[Wechie]

The book of Hebrews follows just right after the book of Philemon which we clearly know is written by Paul. Also, we see that many of the thoughts of Hebrews is similar to those found in the Pauline epistles;
Let’s see some examples of the similarities
a. Hebrews 1: 3 and Colossians 1:15-17
“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word Hebrews 1:3
Colossians 1:15 – 17
“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
b. Hebrews 2:4 and 1Corinthians 12: 1
c. Hebrews 2:14-17 and Philippians 2:7-8
d. Hebrews 8:6 and 2 Corinthians 3:6
e. Hebrews 10: 14 and Romans 5:9,12:1
Without a closer look we might at this point allude to the fact that Paul wrote the book of Hebrews; however, I’ll consider the similarity to be Unity of doctrine by Paul and the Writer of Hebrew; which is one of the evidences of the authenticity of the Bible.

The Epistle of Hebrews fall under the general epistles for the following reasons;

1. Paul had a habit of introducing himself in his epistles. From the book of Romans all the way to Philemon, we see that pattern. But the author of Hebrews does not introduce himself as Paul typically did. See Romans 1:1, 1 Corinthians 1:1, 2 Corinthians. 1:1; Galatians 1:1; Ephesians. 1:1; Philippians 1:1, Colossians. 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:1, 2 Thessalonians 1:1, 1 Timothy. 1:1; and 2 Timothy. 1:1, Titus 1:1 and Philemon 1;1.

2. Its theology, though very compatible with that of the Pauline letters, is very distinctive. The apostle Paul, for instance, never alludes to Jesus as a priest, which is the major motif of Hebrews. In fact, Hebrews is the only New Testament writing to expound on Jesus as the Great High Priest and final sacrifice.

3. The style of Hebrews, except in the closing verses (13:18 – 25), is quite unlike any other writing of Paul’s that has survived.
i. In keeping with the style of a person well educated in formal rhetoric, the Greek of Hebrews is highly literary and very ornate.
ii. The vocabulary is sophisticated, and it includes 150 words that are not found elsewhere in the New Testament and 10 that do not occur in any other Greek writings that have survived for our study.
iii. The structure of the epistle conforms to conventions found in Greek rhetoric used when a speech was designed to persuade its audience to action. Much of this rhetorical achievement is lost when the original Greek of Hebrews is translated into modern language, but in the original it is elegant and euphonious Greek prose. The high rhetorical quality of Hebrews indicates that its author most likely had the most advanced literary education of any of the New Testament writers.

4. The way the author alludes to himself in Hebrews 2:3, stating that the gospel was confirmed “to us” by those who heard the Lord announce salvation.
The apostle Paul always made the point that, even though he wasn’t one of the twelve original disciples who walked with Jesus during his earthly life, he was nonetheless an apostle of Jesus Christ, and usually identifies himself as such in his letters. It seems unlikely that Paul here in 2:3 would refer to himself as simply someone who received the gospel from those who had heard the Lord.

In conclusion, the book of Hebrews was written by someone other than Paul .

Reference: https://zondervanacademic.com/blog/who-wrote-the-book-of-hebrews

[Wechie]

5 PEOPLE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT WHO WERE INSPIRED BY THE HOLY-SPIRIT AND WHAT HE ENABLED THEM ACHIEVE

1. Moses.

I: In the Writing of the First 5 books of the Bible; Genesis – Deuteronomy.
knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:20-21
‘All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness’ 2 Timothy 3:16.
Holy spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. They didn’t speak of their own accord. They were inspired by the Holy Spirit
Scriptures were first spoken before it was written. They were inspired to be written.
They were written for our learning. Romans 15:4
Moses wrote the first books of the Bible referred to as the Law.
The Law and the Prophets makes up the Old Testament.
‘And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself’. Luke 24:27.
Beginning at Moses would refer to the Books of the Bible written by Moses.
See also Exodus 17:14, Numbers 33:1-2, John 5;46-47, Romans 10:4.

2. Daniel
There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the Spirit of the Holy God. And in the days of your father, light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, were found in him; and King Nebuchadnezzar your father—your father the king—made him chief of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers. 12Inasmuch as an excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, interpreting dreams, solving riddles, and explaining enigmas were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar, now let Daniel be called, and he will give the interpretation.” Daniel 5:11-12
The Holy Spirit’s hand on Daniel caused Daniel to become an agent of change in the secular world by making him stand out amongst His peers. It also brought him recognition by those in authority. Daniel was an example of someone who brought the influence of the Kingdom to his sphere by simply positioning himself to receive from God; to be used by God. Daniel 1:8.
He was a clear proof we don’t need the pulpit to effect a change.
The Holy Spirit was Daniel’s advantage.
See also Daniel 5;14.

