Hebrews 1:1-2

We begin our study through the book of Hebrews with a review of Jewish history courtesy of Stephen in Acts Ch 7. We then see immediately the theme of the book: that which is more excellent is come.

We also consider the date and authorship, noting the writers reference to Timothy and his salutation from those of Rome, along with a reference from Philippians. We’re reminded that the titles of the Bible books are rooted not in inspiration, but in tradition and publisher’s preferences.

It’s speculation, but it’s possible Hebrews was written by Mark (meaning the Mark that split up Paul and Barnabas at the start of the second journey at the end of Acts 15). That Mark was apparently restored by the time Paul wrote in II Tim 4: “Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry…”. Mark was a believing Jew, likely in Christ before Paul, a relative of Barnabas, and his restoration to ministry would point toward the restoration of Israel into ministry, after this dispensation ends and on through the tribulation and into the kingdom. Mark may have been writing Hebrews when he went with Timothy for a final visit to Paul in prison, in Rome, along with the cloak, and the books and especially the parchments. Hebrews may have been published from Paul’s prison cell in Rome before his execution and sent out with Timothy, in one book that contained the entire NT canon. Again, it’s speculation, but it’s interesting to consider the possibility.

We’ll get background via Stephens defense in Acts 7. ( We recommend Paul Lucas out at Hillview Baptist in Fairmont West Virginia and his more detailed background and study through Hebrews). We then look at who “the fathers” were that the author refers to in Hebrews 1:1. We discover the fathers are Jewish, and in passing clear up another so called contradiction in the Bible regarding God forbidding the punishment of the children for the sins of their fathers while visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the 3rd and 4th generation, (with some help from from Pastor David Reid of Columbus Bible Church).

We’ll also examine what the author means when he writes about “these last days.” Since it’s been about two-thousand years since the writing, is it possible that every occurrence of the “last days” in the Bible may not describe the last days everyone thinks about?

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