Morning Message: The Substance of Hope

Bobservations' Column

Titled - "The Substance of Hope"

Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz

Man’s promises are filled with comfort and convenience, and often come with stipulations. All we have to do is remind ourselves of the New Year’s Resolutions that we promise to ourselves. When those resolutions become inconvenient or uncomfortable, or even just “too hard” to keep, the promises we make to ourselves are usually the first to be set aside. We make them with all good intentions, but a practical examination of those promises, regarding personal goals should be taken into consideration prior to making them. Reality will frequently come back to haunt us.

God’s promises are different, they are based in agape’, that love that comes from God without stipulations, or expectations of reciprocation. His love is based in a pure love that has our best interests in heart. That is the difference. Our promises to ourselves are self-centered, for our own benefit. His are also for us, but they are other-oriented, not self-indulgent for His own glory. And even more, He has a track record of keeping his promises. If you have been a Christian for a while, my words need no further explanation. If you are a new Christian, or a non-Christian, you may want to examine the words more closely to gain an understanding.

Chapter 11 of Hebrews is casually known as the Faith Chapter of the Bible. Our faith is in God, not man; our faith is in His promises, not mankind’s. It has a scriptural premise, found in Psalm 118: 8 & 9. “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.” These are two very practical verses. We have seen the results of misplaced trust on our election days. Mankind’s words can bring a hidden agenda, and we see that some people believe the lies spoken from campaign podiums.

This is not about partisan politics, it is about misplaced trust, without looking at track records. Or perhaps, deliberately overlooking track records. Mankind is fickle; God is steadfast in all His doings. God is also forgiving, just, and fair. He already knows our shortcomings, yet He blesses His own.

“Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.” - Exodus 20: 16

(“Who is my neighbor?" - Ref. Luke 10; 36 & 37)

Bobservations' Column:  Audio Version

Sunday Morning Message:

Hebrews 11:1-25 - "The Substance of Hope"

Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:

This morning, we will begin our exposition of Hebrews, chapter 11. It is one of those most loved portions of Scripture. It has various names. The most famous of them are, “The Faith Chapter" and “The Hall of Faith.” It is an entire chapter of the Bible devoted to the topic of faith. Faith is mentioned 26 times in chapter 11. It will be the recurring theme in this chapter again and again and again and again.

In many ways, Hebrews 11 is a treatise upon faith. But more than merely defining what faith is and talking about the characteristics of faith from an abstract perspective, primarily, this chapter is going to show us what faith looks like. The writer highlights for us the faith of a dozen individuals, whose lives are recorded for us in the Old Testament. He puts them on display and shows how through their faith they received the approval of God.

When God calls us to come to Him, He doesn’t call us first to love Him. He doesn’t call us first to obey Him. He doesn’t call us first to serve Him. He calls us first to believe in Him.

Our eternal destiny is based upon our faith (or lack of faith). “Whoever believes in Him will not perish, but will have everlasting life” (John 3:16). It is by believing in Jesus Christ, the Son of God that you have life in His name (John 20:31). Jesus said, “He who believes in Him is not judged; He who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18). Our future destiny is dependent upon our faith.

But faith isn’t a mere one-time act. Faith is something that we continually ought to manifest in our lives every day.

Sunday Morning Audio Message:

Key Words and Definitions with Reference:

Key terms and definitions in Hebrews 11:

• Faith (pistis): The foundational concept of the chapter, defined as a confident belief in things hoped for and a strong conviction about things not seen.
• Assurance / Substance (hupostasis): The Greek word hupostasis is central to the definition of faith. This is from the same Greek word translated "express image" in 1:3 and "confidence" in 3:14.  The faith described here involves the most solid possible conviction, the God-given present assurance of a future reality.  "Assurance," "Confidence," or "Substance," signifying a tangible reality for things hoped for.
• Conviction / Evidence (elenchos): This term means "conviction," "proof," or "evidence," highlighting the certainty and factual basis of faith in things that are not visible.
• Hope (elpis): The act of hoping for or expecting future fulfillment of God's promises.
• Understanding (noeo): The ability to comprehend truths by faith, such as understanding that the universe was created by God's word, even though this is not something that can be physically seen.
  

