The Book of Hebrews was specifically written to Jewish Christians. It has an entirely different approach than many of Paul’s other letters. Though probably second only to Romans in terms of describing doctrine, the author (probably Paul) is conveying the information to Jewish people, not pagan Gentiles. Like the gospel of Matthew which was the gospel targeted to a Jewish audience, the Old Testament or Hebrew Scriptures are quoted throughout. The author showed how God related to them under the old covenant, but how Jesus had come and introduced a new covenant. The author shows how Christianity is the natural successor to Judaism. It showed how Jesus did not erase the law but fulfilled the law. It showed His superiority to everything beforehand: angels, prophets, Moses, etc. The book begins in Hebrews 1:1-2, “God, Who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;”. The author conveys the message that this is a continuation, not a reversal of what they had previously known.

Many Christians choose to not study the Bible. Of those who do, many like to stay in the New Testament, others just read their favorite portions, for example certain Psalms. The purpose of the One Year Bible Study is to encourage believers to go through the entirety of Scripture. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, that though he was totally free from all men, he would become a servant, a Jew, as a Gentile, etc,, “...I have become all things to all men , that I might by all means save some.” This must be our mindset. We have no idea who God will send in our direction as an opportunity. Paul saw others simply as saved or unsaved, in Christ or not in Christ. We would do well to see things similarly. How we convey the message of Jesus to an Orthodox Jewish individual differs from how we would convey Him to a secular individual. How we convey Jesus to a “religious” individual in a Catholic, Protestant, etc denomination also differs. How we present Him to a Jehovah’s Witness or Mormon differs. Unless we sensitize ourselves to these differences and arm ourselves with the full counsel of God we approach God’s opportunities aimlessly. May we, like Paul, prepare ourselves daily armed with the gospel message, the only message of salvation for anyone and everyone.