Hebrews 9 Lesson

THE FIRST COVENANT

Hebrews Chapter 9 begins with the Hebrew writer providing an overview of the first (old) covenant. 

In his letter, he describes the physical layout of the Tabernacle and how the high priests were:

• “Continually entering the outer tabernacle performing the divine worship.” –  Hebrews 9:6.

Under the first covenant, only the high priests were allowed behind the second veil of the Tabernacle which was meant to provide a barrier between sinners and God.  

Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, the high priest would go behind the second veil (some translations use the word, “curtain”) to enter the “holy of holies” in the presence of God.  

Once beyond the second veil, the high priest would offer sacrifices for himself and for the sins of the people committed in ignorance (Hebrews 9:7).  

It is interesting how the Hebrew writer makes it a point to specify that the sacrifices were made for the sins of the people that were, “Committed in ignorance.” 

Does that mean that those who were aware of their sins and still committed them were not provided a sacrifice?  

Perhaps. 

It is difficult to say.  

A NEW COVENANT

The first covenant was never intended to last forever. 

It was always God’s plan to replace it with a new and better covenant at the appropriate time.  The first covenant had inherent flaws that Jesus fixed. 

These shortcomings are described by the Hebrew writer in the following scripture:

• “Accordingly both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience, since they relate only to food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until a time of reformation.” – Hebrews 9:9-10.

And because it was a flawed covenant, Jesus created a new, better covenant when He died on the cross at Calvary and rose from the grave three days later. 

THE SUPERIORITY OF THE NEW COVENANT

The new covenant is superior to the old covenant because Jesus is superior to all previous sacrifices and high priests. 

Having Jesus as our High Priest under the new covenant is superior to the high priests under the old covenant for three reasons:

1. Jesus is our High Priest forever.  Unlike the previous high priests that were temporary, Jesus will remain our High Priest forever.   Because Jesus conquered death, we can be assured that our High Priest will reign for eternity!
2. Jesus’ sacrifice only had to be made one time.  Prior to Jesus, the high priests needed to make repeated sacrifices.  Jesus’ superior sacrifice paid the price for our sins once and for all time (Hebrews 10:10),
3. Jesus’ sacrifice was voluntary.  Unlike animals that had to be taken by force, Jesus died for our sins voluntarily (John 10:18).   

WE HAVE RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THE NEW COVENANT

Our salvation is not a passive act, it is meant to be active!

According to the Bible, there are five things that we need to do to get to Heaven:

1. Believe in Jesus,
2. Confess our belief in Him,
3. Repent (turn away from) of our sins,
4. Be baptized,
5. Obey God’s commandments.

We understand that these five actions are necessary for salvation based on the following scriptures:

• “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” – Acts 16:31, 
• “For with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.” – Romans 10:10,
• “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” – Luke 13:3, 
• “Baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ .” – 1 Peter 3:21,
• “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” – Mark 16:16,
• “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in Heaven will enter.” – Mathew 7:21. 

CONCLUSION

The Old Testament made provisions for sin, but they were flawed. 

With the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, a new covenant was established. 

This new covenant is superior to the old covenant in the following ways:

1. Jesus is our High Priest forever,  
2. Jesus’ sacrifice only had to be made one time,
3. Jesus’ sacrifice was voluntary. 

The new covenant outlines five things in the Bible that we need to do in order to be saved and go to Heaven.

They are as follows:

1. Believe in Jesus,
2. Confess our belief in Him,
3. Repent (turn away from) of our sins,
4. Be baptized,
5. Obey God’s commandments.

These are actions that everyone can take. And for those that follow Jesus and remain faithful to the end, the reward is eternity in Heaven with God, Jesus, and all the saints!

We will end today’s lesson with the following Bible verse that talks about the beauty of heaven:

• “And He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” - Revelation 21:4.