Sunday, May 8, 2011 pm
THE ELEMENTARY
PRINCIPLES OF CHRIST
Hebrews
6:1-3
But after that text, the writer of Hebrews makes this statement,
“Therefore, leaving the discussion
of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not
laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith
toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of
resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this we will do
if God permits.” Hebrews
6:1–3
As we read the text we find some subjects we might not consider
very “elementary.” So what
exactly is meant by that? Elementary can mean that which is simple or it
can mean the foundation.
Here, the latter is what the author has in mind.
When you put it in context with the previous verses (5:12-14),
which speaks of the milk and meat of the Word, it becomes obvious that
he is talking about things that are key to moving on.
In Heb. 6:1, the word “leaving” is a Greek verb (Aorist tense)
which indicates action performed in the past and completed which in our
language would mean, “move on”.
This is further elaborated upon in the next phrase, “not laying
again the foundation…” That
expression here is a present tense verb meaning ongoing action.
So what the author is saying in this verse is that “There are
things you should have already learned that are at the foundation of
your faith. You do not need
to stop your learning with these things, but rather you need to move
ahead.”
The author then proceeds to mention six things that are described
as “elementary principles.”
In our lesson tonight, I would like to take a few moments to examine the
6 principles mentioned and notice how they applied to the FOUNDATION of
their faith and how they apply to us as well.
A.
"Repentance from dead works"
a.
The subject of repentance is something we cannot emphasize enough.
The word literally means to change one’s mind.
But it is a sincere change of mind that leads to a change of
one’s conduct.
b.
Repentance is needed before one obeys the gospel.
Acts 2:38, 3:19, 17:31, etc.
Sometimes this can be immediate (where one is cut to the heart
and is immediately ready to change – cf. Ac. 2:37-38, the Jailer – Ac.
16:29-34, etc.). But at
other times, we need to make sure that understand the COMMITMENT they
are making when they obey the gospel.
It is putting to death the man of sin and being raised to walk in
newness of life (Rom. 6:6)
c.
AND repentance is needed AFTER one obeys the gospel when one sins.
That is what is explained in 2 Cor. 7:10-11.
d.
As to the expression, “repentance from dead works” it seems the point is
sin. Romans 3:23 says “the
wages of sin is death.”
Anything we do contrary to God’s will is a work leading to death
and we must understand that as Christians we CANNOT sin (1 John 3:6-9).
Romans 6:20-21 reminded them (and us) and the end of the things
you used to do led to death.
B.
"Faith toward God"
a.
Just as important as
repentance is an understanding of faith.
It is a word that is described as “firm persuasion.”
It is associated with trusting God and believing Him (not merely
believing IN Him).
b.
Before one can obey
the gospel they MUST believe.
John 3:16 clearly points this out.
Jesus taught it in Mark 16:16 and John 8:24, etc.
For one to obey the gospel he must hear of and believe in God and
Jesus as our Savior. His
belief must involve a comprehension of these things.
When we examine the texts about belief and salvation, it is clear
that belief comes FIRST – therefore, baptism CANNOT be offered to
infants or small children, or the infirm, or those who do not have
understand of Who Jesus is.
c.
And faith is at the
foundation of the Christian’s life as well – 2 Pet. 1:5 – our very
character is built upon it.
Heb. 11:6, Romans 1:17, Heb. 10:38 – the just shall live by faith, etc.
d.
“Faith toward God”
while it involves this belief, actually goes further as one learns to
TRUST in God in his life. By
faith, he realizes that God is there and is able to deliver us.
I believe the expression the Hebrew author is speaking of here
involves faith in this as well.
In other words, “by this time” they ought to trust in God and His
word enough that it highly influences his life, including all that he
does.
This “faith in God” is clearly illustrated in the examples of Hebrews
11. NOTE: The author who
penned this book, penned the whole book before he sent it.
The point is that the faith described in Hebrews 11 needed to be
present and understood in our current text.
C.
"The doctrine of baptisms"
a.
This statement is
challenging because of the use of the plurality of baptisms.
So the challenge is to determine what is meant in a way that is
still “elementary.”
Therefore, let us take a few moments to discuss baptism.
b.
There are many
baptisms mentioned in the New Testament.
Some include:
The baptism of Moses – 1 Cor. 10:2
The baptism of John – Mark. 1:4, Matt .21:25, etc.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit – Mark 1:8
Baptism leading to salvation – Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16, Ac. 22:16, 1 Pet.
3:21, etc.
c.
Of particular
interest is the word for baptisms is only found 3 times (4 in NKJV, KJV)
in scripture. Here and
Hebrews 9:10 and Mark 7:4.