Evidence of Things Not Seen (11:1) - True faith is not based on empirical evidence but on divine assurance, and is a gift of God.

Elders (11:2) - Meaning "men of old."  In this context, the term refers to all saints, both men and women, under the older covenant, a select few of whom are described in verses 4-40.

Obtained a Good Report (11:2) - God bears witness on the behalf of these saints that they lived by faith and divine approval is granted to them.

Through Faith (11:3) - Each example of faith in verses 3-31 is formally introduced with this specific phrase.  True saving faith works in obedience to God.

We (11:3) - Referring to the writer and all other true believers, present and past.

Worlds (11:3) - The physical universe itself as well as its operation and administration.

Were Framed (11:3) - equipped so that something might be made ready to fulfill its purpose.

Word of God (11:3) - God's divine utterance.

Abel . . . More Excellent (11:4) - Genesis 4:1-15. Though not specifically revealed, it is implied in 12:24.  Both brothers knew what God required.  Abel obeyed and Cain did not.  Abel acted in faith, Cain in unbelief.

By Which . . . It (11:4) - Abel's faith, not his offering.  Through that faith, he left testimony to all succeeding generations that a person comes to God by faith to receive righteousness.

Righteous (11:4) - Abel was accounted as righteous by God because of his faith, evidenced in obedience.

Enoch . . . Impossible to Please (11:5, 6) - Genesis 5:24. Enoch please God because he had faith.  Without such, it is not possible for anyone to "walk with God" or "please Him."

Noah . . . Things Not Seen (11:7) - Genesis 5:28-9:29. The world had not seen anything resembling the great flood, not even rain, yet Noah spent 120 years fulfilling God's command to build the massive ark (Genesis 6:13-22).

Fear (Godly) (11:7) - Treating God's Word with great respect and awe.

Condemned (11:7) - Noah warned the people of his time about God's impending judgment, preaching righteousness.

Abraham . . . A Place . . . Inheritance (11:8) - Genesis 11:27- 25:11. The land of Canaan.  He went out by faith.

Promise (11:9) - By faith Abraham went to the promised land, though he did not possess the land.  Possession of the land would be fulfilled many generations beyond his lifetime.

Sarah (11:11) - Genesis 11:27-23:2. At ninety, Sarah was long past child-bearing age and had never been able to conceive.  God enabled her to do so because of her faith in His promise (Genesis 21:1-3).

As Good as Dead (11:12) - Abraham at 99 years of age, was well beyond the age to father children apart from divine intervention.

Stars . . . Sand (11:12) - (hyperbole) The vastness of the population that would come from Abraham's loins.

These All (11:13) - The patriarchs only (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob).

Strangers and Pilgrims (11:13-16) - Their faith was patient and endured great hardships because they believed God. 

Their God (11:16) - God referred to Himself as "the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob" (Exodus 3:6; Genesis 28:13).  People identified with God and He with them.

Only Begotten (11:17, 18) - Isaac was not the only son of Abraham; there was also Ishmael through Hagar (Genesis 16:1-16).  Isaac was the only son born according to God's promise and was the only heir of that promise. 

Even From the Dead (11:19) - Abraham come to the conclusion that God would fulfill all His promise even if it required raising Isaac from the dead (Genesis 22:5).

Isaac (11:20) - Genesis 27:1-28:5.  

Jacob (11:21) - Genesis 47:28-49:33. Both of Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, received a blessing from Jacob. 

Joseph (11:22) - Genesis 37:1-50:26. By faith believed God would fulfill His promise to deliver the nation of Israel from Egyptian bondage.  Even at death, having never returned to Canaan during his life, Joseph continued to believe in God's promise.  He demonstrated this by making his brothers promise to take his bones back to Canaan for burial.

Moses . . . Beautiful Child (11:23-29) - Exodus 1-15.  He was divinely favored.  Moses refused the fame he could have had in Egypt and suffered reproach because he identified with God's people in their suffering.  He courageously served God and led Israel out of Egypt.

