HEBREWS - PART TWO - LESSON 5



HEBREWS - PART TWO - LESSON 5

"Understanding Hebrews 6:1-12"

Kay Arthur, Teacher

Today we want to look at understanding Hebrews 6:1-12. I think you can get the picture of what the author of Hebrews wants to tell you. You may have a little difficulty with some of the verses there, but I think we can find exactly what the author wants you and me to see. I want to take us into Hebrews 5 and I want to begin at verse 11 so that you will get the context of Hebrews 6:1-12. Hebrews 5 (11) "Concerning him (Melchizedek) we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing." They have not been dull of hearing but they have regressed and they have gone back to a state where it is hard for them to hear spiritual truth. (12) "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food." They should be at the stage in their life where they are able to explain Biblical truths to other people. Not necessarily standing on a platform like I'm standing on a platform but at least be able to open the Word and to explain it. What has happened is that they have so regressed, they have gone backwards, and they can't even take solid food. They have to take milk again like babies. (13) "For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is a babe." (14) "But solid food (or as the King James Version says meat) is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil".

Hebrews 6 (1) "Therefore leaving the elementary teaching". When he says elementary teaching it's the same Greek words as elementary principles in 5:12 so there is a connection. When he says therefore there is a connection. He has not discontinued one thought and started on another thought. He is trying to teach them this wonderful teaching about the truth of Christ after the order of Melchizedek and they are so dull of hearing that they cannot comprehend it. So, at this point in the letter to the Hebrews, he is going to stop and give them a warning. He is going to give them an exhortation and a warning combined. Then he is going back to Melchizedek but as he moves from 5:14 to 6:1 there is no chapter division in the letter. Those were added later, so it’s a continuous thought. (1) "Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, (about Messiah because this is the way you would translate Messiah into the Greek) let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God," (2) "of instruction about washings, and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment". (3) "And this we shall do (this we shall do what? Press on to maturity) if God permits." (4) "For in the case (he is going to give you 'in the case'. He's going to talk about a certain situation and he's going to move from 'we' to 'those'. He's going to move from 'you' to 'those'. Watch) (4) "For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit," (5) "and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come," (6) "and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God, and put Him to open shame." (7) "For ground that drinks the rain which often falls upon it (just think about a field as I read this) and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God;" (8) (Now think about another field) "but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned." (9) But beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation, though we are speaking in this way." (10) "For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints." (11) "And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope (a very important phrase in this passage) until the end," (12) that you may not be sluggish, (sluggish is the same word (nothros) as dull of hearing) but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises."

Your homework went beyond that as you looked at hope but we are not going to go beyond that today because we're not going to have time. As we look at this difficult passage and you say 'why is it difficult'? Because when you look at it carefully it looks as if people can lose their salvation. This can throw people into a tailspin. We have to look at it carefully because some people use this passage to teach that you can lose your salvation and, therefore, you better be very, very careful about the way that you walk. Others use this passage to teach that if you backslide there's no repentance from that backsliding condition. Others have read this passage and thought, 'I have walked away from God, I am in sin and there is no way for me to repent, I am just lost, God has abandoned me, there is no hope'. As a matter of fact, I just talked to a woman the other day and she shared her story with me after I taught her Hebrews 6. She said that she used to just cringe over that passage, I thought God there is no hope for me, there is no repentance for me, never another chance and of course God showed her as we looked at the passage that there was a chance for her and she is going on and forward with the Lord. So this can become a very terrifying passage. It can become a very condemning passage if you don't understand it properly.

I want to give you some keys for understanding Hebrews 6:1-12. If you are going to understand this book the first key to understanding it is to remember to whom the letter is addressed. To whom is the letter addressed? Jewish Christians, Hebrew Christians and we know it is addressed to Hebrew Christians because as we go through the text we see that the references are Jewish, Jewish, Jewish, Jewish. We see that if these people were to turn back, to drift away they would not go back to the pagan world but back into Judaism. They would go back to the Leviticus cult, as people say. Back to the Levitical worship that was laid down in the Old Testament. We see that they are Christians because we have run every single address to these people and we see that the author believes that they are Christians. Also, we have just read Hebrews 6:9 where he says "But beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation", so the author believes them to be saved.

