This article is the first installment of a topic I am eager to address and that topic is MAGA Christianity. Now this title may come across as offensive to some, but MAGA Christianity is a thing, just as white supremacy within American Christianity is a thing.

This article is not written to make Christians comfortable. It is intentionally written to make us uncomfortable. We need to be told the truth, and there is much that I need to say but it is difficult to put everything in order in one long post. For this reason, I think I would be more productive to address it in multiple installments, assuming that I stay the course and continue to address it.

Throughout history, Christianity has taken on many forms that did not represent the truth of God in Christ. Such was the case during the time of slavery during the colonial years, when many of the slave owners claimed to be Christians and justified slavery with the Bible.

During this period it was not uncommon for white slave owners and their families to attend church services on Sundays and after leaving the service to gather at a lynching as unsubmissive slaves were put to death. These “Christians” used the lynching not only to punish the slaves but to terrorize the others.

In American history, the original terrorists were white Christians. This is true not only of enslaved people, but also the indigenous people.

While many Christians today believe in a cleaned up version of American history and slavery, and believe that the founding fathers were pretty much God fearing men, the reality is white supremacy was more of a defining trait in many of them than the fear of God.

Nearly 50 % of the framers of United States Constitution, and eleven of the first 16 Presidents of the United States, were slave owners. The racial injustice that we have seen in recent times stems from the roots of white supremacy that has never fully been dealt with by the American Church. For the most part, it has remained a problem within American Christianity, and we have never-ever truly repented of it.

The sad reality is that it is often white Americans outside of Christianity who are actually fighting for equality for people of all ethnic backgrounds.

Even more damning is that Donald Trump knows that it is Christians to whom he can appeal to with his hate, insults, and dog whistles to violence. This played out on the steps of our nation’s Capitol on January 6, 2021 after Trump convinced an army of his white supporters (some who were confessing Christians) to riot in a manner that dishonored the Name of Christ.

Christianity in the United States has a dark and unsettling history, steeped in White Supremacy. The slavery and oppression of black people, and the hatred for dark skinned immigrants, who are created in the image of God is the “again” in the slogan, “Make America Great Again”

Make no mistake about it, “again” means white power. It does not mean equity for everyone. 

There is no such thing as a physical Christian nation.

All physical nations are secular in the eyes of God. 

Before him all the nations are as nothing; they are regarded by him as worthless and less than nothing. ~ Isaiah 40:17 

There is only one physical nation that was ever given God’s law as their governing law (ancient Israel), and that nation was judged and went into captivity because they could not keep it.

The only nation that God acknowledges as his people is a spiritual nation: the body of believers in the Messiah.

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;  Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. ~ 1 Peter 2:9-10 

God’s holy nation of people are strangers and pilgrims in this world.

Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul… ~ 1 Peter 2:11

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.  For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. ~ Hebrews 11: 13-16

The United States never was, and never will be a physical representation of the Kingdom of God.

Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. ~ John 18:36 

The only nation that God acknowledges as his own consists of people from every physical nation.

And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation… ~ Revelation 5:9

After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. ~ Revelation 7:9-10

Jesus is not white.

Jesus, who is God in the flesh, was a descendant of Abraham, from the lineage of David of the tribe of Judah.

The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. ~ Matthew 1:1

Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead… ~ Romans 1:3-4

MAGA Christians are going to be shocked when they discover that the authentic Jesus looks nothing like them or the blue eyed white European they have envisioned.

First century Jews were typically olive-brown skinned with brown or dark hair and brown eyes. The true Jesus, Yeshua, who walked among men looked more like those being deported from the United States than the images of Jesus on hats, t-shirts, and signs at MAGA rallies. 

Jesus did not come from the white man’s ancestors, and there is nothing virtuous about being white! Absolutely nothing.

Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were immigrants .

When God began to put his redemptive plan into motion he raised up a man named Abram, who later became Abraham. From the time that God called Abraham until his death, Abraham was an immigrant.

Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee… ~ Genesis 12:1 

Then Abraham rose from beside his dead wife and spoke to the Hittites. He said,  “I am a foreigner and stranger among you. Sell me some property for a burial site here so I can bury my dead.” ~ Genesis 23:3-4

It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.  ~ Hebrews 11:8-10

The truth that no MAGA Christian wants to hear is that many of the very immigrants that they want to see mass deported have more in common with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob than they actually do.

The very people that MAGA Christians want expelled from our borders, are the very people that scripture tells us to deal kindly with and not deprive of justice.

Consider for example, Exodus 22:21 and Exodus 23:9

Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt. ~ Exodus 22:21

Do not oppress a foreigner; you yourselves know how it feels to be foreigners, because you were foreigners in Egypt. ~ Exodus 23:9

Did you know that both of these texts were part of God’s explanation to Moses concerning how the Ten Commandments were to be lived out by the Israelites?

In Exodus 20:1-17 we have the Ten Commandments as they were written on the Tables of Stone. In reality, these were only the bullet points or headings of the Commandments. How the Commands were to be followed in the complexity of daily life with all the nuance involved would have to be expounded upon.

Exodus 20:21- Exodus 23:33 is the first record we have in the Old Testament of how the Ten Commandments were to be lived out.

From verse 21 in the 20th chapter until the end of chapter 23, God expounds to Moses regarding how the Commandments would work in the lives of the children of Israel. How Israel was to treat foreigners was part of that equation.

This is significant when we consider MAGA Christianity’s obsession with placing the Ten Commandments in Government buildings and Educational facilities such as schools. The very Commandments that MAGA Christians think they are fighting for actually condemns their actions and attitudes towards immigrants.

I want you to pause for a moment and consider the seriousness of this.

When God gave the command regarding keeping the Sabbath, this is what God said: Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. ~ Exodus 20:8-11

Now I want you to notice that the second mention of foreigners as it relates to the Ten Commands is explained within the context of the first 3 Commands.

Before we read it, let’s review the first 3 Commands as they were given in Outline, or bullet point form.

And God spoke all these words: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before me. “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. ~ Exodus 20:1-7

Now notice Exodus 22:20-28 and how the treatment of foreigners is embedded in these.

“Whoever sacrifices to any god other than the Lord (first command) must be destroyed. “Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt.  “Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless. If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry. My anger will be aroused, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives will become widows and your children fatherless. “If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not treat it like a business deal; charge no interest. If you take your neighbor’s cloak as a pledge, return it by sunset, because that cloak is the only covering your neighbor has. What else can they sleep in? When they cry out to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate. “Do not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people. ~ Exodus 22:20-28

Notice that Israel’s treatment of foreigners, widows, the fatherless, the needy and neighbors was woven together in the keeping of the first three commands. This theme runs all throughout the Old and New Testaments, as the One True God is the advocate and defender of them.

