Hebrews Chapter 6
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Hebrews 6:1 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,
Let us go on and perfect ourselves in the
faith by prayer and constantly seeking God. Let us not have to
keep repenting over and over again because of our weakness in
the flesh which succumbs to temptation and causing us to keep
returning to the beginning by repenting of sin. Instead we
should learn to walk in the spirit so that we can go on to
perfection. That perfection cannot be obtained by any works of
righteousness, sacraments, ceremonies or works of men done in
the flesh. That perfection comes by walking in the spirit and
daily yielding to God's spirit which will give us understanding
of the word as we seek Him. The word cleanses and keeps us from
returning to sin.
The study of the word is a great way to
stay focused on the good things of God. We really rob ourselves
of joy when we neglect the study of God's word. It's like not
eating right and neglecting our nutrition. One robs us
spiritually and one robs us physically.
- Ephesians 5:25
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the
church, and gave himself for it;
- 26 That he
might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by
the word,
The word cleanses and makes clean
spiritually.
-
Ephesians 5:27 That 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.
The word cleanses, comforts, warns,
corrects, teaches, strengthens, and gives understanding of what
is the will of God.
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Hebrews 6:2 Of the doctrine of
baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of
the dead, and of eternal judgment.
Once people have come to Christ by
hearing the preaching repentance from sin and receiving God's
spirit, they can move on to receiving the teaching of the word
and begin to study the word on their own also. After that they
can grow spiritually, being encouraged constantly to walk in the
spirit. Instructing and teaching sound doctrine by those called
of the Lord will edify the body. Bible prophecy is important to
prepare us for the Second coming of our Lord. Teaching the
church body to be ready to give an answer to anyone inquiring of
the way of salvation is for all to learn. We also need to seek
and receive the gifts of
the Holy Spirit to the the work of that Jesus called us to do.
This is not confined to the clergy. It is for us all.
There are more than one baptism:
One is being baptized in water, being baptized in the body of
Christ and being baptized in the spirit. Water baptism cannot
save alone but shows us that we are dead to sin, buried with
Christ in baptism. It is an act of obedience and very important
but the water itself does not save the soul. If we were saved by
merely baptism in water, then there would be no need of
repentance or any other thing to save ourselves from the wrath
to come. This of course would be ridiculous to teach. How can
water change a person from a lost condition to a saved
condition? However it is very important to be baptized in water
confessing our sins and giving an outward testimony that we are
believers in Jesus.
We are "born again" by the spirit
of God when we sincerely repent and turn to Christ. This is when
we are baptized in the body of Christ. It is a spiritual birth
that only God can do and does not depend on a priest, prophet or
preacher. One can be born again anywhere and anytime without
another believer even present at the time of a believer's
conversion. It brings about a change in a person's life. This
change makes old things pass away and all things become new.
When we are baptized in water it shows our obedience.
Here is how Paul describes this in
Romans:
- Romans 6:3 Know ye
not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ
were baptized into his death?
- 4 Therefore
we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as
Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the
Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
- 5 For if we
have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we
shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
- 6 Knowing
this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body
of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not
serve sin.
- 7 For he
that is dead is freed from sin.
- 8 Now if we
be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with
him:
- 9 Knowing
that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death
hath no more dominion over him.
- 10 For in
that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth,
he liveth unto God.
- 11 Likewise
reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but
alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
- 12 Let not
sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey
it in the lusts thereof.
- 13 Neither
yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto
sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive
from the dead, and your members as instruments of
righteousness unto God.
- 14 For sin
shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the
law, but under grace.
Some change instantly and some take more
time to really separate themselves from their former life but
the change does take place by the Holy Spirit and not by works
of man. Good works and good deeds will follow the new birth but
it cannot bring about the new birth. This is done by our
decision to accept the offer God brings to us and that is
salvation by faith in Jesus Christ.
