Hebrews 6:1-3 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, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit. 

‘Of repentance’ Six first principles of Christianity (continues): [3] Baptisms – there are seven baptisms in Scripture (continues): (6) Baptism into Christ and His body (Rom. 6:3-7; 1Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:27; Eph. 4:5; Col. 2:12). These Scriptures have been taken to refer to water baptism but not one of them mentions water as the element the believer is baptized into. If they referred to water baptism it would read “buried with him by baptism into water” but they plainly say “baptism into Christ,” “baptized into one body,” and “baptized into Christ.” In Colossians 2:12, Paul says men are saved by being “buried with him in baptism, wherein also you are risen with Him through faith of the operation of God” and not through water administered by man. Whatever baptism this passage refers to, it is one by “the operation of God” and not through the operation of man. It, therefore, could not possibly refer to water baptism by man.

If these Scriptures speak of being “baptized into Christ” and “into one body” the body of Christ, then the element the believer is baptized into is not water but Christ and His body. If we take these passages to refer to water baptism we make Christ and His body mere water. Is Christ water? Is His body water? If not, then Christ and His body are the elements believers are baptized into and not water. We must not insert a meaning into any Scripture that is not there, to teach something contrary to what is plainly written. Water baptism does not bring one into Christ or His body. Man has nothing to do with this operation. It is solely an operation of God by the Holy Spirit. On the other hand, water baptism is not by God, Christ, or the Holy Spirit, but solely by man.

To be continued…

Hebrews 6:1-3 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, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit. 

‘Of repentance’ Six first principles of Christianity (continues): [2] Faith in God through Christ (6:1; 11:1,7; Rom. 3:24-25; 5:1-11; 1Cor. 1:18-24; 15:1-8).

The program that will pay is that of having personal faith in God, faith in Jesus Christ, faith in the Holy Spirit, faith in the Word of God, faith in the atonement, and total consecration personally to believe God regardless of anything that might happen to hinder prayer. The right program is not talking about faith or the need for it, but the actual exercise of it. Simple faith in the Word regardless of feelings and circumstances is never possible to the man who lives only in the realm of his senses, for he believes only what he can see, feel, hear, or understand to be possible. This was the kind of faith Thomas had when he declared that he would not believe until he had seen. It was the kind that Martha had when she could see nothing but the natural fact that Lazarus had been dead for four days. This is the kind of faith taught and encouraged by modern religious leaders, but it is not the kind required by the New Testament.

Neither mental faith nor mere assent to truth and dependence upon feelings is enough. The individual must come to life and action before he will realize the benefits of active, living faith that refuses to know defeat and failure. A man must learn to fight the fight of faith and lay hold of God and His Word. He must learn that he is surrounded by an unbelieving world and an atmosphere of doubts, that demons and fallen angels and men have lived for centuries in unbelief and wickedness creating currents of doubt and mistrust that are very subtle, and that effects of the Fall have left in the lives of fallen men deep wounds of doubt and wavering that must be healed – hence the commandment for ‘no friendship with the world’ (1Jn. 2:15-17; 2Jn. 1:9-11; 1Cor. 5:9-13; 6:10 – 7:1). He must learn that he has to wrestle with powers of darkness and currents of mistrust and unbelief which make it a struggle to exercise active living faith for things that are not seen. He must not only learn how to do this, but he must do it to get results (Eph. 6:10-18).

To be continued…

Hebrews 6:1-3 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, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit. 

‘Of repentance’ Six first principles of Christianity (continues): [2] Faith in God through Christ (6:1; 11:1,7; Rom. 3:24-25; 5:1-11; 1Cor. 1:18-24; 15:1-8).

The average person who seeks to exercise faith depends upon what he can see, hear, or feel. Testimonies concerning faith are usually expressed in connection with feelings and emotions, or the various senses. Sense-faith is based upon physical evidence or the emotions and feelings of the soul. All who take this road as the basis of faith will sooner or later be deceived. Faith should be based upon the Word of God regardless of any sense-knowledge, or feeling-evidences. People are constantly looking to feelings as to whether prayer has been heard or not. If they happen to feel good, or if something happens that encourages them, they think that it is easy to believe, but if reverses come and feelings take wings, these same people are in the depths of despair. They are quick to accuse God of being unfaithful and untrue to His Word. If they do not go this far, they are quick to imagine that it was not God’s will to grant the answer. They become satisfied to go without what God has plainly promised.