The second thing that you need to know or remember if you are going to understand this passage is (#2) you need to understand the author's purpose in exhortation. Which is what? Hebrews 13:23 "I have written to you briefly" to do what? Exhortation. So he is going to exhort them so you have to understand that his purpose is to exhort them and then you have to look at those exhortations. At the risk of boring you, I want to run through them very quickly. I haven't picked up every single one but we will just run through them quickly. As I say them I am going to run chronologically through Hebrews and you just think chapter.

The first one is to "not drift away from what they have heard". What chapter is that? Its in Chapter 2. The second one is to "consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of their confession" in Chapter 3. The third one is to hearken to His voice, "today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts" in Chapter 3. The next one is to "draw near". "Draw near" is in several places in the book. It's in Hebrews 4, 7, and 10. It is to press on to maturity. Now where is to "Press on to maturity"? Its in Chapter 6. The next one is to "hold fast". That’s in Chapter 10. You jump from Chapter 6 to Chapter 10 because you have a long discourse on the priesthood and the tabernacle and the sacrifices. Then you come to the next exhortation to "hold fast". The next one is to "not throw away your confidence". These are very important in understanding Hebrews 6 and "not throw away your confidence" is in Hebrews 10 also. The next one is to "lay aside your hindrances (or your encumbrances) and the sins which so easily beset you and to run with endurance". Where is that one? Its in Chapter 12. The next exhortation is "to not refuse him who is speaking". Where is that exhortation? Its in Chapter 12 also. At the end of Chapter 12 there is another one and that is "to show gratitude with an acceptable service". Then, finally, in Chapter 13 it is to "go outside the camp and to bear His reproach". Also, there is another exhortation there and that is to "offer to God the sacrifice of praise even the fruit of your lips". As you look at these exhortations you have to remember that Hebrews 6 has to be interpreted in the light of the author's purpose and in the light of his exhortations.

To summarize, what is the author concerned about? The author is speaking to Hebrew Christians and he is concerned that they might drift away from what they have learned, from what they have heard, what they have experienced in Jesus Christ and they might, when they drift away, to go back to the Levitical way. To go back to the Levitical sacrifices, to go back to the Levitical tabernacle, to go back to the Aaronic priesthood. He's telling them not to drift away, to consider Jesus, to press on to maturity, lay aside those things that are going to keep you from going on.

The third key that you need in understanding Hebrews 6:1-12 is to (#3) understand the state of those being addressed. What was the state or the condition of those being addressed? What were they going through? What were their circumstances? They were in persecution and they were suffering. They were losing their possessions, losing their freedoms. Some of them were being put in prison. They were being humbled greatly. What you need to see is this, trials reveal the genuiness of our profession or the character of our profession or the character of our walk with Jesus Christ Is it genuine or is it false? You don't really see that until you hit trials. So you need to remember their state, their condition. Their faith was being tested and so the trials reveal the genuiness of our profession.

The fourth thing you need to remember when you look at Hebrews is (#4) the structure and context of the book. As you look at Hebrews 6 you need to remember the structure or context of the book because Hebrews 6:1-12 has to be interpreted in the light of all that the author is saying. It has to be interpreted in the light of his purpose; it has to be interpreted in the light of the structure of the book. Lets look at the structure of the book. Let's just get it in a big overview.