In these other texts the word is translated washings and refers to the
ceremonial washings that the Jews engaged in.
d.
There are several
possible considerations for this expression in this text:
Jewish ceremonial washings and purification ceremonies
The baptism of multiple candidates
The distinction between baptism that puts one into Christ and other
baptisms (some mentioned above) – cf. Acts 19:4-5
e.
Plausible arguments
could be made for all of these.
But one thing they all have in common, and the point here, is
that these Christians needed to understand the difference between TRUE
baptism that saves (which was an “elementary” principle) and other
baptisms (or ceremonial cleansings) that they had heard of which did NOT
save. In other words, they
NEEDED TO KNOW WHY THEY WERE BAPTIZED.
f.
TODAY, it is important that we understand true baptism and that which is
NOT true.
Virtually all “Christian” faiths practice some form of baptism, but is
it the baptism of the Bible?
MOST denominations baptize for reasons OTHER than what you read
of its purpose in scripture – Ac. 22:16, etc.
They practice baptism BECAUSE OF (or after) salvation.
Much in the same way, they were hearing about the baptism of
John, etc. back then.
AGAIN, this would exclude infants and small children from the need for
baptism. They cannot make or
understand the distinctions.
D.
"Laying on of hands"
a.
In the New Testament, the laying on of hands was used in many different
ways including:
Healing the sick – Lk. 4:40, Mk. 16:18, etc.
By the apostles to impart spiritual gifts – Ac. 8:14-17, 2 Tim. 1:6
By church leaders appointing others to a work of service – Acts 6:5-6,
13:1-3, etc.
b.
From an “elementary” standpoint, I suspect it had something to do with
whatever abilities they received after they obeyed the gospel.
Bear in mind, that as this is written and while the church was in
its infancy, they did not have the complete word of God in written form.
It was revealed through the laying on of the apostles hands that
some (not everyone) might receive gifts from the Holy Spirit.
These, when used properly, enabled them to grow. Such things also
gave them CONFIDENCE in God whom they worshipped.
Consider Luke 10:10, 17 – where they had “powers” which built up
their faith in Christ and the Father who sent Him.
c.
Lesson for us: We are living in an age where “the laying on of hands”
does not accomplish what it did in the first century, BUT, we do
understand that when we obey the gospel, in whatever way we receive “the
gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38) we need to appreciate it.
In other words, we learn to trust God!
E.
"Resurrection of the dead"
a.
We CANNOT faithfully serve our Heavenly Father unless we believe in the
resurrection. It was at the
center of the Christian’s hope in scripture.
In virtually every sermon preached in Acts, the resurrection is
appealed to. It was at the
foundation of the lesson on Pentecost (Ac. 2:31-32), taught to Cornelius
(Ac. 10:40) and expanded upon by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15.
In that text, after reminding them of the many witnesses who saw
the resurrected Jesus, he warns them of the foolishness of rejecting the
resurrection (note 1 Cor. 15:12-19).
b.
The reason this is so pivotal is that it explains our HOPE!
Later, in Hebrews 6:19, the writer would speak of our hope being
anchored in heaven. It is
based upon Jesus who
F.
"Eternal judgment"
a.
This is certainly something one needs to understand at the very
foundation of your faith. It
is the judgment to come that causes men to take an accounting for his
life.
b.
Continually in scripture we are warned of this day – Acts 17:30-31,
24:24-25 – it lead to Felix trembling.
Rom. 2:16, 14:10-12, 2 Cor. 5:10, etc.
Hebrews 9:27 tells us it will happen after death (and
resurrection).
c.
It is so important that we NEVER forget this, because it keeps us in
line and can keep us moving forward.
d.
In ALL things as a Christian we must remind ourselves that one day we
will give an account.
II.
Observations about these “Elementary” principles.
A.
They are not necessarily easy subjects to fully comprehend.
But they ARE at the foundation of one’s faith.
And it is pivotal that we take time to learn such things as they
will influence how we grow.
1 Pet. 2:1-2
B.
We need to understand every step of our salvation.
It is more than 5 words, but understanding 5 actions which lead
to salvation and why. And we
need to understand how to STAY saved.
C.
IF we seek to understand these things at the outset, we will be better
grounded and more likely to succeed.
WE will be “grounded”.
Sadly, not everyone will succeed.
D.
As the mature in Christ, we need to think about these things as we teach
others. While we do not want
to discourage anyone from obedience when they are pricked in the heart,
we need to ensure that they fully understand what they are doing.
Sometimes we need to take a little extra time before we call for
a response. Do we?