Holy brethren - Persons consecrated to God, as the word literally implies, and called, in consequence, to be holy in heart, holy in life, and useful in the world. The Israelites are often called a holy people, saints, etc., because consecrated to God, and because they were bound by their profession to be holy; and yet these appellations are given to them in numberless instances where they were very unholy. The not attending to this circumstance, and the not discerning between actual positive holiness, and the call to it, as the consecration of the persons, has led many commentators and preachers into destructive mistakes. Antinomianism has had its origin here: and as it was found that many persons were called saints, who, in many respects, were miserable sinners, hence it has been inferred that they were called saints in reference to a holiness which they had in another; and hence the Antinomian imputation of Christ's righteousness to unholy believers, whose hearts were abominable before God, and whose lives were a scandal to the Gospel. Let, therefore, a due distinction be made between persons by their profession holy, i.e. consecrated to God; and persons who are faithful to that profession, and are both inwardly and outwardly holy. They are not all Israel who are of Israel: a man, by a literal circumcision, may be a Jew outwardly; but the circumcision of the heart by the Spirit makes a man a Jew inwardly. A man may be a Christian in profession, and not such in heart; and those who pretend that, although they are unholy in themselves, they are reputed holy in Christ, because his righteousness is imputed to them, most awfully deceive their own souls.

Dr. Owen has spoken well on the necessity of personal holiness against the Antinomians of his day. "If a man be not made holy he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. It is this that makes them meet for the inheritance of the saints in light; as without it they are not meet for their duty, so are they not capable of their reward. Yea, heaven itself, in the true light and notion of it, is undesirable to an unsanctified person. Such a one neither can nor would enjoy God if he might. In a word, there is no one thing required of the sons of God that an unsanctified person can do, and no one thing promised unto them that he can enjoy.

"There is surely then a woful mistake in the world. If Christ sanctify all whom he saves, many will appear to have been mistaken in their expectations at another day. It is grown amongst us almost an abhorrency to all flesh to say, the Church of God is to be holy. What! though God has promised that it should be so; that Christ has undertaken to make it so? What! if it be required to be so? What! if all the duties of it be rejected of God, if it be not so? It is all one, if men be baptized, whether they will or not, and outwardly profess the name of Christ, though not one of them be truly sanctified, yet they are, it is said, the Church of Christ. Why then let them be so; but what are they the better for it? Are their persons or their services therefore accepted with God? Are they related or united to Christ? Are they under his conduct unto glory? Are they meet for the inheritance of the saints in light? Not at all: not all nor any of these things do they obtain thereby. What is it then that they get by the furious contest which they make for the reputation of this privilege? Only this: that, satisfying their minds by it, resting if not priding themselves in it, they obtain many advantages to stifle all convictions of their condition, and so perish unavoidably. A sad success, and for ever to be bewailed! Yet is there nothing at all at this day more contended for in this world than that Christ might be thought to be a captain of salvation to them, unto whom he is not a sanctifier; that he may have an unholy Church, a dead body. These things tend neither to the glory of Christ, nor to the good of the souls of men. Let none then deceive themselves; sanctification is a qualification indispensably necessary to them who will be under the conduct of the Lord Christ unto salvation; he leads none to heaven but whom he sanctifies on earth. The holy God will not receive unholy persons. This living head will not admit of dead members, nor bring men into possession of a glory which they neither love nor like."

Heavenly calling - The Israelites had an earthly calling; they were called out of Egypt to go into the promised land: Christians have a heavenly calling; they are invited to leave the bondage of sin, and go to the kingdom of God. These were made partakers of this calling; they had already embraced the Gospel, and were brought into a state of salvation.

Apostle and High Priest of our profession - Among the Jews the high priest was considered to be also the apostle of God; and it is in conformity to this notion that the apostle speaks. And he exhorts the Hebrews to consider Jesus Christ to be both their High Priest and Apostle; and to expect these offices to be henceforth fulfilled by him, and by him alone. This was the fullest intimation that the Mosaic economy was at an end, and the priesthood changed. By της ὁμολογιας ἡμων, our profession, or that confession of ours, the apostle undoubtedly means the Christian religion. Jesus was the Apostle of the Father, and has given to mankind the new covenant; and we are to consider the whole system of Christianity as coming immediately from him. Every system of religion must have a priest and a prophet; the one to declare the will of God, the other to minister in holy things. Moses was the apostle under the old testament, and Aaron the priest. When Moses was removed, the prophets succeeded him; and the sons of Aaron were the priests after the death of their father. This system is now annulled; and Jesus is the Prophet who declares the Father's will, and he is the Priest who ministers in the things pertaining to God, see Hebrews 2:17; as he makes atonement for the sins of the people, and is the Mediator between God and man.

holy.

