College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
Hebrews 6:1-3
B.
Exhortation to go on to perfection. Hebrews 6:1-3.
Text
Hebrews 6:1 Wherefore leaving the doctrine of the first principles of Christ, let us press on unto perfection; not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Hebrews 6:2 of the teaching of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. Hebrews 6:3 And this will we do, if God permit.
Paraphrase
Hebrews 6:1 Wherefore, since ye ought by this time to have been capable of strong food, dismissing the discourse concerning the principles of the Christian doctrine, as contained in the ancient revelations, let us proceed to the deep meaning of these revelations, and of the figures and prophecies in the law, which is the perfection of Christian knowledge, not explaining a second time the fundamental principles of repentance from works which merit death; and of faith in God;
Hebrews 6:2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, as emblematical of that purity of mind which the worshippers of God ought to possess; and of the laying on of hands on the sacrifices, as an acknowledgment that the offerer deserved death for his sins; and of the resurrection of the dead; and of the eternal judgment, so called because its sentences will never be reversed.
Hebrews 6:3 And this more perfect instruction I will give you, if God permit, by preserving you from apostatizing till ye have an opportunity to read and consider this letter.
Wherefore leaving doctrine of the first principles
The initial steps are the simple things:
a.
Isaiah 35:8: Observe what Isaiah said: Wayfaring man, though a fool, shall not err.
b.
These first principles are named in verses one and two, They are not left, but serve as the foundation.
a.
Not left in the sense that they are forsaken.
b.
Paul, in 1 Corinthians 12:13, discusses the gifts of the Spirit and says, faith, hope and love are greater.
let us press on
Paul set the example, saying, I press toward the mark. Philippians 3:14.
The Christian that isn-'t growing is going back toward the world,
to perfection
Perfection is of God:
Psalms 18:32: The God that girdeth me with strength and maketh my way perfect.
Psalms 138:8: Jehovah will perfect that which concerneth me.
Thy lovingkindness, O Jehovah, endureth forever.
God is the standard:
Matthew 5:48: Ye therefore shall be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.
The part of God's Word in perfectionour guide is perfect.
a.
James 1:25: But he that looketh into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and so continueth, being not a hearer that forgetteth but a doer that worketh, this man shall be blessed in his doing.
b.
2 Timothy 3:16-17: Every scripture inspired of God, is also profitable for teaching.
Our Saviour was perfect. See Hebrews 4:15 and Hebrews 5:9.
not laying again a foundation
In building a house we do not leave the foundation, yet to be always at work building it would be ridiculous.
a.
The structure ought to rise above the foundation.
b.
One foundation for a building is sufficient.
God speaks of us as His building.
1 Corinthians 3:9: Ye are God's building.
Ephesians 2:22: In whom ye also are builded together.
Colossians 2:7 :. .. rooted and builded up in Him.
of repentence
Some people are always in some scrape. They are always in need of forgiveness and repentance.
a.
Repentance means that we do not continue in evil, occasionally regretting it.
b.
John's listeners needed to bring forth fruits worthy of repentance.
We are not to live in constant need of repentance, but to avoid evil.
from dead works
The past of an individual is to be buried at baptism and ought never to need repenting of again.
What is dead works?
a.
The vain effort to relieve a troubled conscience by legal obedience.
b.
It is not service, but religious performances.
c.
Newell has a unique idea here:
1.
He says that Gentiles were commanded to repent of sins. Acts 8:22. They were never commanded to repent of dead works.
2.
Milligan, however, feels that this is using the word in too limited a sense.
d.
Works of the law were dead works, but surely dead works refers to all services of Satan.
and of faith towards God
The initial faith that caused one to act for God must not be considered sufficient.
a.
Genuine faith produces righteousness.
b.
Few men disbelieve in a higher Power, but this is not sufficient. The Jew had a faith in God, What he needed was a faith that included Jesus Christ.
of the teaching of baptisms
Why baptisms in the plural?
a.
Chrysostom: Because they who returned to first principles abrogated their first baptism.
b.
Calvin: Baptisms didn-'t have reference to many baptisms but solemn rites or the stated days of baptizing.
c.
John Owen, translator of Calvin's commentary: Some of these folk had been baptized by John, some were afterwards baptized only in the name of Christ (Acts 19:5); others were baptized in the name of the trinity.
d.