For example, consider Deuteronomy 24:17

Do not deny justice to the foreigner or the fatherless, and do not take a widow’s cloak as security. ~ Deuteronomy 24:17

MAGA Christians often hold the opinion that undocumented immigrants in the United States should not be given due process, But God’s Word is clear on the matter, Do not deny justice to the foreigner!

While there are some immigrants who are criminals, far to many have been criminalized unjustly, by an unjust Administration.

Now consider with me how Exodus 23:9 is woven into the Ten Commandments. Exodus 23:9 says Do not oppress a foreigner; you yourselves know how it feels to be foreigners, because you were foreigners in Egypt. The command not to oppress foreigners is part of what it means to not be a false witness.

“Do not spread false reports. Do not help a guilty person by being a malicious witness. “Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you give testimony in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd, and do not show favoritism to a poor person in a lawsuit. “If you come across your enemy’s ox or donkey wandering off, be sure to return it. If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen down under its load, do not leave it there; be sure you help them with it. “Do not deny justice to your poor people in their lawsuits. Have nothing to do with a false charge and do not put an innocent or honest person to death, for I will not acquit the guilty. “Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the innocent. “Do not oppress a foreigner; you yourselves know how it feels to be foreigners, because you were foreigners in Egypt. ~ Exodus 23:1-9

There is so much more in this portion of scripture that applies to MAGA Christianity, because Donald Trump is indeed a malicious person who perverts justice. I can say that with integrity because I know the manner of man he is.

When any Christian doesn’t have mercy towards foreigners, and advocates for their oppression simply because they are not “American” or are undocumented, and condescendingly label them as “illegals”, they are by this attitude acting as false witness, and breaking the very Commandments that they lobby for to be posted in public buildings.

They are a false witness against the immigrant by supporting no justice for them. They also bear false witness against God who they claim to serve in their “Christianity.” The Command not to take the name of the Lord in vain is much weightier in the Hebrew language than simply saying a swear word.

While using the name of God as a swear word does indeed violate the command, the force of the command in the Hebrew language is to not misrepresent God. When we have no compassion, no mercy, no understanding, and no grace towards immigrants regardless if they are documented or undocumented, we misrepresent the God whom we claim to serve. That by definition is a form of blasphemy and should be taken seriously.

God gave the Israelites very specific instructions as to how they were to treat foreigners, widows, the needy, and those whose only help was from God, and to treat them in any manner other than with kindness, mercy, and grace, is be a misrepresentation of God.

When MAGA Christians cheer on the exploitation of undocumented immigrants, and have no compassion for them this is blaspheming the name of God. It is misrepresenting him.

I have much more to say, but I think this is a good place to unhook for this article.

In the book of Hebrews, the blood of Jesus is the blood of the New Covenant in contrast to the blood of animals which ratified the Old Covenant.

The Old Covenant as referred to in the book of Hebrews, and elsewhere in the New Testament is the Law of Moses. This is not the covenant that God made with Abraham, but rather, the covenant that God made with Abraham’s descendants when he delivered them from Egypt (Hebrews 8:8-10).

In chapter 8, The writer of Hebrews tells us that if Jesus were on earth, he would not be a priest, because those priests serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. ~ Hebrews 8:5

He then tells us that Jesus has obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much he also is the mediator of a better covenant.

The covenant is better for one reason alone: Jesus!

Jesus lived a sinless life and pleased God from his heart in every thing he said and did. In contrast, the Old Covenant priests were ritually purified, and served in a system that was only as a shadow of something greater. Thus they were required to offer the same sacrifices over and over again, that could never take away sins.

When Moses read the words of the covenant to the children of Israel at Sinai, he said, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. ~ Hebrews 9:20

I think that sometimes we underappreciate the reality that we are in covenant with God, not by the blood of animals, but by the blood of Jesus. 

Everything we read regarding the Old Testament priesthood, sacrifices, and the tabernacle was but a foreshadowing of something greater that was to come,

Since that covenant was established with the blood of calves and goats, it served as a type and shadow of something greater. It did not have the power to purify the conscience and bring God’s people into his abiding presence.

Thus, it could only point God’s people to a greater blessing, a blessing that would be found in the New Covenant established in the blood of Jesus. But what is it that makes the blood of Jesus so powerful and such a blessing?

Well, for one we know that Jesus had no sin, but this is far more than Jesus being the only person in history to keep all of the rules and never miss the mark. I think we might sometimes think of Christ’s sinlessness in such ways.

The sinlessness of Christ is much more than never missing the mark. Jesus never sinned because he lived his life to always please the Father.

Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. ~ Hebrews 10:5-7

In the reference above, the writer of Hebrews is citing from the Psalms.

Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. ~ Psalm 40:7-8

Jesus came to do the will of God, not out of duty, but out of joy, for he says, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.

This disposition in the man, Jesus Christ, is the foundation of the New Covenant as the writer of Hebrews explains.

Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. ~ Hebrews 10:8-10

The words, He taketh away the first, is a reference to the first covenant, and contextually that is the Old Covenant (the law of Moses).

He takes away the first, that he may establish the second. The second is a reference to what is said next, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God.

Notice the contrast. The first was the continual offering of animal sacrifices that could never take away sins. This was the first covenant. The second that is established is, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God.

This is what the writer of Hebrews is referring to when he says, By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

By the will that was in Jesus, that delighted to do God’s will, (through that will in Jesus) we are sanctified by the offering of his body once and for all!

The power in the blood of Jesus is not just that it cleanses us from past wrongdoings only, but it also cleanses to serve the Living God.

For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 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? ~ Hebrews 9:13-14

Notice that the blood of Christ not only cleanses us from, but also unto. This is why there is a renewing within the heart to please God when we truly seek for cleansing by the blood of Christ. Paul touched on this in his second letter to the Corinthians.

For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter. ~ 2 Corinthians 7:11 

The cleansing that comes through the blood of Christ frees the conscience into service and fellowship of the Living God. This is because the disposition that was in Christ when he laid down his life for us was one of complete consecration to God, one that says, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.

We sometimes say Jesus paid it all, and that certainly is true, but we might also add, he paid it forward as well, because the same Spirit that was in Jesus, to love the Father and to please him always, is the Spirit we receive when we are cleansed in his precious blood.

This is the Spirit of the New Covenant, and the New Covenant is better because Jesus is better!