Colossians 1:22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and blameless and unreproveable in his sight:

Colossians 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering;

1 Thessalonians 5:27 I charge you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the holy brothers.

2 Timothy 1:9 Who has saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace...

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people...

1 Peter 3:5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves...

2 Peter 1:3-10 According as his divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness...

Revelation 18:20 Rejoice over her, you heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets; for God has avenged you on her.

partakers.

Hebrews 3:14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end;

Romans 11:17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them...

Romans 15:27 It has pleased them truly; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things...

1 Corinthians 9:23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

1 Corinthians 10:17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

2 Corinthians 1:7 And our hope of you is steadfast, knowing, that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so shall you be also of the consolation.

Ephesians 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

Colossians 1:12 Giving thanks to the Father, which has made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

1 Timothy 6:2 And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brothers; but rather do them service...

1 Peter 5:1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ...

2 Peter 1:4 Whereby are given to us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature...

1 John 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we to you, that you also may have fellowship with us...

the heavenly.

Romans 1:6,7 Among whom are you also the called of Jesus Christ...

Romans 8:28-30 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose...

Romans 9:24 Even us, whom he has called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

1 Corinthians 1:2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints...

Ephesians 4:1,4 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation with which you are called...

Philippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 2:12 That you would walk worthy of God, who has called you to his kingdom and glory.

2 Thessalonians 1:11 Why also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness...

2 Thessalonians 2:14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto you are also called...

2 Timothy 1:9 Who has saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace...

1 Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who has called us to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that you have suffered a while, make you perfect...

2 Peter 1:10 Why the rather, brothers, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if you do these things, you shall never fall:

Jude 1:1 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ...

Revelation 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings...

consider.

Isaiah 1:3 The ox knows his owner, and the donkey his master's crib: but Israel does not know, my people does not consider.

Isaiah 5:12 And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD...

Isaiah 41:20 That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the LORD has done this...

Ezekiel 12:3 Therefore, you son of man, prepare you stuff for removing, and remove by day in their sight...

Ezekiel 18:28 Because he considers, and turns away from all his transgressions that he has committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.

Haggai 1:5 Now therefore thus said the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.

Haggai 2:15 And now, I pray you, consider from this day and upward, from before a stone was laid on a stone in the temple of the LORD:

John 20:27 Then said he to Thomas, Reach here your finger, and behold my hands; and reach here your hand, and thrust it into my side...

2 Timothy 2:7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give you understanding in all things.

the apostle.

John 20:21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be to you: as my Father has sent me, even so send I you.

*Gr:

Romans 15:8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers:

and.

Hebrews 2:17 Why in all things it behooved him to be made like to his brothers...

Hebrews 4:14,15 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession...

Hebrews 5:1-10 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God...

Hebrews 6:20 Where the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Hebrews 7:26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

Hebrews 8:1-3 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest...

Hebrews 9:11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands...

Hebrews 10:21 And having an high priest over the house of God;

Psalm 110:4 The LORD has sworn, and will not repent, You are a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

The Mind of Jesus.
THE MIND OF JESUS! What a study is this! To attain a dim reflection of it, is the ambition of angels--higher they can not soar. "To be conformed to the image of His Son!"--it is the end of God in the predestination of His Church from all eternity. "We shall be like Him!"--it is the Bible picture of heaven! In a former little volume, we pondered some of the gracious Words which proceeded out of the mouth of Jesus. In the present, we have a few faint lineaments of that holy Character which constituted …
John R. Macduff—The Mind of Jesus

Jesus Angry with Hard Hearts
But I must not let imagination mislead me: they did nothing of the kind. Instead of this, they sat watching the Lord Jesus, not to be delighted by an act of his power, but to find somewhat of which they might accuse him. When all came to all, the utmost that they would be able to allege would be that he had healed a withered hand on the Sabbath. Overlooking the commendation due for the miracle of healing, they laid the emphasis upon its being done on the Sabbath; and held up their hands with horror …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 32: 1886

The Work of the Holy Spirit in Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ Himself is the one perfect manifestation in history of the complete work of the Holy Spirit in man. 1. Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Spirit. We read in Luke i. 35, R. V., "And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee; and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee: wherefore also that which is to be born shall be called holy, the Son of God." As we have already seen, in regeneration the believer is begotten of God, but Jesus Christ was …
R. A. Torrey—The Person and Work of The Holy Spirit