Category: Bulletin Articles

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

Our scripture reading today brings us to one of the most well known chapters of the Bible. The subject is faith; the kind of faith that urges the believer in Christ to keep on trusting God in the midst of severest trials. It is the faith that perseveres which shows it is anchored solidly in the object of faith, the Lord Jesus Christ. Those that have real saving faith do not fall back to perdition but believe to the final saving of their souls (10:39).

This faith is one that brings the future promises of God into the present so that they are assured as if they were already realized. It is not an unfounded hope but is implicit trust in God grounded in the revelation of Him through His word. This faith causes us to believe that the blessings of God are actuality and that we will possess them because of God’s own faithfulness and power to make them happen. Arthur Pink wrote concerning this faith: “The confident expectation which faith inspires, gives the objects of the Christian’s hope a present and actual being in his heart. Faith does not look out with cold thoughts about things to come, but imparts life and reality to them. Faith does for us spiritually what fancy does for us naturally. There is a faculty of the understanding which enables us to picture to the mind’s eye things which are yet future. But faith does more: it gives not an imaginary appearance to things, but a real subsistence. Faith is a grace which unites subject and object: there is no need to ascend to Heaven, for faith makes distant things nigh (see Romans 10:6, 7). Faith, then, is the bond of union between the soul and the things God has promised. By believing we ‘receive’; by believing in Christ, He becomes ours (John 1:12). Therefore does faith enable the Christian to praise the Lord for future blessings as though he were already in the full possession of them” (Exposition of Hebrews).

This kind of faith is absolutely essential for the Christian because of the powerful enemies that war against our soul. The scripture says that God’s people are appointed to suffering and that the world is always against us. Without an enduring faith, we would soon succumb to those evil forces and give up our confidence in God. This faith is not conjured up from natural intestinal fortitude because we are incapable in our sinful disposition to believe these things are real. This faith is initiated by God. As the man in Mark 9 cried out to Jesus, “Lord, I believe, help thou my unbelief,” so we must depend on God to grant us this kind of faith by changing our sinful nature to one that is enabled to trust God with all of our heart.

The result of this faith is seen in the following verses of Hebrews 11. Multiple examples are given of those that endured the worst persecutions imaginable without obtaining the promise in this life, yet they never thought that God had abandoned them. Their promise of eternal life with God in heaven was as sure to them as if they had already received it. This is the faith we must ask God for—a substantive faith that has complete confidence in Jesus Christ and the power of His resurrection.

Pastor V. Mark Smith

Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. (Hebrews 10:35-36)

Today our congregational scripture reading is the closing verses of Hebrews chapter 10. In verses 32-39, there is encouragement for Christians to bear up under the trials and persecutions of their faith, and to remember the promise of God that when Christ comes all the cares of this life will be over. The writer asks these Christians to look back to the time they received Christ, when their hearts were opened to the gospel and they were enlightened to the glorious truth of salvation. There was a purpose in their commitment to Christ which was the promise of eternal life and a heavenly reward. Contrary to the type of gospel that is preached today, these Christians were not given an easy path to follow, but rather were plunged into terrible persecution. Economic pressure was also very real, but despite these hardships they had remained faithful and had gladly sacrificed their material goods for the increase of the gospel.

It is in these trying times that the real faith of a person is discovered. Those whose hearts have been truly changed will persevere even in the hardest of times. They keep their eye on the promise and realize this life is only a temporary assignment. They look with earnest expectation for the coming of Christ, the promised one, without giving up hope. They continue to live by faith knowing that God is always faithful to His promise.

The opposite of this is the person that professes faith in Christ yet his profession is not strong enough to anchor him to Christ. Instead, at signs of trouble, he withdraws his commitment and falls back into the world. According to scripture, this type of person is a superficial believer; he comes to Christianity for immediate benefits which consistently fall outside the categories of the ways God promises to bless us. This type of follower is of the worst sort and will not only fail to be saved in the end, but also comes under the sorest punishment of God. In verse 29, this is the person that treads under his feet the precious blood of Christ. He does not count the blood of Christ that sanctifies worth the time, effort, and trouble. Once he has heard the truth and rejected it, he betrays Christ to which Jesus replies, “It had been good for that man if he had not been born” (Matt. 26:24). The writer of Hebrews says of him, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (10:31).