For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him. And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain. And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre. But God raised him from the dead… ~ Acts 13:27-30

According to Acts 13:27-30 the following are true.

• Those who crucified Jesus did not know him.
• Those who crucified Jesus did not know the voices of the prophets who had prophesied concerning the sufferings of the Messiah.
• Those who condemned Jesus fulfilled the words of the prophets by their condemnation of him. In their ignorance they did exactly what the prophets had prophesied they would do to the Messiah. 
• They had no other reason for putting him to death than the simple fact that they hated him.
• After they (not God) had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the cross and buried him. 
• God, in opposition to what they had done, raised him from the dead. 

When Jesus was alone with his disciples just prior to his trial and crucifixion, he addressed the hatred of the religious Jews and their leaders who were against him.

If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin. He that hateth me hateth my Father also. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause. ~ John 15:18 – 25

Jesus tells his disciples that they too would be rejected by the world because the world had first rejected him. In John 8 Jesus had referred to the religious Jews who opposed him as being of the world.

And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. ~ John 8:23 

The rejection that Jesus endured from men, which ultimately resulted in his death, was the people’s rejection of God who had sent him. Jesus interprets the scripture, “they hated me without a cause” as hatred aimed at both he and his Father, God.

This is consistent with the words prayed by the church in Acts 4.

And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. ~ Acts 4:23-28

These words in Acts 4 are taken from Psalm 2. Notice that those who opposed Jesus and put him to death were gathered together against the Lord and his Christ. This is a reference to God and Jesus. Now consider the words of the prophet Isaiah.

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. ~ Isaiah 53:4-5

The phrase “we esteemed him smitten of God and afflicted” is contextually a reference to the perception and not the reality, for it was sinful men and not God who condemned Jesus. The scars which marred his back from the lashings he endured, the nails which pierced his hands and feet, the crown of thorns which was placed on his head, and the shame he endured throughout his trial and crucifixion all came from sinful men who fulfilled what God had declared they would do to him.

Now, consider again, Paul’s words from Acts 13.

For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him. And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain. And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre. But God raised him from the dead… ~ Acts 13:27-30

It was sinful men who fulfilled all that the scriptures had foretold about the sufferings of Christ on the cross, and in response to their condemnation of his Son, God raised him from the dead.

The phrase, “But God raised him from the dead” in Acts 13 sums up what the apostles preached over and over again throughout the book of Acts.

The predetermined counsel of God was that Jesus die for our sins and this was fulfilled by what actually happened at the cross when Jesus died at the hands of sinful men.

Absolutely nowhere in the book of Acts will you ever find anyone describing the sufferings of Christ as being something God did to him. It is always, 100% of the time, what the people who rejected him as Messiah did to him.

Furthermore, the resurrection is always (over and over again), God’s answer to the unjust condemnation of his Son by sinful men. If we will stay true to the narrative, we will see that Christ endured the opposition of sinful man against God. This is the testimony of scripture, and it is how God perfected Jesus to become our Great High Priest after he was raised from the dead and entered into his glory.

In Romans 15 we read, Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, the reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. ~ Romans 15:3

I think sometimes Romans 15:3 doesn’t get the attention that it should in our theology. This text tells us that Jesus bore the brunt of sinful humanity’s opposition against God.

The body of the crucified Christ became the whipping board, not for God’s anger against sinful men, but for sinful men’s hatred and anger against a Holy God. When we say that it was God’s wrath that Jesus bore, we have it backwards. It was man’s wrath, not God’s that Jesus endured. 

Jesus was God in the flesh dying for all people. Our reproaches against God fell on him. All our hatred and rebellion against God was levied against Jesus and in that place he responded with forgiveness.

Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. ~ Luke 23:34

The author of Hebrews tells us to keep looking to Jesus who endured such opposition from men, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of God ~ Hebrews 12:2

The shame Jesus endured was humiliation which came from men who hated and opposed both he and God. The son of God was placed on public display in the most humiliating fashion wherein he was mocked and ridiculed by those who despised both he and his Father, God.

The resurrection of Jesus was God’s response to what sinful men had done to his beloved Son. Throughout Acts, the apostles and others like Stephen, always preached the crucifixion of Jesus as unjust condemnation of God’s Son and the resurrection as God’s vindication of Jesus.

This is the narrative!

Jesus is God’s son and he willingly laid down his life as an innocent lamb for our sins. In doing so, he was put to death by evil men who were cruel and unjust in their treatment of him. Stephen actually accused the leaders of Israel of murdering God’s Son.

Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: ~ Acts 7:51-52 

By refusing to acknowledge what God had done in raising his Son from the dead, these leaders to whom Stephen was speaking were continuing to resist the Holy Spirit. God had overturned their unjust condemnation of his holy Son when he raised him from the dead and exalted him at his own right hand.

Christ’s purity and innocence before God, his committing of his soul into the Father’s hands, and his laying down his life for our redemption, pleased God.

According to Peter, Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:.. ~ 1 Peter 2: 21-23

Jesus died, committing himself to God, who vindicated him by raising him from the dead.

Remember in Acts 4, the church prayed the words taken for Psalm 2: Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. ~ Acts 4:25-26

In Psalm 2, the Psalmist says the following in response to those words.

He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them (those who were gathered against him and his Christ) in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.

Notice to whom God’s wrath and displeasure is aimed. It is aimed at those who dishonor him by dishonoring his Son. It is aimed at those like the ones to whom Stephen preached, telling them that they always resist the Holy Spirit.

Rather than repenting and confessing that the One they murdered is indeed the Just One, the Son of God whom God exalted, they hardened their hearts and stoned Stephen. The message of the cross when preached correctly leads to either repentance, or a more hardening of the heart. We see it over and over again throughout the book of Acts.

The Psalmist continues:

Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee (give to His Son) the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel. Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him. ~ Psalm 2: 4-12

This is God’s response in his vindication of Jesus – Kiss the Son, lest he (God) be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him (in the Son).

Jesus, God’s Son, is the stone which the builders (the spiritual leaders in Israel) rejected, but whom God has chosen.  If we never grasp the resurrection as God’s vindication of his Son, we will never truly begin to grasp the place of prominence it has within the pages of scripture.

Paul says in his first letter to Timothy, And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. ~ 1 Timothy 3:16

Those words, justified in the Spirit, can easily be passed over or misinterpreted. Paul is actually saying that Jesus, who is God in the flesh, was declared righteous.

