Kingdom Come

The Epistle “to the Hebrews” is, completely against protocol, not addressed as such, nor signed off by the author himself anywhere in the letter. However, the traditional title “To the Hebrews” is very old. Clement of Rome seems to know the letter by this title late in the first century…In one of our earliest manuscripts…Hebrews follows Romans, indicating the book was viewed as part of the Pauline collection.

Continuing this tradition, the Council of Carthage (397) and also the Council of Carthage (419)…which took place under the authority of St. Augustine (354–430)… also declared by fiat that Epistle to the Hebrews was written by Paul, for a time ending all debate on the subject.

The significance of the authority of this document’s writer and subject matter is found in the arguments that have been continuously raised against them to this day. For a correct understanding of Paul’s doctrine of the New Testament Church we must recognize its place in the doctrine of the letter to the Hebrews.

• “Was Paul the author? “ There are certainly some similarities between Paul’s theology and the theology of Hebrews…There are other bits of circumstantial evidence, such as the fact that the author of Hebrews, like Paul, was an associate of Timothy (Hebrews 13:23). Yet…the Greek writing style of Hebrews is very different from Paul’s other letters…The vocabulary of Hebrews is also very different from Paul’s, including 169 words not found elsewhere in the New Testament (NT)”

The reason is easily explained by Paul’s reliance on his amanuenses such as Tertius to the Romans acknowledged by “The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand [which is the token in every epistle: so I write.]” (I Corinthians 16:21, Colossians 4:18, II Thessalonians 3:17), with only one “Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand”(Galatians 6:11) apparently due to poor eyesight. These clerks were customarily used throughout the Roman empire up to our own time, until AI took their place. It makes sense that while imprisoned, Paul relied more on his trusted assistant to refine and polish this message to its utmost clarity.

It is without question that Paul also identified himself as one with his co-workers, exactly as Jesus had ordained “that they may be one“, logically in his writing as much as his physical interaction.

• Paul…And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia (Galatians 1:1)
• Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians (I and II Thessalonians 1:1)
• Paul…and Sosthenes our brother, Unto the church of God which is at Corinth (I Corinthians 1:1-2)
• Paul…to all that be in Rome…Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you…I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord. (Romans 1:1,7; 16:22) 

Press pause – note what a mockery Paul is making of the classic Roman heroic announcement heard as frequently in Rome’s Coliseum as today’s weather reports, contrasting with the Spirit-indwelt warriors in God’s kingdom “whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.” (Romans 14:8)

• Paul…and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth… Philippi… Colosse… Philemon… Apphia, and Archippus… and to the church in thy house” (II Corinthians 1:1, Philippians 1:1, Colossians 1:1, Philemon 1)
• Paul…to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things: (Ephesians 6:21)
• Paul…Unto Timothy, my own son / replica in the faith…keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.
  (I Timothy 1:1-2, 6:20-21)
• Paul…To Titus, mine own son / faithful replica…For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee…When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter. Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently…All that are with me salute thee . ” (Titus 1:1-5, 3:12-13
• Paul…To Timothy, my dearly beloved son…Greatly desiring to see thee…all they which are in Asia be turned away from me...Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world…Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia…Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus…Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee…Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick. Do thy diligence to come before winter [this last plea brings me to tears]” (II Timothy 1:1-4, 15; 4:10-21)

The obvious reason why Paul, unlike standard protocol, followed in all his other letters, didn’t identify himself as the author becomes crystal clear when we place Paul’s epistles in chronological order and recognized that his authority had just been soundly rejected by what had been his support base in Asia.

If he was going to get his message across, the interested parties would have to read it and accept it on its own merits, rather than have it pulled out of circulation by the authorities from his name being on page 1.

Those merits were what the author attributed to the readership as sharing with himself, which unquestionably derive from Paul, and for which there are no biblical attribution to any other apostle.

1. partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus…
2. Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God…
3. let us hold fast our profession…
4. call to remembrance the former days…ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions…ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods…
5. ye have forgotten the exhortation…despise not thou the chastening of the Lord…For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth…
6. suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few [mocking himself! these were A LOT of] words.
7. Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you…
8. They of Italy [unnamed associates] salute you. (Hebrews 3:1, 12; 4:14; 6:10-11; 10:32-34; 12:5-6; 13:22-24)

• A significant argument against Paul’s authorship is the internal statement which is interpreted as the author being a second-generation Christian who received his gospel from those who came before him, therefore not an apostle, which Paul most certainly argued that he was.

“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which

1. at the first began to be spoken by the Lord,
2. and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;” (Hebrews 2:3)

On analysis, this proves to be one of those interpretations that fits a pre-conceived purpose, which in this case is to deny Paul’s authorship.  The phrase “confirmed unto 1) us by 2) them that heard him” does not rule out Paul as being among both 1) us” who subsequently confirmed his understanding 2) with others who also heard Jesus. See, for examples, John 20:18-20, Acts 9:10-17 and Galatians 1:13-18.

• There are strong indications that the readers are Jewish Christians…The writer assumes his readers are familiar with OT stories, referring to them without elaboration with statements like, “as you know . . .” (12:17). The author presupposes knowledge of Jewish ritual, including the layout of the Jewish tabernacle and the functions of the sacrificial system. The recipients also seem to be aware of extra-biblical Jewish traditions, such as the role of angels in mediating the OT law (2:2; cf. acts 7:38; Galatians 3:19…Finally, throughout the book the author speaks of the superiority of the new covenant to the old and warns believers not to go back. The implication is that they are in danger of returning to their former faith, that is, to Judaism.

And here is where we find the reason for the arguments against the historic record of P9aul as the author – to file this letter as being to the Jews, and not to Paul’s Gentile congregations.

However, there is clear internal evidence that the identity of the intended recipients of this letter were not the Jews, but the people of God drawn into one nation, reversing the scattering under Antichrist Nimrod at the tower of Babel.

• God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers [including pre-Israelite Abraham] by the prophets (Hebrews 1:1)
• “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; [as the Promised Seed of the Woman promised to all humanity in Genesis 3:15)…
• he took on him the seed of Abraham [the father of many nations]. Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people… ” (Hebrews 2:14-17)
• Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus…the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Called of God an high priest after the “order” of Melchisedec / lineage of inheritors from the first human given dominion over creation. (Hebrews, 3:1, 5:9-1)

The strongest case for Paul being the author of a letter addressed to Hebrews is Paul’s unique apostleship to bring the Gentiles into relationship with the Jews in one nation that preceded, therefore encompasses, all of Father Abraham’s nations into one body of believers in the same Monotheistic Creator Singularity God of Life.

“ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but 

1. fellowcitizens with the saints – the oldest category of beings who trust in YHVH for eternal life – both hyperdimensional and human, predating the institution of the nation of Israel and the resurrection to eternal life of humans who put their trust in YHVH’s Promised Savior,
2. and of the household of God;” – consisting of all the workers required to carry out the labor required in farming and cattle ranching. Just like valued non-family members today who provide loyal service, they could be heirs to the estate of the family. “And Moses verily was faithful in all his house [hold / Judaism, as a servant, [like Eliezar to Abraham] for a testimony of those things which were to be SPOKEN AFTER; But Christ as a son over his own house; whose household are we…” (Hebrews 3:1-6)

Named by Paul as “the Hebrews”.

“we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more…an Hebrew of the Hebrews [because within that category I am in the nation of Israel] circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin.” (Philippians 3:3-5)

This New Testament book is clear evidence that the Hebrew nation in existence in the Old Testament continues to be the assembly in the New Testament to which people from every nation are gathered back as God’s people. This is confirmed by Jude’s testimony.

“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” (Jude 1:3)