Chapter Five

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These People are Hebrews, not Gentile Christians

In this chapter, we shall depart from the warnings (in the order our Author gives them). Instead, we look very closely at Heb. 5:12 through Heb. 6:3. We prove for you that the people to whom our Author spoke, in this context, are two of the Groups out of the Hebrew nation that we explained to you in the Introduction. Specifically, they are Group Two and Group 3B. (See the Introduction to refresh yourself about Group Two and Group 3B.) When we finish, you will know that Gentile Christians are not in here at all.

 Remember, Group Two were those Hebrews who had accepted Jesus, God’s final sacrifice for their sins. Group 3B are those Hebrews who were “undecided” about Jesus. They had not rejected Him, but neither had they accepted Him. They were, in a word, “undecided.”

 The people addressed in Heb. 5:12-13 and Heb. 6:1a were not, absolutely not, Christians. They were neither Jew nor Gentile Christians. They were not Christians at all. Therefore, Dear Gentile Christian Reader, you are not in view here at all! Furthermore, you make a horrible mistake if you attempt to place yourself anywhere in Heb. 5:12 through Heb. 6:3.

 Now see the Scriptures that demonstrate beyond a shadow of a doubt that the people addressed in this passage is Group Two and Group 3A Hebrews exclusively. Watch the bold words and parentheses in the verses below. This will help identify these two Groups for you.

 Heb 5:12-6:3

12            For when for the time ye (Group 3B) ought to be teachers, ye (Group 3B) have need that one teach you (Group 3B) again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

13            For every one (in Group 3B) that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he (Group 3B) is a babe.

14            But strong meat belongeth to them (Group Two) that are of full age, even those (Group Two) who by reason of use have their (Group Two) senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

CHAPTER 6

1            Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us (Group Two) go on unto perfection; (Group 3B starting here through verse 3) not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

2            Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

3             And this will we (all of us) do, if God permit. (KJV) (Bold words and italics mine)

From the above Scriptures, we must look closely at Group 3B. This group, you remember from the Introduction, are those Hebrews who were considering the claims about Jesus, but were still “undecided.” By “undecided,” we mean that they had neither accepted Him yet, nor had they made a final rejection of Him yet. In a word, they were “undecided.”

Now, this “undecided” Group 3B are characterized by the following Seven Things:

  1. They should be teachers but they are not.
  2. They still need someone to teach them.
  3. They still need the ABC’s of the Old Testament (the First Principles of the Oracles of God).
  4. They still need milk.
  5. They can’t yet handle the strong meat of the Word.
  6. They are unskillful in the Word.
  7. They are babes.

Next, we must answer the following questions: What are the first principles of the oracles of God in Heb 5: 12 above? What are the principles of the doctrine of Christ in Hebrews 6:1? Are these two things really the same? If so, what are they? If so, to what do they refer?  

The First Principles of the Oracles of God in Heb. 5: 12 and the Principles of the Doctrine of Christ in Heb. 6:1 Refer to the Same Thing

The “first principles of the oracles of God” and “the principles of the doctrine of Christ” are just different ways of saying the same thing. They are just two different expressions that refer to the very same thing. Now, we must determine just exactly what our Author meant by these two expressions, the first principles of the oracles of God in 5: 12 and the principles of the doctrine of Christ in 6:1. In other words, what is this “same thing” to which both these expressions refer?

We shall begin with Heb. 5:12. “Principles” in verse 12 above, translates the Greek word stoicheio, which means “rudiments” or “primary elements.” “Oracles,” in verse 12, translates logion (from logos), which means “a brief, divine utterance.” When considered together, they simply mean God’s “brief, divine utterances about the elementary rudiments concerning Christ.”

Adam Clarke says that logion (from logos) “signifies a divine speech or answer from a deity to a proposed question.” Then, he says that it signifies both the Law received from God by Moses plus the Old Testament in general. (AC3, Hebrews, P721) Furthermore, he is emphatic concerning Heb 5:12. He unequivocally declares that the first principles of the oracles of God undoubtedly mean the writings of the Old Testament. (AC3, Hebrews, P720)

Marvin Vincent joins forces with Adam Clarke above. He declares that these “first principles of the oracles of God” in Heb. 5: 12 refer to those Old Testament sayings that “point to Christ.” Notice that Vincent states, with no hesitation, that the “principle elements of the oracles of God” are those Old Testament sayings that point to Christ. (MV4, P 435)

According then, to Clarke and Vincent, the first principles of the oracles of God in Heb. 5: 12 above, emphatically pertain to those Old Testament passages that point to the beginning teachings concerning Jesus the Christ.

