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Hebrews 6Hebrews 6:1-20(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,

I. Therefore: The Apostle Paul has basically rebuked his readers for their spiritual immaturity. As I told you before, some of these believers were in a state of spiritual arrested development. Thus, Paul sees no need to continue in his rebuke but now begins to tell them how to move on and grow in Christ.

a. First principles: Paul admonishes his readers to leave the first principles of the doctrine of Christ. Paul is not telling them to forget the principles of the doctrine of Christ but to build upon them in order for them to arrive at maturity.

b. Perfection: The term “perfection” that Paul uses here has been a source of some bad doctrinal teaching within the Body of Christ, especially within the “holiness” circles. Thus, many founding preachers of The Holiness Movement believed in what we now call “Christian Perfection;” that is, that a Christian can achieve a state of sinless perfection here on this earth. This is a doctrine that the scriptures do not support. I believe the reason for this misunderstanding of some of these early preachers was their understanding of the word “perfection.” When people hear the word “perfection,” they think “flawless.” In reality, the word “perfection”—both in the Greek and in the English—means “a state of maturity.” As Paul has just stated, maturity is something that every Christian should strive for and is absolutely attainable.

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2 Peter 3:18(18) But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

c. Not laying again the foundation: It is imperative if we are going to fully understand what Paul is about to say in verse 4 that we understand what he means here in verses 1 and 2.

Hebrews 6:1-2(1) . . . 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.

II. Foundational doctrines: As you look at these foundational doctrines that Paul just laid out, you have to understand that he was writing this to Hebrew Christians who were on the fence regarding ALL that Jesus had done for them. They were already very familiar with these basic foundational doctrines. When you look at them one at a time, there is not one of them that is strictly indigenous to Christianity.

1. Repentance from dead works2. Faith toward God3. Baptisms (ceremonial washings)4. Laying on of hands5. Resurrection of the dead (a doctrine the

Pharisees taught and believed)6. Eternal judgment

You see, every one of these foundational doctrines were indigenous to Judaism, something that most of these Jewish Christians had grown up knowing, and now, because some of them were discouraged, they did not want to move on from them but desperately wanted to cling to their Jewish roots.

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a. A permanent foundation: Every house or building that has ever been built has at its beginning a foundation in order that the house might be built upon something that is substantial and sturdy and will withstand the test of time. One of the greatest examples of building on a faulty foundation is the Tower of Pisa in Italy. The Tower of Pisa was built as a bell tower for the cathedral. Its construction was began in 1173, but after its completion, the builders soon realized they had a problem because it didn’t take many years until the tower began to lean due to the fact that they had laid the foundation on very sandy ground. Thus, it is important to have a good foundation and just as important to have that foundation built upon solid ground as Jesus, himself, affirmed in Matthew 7:26 and 27.

So, as Christians, we have these great foundational doctrines that Paul has just mentioned, which were built upon the Solid Rock of the Word; thus, they are permanent. However, every foundation must be built upon if it is to have structure.

(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.

III. Impossible: Sometimes when you come across tough passages and you are not sure what they are saying, it is often best to go back to what you know for a fact they are not saying. We know Paul is not saying that if a person denies Jesus Christ that it is impossible for him to repent; else, Peter would be in trouble.

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We know Paul is not saying that if a just man falleth, it is impossible for him to be restored because the scriptures declare in Proverbs 24:16:

Proverbs 24:16(16) For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again . . . .

So, we know what the Apostle is not saying. Before I get into what he is saying, I want to remind you that the devil loves people who are not grounded in the Word, for He loves to use tough passages, such as 4, 5, and 6 of Hebrews 6, to condemn them who have found themselves out of The Way.

a. Hard to be understood:

2 Peter 3:15-17(15) And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;(16) As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.(17) Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.

b. These were Christians: Some Bible commentators have tried to make the argument that Paul is not talking about real, born-again believers. It sure sounds like he is, for these believers were enlightened, had tasted of the heavenly gift, were partakers of the Holy Ghost, had tasted the good Word of God and the power of the world to come. That sure sounds like believers to me! Thus, I reject this interpretation.