This article may seem like a poor subject for a Sunday morning bulletin. It is not the usual fare most people hear in their church. They would rather sing happy songs and think good thoughts never considering that at least occasionally we need some fear of God put into our hearts. The writer of Hebrews does this. He leads with some fear, but then finally concludes with, “But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul” (10:39). There is horrible danger in false commitment; but a real one trumps the temporariness of our troubles. It keeps us looking for Christ, the one who saves us forever!

Pastor V. Mark Smith

Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:20)

In the past few weeks, we have been specially blessed to have three of our missionaries visit with us. We rejoice that we are able to have some part in these works in different countries of the world and to see the many souls that are won to Christ through our tithes and offerings. As our missionary Wilson Maungo departed after the Sunday evening service, he remarked how grateful he was for the support given by our church. His comment was that our mission dollars enable him to do his work and without it the many different ministries he conducts would not be possible. He labors for the Lord in East Africa where even one dollar can make a difference in a person’s life. The average income for those he ministers to is one dollar per day. The school teachers in his ministry that conduct classes for orphans and others receive a wage between $40 and $60 per month. Most of them cannot afford a study Bible because the cost is about $80. Bro. Wilson cannot afford to buy Bibles for them and neither is he able to afford books and commentaries to help him train teachers and pastors or to aid him in his own studies.

As Pastor Wilson discussed this with me, I was burdened to help him with resources. With the materials I have and with the help of some of the other members, we were able to put about 14,000 electronic books on his laptop computer. I also installed text files that enable him to print copies of the King James Bible. It was truly rewarding to see how excited he was to have these resources. He remarked that God may have brought him to this country just to receive these materials. The church also gave a generous offering to help cover the expenses of his travels to the USA.

I thought about his comment that he could not do his ministry without our support. He is such a humble man that he gave credit for his ministry to churches in this country. From one angle this is certainly true; however, ten times the mission dollars that are sent would do no good unless there is someone on the ground that is willing to do the work. This is something all of us need to remember and take to heart. We cannot give money alone to his ministry or even to ours. We have to be willing to do the work. We need to ask ourselves, “Are we willing to work? Are we willing to give not only money but ourselves to Christ?” This is what it takes to have a healthy, vibrant church. Every member must be a minister. As Pastor Wilson so aptly put it in his Sunday morning message, we are ambassadors for Christ. I pray God that it would be so!

Pastor V. Mark Smith

Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. [10] For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: (Hebrews 8:9-10)

Last week we were privileged to enjoy the preaching and presentation of our Missionary to Brazil, Mike Creiglow. In the coming weeks, two more of our missionaries will be with us to talk about their mission fields and how our mission offerings are at work in other places of the world. I was very much encouraged by Bro. Creiglow’s messages because I thought they were timely for our church and were good reminders that every member of Berean needs to be involved in ministry.

Our ministry, as well as theirs, is to reach people with the gospel of Christ. No matter where we go in the world, the need is the same; the hearts of people are the same, and the eternal destiny of every soul without Christ is the same. The remedy for their dead spiritual condition is nothing different from what we have learned. Salvation is in Jesus Christ and is never dependent in any way on our abilities. Christ’s death on the cross accomplished everything it was intended to do, which leaves nothing for humans to add.

You may wonder what this has to do with the two verses quoted above. This is actually the crucial point of the writer’s intent. The covenant of law given to Moses at Sinai was not kept perfectly by any person at any time. This was a conditional covenant of obedience which would never work for salvation because there are no perfect people. If salvation comes by the keeping of commandments, they would have to be kept perfectly in every detail. Man’s fundamental problem is his imperfection coupled with his insistence that he can be right with God by his own works of righteousness. Since these always fall short of God’s perfect standard, another covenant without this condition must be established. In Christ, we have an unconditional covenant. This is the covenant of grace that does not depend on our perfection, but on Christ’s. He is God and therefore is perfect in all His ways. His covenant will not fail because it is grounded in His perfection not ours.

