All Articles For Hebrews

Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. Hebrews 6:19-20 Forty days after His resurrection Jesus was taken by God from the earth into heaven, where He resides in glory until He will come again at the end of the world. Many churches of the Reformed tradition will soon gather in public worship to commemorate this glorious event. The ascension of Jesus is described in the...

“By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: for he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” Hebrews 11:9, 10 Abraham is a prominent figure in the list of heroes of faith in Hebrews 11. Abraham could be considered from many points of view, but here in Hebrews 11 the emphasis falls upon the faith of Abraham. In verse 8 we are told that this faith was manifest in his obedience to the...

“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” Hebrews 2:9 Like the multitudes of Jesus’ day, many today want an earthly Jesus who will satisfy their carnal desires by creating an earthly kingdom of peace and prosperity. They minimize and ignore His ascension and its significance. But by grace we rejoice in the ascension and exaltation of Christ. We see how necessary it was for the salvation of the church. We understand...

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. Hebrews 3:12-13 Take heed! Exhort one another daily! As the name suggests, the church to which this epistle was addressed was primarily Jewish in character. Sadly, some had already left the Christian faith to return to Judaism. Others were inclined to do so. They were disillusioned by the facts that Christ had not returned as yet and...

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 The previous verse instructs us to run with patience the race that is set before us. In that verse the Christian life is compared to a race that is to be run. This race is not a 100-yard dash, but an endurance race requiring great effort. Those who finish the race receive a crown. By this comparison, the Scriptures emphasize...

For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 3:20 In this chapter Paul speaks of himself. He tells why he might have reason to boast in the flesh (vv. 5-6). He then says that all these things he counted loss for Christ (vv. 7-8). Paul’s righteousness is of God by faith (v. 9). Thus, he presses toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (v. 14). We are to be followers of Paul’s example (v. 17) in opposition to those who do...

Previous article in this series: December 1, 2011, p. 112. Some of our young adults attend Neo-Calvinistic colleges (e.g., Calvin College, Dordt College, Trinity Christian College, and Redeemer University), where they are taught what is referred to as theReformational worldview. Although the termReformational sounds like the term Reformed, what is being taught in these institutions amounts to a radical departure from the truth of the Reformed faith. It is my intention to demonstrate this departure, while addressing just one subject area at a time. At present we are considering the difference between Reformed and Reformational views on the subject of divine revelation. To...

“…Who for us men, and for our salvation…was incarnate…and was made man.” Jesus Christ is very God come in the flesh. That is the confession of the church of God, and has been since Peter’s bold reply to the Lord’s question, “But whom say ye that I am?” Peter’s answer, revealed to him from the “Father which is in heaven,” was, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt 16:15-17). The inspired apostle Paul would later write concerning Jesus: “made of the seed of David according to the flesh; and declared to be the Son of God...

I could not help but hum the Psalter tune and say its words in my heart: “The lines are fallen unto me (us!) in places large and fair; a goodly heritage is mine (ours!) marked out with gracious care.” My heart was glad. It still is. What goodness our God showed to us this year at our annual assembly called synod! How I was wishing all our people could witness the public examination of the three seminary students—now candidates—and sit with us to hear Prof. Dykstra’s graduation sermon. What joy if even more could hear synod deliberate and decide to...

Peace for the Troubled Heart—Reformed Spirituality, by Herman Hoeksema, edited by David J. Engelsma. Reformed Free Publishing Association (www. rfpa.org), 2010. Hard cover, 294 pp. ISBN 978-1-936054-05-3. Reviewed by Charles J. Terpstra. I have a new book of which to inform our readers, about which I am personally very excited! Peace for the Troubled Heart has recently been published by the Reformed Free Publishing Association (Fall, 2010). It consists of old meditations written by Herman Hoeksema, founding pastor and professor in the Protestant Reformed Churches in America, and first published in this very magazine, Standard Bearer, between 1924 and 1947....