Better with Jesus: A Mission 119 Guide to Hebrews: Volume 1

Why does God allow Christians to face trials and even persecution? Is there a purpose in the suffering? What is spiritual maturity and how does it relate to knowledge of the Word of God? What does an exemplary life of faith look like? Do all believers have the same experience of God now and in the world to come? The book of Hebrews answers these questions and much more. It is the greatest Christological treatise ever written, explaining Jesus’ position as Son, better than angels, than Abraham, than Moses, than Aaron, than all Levitical priests. Jesus provided a better sacrifice in a better tabernacle and as the Son, heir and sovereign of everything, will exercise in the world to come the dominion the first Adam lost in Genesis 3. The primary exhortation of the book, as needed today as it was in the first century, is to steadfastly endure in the face of trials, obedient to God’s Word and with eyes focused on the heavenly country. But within its pages are ominous warnings to those who would fail to endure, understood by many expositors as warnings about losing one’s salvation or that continued disobedience proves someone was never saved to begin with. This text will show the book of Hebrews has an eschatological orientation, our lives are a training ground for the world to come, and the warnings in Hebrews are that how we live now will affect our Christian experience both now and in the world to come. The MISSION 119 SERIES is committed to in-depth exposition tethered to the context and argument of the book under consideration so that the primary focus is the author’s intended message.

HUTSON SMELLEY is an attorney and Bible teacher residing in Houston, Texas with his wife and six children. He holds advanced degrees in mathematics, law and Biblical studies. He can be contacted at proclaimtheword@mac.com