Hebrews 9:15-22

 

-I Cor. 1:18, 22-23

 

  I.  Christ is the mediator of the new covenant inaugurated by His death.

    a.  What are the consequences of Christ's death?

     i.  The redemption of transgressions.

-redemption = apolutrosis = releasing by payment of a price, setting free, deliverance.

-Morris "While the idea of redemption is widespread in the ancient world, the actual word used here (apoloutrosis) is a rare world - a fact that may point to the conviction that the redemption Christians know is not simply another redemption among many. It is unique."

-Rom. 4:2-3, Rom. 3:25-26

-I Pet. 1:10-12

    ii.  The promise of eternal life.

 

    b.  Why was Christ's death necessary?

      i.  The covenant demands death.

-covenant = diatheke = covenant, will, testament

1. Diatheke as a wil or testament

-valid = bebaios = firm, guarantee, also the sense of legally valid.

2. Diatheke as a covenant.

-V. 16 "be the death of the one who made it" literally = "the necessity of death be brought of the covenant maker"

-V. 17 "men are dead" literally "over the dead"or ESV "takes effect only at death."

-covenant (Hebrews = berith) LXX translates berith as diatheke

-Guthrie "These explain the reference to the ratifier's death as symbolically realized in the death of the sacrificial victim. By this interpretation, verses 16-17 proclaim simply that someone (represented by the sacrificial victim) had to die in order for the covenant to be established."

      ii.  Forgiveness demands blood.

-Luke 22:10

-Lev. 5:11

-forgiveness = aphesis = releasing, forgiveness, cancellation