Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. (Hebrews 6:1-3)
OBSERVATION:
The writer of Hebrews is breaking down the basic things all Christians should understand before they can come to a level of maturity. He calls them "elementary doctrines of Christ". To "go on to maturity", he says you should understand these things.
He lists 6 things that he considers "elementary doctrine":
1) Repentance from dead works - turning from works that cannot save, and also turning from all sin. When John the baptist came preaching and when Jesus came preaching, their first words were "Repent for the kingdom is at hand". The apostle Paul said that the same thing he told Jews and Gentiles was repentance, and faith toward God.
2) Faith toward God - when someone turns from sin, they must turn to something else. They must turn to "faith toward God". Without faith you cannot be saved and you cannot please God. True saving faith will bear much fruit.
3) Instructions about washings - may refer to teaching about differences between Jewish purification rites and Christian baptism. Its important to understand the significance of baptism, and to understand that baptism in itself does not save, but is an outward symbol of something that happens internally. The washing that takes place in baptism does not purify, only the blood of Christ can purify.
4) The laying on of hands - this could refer to a special prayer they would do when someone was baptized, or the laying of hands when someone needed prayer for healing, or the commissioning of someone for ministry. Laying our hands on people when we pray(if they're present) is very important, and was a common practice of early Christians.
5) The resurrection of the dead - we must understand that part of our future hope as believers is that we will resurrect from the dead and be joined with Jesus Christ. Actually all people who have died will resurrect, some to eternal life and some to eternal torment.
6) Eternal judgment - its basic biblical Christian doctrine that all people will stand before God to be judged. Some will enter heaven and some will enter hell, both are eternal. We must grasp this unpopular reality, and always keep it at the front of our minds. One of the things that drives us to share the good news about Jesus is the fact that all people will be judged. Many people who claim to be Christian, deny an eternal judgment that would land anyone in hell. Instead they choose to believe in a God who will just decide in the end to let everyone into heaven.
APPLICATION:
I want to make sure that I fully understand these "elementary doctrines" so that I can "go on to maturity" in my Christian walk. I also want to be able to teach others these doctrines with clarity patience and love.
Hebrews 5:12 says:
"For though by this time you ought to be teachers..."
PRAYER:
Dear Lord, thank you for teaching me the doctrines of Christ. These are beautiful truths that I want to treasure in my heart. Continue you to teach me and grow me. Thank you for saving me, I love you so much! In Jesus name, Amen!
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