In Hebrews 1, God establishes is a truth about the Son. He says that He has spoken through the Son, His only begotten Son and He shows us that the Son is better than the angels are. Then you come to a warning. That warning is in Hebrews 2. The warning is to not drift away from what God has spoken in His Son. The warning is (2) "For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense". He is talking about in the Old Testament they believed that the angels attended the giving of the Old Covenant. He has just said that His Son is better than angels are. He has established that His Son is God, that His Son, Who is God, made propitiation for our sins and when He made propitiation for our sins He sat down at the right hand of the throne of the majesty on high. He is better than the angels are. What he has said is this that in the Old Testament if what was spoken through angels received a just recompense of reward (judgement if you were disobedient) than he says in (3) "how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?" The Greek actually reads "how shall we escape if we have neglected so great a salvation?" In other words, when everything is said and done if you have neglected that salvation how are you going to escape. What? Judgment. Here is a warning and it is a warning of judgment if we don't listen. Here's an ear. If we don't listen to what God has said through His Son.

In Hebrews 2 through Hebrews 3 you move to more truth about Christ. He establishes the fact that Christ died and in His dying He destroyed him who had the power of death. In dying He made propitiation for our sins. Jesus was faithful over His house and we are to consider Him because He is a faithful High Priest. He is the faithful apostle and High Priest of God. He lays down this truth and then he comes in (in Hebrews 3 & 4) with another warning. The warning is that you need to hearken to His voice. (7) "Today if you hear His voice, (8) do not harden your hearts". He says that several times. What is he telling them again? He is telling them to hear. He is telling them that if they don't hear and hearing will be seen in obedience, you are going to miss His rest. If you miss His rest, what have you missed? Salvation. You have missed the heavenly state of eternal bliss; you have missed the millenium; you have missed the rest of God.

Hebrews 4 (9) "There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of God". He tells them in Hebrews 4 (1) "Therefore, let us fear lest, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you should seem to have come short of it". Let my podium symbolize. Here is Heaven; here is salvation (salvation and heaven are synonymous. If you get saved you are going to have Heaven. He tells them to listen, that he wants them to hear what he is saying. I want you to diligently listen to my word and obey my word. Salvation is not just a one-time confession of Jesus Christ. Salvation is a lifetime of walking in that profession. It is not just saying that 'I believe' at one time and then walking the way you want to walk. No, its saying 'I believe' and then walking in belief and you walk in belief by walking in obedience. He is saying don't come short of it. Fear lest you come short of entering into His rest and getting what God has for you. If you miss His rest, what awaits you? Judgment. At the end of this warning he says in Hebrews 4 (12) "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword" "and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." It says that every creature is laid bare and naked in its sight before God. What is he saying? You better hear what God says because when God's Word comes down like this it divides unbelief from belief; it shows you the false versus the truth. If you miss His rest, what are you going to get? Judgment. At the end of Hebrews 4 and the beginning of Hebrews 5 and he teaches us another truth. That truth is that Jesus qualifies as High Priest. He qualifies because He is appointed by God according to the order of Melchizedek. He qualifies because He has the ability to suffer with his people. He is a man also. He wants to go on and tell you how he qualifies after the order of Melchizedek but he has to stop because they have a problem with hearing. Do another ear under the lightning bolt and we have another warning. That warning is that "you have become dull of hearing". He says that they are not, in Hebrews 6 (1) "laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God (2) of instruction about washings, and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment". You are to press on to maturity (3) "And this we shall do, if God permits". (4) "For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift" (and he goes on and lists five things) (6) "and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance." What is he saying here? If you don't hear; if you don't listen; if you turn back; if you fall away - what is there? Judgment. Do you see the pattern of the book? He gives them a truth and then he tells them the consequences of not hearing that truth and I'm not talking about hearing so that it goes in one ear and out the other and you say "O yeah, I know". Hearing so that it affects the way that you live.