Next, we consider the statement concerning “the principles of the doctrine of Christ,” in Heb. 6:1. Before explaining this statement, however, we must give you the exact wording of it from the Greek text. This will make it very easy for you to understand.

The Greek text places the words in this order: “Wherefore, leaving the beginning word of the Christ, on to completion let us be borne and carried.” In the above word order from the Greek text, “word” translates logos. This is the same basic root word that was translated “principles” in Heb. 5:12 above.

To simplify this for you, this verse actually says that there was “a beginning word about the Christ.” In addition, we saw, above, that both Clarke and Vincent hold that this “beginning word” comes from the Old Testament.

Furthermore, A.T. Robertson, the great Greek grammarian, joins both Clarke and Vincent. Robertson says that these two verses say basically the same thing. He said that the expression, “the beginning word about the Christ” is just repeating the expression, “the first principles of the oracles of God.” (ATR5 P 373)

Marvin Vincent also believes that Heb. 5:12 and 6:1 say the same thing and refer to the same thing. Moreover, he is just as emphatic about it as Robertson above. Concerning 6:1, he says, “The word of the beginning of Christ is practically=the rudiments of the beginning, ch.v.12…” (MV4 P441) In other words, these two expressions refer to the same, identical, Old Testament, beginning ABC’s concerning Jesus.

Additionally, Kenneth Wuest, concerning this expression in Heb 6:1, declares, “the beginning word of the Christ refers to that teaching concerning Him which is first presented in the Bible. And what is that but the truth concerning His Person and work found in the symbolism of the Levitical sacrifices. The tabernacle, priesthood, and offerings all speak of Him in His Person and work. And this interpretation is in exact accord with the argument of the book.” (KW2, Hebrews, P110)

In other words, both Heb. 5:12 and Heb. 6:1 say the same thing. They both refer to the same thing. They both refer to the beginning ABC’s about Jesus in the Old Testament 

Next, the same group (Group 3B) described by the Seven Characteristics in 5:12-14, is commanded in Heb. 6:1, to “leave” these first teachings from the Old Testament. They must “forsake” them. They must “abandon” them. They must “completely separate themselves” from these Old Testament, beginning ABC’s of Jesus the Christ.

A deeper look at the meaning of “leaving” in Heb. 6:1

“Leaving” translates aphiemi, which means “to leave, to abandon, to separate, to sever and to forsake.” Aphiemi combines two Greek words. It combines the preposition apo with the verb hiemi. Hiemi means “to send.” Apo means “away” or more exactly, “away from.” The combination, aphieme, means “to send away from.” More completely, aphiemi means “to leave off, to abandon, go away from or to separate completely from someone or something.” Next, we must understand Three More Things about this word aphiemi.

1. The preposition Apo is only used with the “ablative case” in Greek. The root idea of the ablative is “separation.” It declares “point of departure.” It shows origin. When separation occurs, the ablative declares the source of it. In a word, the ablative shows, not only source and origin, it also shows separation from the source or origin. Simply put, the ablative shows from what something or someone was separated.

The Greek grammarians, Dana and Mantey, describe the ablative. “Its basal significance is point of departure. This idea may be elemental in various conceptions. It is involved not only in the literal removal of one object from the vicinity of another, but in any idea which implies departure from antecedent relations, such as derivation, cause, origin, and the like. It contemplates an alteration in state from the viewpoint of the original situation. . . . The use of the ablative comprehends an original situation from which the idea expressed is in some way removed. Hence, in simplest terms we may say that its root idea is separation.” (DM P81) Therefore, aphiemi means, in this context, “to send away from oneself, to forsake, to separate, and to abandon.”

Consequently, these Group 3B Hebrews are commanded, “to forsake, to abandon, to separate from, to sever themselves from and send away” these first, Old Testament ABC’s that pointed to Jesus the Christ. But there is more. Aphiemi is also an “aorist participle.”