Being baptized in the spirit can come at
the moment of conversion or a little later. When we are born
again, we are born again by the spirit of God. We are
spiritually baptized into the body of Christ. We are saved. This
is when we are sealed and kept by the Holy Spirit. The baptism
of the Holy Spirit is an anointing that may also come at
the same time but sometimes one is completely baptized in the Holy
Spirit at a different time than their initial salvation. This
baptism will endue the believer in power for service. This is
very important because without being filled with the spirit, we
can do nothing that will bring forth any fruit. This baptism is
many times accompanied by speaking in tongues as the spirit gives
utterance. This never should be forbidden as some have tried to
do. To pray in tongues is a way to be edified by the spirit and
to worship God in spirit and in truth. It is also a way to
intercede for oneself, some one else or some other need. Many
times it is praise to our creator. Some may pray in the spirit in their own language as
well as in an unknown language. Unknown to the one speaking.
This is an awesome way to pray in the will of God also.
As we see in verse 2 there are doctrines
of baptisms. There is more than one baptism. Baptism in water,
baptism in into the body of Christ, and the baptism for service
that we call the baptism in the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit. Some
believe the new birth by the spirit is the same as the baptism
of the Holy Spirit. Usually those that believe that way, do not
believe in speaking in tongues or the gifts of the spirit. We need to be filled
with the Spirit every day. It is not just a one time occurrence.
If we just seek God continually and ask to be filled with His
Spirit, let God worry about whether or not it happened when you
were saved or later.
We just need all God has for us, not only
for our own edification but so that we can minister to others
and lead others to Jesus Christ. We need the Holy Spirit to do
this. We never should forbid the speaking in tongues and freedom
in worship. We desperately need to worship God in spirit and in
truth. We should always seek to be filled with the Spirit and
depend upon the leading of the Spirit in all we do. We do not
get everything when we are first saved. This is a daily walk and
there is always more to receive so that we can be full of the
Holy Spirit in order to share the gospel with others. We freely
receive so we can freely give and share this good way with
others. We need to have the attitude of "Do I get to speak in
tongues, rather than "Do I have to speak in tongues." This was
something I wanted to have. I want to receive all that God has
for me in order to further the message of His kingdom to come,
His perfect sacrifice for sins, and just everything, holding
nothing back.
- Hebrews 6:3 And this
will we do, if God permit.
- 4 For it is
impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have
tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the
Holy Ghost,
- 5 And have
tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to
come,
- 6 If they shall
fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they
crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to
an open shame.
For those who have been saved, baptized
in the spirit and have been made part of the heavenly gift; if
they completely go into apostasy and forsake the Lord it is like
crucifying Him over again. We see from the
letters to the churches in Revelation that many fell into sin
but was exhorted to repent and do the first works. So this is
just not a warning to backsliders. Those spoken of here are
those that completely turn from the faith and go into complete
apostasy. There is no other way to be saved if they cast off the
way of salvation, Jesus Christ.
God is the only one who can really judge
whether one crosses over that point of no return. If one is
still being convicted by the Holy Ghost of sin, I would venture
to guess that he or she still has hope and can repent and renew
themselves back into fellowship with God. The Holy Spirit is not
going to convict us of sin if we have no hope of repentance. So
if we feel guilty when we sin, it is a good sign, not a bad one.
I'm always thankful when the Holy Spirit points out a fault or
even sin in me because I know He is still within me instructing
me in the ways of God.
The danger comes when we stop feeling
guilty and begin to justify ourselves when we know by the word
of God that we are living in open sin without any desire to
repent or change. The Holy Spirit will not justify us if we are
living in sin and the Holy Spirit will not oppose the written
word of God. If we are sinning in something the word of God
clearly condemns and feel good about it; rest assured the Holy
Spirit is not the one making us happy in anything evil.
- Hebrews 6:7 For 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:
- 8 But that which beareth thorns and briars is rejected, and is nigh unto
cursing; whose end is to be burned.
When we grow a garden, we only accept the
good fruit of the ground. We reject the weeds and thorns. We as
believers do not have to become unfruitful as weeds and thorns
but we can bear good fruit. Better things are meant for us.
- Hebrews 6:9 But, beloved,
we are persuaded better things of you, and things that
accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
- 10 For God is
not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which
ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered
to the saints, and do minister.