Morning Message: Cut Off No More

Bobservations' Column

Titled - "Cut Off No More"

Written by:  Pastor Bob Lawrenz

In Hebrews chapters 5, 6, and 7, we read of Melchizedek the High Priest, and the King of Salem; of the order of priests that had the duty of entering the Holy of Holies once each year. We are told in Chapter 5 that Jesus was of that order of High Priests. In Chapter 6, we are told that Jesus is our “fore runner,” Who goes before us in that Priesthood.

We are further told in Hebrews 10: 20 today, that Jesus entered into the veil of the Holiest by a new and living way! He became the living veil across the Holy of Holies. In the Old Testament, the veil blocked the way for all but the High Priests, and at the Crucifixion, it was torn specifically from top to bottom. (Not bottom to top, but from the top to the bottom. [Mt. 27: 51, Mk. 15: 38, Lk. 23: 45].)

This “new and living way” was by Christ Himself. During His Passion and Death, the first thing done was to place a Crown of Thorns on His head, The soldiers then plucked out His beard, The soldiers scourged Him with 39 lashings across His back, nailed His hands and then His feet to the cross… Top to Bottom, His body was pierced, torn, and Crucified, shedding His blood from top to bottom.

This is the application of our opening verse today; Christ’s broken body being the veil through which the Holy of Holies is made accessible to US! Though He knew no sin, He was made sin for us, to pay the penalty for the sins of the whole world… Because He loves us.

And if that were not enough, He makes us Kings and Priests for His Heavenly Kingdom (Revelation 1:6, 5:10, and 20:6) and for those that are/were raised from the dead in the first resurrection, they shall be Priests, and we shall reign with Him during His Millennial Reign of 1,000 years (Revelation 1:6, 5:10, and 20:6). This is love, so amazing! As the Word says, “We love Him, because He first loved us !” (1 John 4:19)

“…And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth." - Revelation 1:5, 6

Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”

Bobservations' Column:  Audio Version

Sunday Morning Message:

Hebrews 10:20-39 - "Cut Off No More"

Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:

For nine and a half chapters now, the author of Hebrews has been giving has painted a clear picture of Jesus, who He is and what He has done for us.  This should encourage us to hold fast in our faith.  The author wants us to be strong in our faith and not turn back under life’s difficulties. This is what the author establishes for us in Hebrews 10:19. “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God…” This introduction is a reminder of all the pictures and proofs that the author has given us so far. We can now come into the presence of God. We can now enter where others were unable to enter.

Essentially, the impossible has occurred. We have confidence to enter into God’s presence. The only reason we are able to enter with confidence is because of the blood of Jesus. His sacrifice puts us near the Father in a way that the first covenant could not. We are able to pass through the curtain that not even the priests could pass through. We have a new and living way to approach the Father. Now as we approach the Father, we do not find an impenetrable curtain standing between God and us. Rather, we find Jesus as our High Priest, and we are able to enter the curtain through him.

As you read through the first seven verses or so of this week's passage, please take note of the writers serious, but encouraging words or even commands.  “Let us . . .”  We are called to an earnest faith.  We are to be serious about truth, about obedience and spiritual disciplines, and to take the local church seriously as well.

Hebrews 10:19-39 is a passage that exhorts believers to live with confidence and endurance, based on Jesus's sacrifice, while also warning against deliberately rejecting his salvation. It begins by explaining that through Jesus, believers have a "new and living way" to enter God's presence and should draw near with a sincere heart, holding fast to their hope. It then encourages them to spur one another toward love and good works and to not forsake meeting together, especially as the end approaches. The passage concludes with a strong warning about the severe punishment for those who willfully sin and reject Christ after having received the knowledge of the truth.

Sunday Morning Audio Message:

Key Words and Definitions with Reference:

New (10:20) - In Greek, this word originally meant "newly slain," but was understood as "recent" when the epistle was written. The way is new because the covenant is new, through Jesus Christ.  It is not a way provided by the Levitical system.

Living Way (10:20) - Though it is the path of eternal life, it was not opened by Christ's sinless life; it required His death. The Hebrews were invited to embark on this way which is characterized by the eternal life of the Son of God who loved them and gave Himself for them (cf. John 14:6; Galatians 2:20). The Christian faith was known as "the Way" among the Jews of Jerusalem (Acts 9:2) as well as among the Gentiles (Acts 19:23). Those receiving this epistle understood quite clearly that the writer was inviting them to become Christians - to join those who had been persecuted for their faith. True believers in their midst were even then suffering persecution, and those who had not committed themselves to the Way were asked to become targets of the same persecution.