We are moving into territory that you have not yet covered. So now we move into Hebrews 7, 8, 9 & 10 before we come to the next warning. In Hebrews 7, 8, 9 & 10 he continues with the priesthood according to the order of Melchizedek. He also lays down for us that Jesus is the mediator of a better covenant and He is the provider of a better sacrifice. A sacrifice that takes away sins for all time. God says in Hebrews 10 (17) "And their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more". Then he moves into another warning. Lets look at that warning in Hebrews 10 (26) "For if we go on sinning willfully (He has just said that the blood of Jesus Christ that He offered is the blood that sanctifies you forever) (17)"after receiving the knowledge of the truth," (What do you have again? If you have knowledge of the truth (you can draw another ear under there) you have heard the truth.) "there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins." If you reject the sacrifice of Jesus Christ there is no more sacrifice for sins but a certain terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire that will consume the adversary. You have another truth and he says that the truth is that Jesus is the Mediator of a better covenant; Jesus has offered a better sacrifice. Therefore, in Hebrews 8, 9 & 10 particularly he says that the first has become obsolete. What is the first? It is the Old Covenant and it has become obsolete because the New Covenant has made the Old obsolete. So therefore, you can't go back to something that is obsolete. If you don't hear and believe what I have just told you there is no more sacrifice for sins because the priests that offer sacrifice for sins can never take away sins. The blood of bulls and goats can never take away sins. Jesus has taken away your sins but if you reject that then all that awaits you is judgment. So you have your fourth warning.

Then he moves into an exhortation and in Hebrews 10 - 12 he gives us exhortation that we are to have faith. It's all wrapped up in faith. Believe God, believe God, believe God. I know you are going through discipline but that discipline is to make you partakers of His holiness so that you can share eternity. Believe God. Then there comes a warning. In Hebrews 12 (15) "See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God." What did we see in Hebrews 4 (1) "Therefore, let us fear, - - - - any one of you should seem to have short of it." Here he is saying Don't come short of the grace of God. The rest of God and the grace of God are one and the same and it's all wrapped up in salvation. By grace are you saved (through what?) through faith. Grace give you Heaven so he says in Hebrews 12:15 "See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;" (16) "that there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal." (17) "for you know that even afterwards, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears." Immediately a little ding, ding, ding ought to go off. Oh, here's another man who found no place of repentance. Hebrews 6 (6) "it is impossible to renew them again to repentance," Here is Esau who sold his birthright and then found no place of repentance.

You go on with the warning to Hebrews 12 (25) "See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking." If He is speaking, what are you supposed to be doing? You are supposed to be hearing. Warning #5 is the final warning in the book and it corresponds with the first warning. What is the first warning? Pay close attention to what God has said. What is the last warning? Do not refuse Him who is speaking but aren't they all really the same? Don't we see all the way through that we are to be hearing what God is saying. What is He saying in Hebrews? Listen because I am telling you truth and these are the facts; these are the absolutes; and if you reject the absolutes; if you reject the truth; what awaits? Judgment. All the way through it's the same. All the way through he is speaking to a group of people that he considers to be Christians and yet in his heart there is a question. In his heart there is a possibility that maybe there are some here who have all the trappings of Christianity and yet, are going to turn away. You might say, but were they real Christians? We're going to look at that in Hebrews 6 in just a minute.

When you look at the structure and context of the book, you also have to keep in mind two scriptures that give us the foundation for all of this exhortation. The basis of the exhortation is found, I believe, in Hebrews 3:6 and v. 14. (6)"But Christ was faithful as a son over His house (God's house) whose house we are, if" (that if is a third class condition - maybe yes, maybe no. Third class condition leans heavily toward yes and that the supposition is true rather than false. It is still conditional. Still something that remains to be seen.)"We hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end." What is he saying? Continuance in the faith is the evidence of our salvation or perseverance in the faith is the evidence of your salvation. If you are really saved, you will persevere. He is not saying that you are saved by persevering but he is saying that if you are saved you will persevere. Perseverance is the sign of true salvation. It's a sign that you have really heard and that you have really believed. Hebrews 3 (14) "For we have become partakers of Christ" (have become is a perfect tense. A past completed action with a present and continuing result.) "If we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end." You will see 'hold fast' used several times throughout the book. You will see it again in Hebrews 10, etc.

