The Relationship of Jewish and Gentile Believers to the Law Between A.D. 30 and 70 in the Scripture

author first warns his audience (5: 11-6: 12) and reassures them (6: 13-20) . The gravity of this theme for the audience 5: 11-6: 12 This, the third warning passage (5:11-6:12), encourages the people to move ahead in their understanding of the revelation of God. "For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness . . . but solid food is for the ma- ture . . .. Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ , let us press on to maturity" (5: 13-6: 1). If the readers do not move on they will find themselves in a perilous situation. The warnings which are given here are drastic and final (6:6-8). The author not only warns his readers negatively, but also encourages them positively toward personal faithfulness and about the faithfulness of God toward them (6:9- 12). Reassurance of God's commitment to keep His promises 6 :13-20. 29 This reassurance (6: 13-20) seems designed to meet the natural reaction to the truth which is presented in chapter seven . If the new revelation displaces Moses then the next question would most likely be, "Has God forgotten his promises to bless Abraham and hi seed?" The answer comes powerfully in 6 :13-20 that not only has God not forgotten hi promises to the Jew but that it is Jesus himself, who, by being a priest like Melchizedek, will fulfill tho e promise . No matter what may become of the bi-lateral Mo ai co enant, the uni– lateral promi es of God can not be forgotten . An a urance uch a thi ugg t that hat i to follow would hake the faith of the reader . Elaborat10n of the Theme 7: 1 10:39 The auth r no begin t unt Id th impli ti n fr m J u ' pri th d in thi th h k fi t f the di pl th d n