Lord’s Library editors created this introductory guide to the Gospel in Hebrews to showcase how the Scriptures reveal salvation by grace through faith in Hebrews.
The Epistle to the Hebrews, a profound and theologically rich letter, stands as a compelling exposition of the superiority of Jesus Christ and His new covenant. Addressed to Jewish Christians who were facing persecution and temptation to return to Judaism, the letter presents Christ as the ultimate revelation of God’s will and the fulfillment of Old Testament types and shadows. Central to Hebrews is the message of the Gospel, emphasizing that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, the perfect high priest, and the once-for-all sacrifice for sins. The letter calls believers to persevere in faith, grounded in the assurance provided by Christ’s finished work.
A central theme in Hebrews is the superiority of Christ’s priesthood and His sacrifice. The writer declares, “By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament” (Hebrews 7:22). Unlike the Levitical priests, who offered sacrifices daily, Jesus offered Himself once for all, obtaining eternal redemption for believers (Hebrews 7:27, 9:12). This highlights the sufficiency and finality of Christ’s atoning work, which surpasses the temporary and repetitive nature of the old covenant sacrifices.
The letter also emphasizes the concept of the new covenant, a key aspect of the Gospel message. The writer quotes the prophecy from Jeremiah, stating, “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them” (Hebrews 10:16). This new covenant, established through Christ’s blood, brings about an internal transformation and the forgiveness of sins, contrasting with the external and ceremonial aspects of the old covenant.
The Gospel in Hebrews
The Gospel in Hebrews Showcased in Scripture
- Hebrews 2:9: “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.”
Hebrews 2:9 speaks of Jesus’ suffering and exaltation. It states that Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, suffered death so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.
- Hebrews 4:14-16: “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
Hebrews 4:14-16 encourages believers to hold fast to their confession of faith because Jesus, their great High Priest, has ascended into heaven. He is able to empathize with their weaknesses, having been tempted in every way, yet without sin. Therefore, they should approach the throne of grace with confidence to receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
- Hebrews 7:25: “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”
Hebrews 7:25 affirms that Jesus is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.
- Hebrews 9:12: “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.”
Hebrews 9:12 explains that Christ entered the heavenly sanctuary with His own blood, securing eternal redemption for believers. Unlike the high priests of the old covenant who entered the earthly tabernacle with the blood of animals, Christ’s sacrifice was once for all and obtained everlasting redemption.
- Hebrews 9:14-15: “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.”
Hebrews 9:14-15 discusses the superior efficacy of Christ’s sacrifice. It states that through the eternal Spirit, Christ offered Himself without blemish to God, cleansing our consciences from dead works to serve the living God. This sacrifice establishes Jesus as the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, because a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.
- Hebrews 10:10: “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”
Hebrews 10:10 explains that believers are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
- Hebrews 10:19-22: “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”
Hebrews 10:19-22 invites believers to approach God with confidence. It explains that, through the blood of Jesus, believers have a new and living way into the presence of God. They are encouraged to draw near with a true heart, full of assurance, having their hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and their bodies washed with pure water.
- Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
- Hebrews 11:6: “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6 emphasizes the necessity of faith in pleasing God. It states that without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for anyone who comes to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him.
- Hebrews 12:2: “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:2 encourages believers to fix their eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of their faith. It highlights that for the joy set before Him, Jesus endured the cross, despising its shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
These verses from Hebrews emphasize the sufficiency and superiority of Christ’s sacrifice, the importance of faith, and the grace of God in providing salvation through Jesus Christ. They highlight the completed work of Christ on the cross and His ongoing role as our high priest and mediator.
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Moreover, Hebrews underscores the necessity of faith in receiving the promises of God. The famous “Hall of Faith” in Hebrews 11 recounts the stories of Old Testament saints who lived by faith, looking forward to the fulfillment of God’s promises. The writer exhorts believers, “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised” (Hebrews 10:23). This call to persevere in faith is grounded in the assurance of Christ’s faithfulness and the reality of His high priestly ministry in the heavenly sanctuary.
The epistle also highlights the access believers have to God through Jesus Christ. The writer encourages, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). This invitation to approach God confidently reflects the transformative power of the Gospel, which grants believers direct access to the Father through the mediation of Christ.
As we explore these key passages, it becomes evident that Hebrews offers a profound and detailed presentation of the Gospel. The epistle emphasizes the uniqueness and sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice, the new covenant’s transformative power, and the necessity of persevering faith. Through its theological depth and pastoral exhortations, Hebrews provides a comprehensive and inspiring vision of the Gospel’s power to bring believers into a deeper relationship with God, grounded in the finished work of Jesus Christ, our great high priest.
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