OUTLINE:

The Writer of Hebrews
He was part of what we might effectively call “the Pauline circle” (v13:22-23) who numbered himself among those who had heard the Gospel from those who heard it from Jesus, directly (v2:3-4).

The Writer of Hebrews
He leaned heavily on Hellenistic Jewish cultic perspective to relate to his audience (ref: priesthood and sacrifices).

Rom 1:7
To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Don’t Be a Lazy Reader
Never skip over the opening remarks of the writer of a book, for that is often where he plainly reveals himself and his audience, which helps set context for the book.

Mt 7:7
"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."

William L. Lane on Hebrews
“The writer may be characterized as an intensely religious man. For him Christianity is an expression of God’s new cultic action.”

W. G. Johnsson on Hebrews
“Johnsson suggested that cultic categories were ingrained in the mind of the writer…Moreover, he lived in a society where cults and cultic sacrifice were command and in which “structures” of thought such as those of defilement, blood, and purgation were the common property of devoutly religious persons.” - Lane

William L. Lane on Hebrews
“Hebrews proves to be a unique blend of Christology and primitive Christian eschatology within a cultic frame of reference.”

The Audience of Hebrews
The message was prepared for a specific local group who considered themselves Christians and were distinguished from leadership, though intimate with them (past and present). (Heb 13:17, 24)

The Audience of Hebrews
It is very likely that the local assembly was a house church located in an urban setting and that it had been depleted by defections. (Heb 3:12; 10:25; 13:1-6, 14)

Apostate – from apostasia
Apostasy is defection from the Truth (1Th 2:3). An apostate is a person who once claimed to be a Christian but has since renounced the faith. This defection demonstrates their faith was never genuine. (1Ti 4:1; 1Jn 2:19)

Mt 7:13-14
"Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

The Audience of Hebrews
It is very likely that the local assembly was a house church located in an urban setting and that it had been depleted by defections. (Heb 3:12; 10:25; 13:1-6, 14)