This may allude to the Levitical law, says Clarke, for they had immersions, sprinklings, washings.
e.
Some say the two baptisms that John preached, baptism in the Holy Spirit and in fire. Matthew 3:11.
f.
Newell says, Plural because unto the Jews God had prescribed.
1.
John the Baptist's baptism.
2.
Christian baptism.
g.
Milligan says, (1) a baptism in water in which all penitent believers who confess Christ are introduced into his body; (2) a baptism in the Holy Spirit administered by Christ himself to all who are really begotten by the Spirit and born of the water; and (3) a baptism in fire by means of which the wicked will all be finally overwhelmed in sufferings.
The point to gain is that it is an initiatory step, and one is not to sit on the edge of the baptistry.
and of laying on of hands
The laying on of hands on the baptized was an apostolic practice by which miraculous gift of tongues, etc., was bestowed.
a.
The evidence from scripture:
1.
See Acts 8:14 b, Acts 8:15: Peter and John, who, when they were came down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit. Hebrews 6:17: Then laid they their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.
2.
Acts 19:6: Paul laid on his hands, and they spoke with tongues.
b.
Two groups were able to impart gifts:
1.
The apostles, Acts 19:6: And when Paul had laid his hands upon them and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. 2 Timothy 1:6: gift in thee through the laying on of my hands.
2.
The presbytery, 1 Timothy 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.
The laying on of hands was also connected with bodily healings. Acts 5:12: By the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people. Cf. Acts 9:41; Acts 28:8.
It was also done to set aside men for special tasks:
a.
The seven in Jerusalem set aside for the care of Grecian widows. Acts 6:6.
b.
Paul and Barnabas. Acts 13:3.
A warning as in order; laying on of hands was not to be done hastily. 1 Timothy 5:22.
and of resurrection of the dead
Does he mean raised to walk in newness from the dead, a spiritual condition, or does he mean a physical death?
a.
Resurrection is a tenet of faith, a phase of the gospel.
1.
Peter used the resurrection story to persuade the Jews of sin against God.
2.
After this doctrine is believed, we are to press on to matters of life.
An Easter and Christmas religion is too apparent in our day, and no doubt was in theirs.
a.
Many people go to church on Easter and sometimes on Christmas and never again during the year.
b.
The resurrection is one of the primary things, for it is a part of the gospel. 1 Corinthians 15:1-5.
It was the judgment to come, included in Paul's sermon, that terrified Felix. See Acts 24:25.
a.
A fear or a confidence is not sufficient.
b.
We are to build a wonderful Christian life on the foundation of our belief.
c.
The fact that we are to be raised should be an inducement to repent and to live righteously.
Resurrection and judgment are connected with our Lord's resurrection, Acts 17:31 and Acts 24:25.
and of eternal judgment
An impelling motive is fear, a first principle.
a.
A person who progresses in the Christian life has less fear in proportion to how much love is increased.
b.
The reason some never repent is that they have never heard this doctrine of judgment.
The apostles were not afraid to preach this doctrine.
a.
Paul used fear of judgment with Felix, Acts 24:25.
b.
Peter used fear to move the people on Pentecost.
c.
Jesus taught it.
Observe that six things have been named in the life that begin in relationship to Christ.
a.
Repentance from dead works.
b.
Faith toward God.
c.
Baptisms.
d.
Laying on of hands.
e.
Resurrection from the dead.
f.
Eternal judgment.
Building
Temperance
Meekness
Faith
Goodness
Gentleness
Longsuffering
Peace
Joy
Love
Faith
Baptism
Resurrection
Repentance Laying on Hands
Judgment
Foundation
and this will we do
And this will we do refers to Hebrews 6:1.
a.
What will we do?
1.
Leave the first principles. Hebrews 6:1.
2.
Press on to perfection. Hebrews 6:1.
Paul uses the word we, perhaps to speak generally and personally.
if God permit
This is a warning to the backslider.
a.
Work now without delay, for there will not always be the opportunity for making progress.
b.
Perhaps the Apostate has rejected God as in Noah's evil day when God will not always strive. Genesis 6:3.
c.