Let Us Draw Near (10:22) - Through the New Covenant established by Jesus' sacrifice, believers can now come into God's presence with sincerity and confidence, free from the guilt of their past sins.  This is the heart of the invitation to those in the assembly who had not come to Christ. This verse describes the prerequisites for entering the presence of God:  sincerity, security, salvation, and sanctification.

True Heart (10:22) - The Greek term behind true carries the ideas of being sincere, genuine, and without ulterior motive.  The one thing these particular Hebrews lacked was genuine commitment to Christ.

Full Assurance of Faith (10:22) - Utter confidence in the promises of God.

Hearts Sprinkled (10:22) - The imagery in this verse is taken from the sacrificial ceremonies of the Old Covenant, where blood was sprinkled as a sign of cleansing, and the priests were continually washing themselves and the sacred vessels in basins of clear water.  The "washing with pure water" does not refer to Christian baptism, but to the Holy Spirit's purifying one's life by means of the Word of God (cf. Ephesians 5:25, 26; Titus 3:5).  This is purely a New Covenant picture.

Hold Fast (10:23) - A metaphor seen in many verses of the Bible is the term hold fast or holding fast, meaning “be diligent,” “cling to,” or “take a firm grasp of.”

Profession of Our Faith (10:23) - A steadfast commitment to Jesus that is demonstrated through both words and actions. This involves holding fast to the confession of hope without wavering, believing in Jesus' sacrifice, and living in a way that is faithful to God. A true profession is not just a verbal statement but is also evidenced by a changed life and a commitment to good works and community.

Without Wavering (10:23) - Not following any inclination that leads back to the Old Covenant. 

Consider (10:24) - The same verb is used about Jesus in 3:1. The invitation must be responded to individually, but the response also has a corporate side.  They are members of a community of Hebrews whose initial attraction to Christ is in danger of eroding.  They have been considering a return to the Levitical system of Judaism to avoid the persecution.  Mutual encouragement to make full commitment is crucial.

Provoke (10:24) - Meaning to stir up - stimulating or inciting someone to do something.

Love and Good Works (10:24) - An example of mutual effort in the midst of persecution was to be found at Corinth (2 Corinthians 8:1-7).

Not Forsaking the Assembling (10:25) - Collective and corporate worship is a vital part of spiritual life.  The warning here is against apostasy in an eschatological context (2 Thessalonians 2:1).  The reference is to the approaching "day" (the Second Coming of Christ). 

Exhorting (10:25) - Exhortation takes the form of encouragement, comfort, warning, or strengthening.  There is an eschatological urgency to the exhortation which requires an increased activity as the coming of Christ approaches.

Sin Willfully (10:26) - Deliberate willful intention that is habitual. The sin is rejecting Christ deliberately.  

Knowledge (10:26) - The language here denotes a specific knowledge, not general spiritual knowledge.  A knowledge that is flawed in application, a lack of faith.

No More (10:26) - The apostate is beyond salvation because he has rejected the only sacrifice that can cleanse him from sin and bring him into God's presence.  To turn away from that sacrifice leaves him with no saving alternative. 

Fearful Looking (10:27) - A fearful expectation of judgment. The judgment is certain to happen, so it gives rise to fear.

Adversaries (10:27) - Actual opposition against God and toward the program of God in salvation.

Blood of the Covenant (10:29) - Christ's death ratified the New Covenant.

Cast Not Away (10:35) - Because of persecution, they were tempted to run away from their outward identification with Christ and Christians and to apostatize. 

Reward (10:35) - They are closer than ever to the eternal reward.  It is not time to turn back.

Done the Will of God (10:36) - To trust Christ fully by living daily in the will of the Father.

Just Shall Live By Faith (10:38) - The opposite of apostasy is faith.  This is a preview of the subsequent chapter.  It is faith which pleases God.  The person who draws back from the knowledge of the gospel and faith will prove his apostasy.