The word justified comes from the Greek word, δικαιόω, which means to show to be righteous, declare righteous. In usage form it means: I make righteous, defend the cause of, plead for the righteousness (innocence) of, acquit, justify; hence: I regard as righteous.

This is what God did when he raised Jesus from the dead. He declared him as the righteous One!

God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him. For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead. When they heard Paul speak about the resurrection of the dead, some laughed in contempt, but others said, “We want to hear more about this later.” ~ Acts 17:30-32 NLT

Jesus was raised from the dead, because God declared him to be the just and righteous One, whom Peter told the people in Acts 3 that they had rejected.

And this is what the resurrection declaration is all about. Jesus is Lord, he is the Messiah, and God raised him from the dead to prove it! 

Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? ~ Hebrews 2:1-4 

Have you ever stopped and asked yourself what the great salvation of which Jesus spoke actually was? What about those who heard him?

In the gospels, Jesus declared that he was the Son of Man who is Lord, the true bread from Heaven, the good shepherd, the One sent from above, the Messiah, the way, the truth, and the Life, the true vine, and the list goes on.

He repeatedly claimed that God was his Father in language that no other man could speak of God. For example, in Matthew 11 Jesus declares, All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. ~ Matthew 11:27

Now, who talks like this? Who can claim that no man knows the Father except those to whom he reveals the Father to? Jesus’s claims about who he is, is the great Salvation which began to be spoken by the Lord and was confirmed by those who heard him. Who Jesus is, is the gospel that was confirmed to us by those who heard him.

When Philip encountered this great salvation, he declared, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. ~ John 1:45

When Peter understood it he said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God ~ Matthew 16:16.

John wrote about it in his letters, Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God ~ 1 John 5:1.

This is the great salvation of which God bore witness with signs, wonders, and miracles by the Holy Ghost.

Oftentimes the gospel is presented to us only from the vantage point of what Jesus did for us at the cross as a substitution, and we ought to rejoice and give this our deepest attention. However, we must never forget that what Christ has done for us rests upon the foundation of who Christ is, and the work that God did in and through Christ to reveal who he is.

If Christians would read the book of Acts and pattern their understanding of the gospel after the beliefs of the apostles and the believers therein, the church would most assuredly be stronger and a more effective witness.

The constant message throughout Acts was that of declaring who Jesus is!

When we consider the epistle to the Hebrews, the person of Jesus is set before us as the answer to slothfulness, and dullness of hearing The writer of Hebrews wants us to to Consider Jesus. He wants to know what God accomplished in Jesus for our benefit.

Far too many Christians do not truly take the time to consider the work that God accomplished in the humanity of Jesus to perfect him as our great High Priest, but the writer of Hebrews wants us to know, because this is who he is: Our Great High Priest!

What God did for us through Christ rests upon the foundation of what God accomplished in the person of Christ, that is, in his humanity.

For instance, in 2:9 the writer of Hebrews tells us that it was by the grace of God that Jesus tasted death for every man. Have you ever just taken time to consider the grace that God poured into Jesus so that he could face the cross?

What was it that caused the same man who entered the garden of gethsemane, sorrowful in soul, causing him to pray earnestly to the Father that this cup might pass from him, to suddenly face the cross with courage and strength? It was the grace of God.

In the 12th chapter of Hebrews the writer appeals to his audience to consider this grace by 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.

There is joy in the grace of God and by the joy set before Jesus, he endured the cross. I want you to notice of what the enduringness of the cross was in the mind of the writer of Hebrews. He tells us in the next verse.

For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. ~ Hebrews 12:3

It was the hostility of those who rejected him as Messiah that Jesus endured at the cross.

Those who hated Jesus had sought to kill him from the beginning (John 5; 16-18; 7:1, 6-8, 30; 8:20, 37; 10:39; 11:47-57; Matthew 21:45-46; 26:14-16; Mark 11:18; 12:12; 14:1, 11; Luke 19:47; 20:19; 22:2, 6).

They hated Jesus without a cause (John 15:22-25).

They hated him because they rejected the ONE who sent him.  Thus they rejected the works of God, which God accomplished through Jesus (John 5:20, 36-38; 7:7; 9:3; 10:25- 32, 37, 38; 14:10, 11, 12; 15:24).

The works which the Father sent Jesus to accomplish was the proof that he is the Son of God (John 9:1-5; 10:24-33, 37-38; 14:10-12; 15:24).

They wanted to Kill because Jesus said God was his Father (John 5:18).

They wanted to kill him because he healed on the Sabbath (John 5:16-18; 7:19-24).

They wanted to kill him because they were not keeping the Law of Moses (John 7:19).

They wanted to kill him because his word had no place in them (John 8:37-45; 12:47-50; 15:22-25; 18:23, 37).

They wanted to kill him because of the truth which Jesus spoke from the Father (John 8:40).

Their hostility against Jesus was so obvious that it became public knowledge that the Jewish leaders wanted to kill him (John 7:25).

They accused Jesus of being a sinner (John 9:24).

They agreed that if anyone confessed that Jesus is the Messiah that that person would be expelled from the Synagogue (John 9:22).

They even desired to kill Lazarus after Jesus raised him from the dead, because the resurrection of Lazarus resulted in more people believing in him (John 12:10-12).

They attempted to stone him on multiple occasions (John 8:59; John 10:30-31,33). 

They called a private council meeting and decided to carry out their plot on Passover (John 11:47-53).

After they began plotting to arrest Jesus, the leading priests and the Pharisees publicly demanded that anyone seeing Jesus must report it immediately so they could arrest him (John 11:57).

Jesus was betrayed into their hands by one of his own disciples, Judas who was a traitor (Matthew 17:22; 20:18; 26:2, 21-24, 45-50; Mark 14:18, 21,41-42; Luke 22:2-4; John 13:18, 21; 19:11; Psalm 41:9).

Their hostility was not opposition to Jesus only. They were gathered together against THE LORD and against HIS CHRIST. The opposition against Jesus was against Jesus and his Father in Heaven (Acts 4:24-28; Psalm 2:1-12; Matthew 22;34; 27:17; John 11:47).

They lied and falsely accused him (Matthew 26:59-61; Mark 14:55-59).

They were envious of him (Matthew 27:17-19; Mark 15:9-11)

Even after the gentile ruler, Pilate, sought to release him, they insisted on putting him to death (John 19:12; Acts 3:13; Matthew 27:24).

They crucified him with wicked hands (Acts 2:22-24).

They denied the Holy and Just One and killed the Prince of life (Acts 3:13-15).

They murdered him (Acts 7:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16).