What do we know in Hebrews 6? We know that these people, whoever they are, that have been enlightened; that have tasted; that have experienced the powers of the world to come; the power of the word of God, etc. have fallen away. He is saying in (14) that "we have become partakers of Christ if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end". This is what he says in Hebrews 3 (12) "Take care, brethren," (he's speaking to them as if they are truly saved) "lest there should be in any one of you" (like take care sistern - my dear sisters in Christ) "an evil, unbelieving heart," (a heart that does not hear so as to believe; so as to act) "in falling away from the living God." That word, falling away if apostasy. It means to depart from a position that you once held or you once embraced. They fall away from the position they once embraced, that Jesus Christ was Messiah; that Jesus Christ was the propitiation for our sins; that Jesus Christ was the Way and the Truth They departed away from it because of an evil, unbelieving heart. How would an evil and unbelieving heart show up? Probably when it cost you your faith. Probably a trial would expose it.

The fifth thing I want you to see is this. #5 It must be understood in the context of the whole counsel of God. Not only the context of the book; not only according to the book's structure (the author's pattern in laying out his truth) but it must be understood in the context of the whole counsel of God. You can write it down because it is absolutely sure. Scripture never contradicts scripture. Therefore, when I come to a passage that is difficult to be understood, I need to find out what the Word of God teach in other places that is easily understood. I never take the obscure and make it contradict the obvious. You always stick with the obvious and then the obscure has to fit within the framework of the obvious. It has to fit within the framework of the whole counsel of God. When you can't make it fit then you say 'it is still obscure so I can't understand it" but you never use the obscure to contradict the obvious.

Number six and the final key to understanding Hebrew 6 is this. #6 The author of Hebrews must be allowed to say what he says. We must allow him to interpret his own writing. We must receive what he says at face value. We cannot add to his words. We cannot say 'yes, he says this but he means that'. We must take the clear meaning of what the author says and allow him to say that. Therefore, you cannot force an interpretation that is contrary to what the author has laid out in the rest of the book. The interpretation must not violate what the author has said in the whole book.

In the light of this, let's go to Hebrews 6. (1) "Therefore" (we have put it in context already) "leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity." I explained to you last week that 'press on to maturity' does not mean that you press on to maturity. It means that you allow yourself to be carried on. It is the same word as in Hebrews 1:3 when it says "Jesus upholds all things by the word of His power". Upholds means to carry to a conclusion or to completion. So when it says 'let us press on' it is a personal surrender to an active influence. So when he says in Hebrews 6 (1) "Let us press on", (3) "and this we shall do if (what?) if God permits." In other words, God wants to carry you on and if you will cooperate God will permit that. But, if you refuse to be carried on, God is not going to alter what He has said or what He has done. We think that we can manipulate God.

Now he says (1) "Therefore, leaving". We need to look at the word 'leaving'. It is aphiemi and it comes from two words. The first word is apo and it means from. Hiemi means to send so it means, technically, to send from. It is translated three different ways according to its context. It means to let go. Another way it's translated is to let suffer or permit or to allow. You could say to let go of the elementary teachings but you could not translate it to let suffer or permit the elementary teachings to leave. The third way it is translated is to leave, to leave alone, to forsake or to abandon, to put off. Is there anything in the book of Hebrews that they are to put off? They are to put off hindrances and sins. Is there anything else? He is writing to Hebrew Christians. What is he telling them to leave off; what is he telling them is obsolete? The old ways, the Levititical cultus. Everything that you were doing under the Old Covenant is no longer valid and it has become obsolete. Let me show it to you just in case you don't understand that. Is the law no good? No, it's not saying the law is no good. The law served its purpose but now we have moved from law to grace. Look at Hebrews 8 (13) "When He said, " a new covenant", he has made the first" (first what? Covenant) " obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear." This is one thing that they have to put off and he repeats this is Hebrews 10 (9) "then He said, "BEHOLD, I HAVE COME TO DO THY WILL," He takes away the first in order to establish the second."