3. Saul
Was set apart for Leadership. He received an enablement to lead the people.

Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on his head and kissed him and said, “Has not the LORD anointed you to be prince over his people Israel? And you shall reign over the people of the LORD and you will save them from the hand of their surrounding enemies. And this shall be the sign to you that the LORD has anointed you to be prince over his heritage. 1 Samuel 10:1

4. David
i. The Holy Spirt came upon David to set him apart for Leadership, ; He empowered Him to carry out the task required of a King

So, he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!” 13Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So, Samuel arose and went to Ramah. 1 Samuel 16:12-13

ii. In the Writing of Scriptures (Psalms)
2 Samuel 23:1-7, Mark 12:36
David wrote the book of Psalm; He prophesied of things to come.
David himself, in 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

5. Elisha
i. The Holy Spirit inspired Elisha to Prophesy of what is to come; Ezekiel 2Kings 3 :12-15
ii. He multiplied the Widows Oil and raises her Son from the dead 2Kings 4:1-7,18-37
iii. He ended a famine in Israel 2 Kings 7

[Wechie]

ANSWER
Further evidence of his mission and special relationship with God.
John 2;16,19,21-22
Jesus in verse 16 referred to the temple in Jerusalem where he met people buying as selling as ‘’His Father’s ‘’ house. The temple is a place where the Jews met to worship God, in order words it’s the temple of God, but Jesus referred to it as “His Father’s house” Recall that we earlier established that He had a special relationship with God. He was the first to lay claim to God as his father, hence this verse corroborates or further gives evidence to this special relationship.
When Jesus made the statement, his disciples caught on and recalled psalms 69: 9; The zeal of thine house has consumed me.
In verse 18 of the John 2 the Jewish religious leader challenged Jesus, inquiring what authority he had to do what he had just done and what sign he would show to prove it. Jesus’ response further gives evidence to his deity.
In verse 19 He said Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.
Now the scripture didn’t leave us guessing what he meant rather in verses 21 and 22 of John 2 we see that he was referring to His death burial and resurrection which calls to mind his special mission as earlier mentioned.

John 14 :13-14
He claimed to have power to answer prayers;
Here Jesus first said prayers should be made in His name and then goes further to claim that he himself will do whatever is asked in His name. When we pray in Jesus name we acknowledge his deity. We pray in his authority.
Prayers are to be made in his name.
John 15 :16: Whatever we ask the father in Jesus Name we are assured of receiving.
When we pray in Jesus name we are praying for things in alignment to God’s will. We are praying to God on the basis of what Jesus has done, hence are assured of receiving the answers to our prayers.
1 John 5: 14-15 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
See also John 16:23-24

Further evidence of his origin
John 6:38 – For I came down from heaven not to do mine own will but the will of him that sent me.
John 3:31

[Wechie]

3 Effects of the fall of Man

1. Spiritual Death Gen3:7
Spiritual death refers to alienation from God who is our source. It is man displaced from his original environment which is God’s presence. When a person or thing is displaced from its intended environment it begins to malfunction. Gen 3:10, Gen 3:7.Gen 3:23.
By the guilt and power of sin, at that instant Adam willfully disobeyed God, he became dead in trespasses and sins. Ephesians 2:1.
By the disobedience of Adam, we all became sinners as man began to begat children in man’s image and likeness. Gen 5:3. Man begat in a fallen image. Humanity was made in Adam therefore humanity was found in sin in Adam. By default, every man born into the world is born spiritually dead. The fall of man brought about a disconnect between man and his source (God). Spiritual death will bring about eternal death as it eliminates the possibility of eternity with God. Gen3:22, Rom6:23.

2. – Physical death: the death of the body which shall then begin in man by decays, infirmities etc. 1Cor 15:53-54. That is man shall become mortal. As stated in one of the new creation lessons “God is the source of life to the spirit and the spirit is the source of life to the body. So, if man is spiritually dead, physical death would occur by default.
Also Note that the body of man is not the not only thing that would experience decay and corruption but also creature. Romans 8:20-21. Adam’s sin brought the created order into death decay, corruption and futility. The fall of man brought damage to the body of man and to nature itself. See also 2cor5:1-5

3. The Punishment of Mankind Gen 3:16-23
When God placed man in the garden he gave him work to do. He was to dress the garden and keep it. Man was to eat from the garden he tended. Adam did it with ease and pleasure.
Work is part of God’s system to bless us. Gen 2:15-16.
However, the disobedience of Adam brought mankind into a life of “toil” as the earth became cursed. He is now to till the ground that has been cursed for his sake. Gen 17:23. Psalm 127:1-2
The man shall eat of the ground in sorrow. He will procure and eat bread amidst hard labor.
The woman would also now experience pain in child bearing and her desire will be for her husband, she will become subject to him. Gen 3:16.

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