Book of Hebrews Quiz

1. How does the book of Hebrews open, contrasting how God spoke in the past with how he has now spoken?

1. 'Grace and peace to you — I, Paul, write to you who have been called to endure...'
2. 'Hear, O Israel — the God of our fathers has now spoken his final word through the Son of David'
3. 'In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son'
4. 'The word of God is living and active — sharper than any two-edged sword and the one who speaks it is the Son of God'

2. Hebrews 1:3 gives a dense description of who Jesus is in relation to God. What four things does this verse say about him?

1. He is the Alpha and Omega, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the church and the judge of the living and dead
2. He is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word, and after providing purification for sins sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven
3. He is the Son of God, born of a virgin, raised from the dead and seated at God's right hand
4. He is the Word who was with God and was God, the light of the world, the lamb of God and the resurrection and the life

3. Hebrews chapters 1-2 argue that Jesus is superior to the angels. What Old Testament quote does the author use that no angel was ever given?

1. 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty'
2. 'Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet'
3. 'You are my beloved — in you I am well pleased'
4. 'You are my Son; today I have become your Father'

4. Hebrews 2:9 explains why Jesus, who is greater than the angels, briefly became lower than the angels. What reason does it give?

1. 'Because only a human being could truly atone for human sin — divinity alone was insufficient'
2. 'So that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone'
3. 'To show that God values humility above power and that the servant is greatest in the kingdom'
4. So he could identify with human weakness and teach us how to overcome temptation by example

5. Hebrews 2:14-15 describes why Jesus took on flesh and blood. What specific power did he destroy, and what did he free people from?

1. He became fully human so he could be tempted in every way and demonstrate it is possible to live without sin
2. He destroyed the power of sin and freed people from the necessity of religious sacrifice
3. He shared in humanity so that by his death he might break the power of the devil and free those who were held in slavery by their fear of death
4. He took on a body to prove that physical matter is not evil and to redeem creation through his resurrection

6. Hebrews 3:1-6 compares Jesus with Moses. What conclusion does the author reach about who is greater?

1. Jesus is greater because Moses died but Jesus rose — death is the final measure of greatness
2. Jesus is worthy of greater honour than Moses in the same way that the builder of a house has greater honour than the house itself — Moses was faithful as a servant in God's house; Christ is faithful as a Son over God's house
3. Jesus surpasses Moses because he brought a new law while Moses only brought the old one
4. Moses and Jesus are equal in honour — Moses founded the house and Jesus perfects it

7. Hebrews 3-4 uses Israel's wilderness rebellion as a warning. What Psalm does the author quote repeatedly, and what is the key phrase that serves as the warning?

1. Psalm 22 — 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'
2. Psalm 23 — 'The Lord is my shepherd'
3. Psalm 46 — 'God is our refuge and strength'
4. Psalm 95 — 'Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion'

8. Hebrews 4:12 contains a famous description of the word of God. What does it say?

1. 'For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart'
2. 'Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away'
3. 'The grass withers and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord endures forever — and this is the word proclaimed to you'
4. 'The word of God is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path — it guides and protects those who walk in it'

9. Hebrews 4:14-16 introduces the theme of Jesus as High Priest and encourages boldness. What does the author say believers can do because of Jesus?

1. 'Draw near to God and he will draw near to you — wash your hands, you sinners'
2. 'Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need'
3. Boldly proclaim the gospel knowing that Christ's sacrifice has disarmed the powers of darkness
4. Enter the holy of holies directly through the curtain without fear of God's consuming holiness

10. Hebrews 5:5-6 establishes Jesus as High Priest through two Psalm quotations. What are the two key Psalms quoted?

1. Psalm 118:22 and Psalm 110:4 — 'The stone the builders rejected' and 'You are a priest forever'
2. Psalm 2:7 and Psalm 110:4 — 'You are my Son' and 'You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek'
3. Psalm 22:1 and Psalm 110:1 — 'My God, why have you forsaken me?' and 'Sit at my right hand'
4. Psalm 40:6-8 and Psalm 45:7 — 'I desire to do your will' and 'Your God has set you above your companions'

11. Hebrews 5:8-9 says something remarkable about Jesus that challenges the idea that he was always perfectly comfortable in his divine nature. What does it say?