If you look at Hebrews 6 in the context of the whole letter, I would lean very heavily toward the fact that when he says that they are to leave the elementary teachings about Messiah; and laying again a foundation, I believe the two parallel. I think that what he is saying is God did speak in times past through the prophets and everything that He said was true. The Old Covenant served a purpose and God gave you that Old Covenant. It was a schoolmaster to keep you, as Galatians says, until faith in Christ should come. But now is the time for you to go on to maturity and instead of going on to maturity you are going backwards. Why were they going backwards? They were going backwards because it was painful to go forward. They were suffering, so they were drifting away from the truth and going back to the Levitical Cultus. I am trying to teach you these magnificent truths about Jesus Christ but you have become so dull of hearing that I have to go back and teach you the first things again. What was the Old Testament? It was the foundation of all that God was going to do and reveal in Christ Jesus. What I think, personally, that he is saying here is this. I want you to leave the elementary teaching about Christ; I want you to press on to maturity. I don't want you to lay again a foundation of (what?) repentance from dead works. Lets let the author interpret dead works for us. Go to Hebrews 9:14. When you find a phrase, you let the author interpret it. (14) "How much more will the blood of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from" (what?)"dead works to serve the living God?" When he talks about our conscience being cleansed from dead works (if you take it within the context of this) what he's saying is all the Old Testament ritual could only cleanse your flesh but it could never cleanse your conscience. Year after year after year there was a remembrance of sins. You had to keep going back and offering sacrifice after sacrifice after sacrifice. So, what are those dead works? Those dead works are those things that you were doing under the Levitical cultus; under the Levitical practices; under the Old Covenant.

He says that we don't need to lay a foundation again of repentance; a change of mind that results in direction from dead works. So he is pointing them, I believe, back to the Old Testament.

Go back to Hebrews 6 again. They are to leave (1) not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of (what?) faith toward God." Is faith toward God taught in the Old Testament? Yes. Later on in Hebrews you are going to study in Hebrews 10 and he is going to quote that famous passage from Habakkuk, "the just shall live by (what?) faith." So faith toward God was taught in the Old Testament. What is the New Testament? Is it just faith towards God? No, you must believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. The Jews had no problem with faith toward God but they were having a problem with faith toward the Son of God, Jesus Christ the Messiah. He is saying that they had these elementary teachings about Messiah, now you've got Messiah. Turn from those. Hebrews 6 (2) "of instructions about washings." That word washings is baptismos because it is not the word that is used for baptism as a Christian rite. The word for baptism ends with an a (baptisma). This is baptismos and it is used for washings. Once again, if I'm going to understand Hebrews I have got to let the author interpret for me. So, go to Hebrews 9:8. Don't panic because what I don't finish this week I will finish next week. He says (8)"The Holy Spirit is signifying this, that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed" (he is talking about the Tabernacle. You are going to get to do a study on the Tabernacle. You and I are about to enter into some of the richest teaching on the priesthood; on the tabernacle; on the Old Testament sacrifices; the New Testament sacrifices. My fear is that you will walk away from that. My fear is that you won't go on to maturity. It's not just six easy steps to handling the Word; how can I have six easy steps to victory in this and victory in that. You will miss this wonderful teaching. Don't miss it. It is so good and so rich and it will open up the whole Word of God to you in the most powerful way. Those of you that have taken Covenant with us know that.) (8) "The Holy Spirit is signifying this" (let me just review. We are looking at the word baptismos, washings. It is called baptism in the King James Version in Hebrews 6:2) "that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed, while the outer tabernacle is still standing. (9) "Which is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience," (10)"since they relate only to food and drink and various washings." That word, washings, is the same word as Hebrews 6:2 where it talks about baptisms or washings. In other words, in the Old Testament they had all these series of washings that they went through. We could go to Mark 7:4 and see this. You could go to other passages and see where baptismos is used. It is used in relationship to these washings. Regulations imposed until a time of reformation and the time of reformation came with Christ Jesus.

