“...Compassed About With So Great a Cloud of Witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1)
Posted: Thursday, January 27, 2011
by Joel Hendon
http://hebronics.org/index.html
The human author of the biblical book entitled “Hebrews” is not known for certain. The majority of scholars, though not all, ascribe it to the Apostle Paul, which I also concede. Paul was an avid Jew until he was miraculously confronted by Jesus while traveling the road to Damascus. From this encounter and his subsequent obedience to the gospel plan of salvation, he devoted himself to converting others.
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
And verse 47 tells us this: Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
The church grew swiftly as the apostles went about preaching the word. As it grew, many of the converts, even though they had accepted Jesus as the Son of God and felt they must follow after him, were confused and were trying to cling also to the law of Moses. We still have people today who attempt to do the same thing. The author of Hebrews (so titled because it was written specifically to them) spends the entire book of Hebrews trying to persuade those men (often referred to as Judaizing teachers) to let it go, to move on into the law of grace. He spends much time in comparing the Old Testament law (unfavorably) to the perfect law of liberty, in Christ.
In Chapter 11 of Hebrews we find mentioned numerous Old Testament heroes and heroines who had been faithful to God during times when most others had left Him. Calling them faithful, he names Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses and his parents, Joshua (though not by name) whose faith brought down the walls of Jericho, Rahab, Gideon, Barack, Samson, Jeptha, David, Samuel and the prophets. And now read what he says following the commendations of the individuals:
Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. (Hebrews 11:33-40 emphasis added)
After these commendations to those faithful followers of the Lord under the Old Law, he begins to make the comparison and to exhort those who were lacking in faith in Jesus and, in fact, some of whom placed more confidence in Moses than in Jesus. The exhortation begins with the next sentence Hebrews 12.1.
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. (Hebrews 12:1-3)
Again, Paul was discussing this topic with Jews, many of whom had weak faith in Jesus and were causing dissension in the Lord’s church. However, the same group of witnesses whose faith was so strong as to move them even when faced with death, whose examples are still the standard and their strength in faith is a goal which should compel all of us to put our faith in the one who died for our sins. Our every act should include the desire to glorify God and His Son. It is not unusual to hear “Christians” say such things as, “Well, I don’t believe this is necessary or I don’t believe the Lord would condemn one for not doing this.” If the bible says do it, we should put our heart into trying to do it. I encourage all to read those two chapters, eleven and twelve.
“And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?” (1 Peter 4:18)
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)Amen Joel. Very well written. The truth will prevail, no matter how many dismiss it. I can understand the non-believing who reject the Bible as God's word. But how sad that many "christians" are rejecting its absolute truth and chose to be a christian their own way. I appreciate the 1` Peter passage, the church seems to be forgetting this powerful truth. Blessings to you! TeresaThank you so much Teresa. It is always so encouraging to get your comments. They are better than my articles!
We, you and I, are after the same goals of truth when I read your quote:
" out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens"
I TOLD you so! s
Spend a few minutes to peruse as many as possible and consider what the ancient primitive's writings were about.
ufocasebook.com/bestufopictures.html
Affection,
Paul (used to be Saul)
Paul, it is difficult for me to disagree with you. But I do. The mere use of the word alien does not mean little green men. In this case it is those who were outside of God's favor. Today, If a man has never become a New Testament Christian, he is an alien from Christianity, regardless of where he lives. We have illegal aliens here in the U.S. We have legal aliens here. "East is East and West is West, and ne'er the twain shall meet."Although I would much appreciate your spenting time, using your seasoned eyes and mind, to peruse the photos on the links that I sent you, I was, quite honestly, chiding you, teasing you, pulling your leg, tongue-in-cheek about the irony of that word in your Bible quote.
(Usually, we DO abjectly disagree about everything else important; but, consider, if I'd always agreed with you, on those things, then we'd BOTH be wrong........
Much Affection,
Paul..Paul, I looked at, and read about, 4 pages of those you sent me. All I saw was (1) Camera lens needed cleaning. (2) Very obvious phony light arrangments (3) a few distorted photos of legitimate arcraft (4) photos of things not even in the open sky. One looked like a button floating in milk. (5) The main things which were real, but not UFO's were lights glaring reflection off of fog or clouds.
When my children were small, they were still outside playing when it became dusky dark. They all three came screaming and running into the house. They said they say a bright light in the sky that stood still for a little bit then came charging towards them. I went out to see and I saw nothing. But as I waited and watched, suddenly there was a light moving across the sky, then another. And as I waited another and another. About one mile south of us was a fairly well traveled U.S. Highway. Loud Diesel trucks could be heard from where we were...most cars could not. But it soon became obvious that there was some low fog hanging over head and the headlights from those autos and trucks were reflecting on that fog. You can even get these kinds of effects on low hanging clouds, especially in hilly country where carlights are beamed upward on a hill. I have to stop now, I do not want you to be wrong under any circumstances. Friend
Just like Jesus is not only for Sunday - whether we eat, drink or whatsoever we do - we need to do it unto the glory of God.... I think one of the things which grieves me most is what a professing believer says "well, that's secular..... dismissing a part of their lives in that way..... I once was LOST and made choices and decisions that proved it... and now I am found and trying to let it show in all I say and do. Do I do it? Nope, still learning and growing but I am trying and trying....to shine our Lord Jesus minute by minute and make the choices He would make.
Another well written piece.Thank you Marijo, you are so right. But unfortunately, there will always be those who won't take their faith seriously.
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