The tenth verse speaks of the salvation of Israel and how God is the one who alone is active in impressing the heart and mind with the divine truth of the gospel. It has a view towards the coming kingdom in the millennial age when Israel will be restored to prominence. At this point, it is good to recognize verse 11 because Israel is not the only nation included in the gracious unconditional covenant. It also comprehends people from all nations, from all races—people of every kind. The verse says, “All shall know me, from the least to the greatest.”

The gospel of Christ is cross-cultural. It is not the “American gospel.” It is the gospel of God’s kingdom. We send missionaries because there are people in all parts of the world that God has determined by His sovereign grace to admit into His kingdom. All of them gain admission one way—belief in the gospel. The missionary is the human instrument that delivers the good news wherever these people are found. This is true for people thousands of miles away, or even those a few steps from your door. You are also God’s missionary and you do not have to get out of town to do His work!

Pastor V. Mark Smith

For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. [15] And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, [16] Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. (Hebrews 7:14-16)

In Hebrews chapter 5:6, we are introduced to one of the Bible’s most enigmatic characters. This man is Melchizedek who first appears in the Biblical narrative in Genesis chapter 14. Since Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians, they would be familiar with the Old Testament story of Abraham who recognized Melchizedek as the priest of God. When Abraham defeated King Chederlaomer, he was met by Melchizedek who blessed him and gave thanks to God for the defeat of Abraham’s enemies. At this time, Abraham gave a tithe to Melchizedek from the spoils of his victory.

Melchizedek mysteriously appears in Genesis 14 and then nothing else is said about him. He is mentioned once again in Psalm 110 which is a Messianic Psalm, and thus a connection is made between him and Christ. The Psalmist wrote: “The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.” This statement is repeated in Hebrews and it is not until this New Testament book that the connection between Christ and Melchizedek is fully explained.

Genesis 14 refers to Melchizedek as both king and priest. Under the Mosaic Law, priests were from the tribe of Levi and kings were from the tribe of Judah. Thus, there is no one that could be both king and priest. Kings were often severely chastised when unlawfully intruding into the priest’s office. It was very important to the Jews to maintain proper genealogical records, especially of Levi and Judah, so that the tribes were clearly distinguished. Melchizedek is different, however, because he lived prior to the Mosaic Law.

According to Hebrews, this difference is very significant. As we know, Jesus was born in the tribe of Judah which gives Him no right to occupy the office of priesthood. However, if His priesthood descends from Melchizedek rather than from Levi, this problem is solved. Hebrews shows that Melchizedek is a type of Christ. The unusual characteristic of Melchizedek is there is no parental genealogical record that establishes his right to be king or priest, and there is no record of descendants that might claim his same rights. Thus, Christ is claimed to be a priest after the order of Melchizedek because they are the same in kind. Christ did not receive His right to be a priest from natural descent. His right comes because He is the eternal Son of God and has the power of an endless life.

This just barely touches the subject and it may seem to be a minor point of academic interest and not really important for the average reader. If this is the case, we may as well lay Hebrews aside and not bother reading it, because if these points are not understood the significance of Hebrews is severely diminished. The priesthood of Christ must be understood because this is what gives Him the right to make a sacrifice to God and to atone for our sins. This gives Him the right to be our mediator and to bridge the impossible spiritual communication gap between us and God. These important aspects are functions of the priesthood.

Today, we need no other priest than Jesus Christ. We can come to God at any time with no earthly mediator that stands between. Jesus Christ is the only mediator between God and man. His priesthood is permanent; it is unchangeable because He is a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 7:17). Rejoice for instant access to the great God of heaven through Jesus Christ!