1. 'Although he was the Son of God, he submitted to the will of his Father even when it was painful'
2. 'He suffered on our behalf so that we would not have to suffer — bearing our griefs and carrying our sorrows'
3. 'He was tested in every way we are tested, and by enduring he proved that God's commands are possible to keep'
4. 'Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him'

12. Hebrews 6:1-2 lists what the author calls 'elementary teachings' or 'the basics of the Christian message.' Which of these is NOT in that list?

1. Faith in God
2. Instruction about baptisms and the laying on of hands
3. Repentance from acts that lead to death
4. The doctrine of predestination and God's sovereign election

13. Hebrews 6:19-20 uses a nautical metaphor for Christian hope. What is the metaphor?

1. Faith is the ship that carries us and hope is the sail that drives it — together they bring us safely to the harbour of salvation
2. Hope is like a compass that keeps us on course when the seas of doubt would turn us aside
3. Our hope is like the star that guides sailors home — it is fixed, permanent and guides through the darkest night
4. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure — it enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain where Jesus has gone as our forerunner

14. Hebrews 7 explains who Melchizedek was and why Jesus' priesthood in his order is superior to the Levitical priesthood. What three things does Hebrews say Melchizedek was 'without'?

1. Without beginning of days, without end of life, and without any record of father or mother — resembling the Son of God he remains a priest forever
2. Without land, without nation, without law — he was a universal priest not tied to any particular people
3. Without mother, without father, and without family history — he appeared and disappeared with no genealogical record
4. Without sin, without death and without the need for offering sacrifices — unlike the Levitical priests who had all these

15. Why was a change in the priesthood necessary according to Hebrews 7:11-19?

1. Because perfection was not attainable through the Levitical priesthood — if it were, there would have been no need for another priest in the order of Melchizedek
2. Because the Levitical priesthood was temporary by design — it always pointed forward to a greater fulfilment
3. Because the Levitical priests were corrupt and God needed a more reliable system
4. Because the number of Levitical priests was insufficient to handle all the sacrifices required by an expanding Israel

16. Hebrews 7:25 contains a wonderful promise about Jesus' ongoing ministry as High Priest. What does it say he is doing right now?

1. 'He is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them'
2. He is pouring out the Holy Spirit on all who call on his name in every generation until he returns
3. He is preparing a place for his people in his Father's house so that where he is they may also be
4. He is ruling the nations with a rod of iron until all enemies are made his footstool

17. Hebrews 7:26-27 describes what kind of high priest was fitting for us. What qualities does it list?

1. Anointed, authorised, eternal, sinless and omniscient — everything the law's priesthood lacked
2. Holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens — who does not need to offer sacrifices daily for his own sins
3. Patient, compassionate, understanding, faithful and strong — qualities that make him the perfect mediator
4. Powerful, all-knowing, ever-present and incorruptible — qualities no human priest could possess

18. The first major warning passage in Hebrews (2:1-4) warns against neglecting salvation. What does it say about those who ignore such a great salvation?

1. 'How shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him'
2. 'It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God — he is a consuming fire'
3. 'Those who reject the Son reject the Father — there is no sacrifice for sins remaining for those who turn away'
4. They are like those who build on sand — when the storm comes, the building falls

19. Hebrews 4:1-11 discusses the concept of God's 'rest.' What three kinds of rest does the author weave together in this passage?

1. God's own rest after creation (Genesis 2), the rest in the Promised Land that Israel sought (Joshua), and the eschatological Sabbath rest still available to God's people
2. Physical rest on the Sabbath, emotional rest from anxiety, and spiritual rest from striving to earn salvation
3. Sabbath rest in the law, Jubilee rest in the land, and eternal rest in the presence of God
4. The rest of the grave, the rest of believers who have died in Christ, and the final rest of the new creation

20. Hebrews was written to a community facing a particular temptation. What was it, and what is the letter's primary appeal?