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Some Bible commentators have made the case that Paul is simply showing that it is possible for Christians to lose their salvation. The problem with this interpretation is that the Apostle Paul states in Romans 8 that “there is, therefore, no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.” Thus, I reject this interpretation.

c. What is Paul saying? I believe the key to understanding this passage is found in verse 6 when Paul says, “if they shall fall away (apostasy), to renew them again unto repentance.” Once again, the apostle is not saying that if a person falls into apostasy and sees the error of his way that he cannot return to the Lord and to His church and be restored. Unfortunately, this is what many people believe.

I believe what Paul is saying to these Jewish believers is that even if some of them had made the mistake of wanting to go back to the basics, they would never be able to return to a state of unblemished beginnings.

You see many a Christian, regardless of how long he has been serving the Lord, after having fallen into some sort of sin or apostasy, for that matter, once he comes to himself and wants to return to the Lord is often looking for that brand-new, born-again experience—that foundational experience—when he had repented from all of his dead works and had placed his faith in Christ, was baptized in the Holy Spirit, and was rejoicing in the newness of life. What I believe Paul is saying is that this is impossible. You just can’t do it. You see, once the foundation is laid, once you have accepted the sacrifice of Christ on your behalf, it is over—never to be repeated.

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Paul drives the point home by saying that if you try to do that, you are actually trying to crucify Christ afresh and by so doing, putting him to open shame. No, my friends, when men or women of God take a fall and then come to themselves, they may freely and boldly come to the throne of grace that they “. . . might receive help in their time of need.” However, the damage that they have caused from their sin, they will carry as scars, and they will not have that born-again experience they had when all things were new. When they return to the building that they started to build, they will return to that point at which they left off; albeit, they might be bruised and battered from their time away, but the gifts and callings of God are without repentance, and He is both willing and able to restore them.

(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 briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

IV. The rain falls on the just and the unjust: Now, regardless of the interpretation of verses 4-6 that you choose to embrace, Paul’s warning here in verses 7 and 8 cannot be overstated. This picture that he gives us of the rain falling upon the earth and the earth drinking it in and bringing forth fruit that becomes a blessing to those who have planted the garden is, in fact, an illustration of the Christian experience. God desires fruit in the life of the believer. Thus, the blessings that we receive from God, even though they are not predicated upon our being worthy to receive them, should still produce fruit in the life of a believer. When it doesn’t, there needs to be concern. Even a cursory understanding of Matthew 13:18-23 should shed light on this idea, so let’s read it.

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Matthew 13:18-23(18) Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.(19) When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.(20) But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;(21) Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.(22) He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.(23) But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

So, the idea here is bringing forth good fruit—having a fruitful life in Christ. When it’s briars and thorns that are produced in one’s life, even though it has had the same amount of rain and from the same source, Paul said it is nigh unto cursing whose end will be burned.

(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 labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

V. Be encouraged: After Paul lays out some pretty stout proclamations, and, in some cases, even dire warnings, he now tries to encourage his readers by telling them, “. . . we are persuaded better things of you . . . .” In other words, what Paul is saying is that these particular believers had not gone as far as what he was warning them about. Thus, he was saying that these things really didn’t apply to them.

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On the contrary, instead of cursing, they were bringing forth fruit and the things that accompany salvation, although Paul indicates that it was still important that he give this warning.

a. God does not forget: There’s an old saying, “A thousand at-a-boys are done away with one oh, crap.” In other words, you can have a life that is totally productive and fruitful, but if you make one big mistake, people will forget every good thing that you ever did. To this axiom, I would have to say there is, to a great degree, truth in it, but this is not so with God, my friends. God will never “. . . forget your work and labour of love, which you have shewed toward his name. . . .” If you have suffered a fall in your walk with the Lord, even if you have wandered into the deepest, darkest places, once you have come to yourself, the Lord encourages you to come boldly unto His throne of grace and to obtain the mercy that is so freely given and begin again where you left off. For God is willing and able to restore you. Thus, Paul says God is not unrighteous to forget your work of love. People are and often do but not God. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is for you—not against you.