Pastor V. Mark Smith

Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; (Hebrews 6:19)

The sixth chapter of Hebrews is one of the most controversial passages in the New Testament. Scholars have debated the meaning of the first six verses for centuries and still there is much disagreement. Controversy arises over the first two verses as to whether the writer is telling New Testament Jewish Christians to move beyond the types and shadows of the Old Testament, or whether he is referring to elementary New Testament doctrines that should have already been settled in their minds. The former meaning would teach that Old Testament ceremonies were merely illustrations of the greater work of Christ, while the latter emphasizes New Testament doctrines. Both interpretations encourage Christians to maturity in the deeper doctrines of the faith.

This controversy pales in comparison to the arguments over verses 4 through 6. Without exploring these verses in depth, we are sure that one popular interpretation cannot be right. This is the idea that one that has been regenerated by the Holy Spirit of God and has truly received Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord, could then totally and finally apostatize from the faith. There are too many other scriptures that convincingly refute this interpretation, and since the Bible never contradicts itself, this interpretation must be wrong.

We understand further that it must be wrong by the very meaning of salvation which is to be made safe, and by the work of the Trinity in securing eternal salvation. This includes the election of God’s people from the foundation of the world, the payment for the debt of their sins by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit through which He effectual calls the sinner to salvation. The intention of this great work is to conform the believer to the image of Christ. If any part of this fails, the Trinity fails and thus God cannot be God. Therefore, we are “kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:5).

The whole of scripture presents an unshakeable convincing argument for the impossibility of the redeemed ever losing their salvation. However, I do not find it necessary to move beyond this chapter to find such assurance. All we need do is read a little further to verses 13 through 20 in which the writer relies upon the faithfulness of God to always remain true to His promises. If we have fled to God for the refuge of our souls (v. 18), then we have the promise of God that our souls are anchored with Christ in heaven (v.19). This promise is made sure not just by God stating it, which is exceedingly more than enough since God cannot lie, but is also confirmed by God’s oath. He swore upon Himself because there is no higher authority to swear by.

The faith once placed in Christ is a sure faith. If in the beginning it is real, it will never falter because it is anchored in heaven in the holiest place where Jesus Christ has presented His own blood as the surety of our salvation. Today, it is with full confidence that I can say, “Trust Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord and you will be as sure for heaven as if you were already there!”

Pastor V. Mark Smith

Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; [9] And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; (Hebrews 5:8-9)

In surveying the New Testament, there are many passages that especially draw our attention and are amazing to our eyes as we read them. There are verses that lift us up to the heights of glory; that gladden our hearts and refresh us and remind us that we sit in heavenly places in Christ. The apostle Paul was prone to stop after writing words with Holy Spirit inspiration and offer doxologies of praise. One such place is 1 Timothy 1:17: “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

Hebrews is like reading a continuously long praise song to the mastery of Jesus Christ. We have seen previously in the first four chapters that Christ is superior to angels, to Moses, and to Joshua. In the fifth chapter, the intention is to show His superiority to the priesthood of Aaron. Although Christ was not descended from Aaron and thus not in the line of priesthood, yet He is superior because His appointment was directly from God. Christ did not enter the priesthood as a selfish intruder, but as one ordained by God to a new and better priesthood—a perfect priesthood that is not attainable by a mere mortal (5:5-6). The priesthood of Aaron and those descended from him was temporary by reason of death (7:23), but the priesthood of Christ is eternal because He is the ever living God.

The wonder of verses 8 and 9 is the unfathomable doctrine of the incarnation. Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son, became man. Verse 8 says “he learned obedience by the things which he suffered.” Christ did not have to learn anything as God, but He learned to obey as a man. In His active obedience, He obeyed the Father’s will which included subjecting Himself to God’s law and keeping every part of it perfectly. In His passive obedience, He allowed the humiliation of the cross and willingly offered Himself to die. He surpasses the Aaronic priesthood because He became qualified to be both the priest and the sacrifice. His earthly life allowed Him to be sympathetic to the frailties of humanity as a human priest would be, but His perfect life meant no sacrifice was needed for Him personally. Therefore, He could give up His own life as the sacrifice for our sins. He exchanged His perfect obedience for our miserable imperfection.