1. The temptation to compromise with Gnostic teaching; the appeal is to trust the physical resurrection
2. The temptation to prioritise wealth and comfort over sacrifice; the appeal is to give generously as Christ gave himself
3. The temptation to revert to Judaism and the Mosaic covenant; the appeal is to hold fast to faith in Christ who surpasses everything in the old covenant
4. The temptation to submit to Roman emperor worship; the appeal is to die for Christ rather than deny him

21. Hebrews 8:1-2 describes where Jesus serves as High Priest. What is distinctive about the sanctuary he ministers in?

1. He ministers in the heavenly Jerusalem which is the true and eternal city of God
2. He ministers throughout all creation since his priesthood is universal and not limited to one place
3. He serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by a human being — in heaven at the right hand of the Majesty
4. He serves within the hearts of believers — the true temple that is not built by human hands

22. Hebrews 8:6-7 explains why a new covenant was necessary. What does the author say about the first covenant?

1. If the first covenant had been faultless, no place would have been sought for another — but God found fault with the people, saying a new covenant was coming
2. The first covenant was a school teacher that led Israel to Christ — once Christ came it was no longer needed
3. The first covenant was a temporary arrangement always intended to be replaced — like scaffolding removed when the building is complete
4. The first covenant was good but the people were not faithful to it — so God replaced it with one that they could keep

23. Hebrews 8:10-12 quotes Jeremiah 31 extensively — the new covenant passage. What three things does God promise in the new covenant?

1. A new law, a new land and a new temple — surpassing everything in the old covenant
2. All people will have direct access to God without mediators; the Spirit will be poured out on everyone; there will be no more sacrifice
3. He will put his laws in their minds and write them on their hearts; he will be their God and they will be his people; no one will need to teach others to know the Lord, for all will know him; sins will be forgiven
4. The Messiah will come from Israel; the nations will be grafted in; death will be conquered and all tears wiped away

24. Hebrews 9:1-5 describes the layout of the earthly tabernacle. What was kept behind the second curtain in the Most Holy Place?

1. The ark of the covenant overlaid with gold — containing the golden jar of manna, Aaron's staff and the stone tablets
2. The golden altar of incense, the ark of the covenant, the golden jar of manna, Aaron's staff that budded and the stone tablets of the covenant
3. The high priest's garments, the sacred oil and the urim and thummim for discerning God's will
4. The menorah, the table of showbread and the bronze basin

25. Hebrews 9:7 describes the restrictions around entering the Most Holy Place under the old covenant. How often could the high priest enter, and what did he need to bring?

1. Once a week on the Sabbath — to trim the lamps and ensure the presence of God was maintained
2. Once a year — and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance
3. Only at the appointment of a new king — to seek God's blessing on Israel's leadership
4. Three times a year — on the Day of Atonement, Passover and Pentecost

26. Hebrews 9:14 contrasts the blood of the old covenant sacrifices with the blood of Christ. What does it say Christ's blood will do?

1. 'How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!'
2. Cover every sin past, present and future — so that no further repentance is ever needed
3. Open the way into the Most Holy Place so we can approach God directly
4. Seal the new covenant as the animal sacrifices sealed the old — making it permanent and eternally binding

27. Hebrews 9:27-28 contains a foundational statement about death and judgment. What does it say?

1. 'Death has been swallowed up in victory — those who die in Christ will not face the second death but pass into glory'
2. 'God did not spare his own Son — he gave him over to death so that those who believe would not have to face it'
3. 'It is appointed that humans die once, and after that to face judgment — so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many'
4. 'The wages of sin is death — and since all have sinned, all must die; but Christ has defeated death for all who believe'

28. Hebrews 10:1 argues that the law was only a shadow. What does this mean for the annual sacrifices?

1. 'The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming — it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship'
2. 'The law was a picture of grace that was to come — like a sketch before the painting, it pointed to the real thing without being it'
3. 'Year after year the sacrifices reminded Israel of their sin — they were a warning, not a solution'
4. The sacrifices were real atonement but only for that year — they could not deal with the deeper problem of sin

29. Hebrews 10:10-14 announces the great difference between the old priests and Christ. What does the contrast between standing and sitting represent?