2. The “aorist tense” describes a certain kind of action. It regularly speaks of an action completed in one act. It describes something that occurred in one “fell swoop.” In our present context then, “leaving” must be done in one act. It must be completed all at once. In other words, Group 3B must leave the Old Testament ABC’s of Christ in one, decisive, final blow. As Such, “leaving” should be translated by “having left in one act.”

3. According to Kenneth Wuest, aphiemi is an “imperative” participle. (KW2, Hebrews, P109) If he is right, we must note the following thoughts. The imperative in Greek, as in English, is the command device. In other words, these Hebrews are commanded to leave off, forsake and abandon the Old Testament sacrifices. Our Author gives them no choice. He did not give them the option to draw straws. He gave them no right to vote on it. He did not assign it to a committee. He commanded them to get completely away from the Old Testament ABC sacrifices and move on to completion.

Other New Testament examples of imperative participles are: Eph.4: 2; 5: 2; Rom. 12: 9; 2 Cor. 9: 11; Col. 3: 16; Heb. 13: 5; 1 Pet. 2: 12, 18; 3: 1, 7, 9 and 16.

Are you, Dear Reader, beginning to get the picture? Our Author is telling them to overthrow, to discard, to reject and repudiate the entire Old Testament, Mosaic system. This is radical! It is revolutionary. Yet, anything less won’t get it. They must leave off, separate from, abandon and forsake the Old Testament sacrifices forever. They are history. God no longer accepts them.

Marvin Vincent said concerning this thought, “The more difficult point, which it will require matured perception to grasp, is that Christ’s priesthood involves the entire abolition of the old covenant.” By “old covenant,” he means the Mosaic system.

Why viewing these people as “Baby Christians” is absurd

Many commentators and teachers want us to believe that these people in 5:12-14 are baby Christians--Jew or Gentile. They tell us that they are just immature Christians. As such, they must leave off those elementary, early Christian teachings they received in the Toddler, Primary and Junior departments. They are stuck (they say) in the “baby talk” section of the Christian church. They just need to move on to the strong meat of the word. In other words, the people in this context (according to these teachers and commentators) are immature Christians who must leave and abandon the ABC’s of the Christian religion that they received in the Toddler Department. According to these teachers, they just need to grow up!

This is nonsense! This is absolutely false! Here’s why! If these teachers are right and the group in this context is just a bunch of immature, baby Christians, they (these teachers) have an insurmountable problem! Here’s why!

If the people in this context are Christians already, why did our Author command them to leave these first, ABC teachings of Christ that they received in the Toddler Department? Why must any Christian (Jew or Gentile) leave these basics of Christian teaching that he received in the Toddler section? Why must any Christian (Jew or Gentile) leave the basics of Christian doctrine that he received in the Toddler group? Why must any Christian (Jew or Gentile) leave the basics of the Christian church that he received while a Toddler? Why must any Christian (Jew or Gentile) leave the basics of the Christian faith that he received while a Toddler? They must never leave them at all! Never! Never! Never! Had these people, here, just been immature Christians, our Author would never, never, never have commanded them to leave the ABC’s of Christ that he received in the Toddlers!

Can you imagine a pastor teaching his flock to leave off, to forsake, to separate themselves from, to sever himself from the early ABC’s about Christ that he received in the Toddler Department? He would have the teachers in the Toddler section come down on his head. Rightfully so! They should come down on his head. Can you imagine a Sunday School teacher telling his/her class to leave, to forsake, to abandon, to put away from themselves those early ABC’s that they were taught in the Toddlers? No, you can’t! This, however, is what those who believe that these people are just baby Christians would have us do. How can these teachers and commentators unravel this knot?

How can they unravel this knot? Every Christian knows that we must never leave the basic principles (ABC’s) of the Christian faith. If these Hebrews had accepted Jesus as God’s final sacrifice for sin under Moses’ law, then they maintained the salvation that they were born with. If they maintained it then they were still saved. But herein lies their problem. If they were saved, why would the Author command them to leave, to forsake, to abandon, to sever, to separate from and to put away the first teachings or principles (ABC’s) of the doctrine of Christ? He would not. Had these Hebrews accepted God’s final sacrifice for sin under Moses’ law, the Author would never have commanded them to leave, either the Old Testament or the New Testament ABC’s of Christ.