Jesus Christ became the author of eternal salvation. He was the author of salvation from the eternal covenant of God, but He became the author by fulfilling all of the requirements to complete our salvation. Jesus Christ is “made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” (1 Cor. 1:30). He is the superior High Priest because He lives forever to make intercession for us. “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them (Hebrews 7:25).

If you understand and believe what Christ so wondrously did, reading the words “he became the author of eternal salvation,” must surely open the depths of your heart to let out your words of praise. Somewhere there is a doxology in this passage. It must be from those that obey Christ by faith.

Pastor V. Mark Smith

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

One of the greatest tragedies of the modern church is the failure of both pulpit and people to honor God’s word. There are many that regard the Bible as a stuffy book that was written by ancient men who were overly superstitious and whose opinions are not really applicable to the modern world. If the Bible is read in church, it is a version that has been stripped of its original meaning and paraphrased so that it reads like the newspaper or a cheap novel.

Modern Bible translators are of the opinion that God is incapable of saying what He meant to say. It is therefore their task to put scripture into a more readable form so that anyone is capable of understanding it. In doing so, their eclectic translations interpret scripture rather than translate. Their actions deny a fundamental element of Bible comprehension, which is the power of the Holy Spirit to speak to the heart and mind to reveal truth. The Bible is not man’s book but rather as Hebrews 4:12 describes, it is the word of God.

The Bible has special characteristics that make it more than just an “ancient” book. It is “quick” which means it is alive. It does not die like an ancient language. It is as new and fresh to every generation as if it was spoken this morning. It is also “powerful,” which is a word from which we get “energy.” The Bible is constantly active so that it is able to awaken people that are dead in trespasses and sins and give them spiritual birth (1 Pet. 1:23).

The writer also says it is “sharper than any twoedged sword.” We should pay particular attention to this phrase because this speaks of God’s judgment. Those who do not listen to the word and heed its commands are going to be judged severely by it. It is able to reveal the “thoughts and intents of the heart.” Those that reject the message of the scripture, the way of eternal life through the gospel of Christ, will be held accountable in the Day of Judgment.

It is really not very hard to understand the reason so many churches have abandoned scripture. As churches desire an atmosphere that caters to an unregenerate crowd, the word of God becomes a terrible sore spot because of its exposing and condemning nature. The scripture says that people love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil. The word of God is a glaring spotlight on an evil generation, so trying to draw a worldly crowd by preaching the truth of the word is an exercise in futility.

At Berean, we are committed to reading and preaching the Bible and are content to let the Holy Spirit work on the hearts of the people. The Bible does expose sin, but the Holy Spirit is able to take the preached word and break down the resistance of the sinner. Clever tactics and manipulation are not our method. We depend solely on the work of the Holy Spirit as He uses the “quick” and “powerful” word to draw sinners to Christ.

Pastor V. Mark Smith

“For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.” (Hebrews 3:4)

Today’s congregational reading comes from the 3rd chapter of Hebrews. As I have pointed out in previous articles, it is the writer’s intent to prove the superiority of Jesus. In particular, He is superior to the old dispensation of Judaism and is the fulfillment of all the types and shadows of the Old Testament ceremonial laws. This is especially important as it regards Israel’s greatest prophet, Moses. Moses was revered because it was through him that God gave His holy law.

During the time of His three year ministry, Jesus was often confronted by Jewish accusers that were aghast at His claims to be God. When speaking to the blind man that Jesus healed in John chapter 9, the Jews said, “Thou art his disciple, but we are Moses’ disciples. We know that God spake to Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is” (John 9:28-29). Even some of Jesus’ greatest miracles were challenged on the basis they were not quite up to the level of those done by Moses. How could He be greater than Moses and claim to be God? For example, in John 6 the Jews asked for a sign, some further miracle to be done in order that they might believe in Him (as if He had not given abundant proof!). What was their standard? “Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat” (v. 31). The standard of proof was Moses. Jesus replied that Moses was not the one that gave them bread from heaven. Rather, the bread came from the Father.

