64 - Hebrews 13:8-16: Doctrines, Sacrifices and Heaven

Hebrews 13:8-16

“Jesus, the Messiah, is the same yesterday, today and forever. So do not allow yourselves to be led astray by strange doctrines. The heart is spiritually strengthened by God’s grace, not dietary rules. Those whose lives are guided by such things derive no profit from them. Ours is a spiritual altar, from which those who minister in the tabernacle have no right to partake. The flesh of those animals, whose blood was carried into the sanctuary as a sin offering, was burned outside of the camp. By way of analogy, Jesus also suffered death outside the city gate in order to sanctify the people by His blood. Let us follow Him beyond the boundaries of the camp, sharing His disgrace, contempt and abuse. For our permanent home is not on earth, but we are anticipating an eternal home in heaven. So then, through Christ let us perpetually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God and glorify His name. Remember to be benevolent and generous, for God is highly pleased with such sacrifices.”   (paraphrased)                                                       
                                                                           
In a series of short, powerful admonitions, the writer gives his final comments regarding the superiority of Christianity over Judaism. 

v. 8
The title Christ (Christos) means “Anointed One” and affirms Jesus as the Messiah. This verse is a declarative statement concerning the eternality of Jesus’ Messianic office. It can be translated, “Jesus is Messiah, yesterday, today and is the same forever” (Heb. 1:12 & 7:24). Mighty world empires have crumbled into dust, but His kingdom has no end (Lk. 1:33). Jesus Christ is eternally available and accessible. Although Jesus never changes, His sacrifice on the cross changed everything. 

Throughout Jesus’ sojourn on earth, His consistency is apparent. His demeanor was not affected by slander, false accusations or loaded questions. He never vacillated or was at a loss for words. He did not apologize or retract a single statement. Whether facing mob violence, rebuking Peter or speaking to the woman at the well, His character was absolutely consistent.

<>Because He is omnipotent, His power will never diminish.
<>Because He is omniscient, His wisdom and insight are infinite.
<>Because He is omnipresent, He will never leave or forsake His own.
<>Because He is omnicompetent, His rule and judgment are eternally perfect.

v. 9
If we are anchored firmly in the teachings of godly elders (13:7), we will not be swept off our feet by false teachers. The doctrines of Jesus are unchangeable and remain relevant in every generation. “Divers” (poikilais) means “a great variety” “or “many-colored.” False doctrines were deemed multi-faceted in contrast to the single message of the Gospel. “Strange” is xenias and refers to that which is foreign or unusual. The doctrine of Christ (2 Jn. 9) has nothing in common with doctrines of men (Col. 2:22) or doctrines of demons (I Tim. 4:1). The readers are exhorted to avoid all fascinating and alluring theories foreign to the Gospel message.

The writer’s previous mention of “meats” refers to controversial doctrines (Heb. 9:10). But in the broadest sense, “meats” represent all man-made religious regulations. In essence, all dietary laws are based on doctrines of works. As such, they are diametrically opposed to Christ’s doctrine of grace. The readers are encouraged to place their hope in Christ, rather than in legal observances regarding food.

The Rabbis and false teachers of the first century added myriads of petty religious trivialities to the Levitical law. Problems regarding kosher foods reached epidemic proportions. Paul continuously contended with those who sought to bring Believers into bondage by forcing dietary stipulations upon them. He told the Corinthians that neither abstaining nor partaking of certain foods would bring us closer to God (I Cor. 8:8). Some demanded Believers abstain from meat altogether (I Tim. 4:3). Paul warned the Galatians that erroneous teachings will “pervert the Gospel of Christ” (Gal. 1:7). The church must not allow people’s faith to be destroyed over such divisive issues (Rom. 14:15, 20). The Colossians were taught to not let anyone judge them “in meat or drink” (Col. 2:16). Only the saving work of God’s grace can establish and stabilize Believers. 

v. 10
The “altar” of which Believers partake has nothing to do with the dietary debate just mentioned. Although this verse has been a source of much debate among commentators, the writer’s meaning is not complicated. Confusion results only when one attempts to link the previous verse closely with this one. Whereas the eating of food in verse nine is literal, the “eating” mentioned in this verse is figurative.

