himself or to whom the letter is intended for at the beginning of the letter, as was his custom in all the other letters to Christian churches written by Paul.
Whether it be a letter or sermon, the contents of the letter are a "masterpiece of literary writing" as some have called. Here Paul writes with a depth of heart concerning what all the believers in Rome were facing: tragedies, losses, and general pains inflicted upon them because of their personal belief on Christ Jesus.
There is a strong consensus among biblical scholars that along with the letter to the Romans in the New Testament, the letter to the Hebrews were perhaps the 2 greatest writings of Paul the Apostle and to the spreading of the Christian message.
Paul writes to Rome with deep conviction, establishing deep roots and solid guidance on following after Christ.
The book of Hebrews is a thought-provoking letter that demands a reader's attention coupled with contemplation, a "pondering" if you will, digesting the words Paul was conveying during this time frame.
As William L. Lane once wrote: " Hebrews is a delight...for the person who enjoys puzzles."
The final main section in Hebrews, starting in chapter 10:19, and to the very conclusion of the letter itself, offers this challenge, this allegiance we must always embrace..through all the eras and ages of time...to remain faithful!
" Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming allegiance to His very Name. And don't forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are truly the sacrifices that please our God."
Hebrews 13:15 (Living Translation)
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