I take it as read that the Bible speaks to everyone.
Okay, so let's apply that to the Bible.
This means that you need to fulfill the Covenant of Law, right?
See the problem? You are not going to be able to apply that principle to Scripture and maintain a credible view.
The Law was given to Israel specifically, with an allowance for the foreigner. However (and this is a primary thrust of the Writer of Hebrews), God has made obsolete the Law, and hence the necessity to understand who he is speaking to specifically.
The Bible is "speaking to everyone," I agree, but, we have to keep in mind that when thee is an intended audience, we don't generalize. For example, the Bible was not "speaking to everyone" here...
Genesis 6:13-14
King James Version (KJV)
13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
14 Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.
God was not speaking to everyone here...
Matthew 10:5-7
King James Version (KJV)
5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
While we understand the Bible is for everyone, here there is a specific audience, which, if we generalize (and most do), we are going to miss a significant point which ultimately impacts our Theology.
The Letter to the Hebrews was speaking to a largely Jewish church (very possibly the one at Jerusalem), but for that reason I'm not going to ignore it because I'm not Jewish.
That's a false argument: just because we recognize the audience doesn't mean we nullify application of the teachings to the Church fram a general standpoint.
No-one is arguing "Hebrews isn't relevant to the Church of today."
'There is neither Jew nor Greek.......for you are all one in Christ Jesus' (Gal/ 3:28). There is only one people of God (
Ephesians 2:14-15).
But that wasn't always the case...was it?
Could men in ancient times say "Well the Law is actually for everyone, so here is what we are going to do, we are going to effect Levitical Services regardless of Tribe or Nation."
And again you are missing the entire point: there is one People of God, but, in Hebrews you are making unbelievers to be that People.
You keep ignoring that point, Martin.
In view are legitimate sons and illegitimate. The exhortation goes to the People of God, and they are distinguished from those who are not sons.
Doubtless the Christians in Jerusalem were going through a hard time, and I think it is evident that some were being tempted to return to Judaism. The writer to the Hebrews is telling them not to be surprised by the tough time they're going through (cf.
1 Thessalonians 1:4;
1 Peter 4:12) because it's the lot of all Christians (Acts 14:22)
And the passage does address that.
But, the bottom line is that those who were being warned, not from "going back to Judaism," are those who had their feet in both faiths.
And when the warning speaks of eternal judgment, we know that it is not Christians in view, because this conflicts with what Scripture teaches elsewhere.
Christians do not need to fear "being burned," which always, always, always...
...speaks of eternal judgment.
Not chastisement.
I see the 'illegitimate sons' as being false believers which the Hebrew Christians would be if they returned to Judaism to avoid persecution in the same way that Ephesian or other Gentile Christians would be if they returned to Paganism.
If they are illegitimate sons, and false believers...
...they aren't Christians.
You are imposing a status of salvation that is not in the text, and is not to be found in Hebrews anywhere.
The "rain" of ch.6 represents the very ministries performed by the Comforter in the lives if natural men, and thee will be two results: blessing, or burning.
So unless you properly identify who the warning is going out to, you will confuse the instruction, exhortation, and warning, misapplying them because you have an unbeliever standing in the place of a believer.
When you preach, Martin, do you assume that everyone is saved? Or do you warn your congregation about Hell because you know that it is likely someone there needs to come to Christ, despite the fact he/she associates with Christians in your fellowship?
No different in Hebrews.
Now, let me ask you this, Martin: can you distinguish in the Psalms when the Psalmist is speaking in general terms about man and when he is speaking specifically about Israel?
How about in the Prophets?
How about in the Law (Pentateuch)?
Would you find someone in error if they changed the specific address in those Books?
God bless.
