Hebrews 6:1-8

October 21, 2012 Were entering one of the most misused and misunderstood passages of Hebrews, and I want to encourage you right now to check your 21 st century American mindset and try to understand what were about to read from the mindset of a 1st century Jew. The main point of Hebrews (and the main point of what were about to read) is to encourage Jewish Christians who were suffering persecution and being shunned for abandoning Moses. Christ is better than Moses (3:3)! He is the brightness of Gods glory and the express image of His person (1:3), He is Gods only begotten Son and the rightful heir to the everlasting throne (1:5-9), He is the creator of all things and will outlive it all (1:1012), and the mighty angels are merely His servants (1:13-14). Because of this we should be careful to obey Him. It may seem as though Hes not so high and powerful now, but thats only because He was made low for a little while so that He could die for His brethren, and in the end He will destroy even death and the devil (2:8-18). So dont harden your hearts if you hear Him; the Israelites in the desert made that mistake, and they all died there because of it (3:7-19). They are an example to be feared and a type or shadow of the people who now hear and reject (4:1-11). If we do the same we know that well one day have to settle accounts with the God who sees and knows everything (even the thoughts and intents of our hearts) (4:12-13), so we cling to Christ who is our Great High Priest who has compassion on us and feels our infirmities (4:14-5:10). And then we come to where we left off last week. He rebukes them for being more like babies than teachers; they need milk and not meat because meat is for the mature. But I dont think this is saying they dont read their Bibles enough; I think its saying youre not reading it correctly. They are stuck in Judaism. They havent tied it all together that Christ is the fulfillment of the priesthood and the temple and the sacrifices and all the ceremonies and rituals of the Old Testament. They dont know how to discern good from evil because of this, so he says, Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; The word for principles is (arche), and it has to do with beginnings or origin or firsts. The word for doctrine is (logos), and it means words. The idea is, Leaving the first things that were spoken to us about Christ, let us go on unto

perfection. We see Christ in the shadows of Old Testament, but now we have the substance! Move on to being perfect or mature! not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, Read Hebrews 9:6-15: The priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. 7But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: 8The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: 9Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; 10Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. 11But 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; 12Neither 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. 13For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14How 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? 15And 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. Now go over to Hebrews 10:1; 19-22: For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. [] 19Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21And having an high priest over the house of God; 22Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. When he says not to lay again the foundation of repentance from dead works hes telling the people that theres more to forgiveness and redemption than what weve seen in the Old Testament laws. Theres the old way, and then theres the new and living way. Bulls and goats can never actually take away sin, but they were accepted in that time because they pointed towards the blood of Christ which actually washes us and purges us from every dead work. Were glad for the old way, but we embrace the new way because it fills the shadow!

and of faith toward God, Think about John 14:1Ye believe in God, believe also in me. Now, keep this in context with Hebrews 1:3; Jesus is not an addition to God. But we see Him addressing the fact that Hes more than a man; Real faith is more than believing in Godits believing in His Son. The Israelites had to have known of the plurality and the unity of the Godhead, but they were having a hard time accepting that this man who came to them was God in the flesh. So the author encourages them saying, Dont hang on to that old faith which didnt know the name of the Messiah. We knew He would be here, but now that He has, lets embrace the substance!
2Of

the doctrine of baptisms,

I want you to notice that this word is plural. Now, we know theres only one baptism (Eph. 4:5), so hes not talking about what we might normally understand. Go back again to Hebrews 9:10: The old way stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. Read Leviticus 11-15 and see how many times the Israelites had to wash themselves before they could enter into the tabernacle. In Exodus 38:8 we find that they had a bronze wash basin just between the altar and the tent of meeting to symbolize the washing required to meet with God. But Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish (Eph. 5:25-27). and of laying on of hands, Read Leviticus 1:2-4: If any man of you bring an offering unto the LORD, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock. 3If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD. 4And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him. Move on past the shadow of symbolically transferring guilt via touching an animal; go back to Hebrews 9:13-14 If the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14How 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?

