July 29, 2010 Lesson 18 of Hebrews 12:18-29

V18-24. List the ways in which our Christian privileges under the new covenant excel the experiences of the Israelites at Sinai. Of what ought we by faith deliberately to be conscious when we draw near to God through Christ and his shed blood? Answer: We are heirs with Christ. At Sinai they were given the law, the law does not save. The law shows us our sin, the law provided rituals for cleansing of sins. Christ’s words, like and with the law, shows us our sins, however it is His sacrifice under the new covenant that brings us righteousness. (I hope this answers the question, I am not sure I understood it)


V25-29. What is here said to be impending and inescapable? How do we know this? Cf. Mark 13:31; 2 Pet 3:9-14, How in consequence, ought we to live our present earthly lives? Answer: Warning against refusing God. Judgment is impending and inescapable. However, for us the standard is set higher than in the OT times. They were warned through the OT prophets (i.e. Moses, Abraham, etc.), we were warned through Christ (heaven). Again, I am not sure I answered this one right. I double checked the STS book to see if I had the right questions for the right day, and it seems that I do.


Notes
V 23. ‘The assembly of the firstborn’: i.e. the church (Greek, ecclesia) of the privileged who have heavenly inheritance and whose names are written in heaven. Cf. Like 10:20; Rev 21:27.
V23. ‘The spirits of righteous men made perfect’: i.e., either Old Testament saints, or all the faithful departed.