Outline of Hebrews

Paul Hatcher
Pastor, Tabernacle Baptist Church, Manaus, Brazil

  1. A Portrait of Christ: Excellency of Christ, the Word.
    1. Author: the author of the book is unknown. Since he mentions Timothy, the author is most likely the apostle Paul or one of his associates. Hebrews was written from Italy .
    2. Immediate addressee: the Hebrews or Jewish Christians.
    3. Purpose: To show that Jesus Christ is the real person God in the form man and that all types are fulfilled in Him. Christ is the perfect revelation (the Word) of the Father and superior to all the previous types (offices of prophet and priest), which are shadows of the real person, Christ, and the actual work of redemption, sanctification, and glorification, (functions of these offices) by Christ. Christ, being the perfect revelation, is the final revelation of the last days, to be believed and practiced to the Glory of God through Jesus Christ.

  2. Summary of Hebrews.
    1. This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. The relationship between God and mankind abruptly died when man rebelled against his Creator in Eden . God announced His loving plan to redeem man and establish the relationship (know God). At different historical moments, and in various ways, God revealed sketches of Himself to mankind, by means of the prophets.
    2. As promised through the prophets, and at the appointed time, God took on human flesh, and lived amongst men – the Son of God, Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the express image of the Father. To know Him (have a relationship) is to know the Father, and to hear Him is to hear the Father.
    3. Christ is the exact image and all previous announcements were dim sketches of the person of God, but now we see Christ, who is God Himself. Christ is, therefore, superior to all the shadows and sketches given to us in the past through the prophets. God requires that we believe in Him and His Word (faith) as revealed through the prophets, and so much the more as He revealed himself in His Son, Jesus Christ. We must believe, for without faith it is impossible to please God. Let us be encouraged to hear, to believe (faith), to practice Christ likeness, to praise God, and to pass it on (obedience).

  3. Christ, the Ultimate Messenger from the Father.
    1. God spoken by his Son (Christ), 1:1-2.
    2. Description of the Son, Christ, 1:2-14.
    3. Give heed to His message, 2:1.
    4. Word of the angels binding, so much more the Son, 2:3-4.

  4. Christ, the Loving Saviour of the Sinner.
    1. Salvation by Christ and He has spoken, 2:3.
    2. Confirmed by those who hear Him, 2:3.
    3. Confirmed by miracles and signs of the Holy Spirit, 2:4.
    4. Description of the Saviour, Christ, 2:3-3:4.
    5. Moses, a testimony of thing to be spoken after, 3:5.

  5. Christ, the Caring Priest of the Believer.
    1. Harden not our hearts, to Christ's word, 3:6-8.
    2. Israel 's disregard for the word, 3:9-11.
    3. Exhort one another daily, 3:12 -13.
    4. The word must be believed (faith), 3:13-4:11 .
    5. The word alive and powerful, 4:12-13.
    6.  Description of the Priest, Christ, 3:14-10:30 .
    7. The mature Christ is exercised in the Word, 5:11 .
      1. Knows the Word, 5:11 -12.
      2. Practices the Word, 5:13 -6:3.
      3. Is accountable to the Word, 6:4-8.
      4. Loves, a result of the Word, 6:9-10.
    8. The word is secure and eternal, 6:11 .
    9. Assured by God's oath, 6:11 -17.
    10. Assured by Christ Priesthood, 6:20 -.
      1. Eternal, 6:20-7:22 .
      2. Unchanging, 7:23-25.
      3. Perfect and complete, 7:26-28.
      4. Heavenly (the real thing), 8:1-7; 9:1-10:14.
    11. The word in our hearts (new covenant), 8:8-13; 10:16 -20.

  6. Christ, the Exalted Person of the Scripture.
    1. The book is written about Christ (Old Testament and New Testament), 10:7.
    2. The Holy Spirit is a witness, 10:15 .
    3. The Word is the motivator of the believer in the church, 10:21 -25.
    4. The Son is the perfect revelation better than types, 10:26 -29.
    5. A warning about the rejection of the Son, 10:27-37.

  7. Christ, the Victorious Author and Finisher of the Faith.
    1. The just live by faith in Christ, 10:38-11:12 .
    2. Faith is based on the word, 11:6-11:12.
    3. An example of the believing, 11:3-40.
    4. Our response of faith to Christ, 12:1.
      1. Repentance of sin, 12:1.
      2. Looking to Jesus (Christ-likeness), 12:2-4.
      3. Character building (Father's discipline), 12:5-11.
      4. Evaluation and confession, 12:12-17.

