| | '''Written at the highest intellectual level''': This Epistle was written '''''perfectly''''' in a higher form of Greek than any other book ever written in history. "It would be difficult to find anywhere passages more exact and pregnant in expression than i. 1-4; ii. 14-18; vii, 26-28; xii, 18-24."<ref>''The Epistle to the Hebrews: The Greek Texts with Notes and Essays'' (edited by Brooke Foss Westcott), xlvi</ref> There is also a striking absence of five words commonly used in other parts of the New Testament. This short book demonstrates a phenomenal knowledge of Scriptures by the author, and draws an analogy between the new concept of [[Christian]] [[faith]] and the sacrifice of [[Isaac]] in the [[Old Testament]].<ref>Saldarini, Anthony J. [http://mb-soft.com/believe/txs/hebrews.htm ''Epistle to the Hebrews''] Believe. Accessed 15 March 2008</ref><ref>Pawson, J. David ''Unlocking The Bible'' p.1113 (London, Collins; 2003) ISBN 978 0 00 716666 4</ref> It contains a record number of words that do not appear anywhere else in the New Testament, and the style of the writing is at the highest level of Greek found anywhere. | | '''Written at the highest intellectual level''': This Epistle was written '''''perfectly''''' in a higher form of Greek than any other book ever written in history. "It would be difficult to find anywhere passages more exact and pregnant in expression than i. 1-4; ii. 14-18; vii, 26-28; xii, 18-24."<ref>''The Epistle to the Hebrews: The Greek Texts with Notes and Essays'' (edited by Brooke Foss Westcott), xlvi</ref> There is also a striking absence of five words commonly used in other parts of the New Testament. This short book demonstrates a phenomenal knowledge of Scriptures by the author, and draws an analogy between the new concept of [[Christian]] [[faith]] and the sacrifice of [[Isaac]] in the [[Old Testament]].<ref>Saldarini, Anthony J. [http://mb-soft.com/believe/txs/hebrews.htm ''Epistle to the Hebrews''] Believe. Accessed 15 March 2008</ref><ref>Pawson, J. David ''Unlocking The Bible'' p.1113 (London, Collins; 2003) ISBN 978 0 00 716666 4</ref> It contains a record number of words that do not appear anywhere else in the New Testament, and the style of the writing is at the highest level of Greek found anywhere. |
| − | '''Written very early''': This Epistle was written before any persecution of the disciples, because there is a reference to their lack of their physical suffering yet, making it likely the Epistle was written prior to the [[Ascension]]. See [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=hebrews%2012:1-11&version=KJV Hebrews 12:1-11], in particular [http://biblehub.com/multi/hebrews/12-4.htm. verse 4]. Luke's Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles, particularly its chapter 7, apparently benefited from having a copy of this Epistle because Luke imitated it in several ways.<ref>"Lukan Authorship of Hebrews," by David Lewis Allen, pp. 143-50, which describes the parallels between Acts 7 and Hebrews 11.</ref> This Epistle was written before institution of the Eucharist and before the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in A.D. 70.<ref>http://www.mycrandall.ca/courses/ntintro/Heb.htm</ref> This Epistle was also known to Clement, a very early pope, as confirmed by 1 Clement (17:1, 36:2-5), which is typically dated as having been written sometime between A.D. 95 and 120.<ref>Theopedia says that Clement cited the Epistle to the Hebrews in A.D. 96. [http://www.theopedia.com/epistle-to-the-hebrews]</ref> | + | '''Written very early''': This Epistle was written before any persecution of the disciples, because there is a reference to their lack of their physical suffering yet, making it likely the Epistle was written prior to the [[Ascension]]. See [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=hebrews%2012:1-11&version=KJV Hebrews 12:1-11], in particular [http://biblehub.com/multi/hebrews/12-4.htm verse 4]. Luke's Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles, particularly its chapter 7, apparently benefited from having a copy of this Epistle because Luke imitated it in several ways.<ref>"Lukan Authorship of Hebrews," by David Lewis Allen, pp. 143-50, which describes the parallels between Acts 7 and Hebrews 11.</ref> This Epistle was written before institution of the Eucharist and before the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in A.D. 70.<ref>http://www.mycrandall.ca/courses/ntintro/Heb.htm</ref> This Epistle was also known to Clement, a very early pope, as confirmed by 1 Clement (17:1, 36:2-5), which is typically dated as having been written sometime between A.D. 95 and 120.<ref>Theopedia says that Clement cited the Epistle to the Hebrews in A.D. 96. [http://www.theopedia.com/epistle-to-the-hebrews]</ref> |
| | '''Likely authorship by Jesus''': The Epistle also uses a same distinctive phrase once used by Jesus, which reinforces His likely authorship. This Epistle is actually a 45-minute sermon, probably the one given by [[Jesus]] to disciples on the Road to Emmaus, shortly after the [[Resurrection]].<ref>Luke 24:13-35 (Road to Emmaus). See also [http://sljinstitute.net/general-epistles/hebrews/the-finality-and-superiority-of-the-son-of-god-hebrews/ Mentioning an expert opinion that the Epistle is based on Jesus's explanation on the Road to Emmaus]</ref> The total length of this Epistle is slightly less than 5000 words.<ref>http://catholic-resources.org/Bible/NT-Statistics-Greek.htm</ref> Although some early manuscripts of this book are marked as "to the Hebrews," this Epistle is actually directed more towards early Christians familiar with Scriptures. | | '''Likely authorship by Jesus''': The Epistle also uses a same distinctive phrase once used by Jesus, which reinforces His likely authorship. This Epistle is actually a 45-minute sermon, probably the one given by [[Jesus]] to disciples on the Road to Emmaus, shortly after the [[Resurrection]].<ref>Luke 24:13-35 (Road to Emmaus). See also [http://sljinstitute.net/general-epistles/hebrews/the-finality-and-superiority-of-the-son-of-god-hebrews/ Mentioning an expert opinion that the Epistle is based on Jesus's explanation on the Road to Emmaus]</ref> The total length of this Epistle is slightly less than 5000 words.<ref>http://catholic-resources.org/Bible/NT-Statistics-Greek.htm</ref> Although some early manuscripts of this book are marked as "to the Hebrews," this Epistle is actually directed more towards early Christians familiar with Scriptures. |