This article applies the so-called audience-oriented approach (a literary exegesis which focuses on how the implied audience understands and responds to the narrative on the basis of its presupposed knowledge and what the audience has heard so far in the narrative) to the reading of the Epistle to the Hebrews 10: 19 -22.Scholars have argued for the significance of sacramental allusions (particularly Baptism and the Eucharist) in this passage.This article shows that within its narrative context, the implied audience listens to Hebrews 10: 19 -22 as a reminder that, because of the merit of Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross, they are worthy to approach God with a true heart and unwavering faith-a theme that the author of Hebrews has developed so far in the epistle.Thus, from an audience-oriented point of view, the passage is not primarily sacramental but exortatory. State of ResearchScholars have often dealt with the passage of Heb 10: 19 -22 from a sacramental point of view.A. Vanhoye, who takes this passage as a part of the final exhortation in Hebrews (10: 19 -39), claims that one can easily recognize an allusion to Baptism in 10: 22. 1 The twofold aspect of material rite, namely "body washed in pure water" and "hearts cleansed from evil conscience," according to Vanhoye, clearly points to the baptismal rite.He also thinks that one may as well recognize an allusion to the Eucharist in 10: 19 -20.The two verses not only mention "flesh" and "blood" but the entire sentence closely corresponds to the reality of a eucharistic celebration.Taking Hebrews as a sermon intended to be pronounced aloud in the Christian gathering, in Vanhoye's view, this passage particularly suggests that the author had in mind a gathering that included a eucharistic celebration. 2 Peter J. Leithart also agrees that 10: 22 speaks about Christian Baptism. 3 He argues that since this passage implies that the OT priestly task and privilege have been conferred to all the baptized, it can be concluded that "Baptism fulfills and replaces ordination," which is the rite of 1 A. Vanhoye, Our Priest is Christ: The Doctrine of the Epistle to the Hebrews (Rome: Biblical Institute, 1977) 228. 2 Vanhoye, Our Priest is Christ, 228. 3 P. J. Leithart, "Womb of the World: Baptism and the Priesthood of the New Covenant in Hebrews 10: 19 -22," JSNT 78 (2000) 49 -65.Leithart claims that the majority of scholars agree that 10: 22 alludes to baptism.An Audience-Oriented Approach to Hebrews 10:19-22 174 initiating a priest in Israel. 4 In the OT, the consecration of priests involves the sprinkling of blood and the washing with water (Exod 29: 4, 20 -21; Lev 8: 6, 23 -24, 30).Leithart believes that Christians, because they have been sprinkled and washed in Baptism, are qualified to enter through the "veil" (10: 22), which was supposed to be the privilege of the high priest.Nils A. Dahl further explains the relationship between the baptismal "washing of bodies" and the "sprinkling of the heart and conscience" as "the application of the work of Jesus to the individual."The sprinkling of the heart identifies the "inner significance" of the reality which Baptism ritually imparts. 5 Thus, this passage has attracted scholars and commentators to argue for its sacramental allusion.A few scholars, however, reject the reference to Baptism in this passage. 6 Others emphasize its hor tator y aspect.V. Koperski, for example, reads this passage as an encouragement to the audience that their past unfaithfulness is not decisive.The great high priest will cleanse them as long as they respond to the opportunity given to them. 7 While one may see sacramental allusions in this passage when it is read from a sacramental point of view, in my view this is not the primary concern of Heb 10: 19 -22.The present study, which takes an audience-oriented approach, will focus on how the implied audience, based on the memory of what they have heard up to this point of the epistle, respond to this passage as they hear it unfold. 8It will show that the passage reminds the audience of the benefits of Christs sacrificial act, and, because of their relationship with Christ in faith, calls them to share the privilege of approaching God in their worship with an unwavering faith. Literary ContextThe first ten chapters of Hebrews lay the groundwork for the argument in 10: 19 -22. 9 In the first four chapters the author primarily focuses on revealing the identity of Jesus and his relationship with the audience.The audience hear about the superiority of Jesus and his privilege as the Son of God.Jesus is the Son through whom God now speaks to "us," to the 4 Leithart, "Womb of the World," 50 -55. 5N. A. Dahl, "A New and Living Way: The Approach to God according to Hebrews 10: 19 -25," Int 5 (1951) 401 -12.6 Scholars who refuse the baptismal allusion in this passage, see Leithart, "Womb of the World," 52 -53.
Marianus Pale Hera (Tue,) studied this question.