1. Every priest stands daily and offers repeatedly — never sitting down because the work is never finished; but when Jesus offered one sacrifice for sins forever, he sat down — the work is complete
2. Standing represents alertness and service; sitting represents rest — the old priests were always on duty while Christ is now resting in glory
3. Standing represents presence before God in the temple; sitting represents enthronement — the old priests served in the temple but Christ now reigns in heaven
4. The old priests stood because they were ministers serving a king; Christ sits because he is the king himself

30. Hebrews 10:25 gives a famous instruction about church community. What does it say?

1. 'Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ — you cannot do this without meeting regularly'
2. 'Meet together daily so that you encourage one another while it is still called Today'
3. 'Not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching'
4. 'Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them — do not forsake this gathering'

31. Hebrews 11:1 gives the famous definition of faith. What does it say?

1. 'Faith is complete trust in God — believing he is able and willing to do what he has promised'
2. 'Faith is the assurance that what God has said is true, even when circumstances contradict it'
3. 'Faith without works is dead — the faith that saves is the faith that acts on what it believes'
4. 'Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see'

32. Hebrews 11 is the great 'hall of faith.' Which Old Testament figures are specifically named in this chapter?

1. Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets
2. Abraham, Moses, David, Solomon, Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Daniel
3. Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Joshua and David — the six pillars of Israel's faith
4. Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Deborah, Ruth, David, Elijah and Isaiah

33. Hebrews 11:13 says that all the patriarchs died in faith without receiving what was promised. What does it say they were on earth?

1. Exiles of the promise — waiting for the day of fulfilment
2. Foreigners and strangers on earth — they were longing for a better country, a heavenly one
3. Pilgrims journeying toward a city that is to come
4. Servants who did not live to see the master's return

34. Hebrews 11:39-40 closes the hall of faith with a remarkable statement about the relationship between the Old Testament saints and New Testament believers. What does it say?

1. The ancients were commended for their faith but did not receive what was promised — God had planned that only together with us would they be made perfect
2. The great cloud of witnesses watches over us — cheering us on as we run the race they ran before us
3. Their faith was counted as righteousness just as our faith is — the same God, the same promise, the same salvation across all ages
4. They were saved by looking forward to Christ as we are saved by looking back — the cross is the centre of all history

35. Hebrews 12:1-2 builds on the hall of faith with a famous call to run. What three things does the author urge?

1. Press on toward the prize, forget what lies behind, and follow the example of those who have gone before
2. Run with joy, fight with courage and pray without ceasing — the three disciplines of the faithful Christian life
3. Stand firm, hold fast to the confession of hope, and encourage one another as you see the Day approaching
4. Throw off every weight and entangling sin, run with endurance the race marked out for us, and fix our eyes on Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of faith

36. Hebrews 12:5-11 reframes suffering as God's discipline. What does the author say discipline proves?

1. That God's standard is high and he will not accept mediocrity in his people
2. That our faith is genuine — counterfeit faith falls away under trial but true faith endures
3. That the Lord is training us as sons — no discipline is pleasant at the time but later produces a harvest of righteousness for those trained by it
4. That we still have things to learn — discipline is God's teaching method for those who are willing to grow

37. Hebrews 12:22-24 contrasts the new covenant with the fearful experience of Sinai. What does the author say believers have come to instead?

1. A temple made without hands, eternal in the heavens, where God dwells in unapproachable light
2. Mount Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem, to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, to God the judge, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant
3. The New Jerusalem which comes down from heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband
4. The throne room of God, the sea of glass, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders

38. Hebrews 13:8 contains one of the most quoted statements about Jesus in all of Christian theology. What does it say?

1. 'Jesus Christ is Lord — to the glory of God the Father'
2. 'Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever'
3. 'Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead and the ruler of the kings of the earth'
4. 'There is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus'

39. Hebrews 13:15-16 describes the sacrifices that believers are now to offer. What are they, in contrast to the animal sacrifices of the old covenant?

1. A continual sacrifice of praise — the fruit of lips that openly profess his name — and doing good and sharing with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased
2. Prayer and intercession on behalf of all people — the spiritual priesthood of all believers
3. The sacrifice of a contrite heart and a repentant spirit — what God truly desires
4. The sacrifice of a holy life — presenting our bodies as living sacrifices, which is our spiritual worship

40. Hebrews closes with a benediction that describes Jesus using a particular Old Testament image. What title does the blessing give Jesus?

1. The Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, who was and is and is to come
2. The great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the eternal covenant
3. The King of kings and Lord of lords, whose kingdom will have no end
4. The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David who has triumphed