and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. This one might throw us off a little because the resurrection is one of the central themes of the gospel (I Cor. 15:14). But we have to remember that hes addressing 1st century Jews. They believed in resurrection and judgment (Heb. 11:19; I Sam. 2:6; Job 19:25-26; Is. 26:19; Ez. 37:12-14; Dan. 12:2), and they knew of a salvation from hell (Ps. 16:8-11) but they hadnt tied these things to Christ. Its just like the faith toward God we just talked about. They had the principles and now they just need to embrace the substance. Think about Colossians 1:18: He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. The Greek word for firstborn is (prototokos). Our English word for prototype comes from this word, and here we see it used to show how Christ might have the preeminence. Its not just that were raisedwere raised to life because of His life, and thats what he wants these Jews to understand.
3And

this will we do, if God permit.

Now, heres just a basic principle: well do it if God allows it. Their dull hearing (5:11) kept them from moving past the shadows, and the writer encourages them to look to Christ, but He knows the power of the gospel is according to the sovereignty of God. If God lets us well move on. Now, its very important to keep this next part in context. Hes building on His argument concerning the Israelites who came out of Egypt but hardened their hearts and refused to go into Canaan.
4For

it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; These are some hard words to understand, but I want to let the Scriptures speak for themselves. Lets skip over to 2 Peter 2:9-22 for some help: The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: 10But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. 11Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. 12But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they

understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; 13And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; 14Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: 15Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with mans voice forbad the madness of the prophet. 17These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. 18For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 19While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 20For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. Hebrews 6 and 2 Peter 2 go hand in hand. There are people who look like something, but they are nothing. There are people who have seen the power of God, walked as though walking with Him, and blessed Him with their lips, but inside they hate Him and will abandon Him:
4For

it is impossible for those who were once enlightened,

Those who were once instructed and have tasted of the heavenly gift, Theyve tasted and so they have no excuse as to why they would question the Lords goodness (I Pt. 2:3) and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, Not partaking in justification, but having witnessed for themselves the power of the Holy Spirit (it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them)

5And

have tasted the good word of God,

Enter into my rest and the powers of the world to come, They saw God in the form of the pillar and the cloud
6If

they shall fall away,

The meaning is, If they shall deviate or leave the truth. The Israelites saw so much of God and still refused to obey Him, and there are so many examples of this throughout the New Testament: A dog returns to its vomit, and a sow returns to her wallowing (II Peter 2:22); anyone who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is not fit for the kingdom (Lk. 9:62), the seed takes root but withers away for various reasons (Mt. 13:19-22); Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils (I Tim. 4:1); It is impossible if they shall see so much of God and yet fall away from the truth to renew them again unto repentance; Now keep this on context and look ahead to verses 7-8:
7For

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: 8But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. When you read that its impossible to renew them again unto repentance, dont think of a fan which goes back and forth (oscillates). You know, first its left, then its right. Now its left again, and then its pointing back to the right. Theres no security and theres no dependence on Christ in that, and it doesnt even fit within the argument here in Hebrews. The point is that a good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit (Mt. 7:17). The Israelites showed repentance in coming out of Egypt, but then they showed hypocrisy when they wanted to go back into slavery (Num. 14:4)! They were whitewashed tombs full of dead mens bones (Mt. 23:27), and hes warning the reader not to follow their example. You have come out of the old way and begun to follow Jesus, but now youre starting to slip a little. Pay attention to the example of the Israelites and remember what God swore about

them: They shall never enter into my rest (Heb. 4:3). That which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. [The rest of verse 6:] seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. Seeing they crucify and afresh are all one word in the Greek (verb, participle, present, active). It could read: At this moment they themselves are continually guilty of the death of Christ and for scorning Him publicly. Think about when Christ preached to the spirits in prison (I Pt. 3:19)! Hes making it personal against them. Why is it impossible to renew them again unto repentance? Because they have the guilt of Adam. Cains mark is on their heads (Gen. 4:15). They are partakers of Satans sins (Jn. 8:44) and all have an equal and ongoing share in crucifying the Son of God (I Jn. 3:15). The reprobates who came out of Egypt were plainly seen for what they were when they refused to enter into Gods rest (Heb. 4:2-3), and in the same way, the reprobates today are made plain when they reject Christ and hold Him in a place of scorn. http://newgracebaptist.blogspot.com/