Draw Back to Perdition (10:39) - The writer expresses confidence that believing readers ("we") will not be counted among "those" who fall away to destruction.  Apostates will draw back from Christ, but there are some who are near to believing who can be pulled "out of the fire" (cf. Jude 23).  Perdition is commonly used in the New Testament of the everlasting punishment or judgment of unbelievers.

Morning Message: By One Offering

Bobservations' Column
Titled - "By One Offering"
Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz

In Hebrews 10, it is clearly affirmed that animal sacrifices were insufficient for clearing our guilt for sin. In the early verses of Genesis 3, the first couple was lured into sinning against God, first Eve, and then Adam. At verse 21, an animal sacrifice was made, and God made them coats of skins to cover their nakedness. They had been other-oriented, but because of sin, they became self-oriented, and self-aware. This was the fulfillment of Satan’s promise to become as God; to know good and evil.

While the animal skins covered over their nakedness, the skins could not remove the stain of sin in their hearts. They were made outwardly presentable each other, but the stain remained. They were inwardly corrupted in the heart. The proof of this came in Chapter 4 with their sons, as Cain murdered Abel. Pride and jealousy reared its head between the brothers. Abel died, and Cain fled to the east, away from God, and away from accountability.

The corruption of man worsened: Genesis 6: 5 - “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the Earth, and every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” That stain of sin had corrupted every human heart, without exception. And even the flood of Noah could not wash it away.

Nonetheless, animal blood sacrifices continued for the outward atonement of sin, but it wasn’t until the Prophets began to speak of God giving us new hearts that true hope might provide for the stain of sin to be washed and changes take place. The Jews called God unfair, but the Holy Spirit tells us in 1 John 1, that God is indeed just and fair. When we choose to be accountable to God, we find Him to be “faithful and just to forgive us of all our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness,” (the stain!). It all happens through the blood of Jesus Christ: By faith, accountability, and by faith, forgiven, and by faith, cleansed of even the residue of that stain of sin, and by faith, the promise of our eternity with Him.

“Jesus answered (Nicodemus) and said unto him, ‘Verily, verily, I say unto Thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." - John 3:3

Bobservations' Column:  Audio Version

Sunday Morning Message:

Hebrews 10:1-20 - "By One Offering"

Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:

To help us understand the significance of what we’re looking at today, let's review again about the book Hebrews: who it was written to, and why it was written.

Hebrews is a letter written to a primarily Hebrew-Christian audience. The original recipients of this letter (sometime around the year 65 AD) had grown up in Judaism, and at some point, converted to faith in Jesus Christ.  They were well familiar with “The Law of Moses” – the old covenant system that God established with his people after he rescued them out of slavery from Egypt. We know that they were under pressure from others in their community, perhaps family or friends to return back to the Law of Moses.

The author, perhaps Paul, perhaps another writer, encourages the Hebrew believers to hold fast to their faith in Jesus Christ, then in great detail explains how the Old Covenant differs from the New Testament of Christ.  The Old Covenant, the Law of Moses, has nothing to offer them, it was only temporal.  More importantly it does not lead to salvation and eternal life. 

The Old Covenant system was only ever meant as an example, symbol, copy, shadow, model, an illustration of God’s full plan for his people – not the real thing. The Levitical system was not designed by God to remove or forgive sins.  It was preparatory for the coming of the Messiah. It was meant to show us our sinfulness, and that to be right with God, faith was necessary and a substitute sacrifice was the required payment for our sin. Jesus came as that substitute and performed the final sacrifice, the one The Law was hinting at, and as such, that old covenant is no longer necessary, and therefore it is no longer in effect. As a result, we can now draw near to God through Christ with full assurance of forgiveness! 

Sunday Morning Audio Message:

Key Words and Definitions with Reference:

Shadow (10:1) - The Greek term translated " shadow" refers to a pale reflection as contrasted with a sharp, distinct one.  The term behind "very image," on the other hand, indicates an exact and distinct replica (cf. Colossians 2:17).

Perfect (10:1) - This term is used repeatedly in Hebrew to refer to salvation.  As much as those living under the law desired to approach God, the Levitical system provided no way to enter His Holy Presence (cf. Psalms 15:1; 16:11; 24:3, 4).