Since they (Group 3B above) were indeed commanded to leave the Old Testament ABC’s about Jesus, we must logically conclude that these Hebrews (Group 3B) had never accepted Jesus as their final sacrifice for sin under Moses’ law. Therefore, they were not saved Hebrews at all! They were not Christians at all! Otherwise, they would have never been commanded to leave the Old Testament teachings (ABC’s) about Christ.

To put it differently, the Group 3B Hebrews in this passage were still dependent upon the Levitical sacrifices of bulls, goats, cows, and sheep. They were still depending upon the Mosaic system. Consequently, they had lost the salvation they were born with since God no longer accepted the blood of bulls and goats and cows and sheep. He only accepts, now, the blood of His Son.

These Hebrews were commanded to leave their dependence upon these Levitical sacrifices and see them only as pointing to Christ. As such, Jesus Christ, His sacrifice, His blood and His priesthood were perfect and complete. They were “perfection” and “completion.” “Perfection” translates teleios that means “completion, fulfillment, end of a process or the accomplishment of an end.”

Put differently, they were commanded to completely abandon their dependence on those things that only pointed to Jesus. Instead, they were commanded to “allow themselves to be borne along” to that which is complete, finished and perfect. In other words, they were “to be borne along” to the perfection and completion, which includes not only Jesus himself, but also his sacrifice, his blood, and his priesthood.

Clarke said that he is inclined to view all the terms in Heb. 6:1 and 2 as belonging “to the Levitical law and are to be explained on that ground.” (AC3, Romans to Revelation, P723)

Kenneth Wuest also referred Heb. 6:1-2 to the teaching of the First Testament. By “First Testament,” he means, of course, Moses’ law and the Levitical System. (KW2, Hebrews, P111-112)

Finally, there is one more devastating blow to the view that these were just baby, immature Christians. To support this view, those who hold to it are forced to say that “leaving” simply means to leave the ABC’s as a builder leaves the foundation he has built when he is ready to build the rest of the house. They say that the foundation is still there. The builder just leaves off building on the foundation; he just builds the rest of the house on top of the foundation he has already laid or built.

This is a terrible mistake. There is no power on earth that can stretch the borders of aphiemi wide enough or broad enough to cover such a thought. This word can never mean to build upon. It means to sever. It means to get away from. It means to separate. It means to abandon. It means to forsake. To apply this word to the building of a house, the builder must completely sever the house he builds from the foundation. In other words, he must build the house in mid-air. He must suspend it in space. This is ridiculous.

Aphiemi does not mean, “to build upon.” It means “to put away from.” It means “to sever.” It means “to separate.” It means “to forsake.” It means “to abandon.” Can you imagine a house “put away from” its foundation? No! Can you imagine a house “severed” from its foundation? No! Can you imagine a house “separated from” its foundation? No! Can you imagine a house that “forsakes” its foundation? No! Can you imagine a house that “abandoned” its foundation? No! Can you imagine a house build in mid air? No! Can you imagine a house suspended in space? No! A thousand times no!  Aphiemi absolutely does not mean, “to build upon!”

To sum up, the Hebrews in this group were not saved at all. They were Group 3B. They were still undecided.

A deeper look at the meaning of “let us go on” in 6:1

“Let us go on” translates phero. This word means “to carry or to bear.” Furthermore, in this passage, phero is in the passive voice. The passive translation, therefore, is “ let us be carried or borne.”

 

In the Greek active voice, as well as in the English, the subject does the acting. The way phero is translated in the KJV appears to be an active voice verb. “Let us go” seems to be something the subject is doing. But this is not the case here. Phero is not in the active voice. Phero is in the passive voice.

Compare “let us go on” with “let us be carried and borne.” “Let us go” is active. “Let us be carried or borne” is passive. Does this make a difference? Absolutely! It makes a gigantic difference.

When these Hebrews (Group 3B) accept Jesus as God’s final sacrifice for their sins, immediately, they become God’s responsibility to a greater degree than ever before. Consequently, they do not have to work at sacrificing anymore. Remember their work versus God’s rest? Jesus’ sacrifice finished the work of God to maintain their salvation. Once they accept Jesus, God’s final sacrifice for their sins, they never need to sacrifice again. God now takes over and “bears and carries them on” to perfection.

