Hebrews 6, verses 1 to 8, the principles of the doctrine of Christ, part 1

 

Hebrews 6:1 ¶  Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2  Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3  And this will we do, if God permit. 4  For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5  And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6  If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. 7  For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: 8  But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

 

After admonishing his readers with being babes in their understanding Paul goes on to insist that at some point the Christian or wannabe Christian needs to get past first things. Like the modern-day Christian who only knows a few Bible stories and that they are to attend church faithfully, pay their tithes, go door-knocking need to grow in the faith these people are expected to mature and learn those first things and then move on to a higher level of obedience.

 

Dead works here is a reference to the sins of the flesh that the Old Testament priest offered sacrifices for and the natural state of the unsaved man or woman.

 

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, that is to say, not of this building; 12  Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. 13  For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14  How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

 

15 ¶  And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

 

So, the principles of the doctrine of Christ start with that turning away from the sins of the flesh and turning to God.

 

Faith toward God is essential and it will be noted later that without faith it is impossible to “get right” with God.

 

Hebrews 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

 

While faith and belief can appear to be synonymous it is said that faith is given to those that believe, requiring a distinction.

 

Galatians 3:22  But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

 

We might imagine belief as believing the chair will hold your weight while faith requires you to actually sit in it.

 

There are several type of baptisms mentioned in the Bible. There is the baptism of the Holy Ghost where you received Him when you are saved.

 

Acts 1:5  For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

 

For the Jews there was the baptism of John the Baptist, an act of national repentance for sins preparing the way for the Messiah.

 

Mark 1:1 ¶  The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; 2  As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 3  The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 4  John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. 5  And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.

 

Which, after the resurrection and acceptance of the Messiah, resulted in the baptism of the Holy Ghost.

 

Acts 2:38  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

 

Christ commanded His followers to be baptized but it was belief that saved them, not the baptism, which was a sign of that belief.

 

Mark 16:16  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

 

We are baptized today as a symbol of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.

 

Romans 6:3  Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5  For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6  Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

 

Being a believer in Christ is the prerequisite for being baptized.

 

Acts 8:36  And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37  And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

 

The laying on of hands during the age of the Apostles was used to give the Holy Ghost to believers.

 

Acts 8:17  Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. 18  And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,19  Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

 

Paul tells Timothy not to neglect that gift of the early church guided by the living Apostles.

 

1Timothy 4:14  Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

 

We should also consider the laying on of hands as imparting Apostolic authority, an ordination of office, consecrating Timothy to be a Pastor.

 

Timothy has had hands laid on him by the elders and Paul confirming the authority he bears and the gifts that God has given him and he should not neglect these gifts. We all have gifts to exercise for God. All of us have been given something that we can use for God and we must not neglect that gift. The gift that qualified Timothy for the ministry must not be forsaken but exercised constantly.