Jesus endured the hostility of sinners and their reproaches towards God fell on Him (Romans 15:1-3; Hebrews 12:2-3).

Even though they were so hostile towards him, he made intercession for them (Isaiah 53:12).

Jesus died as an innocent lamb at the hands of sinners whose hostility against God inspired their rejection of him. Jesus, by the grace of God endured this suffering at their hands, and by the grace of God, Jesus in his human suffering was perfected as High Priest forever!

For even Christ pleased not Himself; but, as it is written, the reproaches of those that reproached you (God) fell on me ~ Rom.15:3, NKJ; cf. Ps.69:9, Ps.22:6-7.

Jesus bore the reproaches of man against God at the cross. The crucified Lord – in one image – represents both the summation of all the sins and enmity of man against God, and the glorious fullness of all the love and compassion of God for mankind (Norman McIlwain). 

Even though they found no cause of death in him they still desired for him to be slain (Acts 13:27-30). 

They condemned Him without a fair trial (Acts 8:33; Isa 53:8).

He  suffered wrongfully at their hands, while trusting God who judges righteously (1Peter 2:19-24).

They brutally assaulted Him (Luke 18:31-33). 

They incited the mob to cry, “Crucify Him!” (Matthew 27:20-26; Mark 15:11-14; Luke 23:10-23; Acts 3:13-19).

Judas, the traitor, was more remorseful than they were (Matthew 27:3-4).

God was not orchestrating the evil schemes carried out against Jesus. Satan was the one behind their evil plotting (Luke 22:52-53; 1 Corinthians 2:6-8).

Their evil hearts were filled with evil by the prince of this world (John 13:26-28; Luke 22:1-4, 45-54).

They were blind to God’s judgment for their rejection of Jesus (John 9:35-41; 12:23-41; 15:22-25; Acts 13:38-41; See also Isaiah 6:9-10; Matthew 13:13-15; Mark 4:12; Luke 8:10; Acts 28:23-28; Romans 11:8; and  2 Corinthians 3:14-15).

God delivered Jesus over to be crucified by the surrendered obedience of Jesus to the will of God, who gave him the authority to lay down His life and to take it up again: By this power, Jesus gave himself for us to be the ransom for our sins (John 10:11-18). 

Their rejection of Jesus was the culmination of the rejection of the prophets and righteous men God had sent to their ancestors. They became guilty of the blood of all the righteous prophets of God by their rejection of Jesus (Luke 11:46-52; Matthew 23:31-39).

Jesus died for righteousness sake, like many of the righteous men who came before him. Yet Jesus alone is the Messiah, the Redeemer, the Savior of the World. He is the only one whose blood can redeem fallen humanity. 

They crucified him to prove that he was not the Messiah. God raised him from the dead to prove that he is!

For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. ~ Hebrews 7:1-3

The writer of Hebrews says that Melchisedec “abideth a priest continually.” This is said in contrast to the levitical priests who served under the law. The intent is not to draw our attention to Melchisedec, but to Jesus. 

Melchizedec’s priesthood serves as the perfect pattern after which the Messiah’s priesthood would be understood. Thus the writer of Hebrews says of Melchisedec, Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. ~ Hebrews 7:3

Before we proceed it is important to point out that Melchisedec (aka Melchizedek) appears in only 4 verses in the Old Testament (Genesis 14:18-20 & Psalm 110:4). There are 9 mentions of the name “Melchisedec” in the book of Hebrews. Each with the single purpose of teaching us about the Priesthood of Jesus.

It is also important that we notice that though Jesus’s priesthood is after the order of Melchisedec, the writer of Hebrews stresses that it was Melchisedec who was made like unto the Son of God, not the other way around.

It was by divine providence that Melchisedek entered the narrative, coming to Abram (Abraham) with bread and wine, and blessing him. The New Living Translation does a great job of encapsulating the truth expressed by the writer of Hebrews in 7:3.

There is no record of his father or mother or any of his ancestors—no beginning or end to his life. He remains a priest forever, resembling the Son of God. ~ Hebrews 7:3 TNLT 

The absence of any genealogical record does not mean that Melchizedec was a pre-incarnant Christ. Instead, the writer of Hebrews is telling us that Melchisedec’s priesthood had no affiliation with his physical lineage, nor his birth or death.

Genesis, which is heavy on genealogies, makes no mention of Melchisedec’s parents or children. This does not mean that he did not have parents or descendants. Nor does it mean that he was never born and never died. Instead, the absence of these serves as a witness within scripture of another priesthood apart from the law, a priesthood that would continue forever.

The absence of Melchesdec’s genealogy is brought to our attention by the writer of Hebrews, whose intent is to show us how superior the order or structure of Melchisedec’s priesthood is in contrast to the priests who served under the law.

The ministry of the priests who served under the law was entirely tied to their physical lineage. Melchisedec’s was not.

But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. ~ 6

In Psalm 110:4 we find the prophetic passage regarding the Priesthood of the Messiah which the writer of Hebrews appeals to multiple times: The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. ~ Psalm 110:4

Melchisedec was both a King and a priest. Under the law of Moses, the priests came from the tribe of Levi, and the Kings were descendants of David, from the tribe of Judah. No one under the law ever served as both King and Priest.

Though Christ is both King and priest, the scriptures do not teach us that Jesus is a King after the order of Melchisedec, only that he is a priest after the order of Melchisedec.

Jesus is a priest with a throne because he is also a King, and because he lives forever, he has no successors. The priesthood under the law had one successor after another because those priests eventually died, but Christ lives forever and therefore he has an everlasting priesthood. The law could not produce a priest who lives forever.

Though we can see that Melchisedec was both a King and a priest as Jesus is, Melchisedec’s role in the narrative of scriptures was to foreshadow the priesthood of Jesus as having no affiliation to his physical descendancy.

Under the law of Moses, only the descendants of Levi could minister as priests, and since Jesus did not come from the tribe of Levi, he could not serve as priest in the succession of the levitical priesthood. Therefore, a change in the priesthood would require a change in the law.

If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. ~ Hebrews 7:11-12

Jesus’s priesthood is in no way tied to his physical lineage, but his throne is.
The prophecy of the scriptures regarding the throne of the Messiah was that he would come from the lineage of David to reign upon his throne forever.

In Acts 2, Peter interprets the resurrection and exaltation of Jesus at the right hand of God as the fulfillment of the scriptures concerning the Messiah reigning on throne of David.

Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. ~ Acts 2:30-36

In the verses above, Peter is quoting David from Psalm 110, the same Psalm which declared that Jesus would be a priest forever after the order of Melchisedek. The writer of Hebrews actually cites both of these:

The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. ~ Psalm 110:1

The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. ~Psalm 110:4

In 1:13, the writer of Hebrews cites Psalms 110:1, saying, But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? ~ Hebrews 1:13.

He then appeals multiple times to Psalm 110:4, and as an inspired writer of scripture he brings both of these truths together into one glorious truth: the enthroned King- priest!

Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens… ~ Hebrews 8:1

But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. ~ Hebrews 10:12-13

The emphasis on Jesus being seated can easily be missed, but there are multiple insightful truths hidden in it. One of those truths is that the High Priest under the law stood ministering daily from the offering of the morning sacrifice (offered at 9 am), till the offering of the evening sacrifice (offered at 3 pm). He only sat down after the offering of the evening sacrifice was finished!

Being seated at the right hand of God means that the offering of sacrifice for sins is finished. Thus we read at the outset of the epistle, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high … ~ 1:3

He then bookends this in chapter 10, saying, And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. ~ Hebrews 10:11-14 

The epistle of Hebrews comes to us to show us the completed work of the cross in the person of our glorified King-priest.

The more we gaze upon him as our King and priest, the more we will be drawn into the glory of the resurrection. We have a King who is also our Priest, who has been raised from the dead, and because he lives forever, he has an unchangelable priesthood.

And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. ~ Hebrews 7:23-24

The NIV says,  Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 

The permanent priesthood of Jesus is what was being prophesied when the Psalmist declared, The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. ~ Psalm 110:4

In Acts 2, which we referenced above, Peter quotes Psalm 110:1 in reference to David, as a prophet, knowing that God would raise up the Messiah as the descendant who would rise to sit on his throne.

As a prophet, David foresaw the enthronement of the Messiah, and said, “The Lord said unto my Lord, sit on my right hand.”

David foresaw by the Spirit of God that the promise of the Messiah reigning on his throne would not be an earthly enthronement, but a heavenly enthronement, at the right hand of God. This is abundantly clear in Peter’s sermon in Acts 2.

It is this same King David, who also said by the Spirit of the Lord, The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. ~ Psalm 110:4

As a prophet, David spoke by the Spirit that the Messiah would reign as King at the right hand of God, where he would also minister forever as an High Priest for the people.  

In the gospels, Jesus says: “David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared: “‘The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet”‘ (Mark 12:36, See also Matthew 22:41-45).

When Jesus said this he asked those to whom he was speaking, “If David then calls him Lord, how is he his son?”

If the throne of the Messiah is an earthly throne, then the Messiah would be but a son of David, as was Solomon who was David’s successor to the throne. But if it is a throne in the heavens, at the right hand of God, then the Messiah was more than David’s descendant, he is his Lord!

As we read through the book of Hebrews we see the intertwining of the enthronement and priesthood of Jesus, but never does the writer of Hebrews appeal to Melchisedec with regards to Jesus’s enthronement, only his priesthood. 

Conversely, the enthronement of Jesus is entirely tied to his lineage and Sonship. He took upon him the seed of Abraham (2:16) when he came into the world, and was declared to be the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead!

And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec: ) By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. ~ Hebrews 7:20-22

The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. ~ Psalm 110:4

Under the Old Testament we have moments recorded when the scriptures tell us that God repented (changed his mind). That the all sufficient, all powerful, all knowing, and all wise God would have moments of repentance (changing his mind), is a mystery.

During the days of Noah, we read the following.

… God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. ~ Genesis 6:5-7

Notice that it was the great wickedness of man that brought on the repentance of the Lord, (the changing of God’s mind).

In Numbers 23:19 we read that God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

On the surface this text seems to contradict the other texts in the Old Testament which speak of God repenting. However, the emphasis in Numbers 23:19 is placed on the character of God and not his response to humanity’s rebellion.

God is fundamentally holy and good, and he will never change in his glory and holiness. This truth is bore witness to throughout the scriptures. In Malachi 3:6 God says, I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. Hebrews 13:8 bears the same witness to Jesus, the Son of God.

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever. ~ Hebrews 13:8

The steadiness and reliability of the character of God is the most important truth that undergirds the true faith of those who follow Jesus. We are not consumed because God is faithful and he never changes in his good and holy character. He who comes unto God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. ~ Hebrews 11:6

We are told in the 6th chapter of Hebrews, For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee (v. 13-14).

God’s promise to Abraham was backed by the very character of God himself. It wasn’t just a promise made, but a promise by which God swore by himself, putting his own reputation on the line.

For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath. ~ Hebrew 6:16-17

God’s oath to Abraham was that he himself would fulfill the promise! And he did just that in due time in the person of Jesus Christ, who is brightness of God’s glory and the express image of his person (Hebrews 1:3). Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s own holy, righteous, and good character (the oath that undergirded the promise to Abraham).

In Hebrews 11 we read that Sara (Abraham’s wife) gave birth to Isaac in her old age because she judged God to be faithful!

Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. ~ Hebrews 11:11 

Sara’s persuasion that God is faithful gave her the strength in her old age to give birth to the child that God promised Abraham in his old age. She took hold of the faithfulness of God, for she judged him to be faithful!

This is also what Moses took hold of when the idolatry of the children of Israel provoked God’s wrath against them. 

And the Lord said unto Moses, Go, get thee down (from the mountain); for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And the Lord said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people: Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation. And Moses besought the Lord his God, and said, Lord, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand? Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever. And the Lord repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people. ~ Exodus 32:7-14

Notice that Moses interceded for the Israelites whom God wanted to consume in his wrath, based on the two following truths:

First, God’s reputation: Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth?

God’s reputation among the nations was the first appeal that Moses made to God. Moses was making the case before God that if God destroyed his people, then his reputation among the heathen nations would be no different than the false gods worshipped among those nations. What a powerful appeal to the Almighty God! What an example we should follow in our own prayers.

Secondly, God’s oath to Abraham: Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel (Jacob), thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever.

It was when Moses appealed to the reputation of God’s own character and God’s oath to Abraham, that God relented.

And the Lord repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.

Moses was an Old Testament type of Jesus, for he represented God to the people (though in a veiled manner) being the one through whom the law was given, and he represented the people to God, making intercession for the people.

Jesus in the fullest sense of the word, is he who represents God to humanity, and humanity to God. He is both God’s representative to us and ours to God. This is what the surety of Jesus is all about, and this is why the New Covenant is guaranteed to never need to be replaced.