Remember Jacob could not change his promise although Esau begged. Hebrews 12:17.
There are other views on this expression.
a.
Milligan: This we will do with the help of God.
b.
Newell: We beg you, guard your heart against that awful thought, that there are those truly seeking to get back to God whom He will not receive.
Let us remember that there is an unpardonable sin.
a.
The verses, Matthew 12:31-33: All sin be forgiven but against the Holy Spirit. Hebrews 6:4: It is impossible to renew them who have turned back into sin.
b.
Jesus did not say all would be forgiven if men desired it, but that one sin could not be forgiven.
Study Questions
866.
What does verse one say to leave?
867.
Does it mean to forsake them?
868.
Do we actually leave them or build upon them?
869.
What are first principles? Do they refer to rudiments in Hebrews 5:12, or the foundation referred to in Hebrews 6:1?
870.
Define pressing on.
871.
Is a half-hearted attempt pressing on?
872.
What did Paul say about pressing on in Philippians 3:14?
873.
What is our standard of perfection?
874.
Can we use God and Christ both as a standard?
875.
How do we know Christ to be a perfect standard? Cf. Hebrews 4:15; Hebrews 5:9.
876.
What part does the scripture have in perfection? See 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
877.
Do we need any other guidebook according to this?
878.
How many foundations are made when one is building a house?
879.
How many should we have to build upon in our lives?
880.
If a person spent a lifetime building a foundation on his house, would we consider him wise?
881.
What verses speak of us as a building?
882.
Does this verse condemn repentance?
883.
What kind of person is in constant need of repentance?
884.
What could be listed as dead works? Does dead works pertain to the law, since they were mentioned in Hebrews?
885.
Should we have to continually repent of sins that have been buried in baptism?
886.
Do we need to try to repent of some dead and buried sin?
887.
If we truly repent of a sin, do we ever need to repent of it again?
888.
Are we to repent of faith toward God, or does faith refer back to Let us press on to perfection?
889.
How can we ever get to the place where we are not laying a foundation of faith?
890.
What can you build upon if you are to press beyond the foundation of faith?
891.
Does 1 Corinthians 13:13 have a bearing on the subject?
892.
Is a life prompted by love greater than one prompted by faith? Explain.
893.
Why does he say faith toward God?
894.
Is baptism in Hebrews 6:2 singular or plural?
895.
Why is baptism in the plural here? Did the Hebrews have two?
896.
What baptism could be referred to? What have men suggested?
897.
Is the Christian baptized more than once?
898.
Were the early Christians who were first followers of John baptized the second time?
899.
If baptism is an initial act of obedience, what should be expected to follow?
900.
What does the laying on of hands refer to?
901.
Who did the laying on of the hands?
902.
Could all Christians impart special powers? Cf. Acts 8:15-17.
903.
Could the presbytery refer to apostles who were considered elders?
904.
What accompanied the laying on of hands?
905.
Was it always to impart miraculous gifts? Cf. Acts 6:6; Acts 13:3.
906.
Was this to be done with great care? Cf. 1 Timothy 5:22.
907.
What resurrection of the dead is referred to, ours or Christ'S?
908.
Is the doctrine of the Christ's resurrection something to build upon?
909.
Is our resurrection from the watery grave to be built upon?
910.
Does the observance of Easter and the indifference until a year later indicate a spiritual illness like the Hebrews had?
911.
How often did the apostles refer to the resurrection? With what subjects is it connected? Cf. Acts 24:15; Acts 17:31.
912.
What special way did Peter use the doctrine of Christ's resurrection on the day of Pentecost?
913.
Do you suppose that some assume we will inherit eternal life regardless of failure to grow just because it is so freely promised?
914.
How can eternal judgment be a foundation?
915.
Is fear a very strong impelling motive?
916.
Does fear decrease as love increases?
917.
Should we preach the doctrine of eternal judgment?
918.
What will we do according to verse one?
919.
Why does he use the we? Has Paul failed to see the need of learning first principles?
920.
Is he saying we will do this, or is there some doubt about the ability to accomplish it?
921.
Is it the same expression as in James 4:15?
922.
Is it a warning lest they fall into a state of apostasy so severe as to keep them from finding God's help?
923.
Name a day when God's Spirit would not strive.