Hebrews 6 (1)

Introduction
The writer now addresses the problem which caused his readers to drift from the Lord. They had laid a foundation for their faith, but they were stuck there. Like Israel, returning from exile, they made a good start, but then became distracted. They needed to consider their ways and move on. Foundational doctrines are important, and we need to make sure we understand and believe them. But they may not be sufficient when trials and tribulations beset us. If we’re going to persevere through these, we need to move on from the foundations to the solid food of Jesus Christ.

Read Haggai 1.

Read Hebrews 6.1-3.

Think it through.
1.  What does the writer include as the “elementary principles of Christ”? Why are these teachings foundational for true faith? Can we move on to maturity in the Lord without understanding and embracing these teachings? Explain. The cornerstone of our doctrinal foundation is repentance from dead works and faith toward God. Can we have true faith in God without repentance? What is repentance?

2.  Let’s take a closer look at the other elementary principles. Why does the writer mention baptisms – in the plural? Are there more than one kind of baptism? The doctrine of laying on of hands refers to teaching about proper order in the church (cf. 1 Tim. 4.12-16; 2 Tim. 1.6; Tit. 1.5; Eph. 4.11, 12). Of what does that order consist? Why are these two doctrines foundational? The last two doctrines (end of v. 2) point toward the hope we have as believers. Explain.

Meditate.
“‘The Word of Christ.’ What sort of word? The word of teaching that it is necessary to lay down a foundation of repentance from dead works, the word of teaching that it is necessary to believe in God, the word of teaching that one must be baptized, the word of teaching that one must be deemed worthy of the Holy Spirit, the word of teaching that there will be a resurrection and that there will be a judgment. For the word and the teaching have a common origin in every respect.” Photius (820-891 AD)

And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual peoplebut as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. 1 Corinthians 3.1-3

Heavenly Father, thank You for helping me thus far in my walk with Jesus. Help me to move on from here toward maturity, so that… 

Pray Psalm 127.
Ask the Lord to show you where He needs to do some more “building” in your life, and how you can progress from being a child to being a more fruit-bearing, mature follower of Jesus.

Psalm 127.1-5 (Leominster: Not What My Hands Have Done)
Unless God builds the house, the workers toil in vain; 
unless He watches o’er us all, the watchmen have no gain.
In vain we early rise, and late retire to rest, 
for God gives precious, needed sleep to those He loves the best.

All children are a gift and treasure from the Lord, 
a token of His constant grace, the fruitful womb’s reward.
Like arrows in our hand, the children of our youth
we, trusting Jesus, shape and send to bear the Word of truth.

The blessings of the Lord on fruitful families rest.
Both friend and foe alike shall know that they by God are blessed.
Praise God, Who builds the house, and watches o’er us all, 
and grants relief and fruitful wombs to all who on Him call.

T. M Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006.