“Let us be carried and borne,” effortlessly, is radically different from “going on” by their own efforts. Again, God’s rest versus their works. It is God’s rest or their work. It can never be both ways. Jesus did it for them or He did not. God’s rest versus their works. “Let us be carried and borne” was God’s rest. “Let us go on” was their work.

Let Us Exhortation #3

In 6: 1 above, we have the third Let Us Exhortation. Here, the Author exhorts them to join him in an action in which he is already engaged. (In the first two Let Us Exhortations, the Author exhorted them to join him in starting an action. Beginning here and continuing throughout the rest of these Let Us Exhortations in Hebrews, our Author exhorts them to join with him in an action already in progress and in which he is already engaged.)

In Heb. 6:1 above, he commanded these Group 3B Hebrews to leave the Old Testament ABC’s and join him in letting God carry and bear them (along with the Author) right on to maturity and completion.

Watch the pronouns! Here, the pronouns are vitally important. Notice in 5:12-13, he addresses Group 3B with the pronouns “ye” and “you.” Note well, however, that in addressing them by “ye” and “you,” he excluded himself from their group. Do you get this? Our Author did not include himself in Group 3B! Had he included himself, he would have used the pronoun “we” and/or “us.” But our Author was part of another Group, an entirely differently Group. We shall see the group in which he included himself next.

When our Author changed pronouns from “ye” and” you” to “us” in Heb. 5:14 and 6:1a above, he changed groups completely. He was exhorting Group 3B to join in with him in his group. He is in Group Two. He has already accepted Jesus as God’s final sacrifice for his sins. Now, he encourages, challenges and exhorts those in Group 3B to change groups. He wants them to join in with him in his Group 2. Study the Scriptures below. We identify the Groups for you by our bold words and parentheses.

Heb 5:12-6:1

12        For when for the time ye (Group 3B) ought to be teachers, ye (Group 3B) have need that one teach you (Group 3B) again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

13        For every one (of you in Group 3B) that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he (Group 3B) is a babe.

14        But strong meat belongeth to them (in Group Two) that are of full age, even those who (Group Two) by reason of use have their (Group Two) senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

CHAPTER 6

1            Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us (Group Two) go on unto perfection; (Group 3B starting here to end of verse 2,) not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, (KJV) (Parentheses and bold words and letters mine) 

Dear Reader, you must watch the pronouns or you will include yourself in a group where you do not belong. Consequently, you will apply Scriptures to yourself from the wrong group and have nothing but a foolish mess. You will try to use the Scriptures from this context to view yourself, as a Gentile Christian, “falling from grace and losing your salvation.” This would be absurd for you to do 

Furthermore, you should note, in Heb. 6:4, that our Author changed pronouns again, signifying that he had another, Third Group in mind. We shall say much more about this other, Third Group later that will blow your socks off and build your faith to the shouting point!

Since the “principles” in Heb. 5:12 and Heb. 6:1 are one and the same,
of what do they consist?

They consist of the following Six Things. Our Author calls these Six Things “The Foundation.” Our Author commanded these Group 3B Hebrews not to lay “this foundation” again. Instead, they must “allow themselves to be born along to “perfection” or “completion” (passive voice). Here, in list form, are the Six Principles that make up The Foundation.

  1. Repentance from dead works
  2. Faith towards God
  3. Doctrine of baptisms
  4. Laying on of hands
  5. The resurrection of the dead
  6. Eternal judgment

Now, we can now answer the following questions about “The Foundation.” Remember, these Hebrews were not to lay this Six Fold Foundation again.

What do these Six Principles or Foundation mean to these Hebrews?

To answer the question, “What do these six principles mean to these Hebrews,” we phrase each of the Six Principles into a series of questions below. Then, we answer each question for you in the balance of this chapter.

  1. What does repentance from dead works mean to these Hebrews?
  2. What does faith towards God mean to these Hebrews?
  3. What does the doctrine of baptisms mean to these Hebrews?
  4. What does the doctrine of the laying on of hands mean to these Hebrews?
  5. What does the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead mean to these Hebrews?
  6. What does the doctrine of the eternal judgment mean to these Hebrews?