This is good fruit that we should be
doing after we come to Christ. Doing these things to try to earn
our salvation without coming to Christ will avail nothing but
once we are saved by the grace of God, we begin to bring forth
fruit which is the result of what has taken place within us as
believers. The good work alone cannot save. However, if we have
been Christians for years and are not producing good fruit, we
need to examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith. Do we
hate someone who has opposed us? Do we refuse to help a real
needy person if we have the means to do so? We do good things to
others, especially fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord
because we love our Lord and do all in His name.
We must hold out and be faithful to what
we have believed and not return back to our former lives.
We must not be lazy spiritually but build
upon what we have received by prayer and obedience to the word
of God. We only are to follow those who are faithful to the word
of God. How can we know who is faithful? By studying the word
and comparing what they say to what they actually do. Are they
bringing forth the fruits described by the word.
- Galatians 5:19 Now
the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these;
adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
- 20 Idolatry,
witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife,
seditions, heresies,
- 21 Envyings,
murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the
which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time
past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the
kingdom of God.
- 22 But the
fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith,
- 23 Meekness,
temperance: against such there is no law.
- 24 And they
that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the
affections and lusts.
- 25 If we
live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
It is a joyful, peaceful and great
experience to walk in the spirit instead of just living day by
day in a carnal worldly manner. Living in disobedience to
the Lord robs us of the joy of the Lord and the joy of our
salvation that is ours for the asking and seeking.
- Hebrews 6:13 For when God
made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no
greater, he swore by himself,
- 14 Saying,
Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will
multiply thee.
- 15 And so, after
he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
Abraham lived for years without seeing
even one child born to fulfill this promise that his seed would
become as many as the stars in heaven. Yet as always, God came
through just in time. Abraham's children are not just his
natural seed but all who believe in Jesus Christ become the
adopted seed of Abraham.
We are Abraham's seed by faith. Being a
natural seed of Abraham brings no salvation apart from faith in
Jesus Christ which is the promised one God sent to reconcile all
who believe back to God. However we do not replace the natural
seed but are added to them.
Concerning the natural seed of
Abraham:
- Romans 11:15 For
if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world,
what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?
- 16 For if
the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the
root be holy, so are the branches.
- 17 And if
some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild
olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
- 18 Boast
not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest
not the root, but the root thee.
- 19 Thou
wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be
grafted in.
- 20 Well;
because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest
by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
- 21 For if
God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also
spare not thee.
- 22 Behold
therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which
fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue
in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
- 23 And they
also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted
in: for God is able to graft them in again.
- 24 For if
thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature,
and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree:
how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be
grafted into their own olive tree?
- 25 For I
would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this
mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that
blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness
of the Gentiles be come in.
- 26 And so
all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall
come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away
ungodliness from Jacob:
This is God's plan for Israel all along. God wants to save rather than destroy. He takes no delight is
destroying our souls.
- Hebrews 6:16 For men
verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is
to them an end of all strife.
- 17 Wherein God,
willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise
the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:
That oath being:
- Genesis 12:1 Now
the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country,
and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a
land that I will show thee:
- 2 And I
will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and
make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
- 3 And I
will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth
thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be
blessed.
This eternal blessing comes from the
promised one, seed of Abraham, seed of David and Son of God,
Jesus Christ.
- Hebrews 6:18 That by two
immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie,
we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge
to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
- 19 Which hope we
have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and
which entereth into that within the veil;
There was a veil that separated the holy
of holies from the rest of the temple in which no one
unauthorized could enter. Jesus Christ was able to enter that
place at His crucifixion and death. That veil was split when He
died, thereby making the way for all who believe in Him to enter
into the presence of God. Before Christ this was impossible.
Jesus is at the right hand of God where
He was before He came to earth awaiting His second coming to set
up His kingdom. He was high priest after the order of
Melchizedek and not after the levitical priesthood. He is a
priest continually and it is never ending. The priests of the
Levites died and one had to take their place. Jesus died and
rose again to be a continual high priest. There is no need for
earthly priests to intercede and go to God on our behalf. When
we repent and believe the gospel, we have access to God through
faith in Jesus Christ. All believers have become priests, not
just certain ones. DC
- Revelation 1:4
John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto
you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which
is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his
throne;
- 5 And from
Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first
begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the
earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins
in his own blood,
- 6 And hath
made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be
glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
-
7 Behold, he
cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they
also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall
wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
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