The Book of Hebrews
A sustained argument for Christ's supremacy over the old covenant.
Written to Jewish Christians tempted to abandon their faith under persecution, Hebrews argues across thirteen chapters that Jesus is superior to everything the old covenant offered — greater than angels, Moses, and the entire Levitical priesthood. Its central claim is that the old system was only a shadow of the substance now found in Christ. Start reading at Hebrews chapter 1.
About Hebrews
Hebrews is the fifty-eighth book of the Bible, written by an unknown author (Paul, Apollos, Barnabas, Priscilla, and others have been proposed) around AD 60-70, and spanning 13 chapters. Written to Jewish Christians who were tempted to abandon Christ and return to Judaism under pressure of persecution, Hebrews makes the case with sustained theological brilliance that Jesus Christ is superior to everything the old covenant offered -- superior to angels, to Moses, to the Aaronic priesthood, to the Levitical sacrifices, and to the entire Mosaic system. The key argument is that these were shadows; Christ is the substance. Major themes include the absolute supremacy of Christ, the high priestly ministry of Jesus who sympathizes with our weaknesses, the superiority of the new covenant over the old, faith as confident assurance of unseen realities (Hebrews 11 -- the Hall of Faith), and the call to perseverance under trial. Key chapters include Hebrews 4 (the great High Priest who sympathizes with our weakness), Hebrews 9-10 (the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ), Hebrews 11 (the heroes of faith), and Hebrews 12 (running the race set before us). Famous verses include Hebrews 11:1 -- Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see -- and Hebrews 4:15 -- We do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses. Hebrews KJV Bible study unlocks the Old Testament sacrificial system. Read the Book of Hebrews online here in full.