1. What does “repentance from dead works” mean to these Hebrews?

These dead works were as Jewish as you can get. Remember what we said in the introduction. God gave the Law of Moses to maintain the blessings the Hebrew nation possessed by birth, because of their place in the Abrahamic covenant. As the centuries rolled by, however, they forgot God’s original purpose for the Law. Instead, they viewed the Law as a means of working to obtain what they already had, namely, healing, prosperity and family well being in addition to salvation. They forgot that they already possessed these blessings. Consequently, they tried to work for them. These “works” had neither power nor life to produce the Abrahamic blessings. Since they lacked both life and power, they were “dead.”

The problem for them is the same as flying to the moon in our Volkswagen. As cute as a Volkswagen is, it will not get you to the moon. It was not designed for such a task. And neither was Moses’ law designed to earn these Hebrews anything from God, especially a ticket to heaven.

It was given solely to maintain the Abrahamic blessings. Remember that when they sinned, they must make the proper sacrifice in the right spirit. Then, the Abrahamic blessings continued for them without interruption.

 Now, we can understand why our Author referred to their religious works as dead. They lack the life and ability to earn any of God’s blessings. They are just dead. They can’t get them “to the moon,” as it were. They can’t get one thing from God. They are just dead works.

 No wonder our Author wanted them to repent concerning these dead works. They would never accomplish what they are trying to make them accomplish. They would never earn one thing from God. Never!

“Repentance” is the noun form of metanoeo. This word combines two Greek words, meta (to change) and noeo (to perceive.) The resulting word means to change ones mind. In other words, ”repentance” means to perceive something to such a point that it not only changes ones mind, but also changes his direction. Consequently, it means do a 180-degree turnabout. It means go the other way.

The Author is screaming to these people that their works are just dead religion. Go the other way! Now! Before it’s too late! They were to leave off these Old Testament ABC’s and “be carried and borne on to the perfection and completion” in Jesus.

2. What does “faith towards God” mean to these Hebrews?

Adam Clarke said this “faith towards God” stems from the Levitical Law. (AC3, Romans to Revelation, P723) Wuest said it “is First Testament teaching and is contrasted to the New Testament teaching of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21.)” (KW2, Hebrews, P12) By “First Testament teaching,” he means, of course, Moses and the Levitical system of sacrifice.

 In other words, the New Testament emphasizes “faith in Christ,” not “faith towards God.” “Faith in Christ” is New Testament teaching. “Faith towards God” is Old Testament Judaism. They were to leave these Old Testament ABC’s and “be carried and borne on to the completion.”

 For those who want to view these people as Gentile Christians who are just “babes in Christ,” you put yourself in the untenable position of telling baby Christians to leave off and abandon the faith he was taught in the Toddlers. Can you imagine anyone encouraging, even a baby Christian, to “leave off” faith? God forbid.

3. What does the “doctrine of baptisms” mean to these Hebrews?

“Baptisms” were also Old Testament Judaism to the core. Baptisms were the ceremonial ablutions, washings and purifications of the priests, persons, clothes, utensils and furniture. Merrill F. Unger lists the following Scriptures to demonstrate this truth. (MFU P 122)

 Exod 19:10

10            And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes, (KJV) (Italics mine)

 Exod 19:14

14                And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes. (KJV) Italics mine)

In both verses above, wash and washed are ceremonial baptisms according to Unger and many other commentators. The doctrine of baptisms was absolutely Old Testament Judaism. Unger also list Leviticus 8:6; Mark 7:3,4 and Heb. 9:10 to demonstrate Old Testament baptisms.

 The following Scriptures in The Septuagint (LXX) also demonstrate that baptism is Old Testament Judaism: 2 Kings 5:14; Judg. 2:14; Josh. 3:15; Lev. 4:6 and 11:32. 

 The doctrine of baptisms in Heb. 6:1 is Old Testament Judaism and this is how Group 3B understood this remark. Group 3B were commanded to leave the Old Testament ABC’s and “be carried and borne on to maturity.”

 For those who want to view these people here as Gentile Christians who are just “babes in Christ,” you are telling baby Christians to leave off baptism. Can you imagine anyone encouraging even a baby Christian to “leave off” baptism? How could that ever be possible? The very first thing we are told to do upon accepting Christ is be baptized. Can you imagine someone telling any Christian to leave this off? God forbid. Yet, this is exactly what those people do who believe that this context pertains to baby Christians.