God has sworn with an oath that Jesus, his beloved Son, will be a priest forever! Thus forever, Jesus will be the one and only representative of the character and nature of God, and the only representative we will ever need in the presence of God for unhindered access into the grace of God.

He is our Great High Priest, and the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob has sworn it and will not repent!

The book of Hebrews places a heavy emphasis on the exalted Christ as our Great High Priest in the Heavens. This emphasis comes within the framework and context of the writer of Hebrews admonishing his audience to preserve in faith.

Laced all throughout the letter to the Hebrews is a warning to his audience of the danger of apostasy which was a real and present temptation. The writer minces no words in telling them of the dangers of apostasy.

In chapter 2, he writes, Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him… ~ Hebrews 2:1-3

The message of the great salvation spoken by the Lord and the apostles is greater than the message given under the law by angels, who served as mediators.

He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. ~ Hebrews 10:28-31

The book of Hebrews is a book of comparison, and a book of many themes that ultimately come together to point us to Christ.

The writer of Hebrews stands at the intersection of the two most pronounced themes in the epistle: the danger of apostasy, and the glorified Christ. The latter being the answer to the former. For this reason, the writer of Hebrews continually undergirds his warnings of the danger of apostasy with the hope and expectation that his Hebrew kinsmen will overcome because we have such a High Priest that lives in the presence of God.

Consider the following example.

For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. ~ Hebrews 6:7-12 

In Hebrews 10, after telling his audience that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God, the writer says the following:

Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever. So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. For in just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay. And my righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.” But we are not like those who turn away from God to their own destruction. We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved. ~ Hebrews 10:32-39 TNLT

The writer repeatedly, in the midst of warnings, speaks hope and encouragement that those to whom he is writing are going to be OK. The hope that he sets before them over and over is Jesus.

It is Jesus who calls them brethren (chapter 2). It is Jesus who is the apostle and High Priest of their faith (chapter 3). It is Jesus who brings them into the promised rest (chapter 4). It is Jesus who is the author of their salvation (chapter 5). It is Jesus who has entered within the veil on their behalf (chapter6). It is Jesus who lives forever to save them to the uttermost (chapter 7). It is Jesus who is the mediator of a better covenant that takes away their sin (chapter 8). It is Jesus who has obtained eternal redemption for them (chapter 9). It is Jesus who cleanses them based on his merrit (chapter 10). It is Jesus who is the author and finisher of their faith (chapter 12).

Though the threat of a hard heart through sin which leads to apostasy was a real danger, the writer of Hebrews was confident that his audience would make it because of Jesus!

The eleventh chapter of Hebrews has often been called the Hall of Faith chapter in the Bible. Admittedly, I too have referred to it as such, but as I have been considering the contents of the book of Hebrews, I find this description to be one that misses the point of the writer entirely.

The book of Hebrews was written as an appeal to Hebraic believers in the first century to persevere in their faith. The 11th chapter of Hebrews is an appeal to them to consider those who had come before them and persevered in their faith.

The eleventh chapter of Hebrews is not a shrine of heroism for exploits of greatness. Rather, in the mind of the writer of Hebrews, it is a reference to only a few because there had been so many upon looking back who had persevered in faith. In verse 32 the writer says, And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets…”

Consider that even Gideon, and King David’s personal triumphs of faith are not actually expounded on in this chapter. They are only mentioned along with others that the writer says, … for the time would fail me to tell of.

He then follows this by telling us that through faith they subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions. Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise… ~ v.33-39

The point of the chapter is not about admiring those who demonstrated extraordinary faith, but to remind his audience that others have gone before them and endured and finished their race. Thus in the mind of the writer, those mentioned in Hebrews 11, as well as those not mentioned, who persevered in faith to the end, are a great cloud of witness concerning the reward of faithfulness unto the end.

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 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. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. ~ Hebrews 12:1-3

The message of chapter 11 is not about admiration for heroes of faith, the aim was always to bring the reader to set their sights on Jesus and to consider him!

May our gracious Heavenly Father give us an understanding heart.

In the first two chapters of Hebrews the writer sets before us the superiority of the resurrected and glorified Christ in contrast to the angels. 

Among the Old Testament texts referenced by the writer is Psalm 8:3-6

When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet… ~ Psalm 8:3-6 

Unfortunately, many Christians who have been influenced by Word of Faith and/or the New Apostlic Reformation doctrine have been taught that they have the authority to give directives to angels, and this belief has fostered a wrong interpretation of the text above. 

In Psalm 8:5, the Hebrew word for angels is elohim, which is often used as a reference to God in the Old Testament, though not exclusively as reference to God. However, since it does often refer to God, Word of Faith and New Apostolic Reformation indoctrination persuades Christians that they have authority over the angels because the phrase “a little lower than the angels”  is said to be a misinterpretation and should be rendered as “a little lower than God.”

Is there scriptural grounds for this view?

Well, no, not if we believe in interpreting scripture with scripture. The fallacy of this conclusion is easily understood when we consider how elohim is used elsewhere in the Old Testament,and when we consider how the writer of Hebrews interprets Psalm 8:5.

As stated, the Hebrew word elohim does not refer exclusively to God though it is used to refer to God in the Old Testament at various times. It also refers to human judges and rulers, false gods and goddesses, and the angels.

Below are some examples of its use when not referring to Yahweh, the One true God.

Judges:

If a man shall deliver unto his neighbour money or stuff to keep, and it be stolen out of the man’s house; if the thief be found, let him pay double. If the thief be not found, then the master of the house shall be brought unto the judges (elohim), to see whether he have put his hand unto his neighbour’s goods. ~ Exodus 22:7-8 

In Psalm 82:1-2 it is used in reference to God (elohim) holding the rulers and judges (elohim) accountable for their injustices.

A Psalm of Asaph. God (elohim) stands in the congregation of the mighty; He judges among the gods (elohim). How long will you judge unjustly, And show partiality to the wicked? Selah ~ Psalm 82:1-2

False gods and goddesses:

For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods (elohim) of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. ~ Exodus 12:12

Thou shalt have no other gods (elohim) before me. ~ Exodus 20:3 

And call ye on the name of your gods (elohim), and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken. 1 Kings 18:24

Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods (elohim): for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them. ~ Exodus 18:11

Will you not possess whatever Chemosh your god (elohim) gives you to possess? So whatever the LORD our God takes possession of before us, we will possess. ~ Judges 11:24 

Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess (elohim) of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god (elohim) of the Moabites, and Milcom the god (elohim) of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father. ~ 1 Kings 11:33

Angels:

In Psalm 97:7 we read, Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods (elohim).