These types of exchanges are extremely important as we come to Hebrews. Since the Jews revered Moses, the writer cannot disparage Moses in any way while proving the supremacy of Jesus. Therefore, he points out the faithfulness of Moses in 3:2. Even though Moses failed at times, for the most part he did what God required in the sphere of work he was given. God used Moses as an administrator over the household of Israel but Moses received his wisdom and abilities from God. Moses was not the builder of Israel; he was a steward over the nation. His relationship to God in this respect is that of a servant (3:5).

The point is made that Moses was a part of God’s household. He is not superior to the one who actually built the house. Jesus stands in a superior relationship to God, that of a son, the rightful heir of the household (3:6). But even more remarkable in its impact is that Christ is the one that built the house. Therefore, His equality with God is proven. “He that built all things is God” (3:4) = “Christ [is] a son over his own house” (3:6).

These statements build on the premise established in the first chapter. “[God] hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds” (1:2). I sincerely hope you feel the excitement of these unfolding irrefutable arguments concerning the deity of Jesus Christ. If you have placed your faith in Him, you are grounded on the solid rock of God Himself.

Blessed be God for Jesus Christ!

Pastor V. Mark Smith

For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; [3] 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 2:2-3)

One of the most serious errors of today’s evangelical movement is the construction of a god and of a savior that is very much different than the one presented in scripture. The modern fallacy is to believe the God of the Old Testament was very harsh, unforgiving, and much too demanding. We read the Old Testament laws given to Moses at Mount Sinai and we shudder at the consequences ordered by God to make restitution for breaking those laws. There are many examples that could be given, but one that comes to mind is the sin of adultery. God said, “And the man that committeth adultery with another man’s wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death” (Leviticus 20:10). These laws are difficult for the modern hearer because the god that has been constructed today is one that would never think of punishing evil doers so harshly; and certainly He would never punish anyone in an eternal Hell. And yet in the book of Hebrews, we learn these laws were given to man through the administration of the holy angels of God. God’s holiness demanded such punishment so that scripture says the penalty paid is a “just recompense of reward.”

Churches today offer salvation from a god that is much less demanding. This god loves you and is unconcerned with your petty indiscretions (re: actual crimes against His holiness!). You owe nothing to God, but He owes everything to you. There are no requirements, no real standards—all you need do is acknowledge He has something to offer.

These verses in Hebrews are some of the strongest refutations in scripture about this idea of God and His Christ. Hebrews affirms that God is just in giving a penalty for the transgression of His law. What is more amazing from these scriptures is that the demands of God are not decreased because we have entered the New Testament era, but are rather intensified. In the Old Testament, angels were attendant at the giving of the law (Ps. 68:17), and prophets such as Moses taught it to the people. Obedience was expected even though the law itself could never bring anyone into a personal relationship with God. “For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God” (Hebrews 7:1).

The better hope is the Lord Jesus Christ and knowledge of Him is through the gospel. The writer makes a simple but profound argument. Christ is God’s own Son, the express image of His person (1:3). He has spoken, not angels and not men, and His gospel is the only way to come into a saving relationship with Him. If the hearers of the Old Testament Law could not escape God’s punishment for disobeying an inferior law given through angels and men, how much less can we expect to escape punishment for disobeying the superior law which actually brings salvation (Rom. 8:2) and was given by the One who sits in majesty on high (1:3)?

Rather than God demanding less today than He did in the Old Testament, He demands incredibly more. Punishment for rejection of God’s message today is far greater than it was then. To put it simply, Hell has become hotter! We will not escape it if we neglect salvation in Christ.

Pastor V. Mark Smith