“We have” are words designed to call attention to our wonderful privilege. “To eat” is a metaphor meaning “to partake.” The spiritual sustenance of Believers is Christ’s vicarious atonement. The concept of “an altar” represents a religious system. None may partake of Christ’s “altar” and Levitical altars simultaneously, for the two are mutually exclusive. Those still trapped in Judaism have no right (exousian) to partake of Christ. Exousian means a legal right or privilege. The Christian’s altar represents the New Covenant and Judaism’s altar represents the Old Covenant.

vv. 11-12
The concept of taking people or things “outside the camp” is rooted in the Old Testament. Blasphemers were stoned to death outside the encampment of Israel (Lev. 24:14). Lepers were shut out of the camp (Num. 12:14). If one worked on the Sabbath day, he was to be taken outside the camp and stoned to death (Num. 15:32-36). Executions could not take place within the gates of Jerusalem. As the animal carcasses from the sacrifices for sin were disposed of outside the camp, so Christ was rejected and crucified outside the gates of Jerusalem (Jn. 19:16-17).

The sin offerings on the Day of Atonement were symbolic of Christ’s redeeming sacrifice. On that day, the carcasses of animals sacrificed for sin were taken beyond the boundaries of the encampment and disposed of. Their bodies were burned, rather than eaten (Lev. 16:27). What the Israelite “camp” represented to the Jews in Moses’ day, the city of Jerusalem represented to the Jews in Jesus’ day. What was unlawful to do in the Levitical tabernacle was unlawful to do later in Jerusalem’s temple.

v. 13
When the epistle to the Hebrews was written, Jerusalem was viewed as the epicenter of Judaism. Inside its walls, Jews were insulated from the Gentile world. But throughout this epistle, the writer strives to affirm the impossibility of communing with God through empty ceremonialism. All such ritualism must be left behind in order to follow Christ. Those who come to Him “outside the gate” of formal religion will endure the same derision, contempt and scorn heaped upon Him. To bear His “reproach” (oneidismon) is the same term used earlier, alluding to the public defamation and persecution his readers had suffered (10:32-33). Moses esteemed the reproach (oneidismon) of Christ as greater riches than those in Egypt (11:26).

v. 14
The phrase, “for here we have no continuing city” is the reason we come to Christ. On our impermanent earth, the hope of something permanent sustains us. In heaven, that which is “better and enduring” awaits (10:34). The earthly Jerusalem was doomed. Within a few years of the writing of this epistle, the temple and the remnants of the obsolete Levitical system would virtually disappear. Jerusalem and Judaism were destined to be shaken by Titus and his legions. There was no future there, for only “things that cannot be shaken will remain” (12:27). Because we have no permanent home on earth, we anticipate the heavenly Jerusalem. The heroes of chapter eleven sought “the city whose builder and maker is God” (11:10 & 12:22).

v. 15
Because of the certainty of our heavenly home, we can spontaneously praise God. David said, “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise will continually be in my mouth” (Ps. 34:1). “The fruit of lips” is a Hebraism referring to what we confess as truth (Hos. 14:3). The sacrifices Believers offer are not found on cold altars of stone, but rather flow from hearts warmed by the love of Jesus. Unlike ritual offerings, sacrifices of praise can be given to God continuously.

v. 16
Praise alone does not please God, for the fruit of our lives must supersede the fruit of our lips. True discipleship is validated by empathetic action. There are two admonitions in this verse. To “do good” (eupoiias) means works of mercy that spring from a generous heart. The second command is to “communicate” (koinonias); “to make one’s self a partner.” Koinonias has its roots in the term “fellowship” (koinonia) which pictures a close association with others. Whereas praise is directed upward to God, acts of compassion must be directed outward to those in need. As a result, our beneficent actions will motivate those we bless to praise God (Mt. 5:16). The Lord is pleased with our praise, but He is well pleased as we share our tangible resources with those less fortunate (Acts 4:32).

QUESTIONS: DOCTRINES, SACRIFICES AND HEAVEN

Hebrews 13:8-16

1. The writer cautions us to avoid false teachers. What astonished the people in Mark 1:22?

2. Paul said the day would come when people would not endure what? (II Timothy 4:3)

3. According to John 14:26, who is our best teachers?

4. Jesus is:
A. omnipresent
B. omniscient
C. omnicompetent
D. omnipotent
E. all of the above

5. According to I Corinthians 8:8, eating certain foods can bring us closer to God. True or False?

6. The writer urges us to praise the Lord. According to Psalm 107: 8, 15, 21 and 31, list the reasons we are to praise God.

7. According to Psalm 51:17, what type of sacrifice pleases God?

8. According to Luke 6:38, what will happen if I provide for the needs of others?

9. You and your mate make a list of people you know that are in need. Discuss specific ways in which you can help them

10. Discuss with your spouse a strange doctrine you have heard on TV or on the radio. What Scriptures prove it is false?