Go back to Hebrews 6 (1) "Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God," (2) "of instruction about washing, and laying on of hands," (Now, laying on of hands was something that was done in the New Testament as well as in the Old Testament. Laying on of hands in the Old Testament was when they offered their sacrifices and the hands were laid on as they confessed their sins. It was laid on the priests as they anointed the priests) "and the resurrection of the dead," (That was the Jews hope, the resurrection of the dead. That’s what Job talked about when he said that he in his flesh would again see God. He believed in the resurrection from the dead) "and eternal judgment." Eternal judgment is an Old Testament as well as a New Testament teaching. All of these things are foundational. They are Old Testament truths that now we can leave them behind. Not that we don't believe them any more but you are to move on. You are to 'press on to maturity'. You are not to keep 'laying this foundation' again. That is done, that is set. Now you and I are to go on.

Hebrews 6 (3)"And this we shall do if (what?) God permits." We shall do it; we will go on to maturity if God permits. Why would God not permit? I believe he is going to show us why God would not permit some to go on to maturity. I want to stop and say this and you can just question me on it, but just meditate on it. I would challenge your salvation if you remain a baby all your life. I told you this last week. Why? Because you're little baby may be so darling. My little grandson is so adorable and you just love to have them and play with them and there is something about babyhood that is so wonderful but as much as I wanted to keep that child a baby, I couldn't do it. Everything that is in him is going to develop him into a man. Do you see what I'm saying? You can't stop it if it's really there and I believe if you are truly a Christian that there is no stopping it. There has to be maturity to one degree or another. If there is no pressing on to maturity than maybe its because you've walked away from truth or abandoned truth. Look at Hebrews 6 (4) "For in the case of those who have once been enlightened" (Now listen to the list of these people) "and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit," (5) " and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come." What does that sound like? That sounds like the description of a believer. It just sounds like it. Yet, if I use terms in the case of those who have been regenerated; in case of those who have been justified; in case of those who have been redeemed once for all; in case of those who have been born again; in case of those who have been sons of God. What does that sound like? A real Christian. They are all terms that if they were used would say that this person is truly born again. It doesn't just sound like, it totally describes.

We're out of time and I'm not going to rush it so we are going to finish this next week. That's good psychology because you have to tune in and see what I am going to say; where am I going to go. As I do it, I want you to keep your notes. I want you to keep the keys to understanding Hebrews 6. Keep the over view with all the ears on it for those who are watching visually under every judgment, which is diagrammed by a lighting bolt. Keep all that in mind and we are going to look at it, but let me just say this in closing. Whoever these people are, whether they are saved or whether they are lost, when they have been enlightened; when they have tasted the good word; when they have been partakers of the Holy Spirit; and they have fallen away. Fallen away from what? Well, what would you assume in the book of Hebrews? The truth about Messiah. The truth about Christ. Fallen away from what they professed to believe. When they have fallen away, what does God say? (6) "It is impossible to renew them again to repentance". They are just like a field that got the rain and was supposed to bring forth vegetation but it didn't. Instead it brought forth what? Thorns and thistles. Therefore, it is close to being cursed. The curse has not come yet and its end is burning. Why? Because that ground had all the opportunities, all the benefits but it rejected them. Stop and think this week about the Parable of the Sower that went out to sow. Think about 4 types of soil. All of them received the Word of God. The first one didn't pay any attention to it but the next 3 did and the next 3, all for awhile, had a plant. One withered, one brought forth thorns and thistles that choked the fruit, and only one brought forth fruit. But, for awhile all 3 looked the same. Just think about it and we will study it more next week.

Let's pray. Father, we thank You for your Word. We thank You that it's a sure Word. We thank You, Father, that it's a Word that can be understood if we are willing to spend time exercising our senses to discern good and evil. Doctrine, good and evil behavior. Oh Father, I pray for these people. I thank You for them. I thank You so much for their diligence. I thank You that they are those who want to press on to maturity. I thank You that they are those that are able to take meat and have moved from milk to meat. I thank You that they are growing up and I pray that You will bless them abundantly for their diligence to 'study to show themselves approved unto You, workmen that needed not be ashamed, handling accurately the Word of truth. I look forward to next week, Father. In Jesus name, Amen.

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