Proving Calvinism Without Paul BONUS – Hebrews
Posted on 12. Jan, 2010 by Les in Proving Calvinism Without Paul
How Perfect is the Work of Christ?
The book of Hebrews was not included in the list of texts allowed in the challenge, because the author is unknown. It’s possible that Hebrews was written by Paul. But I couldn’t help myself. This is one of the most overwhelming books showing the perfection of Christ’s work.
The idea the “Jesus took my place” is reformed entirely. If Jesus actually died for your sins, then your sins are forgiven. You can’t pay for them again in Hell. If you match “Jesus died to forgive sins” with “Jesus died for everyone” you invariably end up with “everyone’s sins are forgiven and they are all going to Heaven”. We all know that the Bible is clear that not everyone is going to Heaven. This is the source of the modern Church’s confused, anti-theological, watered-down message. You can’t teach on the need for a true substitution, if you have to dance around the effectiveness of it. The truth is, Jesus didn’t die effectively for every person who’s ever lived. Instead His work on the cross is completely sufficient, and effectively saves every person for whom it was intended.
The book of Hebrews is an incredible display of the finished work of the promised Messiah, on behalf of His elect.
My Top 5 Texts From Hebrews
Hebrews 4:2-3
“For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, “As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest,’” although his works were finished from the foundation of the world.”
Hebrews 8:10-12
“For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel
after those days, declares the Lord:
I will put my laws into their minds,
and write them on their hearts,
and I will be their God,
and they shall be my people.
And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor
and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’
for they shall all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest.
For I will be merciful toward their iniquities,
and I will remember their sins no more.”"
Hebrews 9:27-28
“And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.”
Hebrews 12:8
“If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.”
Hebrews 13:10
“We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat.”
Other Notable Texts
Hebrews 2:4
“while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.”
Hebrews 2:8
“putting everything in subjection under his feet. “Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him.”
Hebrews 2:10
“For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.”
Hebrews 3:6
“but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.”
Hebrews 4:1
“Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it.”
Hebrews 7:25
“Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.”
Hebrews 9:15
“Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.”
Hebrews 10:12-13
“But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet.”
Hebrews 10:14
“For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.”
Hebrews 10:16
“This is the covenant that I will make with them
after those days, declares the Lord:
I will put my laws on their hearts,
and write them on their minds,”
Hebrews 10:32
“But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings,”
Hebrews 11:6
“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”
Hebrews 12:2
“looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:17
“For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.”
Hebrews 13:20-21
“Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Terry Rayburn
Jan 13th, 2010
Just finished the post hot off my Google Reader.
Excellent post and series.
Blessings,
Terry