Conscience of Sin (10:2) - This is the same word translated "conscience" in verse 22; 9:9; 13:18. If sin had really been overpowered by that system of sacrifices, the Old Testament believers' consciences would have been cleansed from condemning guilt (cf. v. 22).  There was not freedom of conscience under the Old Covenant.

Remembrance (10:3) - The Old Testament sacrifices not only could not remove sin, but their constant repetition was a constant reminder of that deficiency.  The promise of the New Covenant was that the sin would be removed and even God would "remember" their sins "no more" (8:12, quoting Jeremiah 31:34).

Not Possible (10:4) - The Levitical system was not designed by God to remove or forgive sins.  It was preparatory for the coming of the Messiah (Galatians 3:24) in that it made the people expectant (cf. 1 Peter 1:10).  It revealed the seriousness of their sinful condition, in that even temporary covering required the death of an animal.  It revealed the reality of God's holiness and righteousness by indicating that sin had to be covered.  Finally, it revealed the necessity of full and complete forgiveness so that God could have fellowship with His people. 

Thou Wouldest Not (10:5) - God was not pleased with sacrifices given by a person who did not give them out of a sincere heart (cf. 1 Samuel 15:22; Psalm 51:17; Isaiah 1:11; Jeremiah 6:20; Hosea 6:6; Amos 5:21-25).  To sacrifice only as a ritual, without obedience, was a mockery and worse than no sacrifice at all (cf. Isaiah 1:11-18).

A Body Hast Thou Prepared for Me (10:5) - Psalm 40:6 reads, "Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required."  The Greek translators regarded the Hebrew words as a figure of speech, in which a part of something signified the whole, i.e., the hollowing out of ears was part of the total work of fashioning a human body.  And ears were selected as the part to emphasize because they were symbols of obedience as the organ of the reception of God's Word and will (cf. 1 Samuel 15:22).  Christ needed a body in order to offer Himself as the final sacrifice (2:14).

First . . . Second (10:9) - The old, repetitious sacrificial system was removed to make way for the new, once-for-all sacrifice of Christ, who had obediently done God's will (cf. 5:8; Philippians 2:8).

Sanctified (10:10) - Sanctify means to "make holy," to be set apart from sin for God (cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:3). When Christ fulfilled the will of God, He provided for the believer a continuing, permanent condition of holiness (Ephesians 4:24; 1 Thessalonians 4:3).

Body (10:10) - Referring to the His atoning death, as the term blood has been used to do.

Standeth (10:11) - In 2 Chronicles 6:10, 12, Solomon sat on his throne as king, but stood at the altar when acting in a priestly role.

Footstool (10:13) - This is another reference to Psalm 110:1.  This prediction will be fulfilled when Christ returns, and all creation acknowledges His lordship by bowing at His feet (Philippians 2:10).

Perfected (10:14) - This involves a perfect standing before God in the righteousness of Christ.

Brethren (10:19) - The writer addresses his Jewish brethren with an invitation to leave behind the Levitical system and to appropriate the benefits of the New Covenant in Christ.

Boldness (10:19) - Meaning "confidence," an important emphasis in the epistle.  Because of the high priestly ministry of Christ and His finished sacrifice, the Hebrews can enter boldly into the presence of God. 

New (10:20) - In Greek, this word originally meant "newly slain," but was understood as "recent" when the epistle was written.  The way is new because the covenant is new.  It is not a way provided by the Levitical system.

Living Way (10:20) - Though it is the path of eternal life, it was not opened by Christ's sinless life; it required His death.  The Hebrews were invited to embark on this way which is characterized by the eternal life of the Son of God who loved them and gave Himself for them (cf. John 14:6; Galatians 2:20).  The Christian faith was known as "the Way" among the Jews of Jerusalem (Acts 9:2) as well as among the Gentiles (Acts 19:23). Those receiving this epistle understood quite clearly that the writer was inviting them to become Christians - to join those who had been persecuted for their faith.  True believers in their midst were even then suffering persecution, and those who had not committed themselves to the Way were asked to become targets of the same persecution.