People should not believe they are healed because the pain is gone, or that they are saved because they feel they are forgiven. They should not think that their prayers are answered because things are working out that way. Instead, they should always maintain faith because of what the Word of God says. The Word of God should have first place in their lives instead of the senses (feelings). All basing of faith upon what we have done, how well we live, or what experiences we have had will lead to failure in answered prayer. God does not answer on these grounds. He answers solely upon the grounds of grace and faith in Him and in His Word.

True faith is not trusting in the goodness and the faith of another man. It must be personal faith in God and His Word. People continually go about seeking someone who has faith and who can get answers to prayer for them. If we do not properly learn and develop a personal faith that refuses to be denied, we shall eventually revert to failure and unbelief, and we shall have to be satisfied with the modern theory that answered prayer is not for everyone.

To be continued…

Hebrews 6:1-3 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, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit. 

‘Of repentance’ Six first principles of Christianity: [1] Repentance – It is one of the main themes of the Bible, being found 110 times from Genesis 6:6 to Revelations 16:11. There are seven original words for “Repent”: (1) [Hebrew: nacham] to sigh, breathe strongly, to be sorry in the literal sense (Gen. 6:6; Ex. 13:17; 32:14; Jdg. 2:18; 1Sam. 15:35; 2Sam. 24:16; Job 42:6; Ps. 106:45; Jon. 3:10). (2) [Hebrew: shuwb] to turn back (1Kin. 8:47; Ezek. 14:6). (3) [Hebrew: nocham] regret (Hos. 13:14). (4) [Hebrew: nichuwm] compassion (Hos. 11:8). (5) [Greek: metanoeo] to change the mind for the better morally, not merely to forsake sin, but to change one’s attitude toward it and his love for it. Hence, it is demanded by God as a condition of forgiveness and grace (Luke 13:3, 5; 15:7; 24:47; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30; Matt. 4:17). (6) [Greek: metamellomai] to regret; to have deep remorse at the consequence of sin rather than a deep regret at the cause of it. It is never used for genuine repentance to God (Matt. 27:3; 2Cor. 7:8). (7) [Greek: metanoia] is a real change of mind and attitude toward sin and its cause, not merely the consequences of it (Matt. 3:8, 11; 9:13; Luke 24:47).

The doctrine of repentance: Its nature: contrition, confession, faith, restitution (2Cor. 7:8-11). Its necessity (Luke 13:1-5). Its power (Rom. 10:9-10; Luke 18:14). How it is produced (4:12; John 16:8; Rom. 2:4; 2Cor. 10:8-11). Not expiatory or meritorious, but qualifies for pardon (1Jn. 1:9; Acts 2:38; 3:19; Rom. 10:9-10). Demanded of all people (Luke 13:1-5; 24:47; Acts 10:35; 17:30). By whom preached (Luke 24:48; Acts 1:8; Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-20). How preached (2:1-4; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8; 5:31-32; 2Cor. 2:1-5; 4:1-18:20; Rom. 15:18-19, 15:29). Must not be delayed (4:7; 2Cor. 6:2; Eph. 5:14). How attested (Luke 3:8; Rom. 1:5; 10:16; Acts 5:32; 2Cor. 10:11).

To be continued…

Hebrews 6:1-3 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, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit. 

‘Therefore’ – Because of your lack of progress, you must leave the infantile stage of the Christian experience and become an adult. Most Christians suffer greatly in this area because they rather listen to teachings (from others) on the Word of God instead of studying God’s Word for themselves (Rom. 10:17) and they never progress spiritually because they learn of God and not from Him.

‘Leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection.’ Two things manifest Christian maturity: To leave the first principles – cease to remain in the state of babes by understanding the basic teachings of the Christian faith. Go on to perfection – never rest [studying God’s Word by reading it Rom. 10:17] until you are an adult capable of taking strong meat, of being a living example, and of exercising all senses in righteousness (5:13-14; 6:1).

‘Go on’ [Greek: phero] to be borne along as a ship driven by a wind (Acts 27:15-17). Here the Spirit is the power that moves believers forward (Acts 2:2-4; 2Pet. 1:21; Rom. 8:14).

‘Laying’ [Greek: kataballo] casting down or overthrow (6:1; 2Cor. 4:9; Rev. 12:10). It means, do not cast down or destroy the foundation already laid of the six fundamental doctrines of (6:1-2). These doctrines are what is referred to as the ‘milk phase’ (5:11-13) and believers must study them, know them and live according to them, but no more teaching in them shall be required if one is an adult and has come to full knowledge (5:14).

‘Dead works’ [Greek: nekra and erga] refers to the works of the old nature which deserve death and cause death in trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1-8; Gal. 5:19-21; Rom. 1:21-32; 1Cor. 6:9-11; Col. 3:5-10; Mark 7:19-21).

To be continued…