The word, gods, at the end of this text is a reference to the angels and echos the language found in Job 1:6; 2:1; and 38:7 which refers to the angels as “sons of God”, not to be confused with the only begotten Son of God. A few Old Testament texts use the language “sons of God” as a reference to angels because they are heavenly beings that were created by God. They are not begotten sons.

For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? ~ Hebrews 1:5

When the writer of Hebrews references Psalm 8:3-6 in Hebrews 2, he interprets the meaning of man being made a little lower than the angels as meaning exactly that! He does not set forth the doctrine that man was made a little lower than God.

For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man that thou visitest him? Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. 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 2:5-9

Notice that the word angels is used three times in Hebrews 2:5-9, and notice that the writer of Hebrews is quoting from Psalm 8. In all three mentions of the angels in this section the Greek word is aggelos, which is a reference to angels and messengers throughout the New Testament. It never refers to God.

The majority of the time it refers to angels which serve as messengers of God all throughout the scriptures. At other times it refers to messengers such as John the Baptist who was sent as the forerunner of Jesus. 

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. ~ Mark 1:1-2 

And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. ~ Matthew 11:7-10  9 (See also Luke 7:27)

In Luke 7:24 it is used as a reference to those who were sent by John the Baptist to enquire of Jesus. In James 2:25 it is a reference to the Israeli spies that Rahab the harlot protected, and in 2 Corinthians 12:7 it is a reference to Paul’s thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan.

Throughout the New Testament, aggelos occur 176 times. Never once does it refer to God. It almost always refers to the angels, with a few exceptions such as mentioned above, at which times it refers to messengers.

Now, If we know that the writer of Hebrews uses this word when he quotes from Psalm 8:5, we ought to be able to reach the conclusion that the writer of Hebrews understood that Psalm 8:5 is telling us that man was made as little lower than then the angels, and not a little lower than God.

In Hebrews alone, this word is used12 times (1:4,5,6,7,13;   2:2,5,7,9,16; 12:22, and 13:2 ).

In closing, I want you to consider that when the writer of Hebrews quotes Psalm 8:5, he is making a point about Jesus. He tells us that we do not yet see all things that God has put under man’s feet, 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

When the Word of Faith and New Apostlic Reformation doctrine attempts to make Psalm 8:5 to mean that humanity was made a little lower than God, the emphasis is not humility, but exaltation. When the writer of Hebrews mentions it in reference to Jesus, it is the humbling of himself and taking on flesh and blood so as to be acquainted with human suffering so that he might make reconciliation between God and sinners.

The very spirit behind the interpretation that man was made a little lower than God is in opposition to the self sacrificing love that Christ demonstrated when he being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. ~ Philippians 2:6-8

If Jesus was simply made a little lower than God, but remained above the angels, there would be no point in the writer of Hebrews making an emphasis that Jesus was exalted above the angels when God glorified him after his resurrection.

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

What is this washing of our bodies of which the writer of Hebrews speaks? The easiest explanation is that it refers to water baptism, but does it?

If the text had simply said, “our bodies washed with water,” baptism would be more plausible, but it doesn’t actually say that. It says, “our bodies washed with pure water.”

The description of pure water as a reference to water baptism is a little difficult for me, especially in view of the fact that  Jesus was baptized in the Jordan river, and rivers like the Jordan can be muddy.

Also, the New Testament doesn’t actually depict baptism as a washing. Baptism is symbolic of a burial. In Romans 6, Paul writes, Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. ~ Romans 6:4

Peter tells us in his letters that water baptism is the pledge of a clear conscience toward God, and not the actual cleansing of the body. 

The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ… ~1 Peter 3;21

Baptism is as an act of obedience proclaiming that we have died to the old life, which is being buried by baptism, and we are now going to follow Christ by walking in the newness of life by the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead.

I think there is a powerful truth in what the writer of Hebrews is telling us that is often missed. That is why we must approach the text with everything in mind that we have learned from the epistle about Christ, the finished work of Christ, and his ministry as our Great High Priest.

The word washed in this text comes from the Hebrew word, louó, meaning to wash, bathe. It is only used 4 other times in the New Testament. One of those is found in John 13:10.

Let’s examine John 13:10 within its context by reading verses 3-10, and consider how it might shed some light for us as to the meaning of the Hebrews text.

Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. ~ John 13:3-10

That last line, ye are clean, but not all is a reference to Judas, who betrayed Jesus. Take note that Jesus says, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.  Though he was Lord of all, Jesus had served the disciples by washing their feet. This washing did not mean that their feet only was clean, but that their whole person had been washed because it was Jesus who had taken the towel and served them. 

He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean…

The writer of Hebrews guides through the High Priestly ministry of Jesus, and in doing so he shows us how Jesus fulfilled all that was foreshadowed under the Old Priesthood which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. ~ Hebrews 9:10

He follows this by saying, But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 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. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 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? ~ Hebrews 9:11-14

Notice that he mentions the blood of bulls and of goats and the ashes of an heifer. Under the Old Testament, when the Levites were consecrated for ministry service, they were consecrated by the water of purification (Numbers 8:7) which was also called the water for separation (Numbers 19:9).

This water was composed of running water that was poured into a vessel with the ashes of a red heifer (Numbers 19). This water served as a means of ritual cleansing for the entire congregation in cases such as when someone had touched a dead body.

The Hebrew word for running, aka running water (Numbers 19:17) is chay, which means, Alive, living, life. This water was known as Living water.

Through the finished work of Christ we are sanctified, washed and cleansed, and this happens by the Spirit of the Lord (Titus 3:5), and as our Great High Priest Jesus ever lives to make intercession for us, providing a continuous cleansing from sin for our conscience by his blood, and a continuous washing of our bodies as the temple of His Holy Spirit. 

Paul tells the Corinthians that our bodies are members of Christ (1 Corinthians 6:15), and to the Thessalonians, he says, the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:23

Paul also speaks of the washing of water by the word in his letter to the Ephesians, and Jesus said to his disciples,
Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. ~ John 15:3

Our bodies belong to God and Christ, and though they are currently in a state of daily decaying, we have the hope that our bodies will one day experience resurrection power. Until then, we can rest in Jesus who ministers as our Great High Priest to wash us and make us clean in his presence. Because he has purified our hearts by his own blood, our bodies can be washed for service and as the house for the indwelling of his Holy Spirit.

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.

May the Lord open our eyes to see, our ears to hear, and our hearts to understand. Blessings…