You will quickly see, I am new to blogging.  In my first attempt, I want to give a simple article that answers an age-old argument. There are some due to dispensational separations of the Scriptures that refuse to accept Paul as the writer of the Epistle (letter) or book of Hebrews.  Their biggest argument is he never names himself.  This is true.  But, I believe he clearly identifies himself and another clearly gives witness of his writing.  But in my article, I will give the reasons why I believe Paul is the one whom the Holy Spirit moved through to write this book.  If you want to argue, then move on for that is not the purpose of the blog and I do not have the time.  If you agree, that is a compliment, but that also is not the purpose.  I am simply attempting to graciously share my thoughts on the subject.  Remember, it is not man's book, it is God's Word.  The Word of God has clear continuity and structure.  The author of Hebrews is important for this cause.  

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Hebrews, like the last eight epistles of the New Testament, is not written to a particular church.  It is clearly written to New Testament believers, and I believe to all churches. Some teach it is not for us, but that would be a gross error.   Hebrews has been called the Leviticus of the New Testament. All things are better in Christ.  In this epistle, you find a better priesthood, sanctuary, Sacrifice, and covenant than the Old Testament or Old Covenant.  It is a book of doctrine.  

The early church was predominantly Jewish.  They are taught and warned against rejecting Christ and going back to Judaism. There were arguments, also seen in other epistles.  The Jews in Rome must have needed this truth as Paul wrote:  Romans 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

The book is written to Christians.  They are called brethren and beloved.  

So who else could have possibly been the author of this book?  Some say Apollos. Not much is known concerning him, but we know he was an educated Jewish man who was "mighty in the Scriptures," saying he was a scholar of the Old Testament.  After he was saved, he was wrong in his doctrine and had to be corrected by Aquilla and Pricilla.  He received Christ and received their teaching.  (Acts 18:24-28)  Paul spoke of Apollos as one who had baptized and planted churches.  But Apollos could not have been an apostle.  Yes, some books of the Bible are written by non-apostles, but each one would have had an apostolic connection.  For instance, the Gospel of Mark.  John Mark started with Paul but spent most of his ministry it appears with Peter.  Peter calls Marcus his son, like Paul did Timothy, in 1 Peter 5:13.  Historians and commentaries of old all point this Marcus to as being John Mark, the writer of the second Gospel.  Then there is Luke who penned a Gospel and the Book fo Acts.  His influence would have been Paul.  James and Jude?  The brothers of Jesus. James is called an apostle in Galatians 1:19.  There being more than 12 apostles is a subject for another blog. But Apollos appears to be educated, but we have no clear evidence of his ever writing or being influenced by an apostle.  What about Barnabas?  He is called an apostle in Acts 14:14.  But that is the only possible indication.  Some have said Pricilla.  That holds no example or credence.  And then there is Luke.  Luke was very close to Paul.  He could have written Hebrews with Paul's influence, but one argument against Paul writing Hebrews is that some claim Hebrews is not Pauline in its structure.  Well, compare it to the Gospel of Luke and Acts and you clearly find that Hebrews is in no way close to the writings of Dr. Luke.  

There are articles out there that give more reasons than I will give.  I want to give a few reasons and a few interesting marks, of why I believe Paul wrote the Epistle to the Hebrews.  

1.  I disagree that Hebrews is not Pauline.  It is to a different audience.  All other epistles written by Paul were either to a specific church, which would have been made up of both Jews and Gentiles or in the case of the Epistles of Timothy, Titus, and Philemon, they are written to Christian brothers. Hebrews is written to a broad audience and deals with deep subjects.  He would not have written in the same style to this different audience of those educated in Judaism as he did to a church in Corinth who was not as trained in the Old Testament Law.   Pauline?  Consider the closing of the Epistle.  Romans 13:20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 22 And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words. 23 Know ye that [our] brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you. 24 Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you. 25 Grace [be] with you all. Amen. «[Written to the Hebrews from Italy, by Timothy.]»

- Timothy's presence and his being the courier are strong points of the Pauline influence.  Paul was incarcerated in Rome before his death.  This makes full sense.  Timothy could have traveled with someone else, but we have no evidence he was a faithful traveler of anyone that could have written this book except for Paul.
- The mention of suffering and the desire to see them sounds like other letters by Paul. 
-The Salutation in verse 24 - Peter did this in one epistle and John in one of his.  Neither is thought to have written this one.  But Paul did this in 9 of his other epistles.  I am not saying it is proof, I am saying it is Pauline in style. 

At this point, I must say, "to be continued."  How else will I ever write a second blog?   More to come.  

Pastor Rodney Kelley
1 Corinthians 15:58