4. What does “the doctrine of the laying on of hands” mean to these Hebrews?

The doctrine of the laying on of hands is also Old Testament Judaism. First, we look at the scapegoat. Aaron laid his hands upon him and confessed the sins of all the people over him. Then, they led the scapegoat away to die in the wilderness for the sins of the people.

 Lev 16:21-22

21            And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness:

22                And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness. (KJV)

This Scapegoat scenario is not all in Old Testament Judaism concerning the laying on of hands. Look up the following Scriptures we list for you below.

 In Leviticus 1:4, the priest laid the hand upon the bull and goat sacrifices to transfer the sins of the people to it.

 In Gen. 48:14, Israel laid both his hands upon the heads of both his sons to transfer their inherited blessings.

 In Num. 27:18-23, Moses laid hands upon Joshua to sanction his new appointment.

 In 2 Kings 4:34, Elisha performed a miracle when he laid his hand upon the dead child and restored him.

The doctrine of the laying on of hands was Old Testament Judaism. These Hebrews, here, understood it this way. Consequently, the Author commanded them to leave the Old Testament ABC’s and “be carried and borne on to maturity.”

 For those who wish to view these people here as baby Christians, can you imagine counseling any Christian, especially a baby Christian, to leave off laying on of hands? You do just that if you really believe that the people here are baby Christians. Through laying on of hands, the sick are healed. Through it, we pass on the mantle in ordinations. Can you imagine telling any Christian to leave it off?

5. What does “the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead”
mean to these Hebrews?

The resurrection of the dead is very definitely Old Testament Judaism. Both Isaiah and Daniel teach it. Isaiah declared that the resurrection of the saved would occur prior to the Tribulation-12th Day of the Lord-Daniel’s 70th Week. Daniel, however, trumpeted forth that the resurrection of the Tribulation saints will occur after the Tribulation-12th Day of the Lord-Daniel’s 70th Week. He also thundered out that the resurrection of the unsaved dead will occur after the millennium. See the Scriptures printed out for you below.

Pre-tribulation resurrection for the dead in Christ and living Saints

 Isa 26:19-21

19                Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.

20                Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.

21                For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain. (KJV)

 Post-tribulation Rapture for the Tribulation Saints

 Dan 12:1-2

1            And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

2                    And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life,

 Post Millennial Resurrection of the Unsaved Dead Only

Verse 2b.            and some to shame and everlasting contempt. (KJV)

 For a complete explanation of the Scriptures shown above, see Chapters 1 and 2 of our book, No Thief Gives Warning Signs. This is the only book on the Resurrections that is based entirely upon the Abrahamic covenant. Go to www.jaysnell.org.

Although carried over into the New Testament, the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead is absolutely Old Testament Judaism. These Hebrews understood that the resurrection of the dead was, in fact, Old Testament. Again, they must “be borne on.”

 For those who wish to view these people as baby Gentile Christians, you teach Christians to leave off the resurrection. Can you imagine teaching any Christian to leave off the resurrection? How silly.

6. What does “the doctrine of the eternal judgment” mean to these Hebrews?

The Hebrews understood full well the doctrine of the judgments of God upon their Nation. They also knew that when God passed judgment, it was a forever judgment. See Ezekiel 20: 33-45; Ez. 37:1-14 and Joel 3:11-15 for demonstrations of this.

Compare these Old Testament concepts of eternal judgment upon the Hebrews with “the no judgment now” doctrine for Christians in Rom. 8:1.

Rom 8:1

1                    There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (KJV)

The doctrine of God’s eternal judgment was Old Testament Judaism. These Hebrews, still attempting to live under Moses’ law, understood this completely. Again, the Author commanded them to “be carried and borne on to maturity.”

Again, how foolish to view these people as baby Gentile Christians. Can you imagine in your wildest dreams, teaching any Christian to leave off the Bible truth concerning the eternal judgment of God? Of course, you can’t!

In the next chapter, we show you amazing things: (1) The expression, “If they shall fall away,” is not in the Bible at all. (2) We demonstrate that the people in Heb. 6: 4-6 were Hebrews who had “already fallen away in the past.” (3) We show you how they fell away in the past. (4) We show you why there is no power in heaven or on earth to renew them to repentance. This chapter clears up one of the greatest misunderstandings in all Scripture. You will agree that this chapter, indeed this book, should have been written hundreds of years ago. 

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Date Last Updated: February 26, 2008
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