  8. Christ, the Great Shepherd of the Flock.
    1. See that you hear Christ, 12:21-12:27 .
    2. The word established in Heaven and earth, 12:26-27.
    3. Respect the Word, 12:28 -29.
    4. Response to Word, 13:1-22.
      1. Love within (13:1), without (13:3-4), and in marriage (13:4)
      2. Contentment and Godliness (13:5-6), care for spiritual leaders (13:7).
      3. Steadfastness (13:8-9), confession and sanctification ( 13:10 -12).
      4. Bearers of the gospel ( 13:13 ), heavenly citizens ( 13:14 ).
      5. Praise and thanksgiving ( 13:15 ).
      6. Generosity ( 13:16 ), submission and humility ( 13:17 ).
      7. Prayerfulness ( 13:18 ), peace) 13:19 -20), and service ( 13:21 ).

  9. Christ, the Resurrected Lord of the Ages.
    1. Christ is the same yesterday, today, forever, 13:8.
    2. Don't be carried away to other teaching, 13:9.
      1. Christ is the best, 12:2-13:20.
      2. The covenant is everlasting, 13:20 .
    3. Keep on exhorting and being exhorted in the word, 13:22 .

  10. Portraits of Jesus Christ.
    1. Summary.
      1. Heir of all, made the worlds, 1:2.
      2. Glory of God, image of God, purged our sins 1:3.
      3. Upholds all things by his word, 1:3.
      4. Right hand of majesty, 1:3, 8:1, 10:12 .
      5. Inherited an excellent name, 1:4.
      6. Better than angels, 1:4, 2:16 .
      7. Son of God, 1:5, 4:14 , 5:5.
      8. First begotten, 1:6.
      9. Worshipped by the angels, 1:6.
      10. King, everlasting, 1:8, 1:11 .
      11. Anointed above all others, loves righteousness, 1:9.
      12. Creator of heaven and earth, Lord in the beginning, 1:10 .
      13. All things by Him, 1:10 ,, 2:10 .
      14. Declares the Father 1:12 .
      15. Unchanging 1:12 , 7:24.
      16. Right hand of Father, 1:14 , 8:1.
      17. Spoken to us, 2:3.
      18. Saviour , 2:3, 2:10 , 7:25.
      19. Crowned with glory and honor, made lower than angels, 2:9.
      20. Made lower than angels, Died for men, 2:9.
      21. All things for Him, 2:10.
      22. Brings many sons, 2:10 .
      23. Perfect, perfected through suffering, 2:10 .
      24. Sanctifier, 2:11 ,10:10 .
      25. Brother, 2:11 ,17.
      26. Declares the Father, 2:12 .
      27. Sings Praise, with the church 2:12 .
      28. Trusts the Father, 2:13 .
      29. Conquered death, 2:14 .
      30. Delivers from death, 2:14 .
      31. Human like use, 2:14 ,10:5 .
      32. Seed of Abraham, 2:16 .
      33. Became human, 2:16 ,17 .
      34. Reconciler, 2:17 .
      35. Merciful, 2:17 , 4:16.
      36. Faithful, 2:17 , 3:2.
      37. Tempted in all points, 2:18 , 4:15 .
      38. Gracious helper, 2:18 , 4:16.
      39. Apostle, 3:1.
      40. Christ, 3:1.
      41. God, 3:4.
      42. High priest, 3:14 , 5:1, 8:1.
      43. Gives rest, 4:1.
      44. Omniscient, 4:12 .
      45. Word's alive, 4:12 .
      46. Empathy, 4:15 .
      47. Sinless, 4:15 .
      48. Glorified, 5:5.
      49. Fear, 5:7.
      50. Prayerful, 5:7.
      51. Tears, 5:7.
      52. Obedient, 5:8, 10:7.
      53. Sufferer, 5:8, 13:12.
      54. Author of salvation, 5:9.
      55. Truth, 6:18 .
      56. Liveth to intercede, 7:25 .
      57. Harmless, 7:26 .
      58. Holy, 7:26 .
      59. Undefiled, 7:26 .
      60. Self-sacrificing, 8:27 .
      61. Majesty 8:1.
      62. Seated in heaven, 8:1.
      63. Servant, 8:2.
      64. Mediator, 8:6, 9:24 ,12:24 .
      65. Redeemer. 9:12 .
      66. Offering for sin, 9:14 , 9:28 .
      67. Conqueror, 10: 13 .
      68. Forgiveness, 10:17 .
      69. Avenger, 10:30 .
      70. Judge, 10:30 , 13:4.
      71. Author and finisher of our faith, 12:2.
      72. Joyful, 12:2.
      73. Righteous, 12:29 .
      74. Unchangeable, 13:8.
      75. Great shepherd, 13:20 .
      76. Resurrected, 13:20 .
    2. Conclusion: 13:25 Grace be with you all.   Amen.