(11) And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:

VI. Be diligent, my friends, in the things of the Lord in order that you might have full assurance of the hope. It is important that we have full assurance. It is the only way to have a life that is resting in the things of God. I love having full assurance of my salvation. There is no question, no qualms, no doubts; I am fully assured that I am eternally secure in the arms of Jesus. There is not the slightest inkling of doubt that I will not be with the Lord in His kingdom.

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Thus, having full assurance of eternal salvation is one of the hallmarks of a mature Christian, and it is God that I thank for it. I have not always had it. As a young Christian, because I was not fully trusting in the things of God but depending upon myself and my own works, I never really had full assurance of the hope. Now that I know the Lord better and have grown in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ, I am totally secure in my position in Him.

So, Doug, are you saying that you can’t be lost? That’s exactly what I’m saying because I’m never turning away from Jesus. That thought has never entered my mind. I am abiding in His eternal work, all that He has done, and all that He continues to do on my behalf. No matter where I am or where I roam, I know that God is with me and that He is for me. Thus, I am abiding in Christ and have no desire to put any confidence in my own ability or my own works to bring about any good in my life. It is Jesus to whom I am clinging. How about you?

(12) That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

VII. Not slothful: The interesting thing about grace, contrary to the belief of those who really don’t understand it, is that it really does not produce slothfulness. On the contrary, it actually creates more determination on my part to give myself more completely and fully to the things of the Lord.

a. Promises of God: There was a little book written years ago called, “The Little Book of Precious Promises.” Some of you might still have it. It was a cool little book that simply reminded you of all the promises that God has made on your behalf.

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It is important that we cling to the promises of God. God always keeps His word, and His promises are steadfast. Remember what Paul said back in Chapter 4, verse 1:

Hebrews 4:1(1) Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

When we forget the steadfastness of the Lord’s promises, when we begin to slip back into those weak and beggarly things of self-dependency, we need to fear because it is only in those times of self-dependency that we can fall short of entering into His rest. Paul, however, encourages us to be followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

(13) For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware 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.(16) For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.

VIII. A promise to Abraham: God made a promise to Abraham, and He confirmed it with an oath. After Abraham had patiently endured, he obtained the promise of God. How long did Abraham patiently endure? It was over 35 years. Many of us hearing that are probably repelled by it. “Dear Lord, I don’t have that kind of time.” We are so impatient as people. We live in a culture of instantaneous gratification. We set time limits on everything. There’s a line from an old song written by Bob Hartman from Petra that says, “Good things come to those who wait, not to those who hesitate.” Thus, learning to be patient in the things of the Lord is one of the maturing steps that is probably the most difficult.

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Yet, it is the one that is the most needed, for we are told, “weary not in well doing, for in due season you will reap if you faint not.” So, rest in the Lord, my friends, and be patient as Abraham was.

a. Oath? Men like to make oaths. Men love to swear by them. It wasn’t just during the time of Jesus. It has always been that way. Sometimes when people are telling a story, they will swear to God that it is true under the false belief that somehow if I swear by the greater, God, then that should end all opposition to the validity of the statement, but this is not true.

Even in our judicial system, we require people to take an oath before taking the stand with one hand on the Bible and then being asked: “Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help you God?” The problem with this is that if it really produced the absolute truth, there would be no law against perjury, which is telling a lie under an oath. Thus, in the book of James, God, knowing the untrustworthiness of men, gave us a simple admonition. “. . . Swear not, neither by heaven nor by earth or by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay be nay. . . .” God is the only one who can truly be trusted to keep an oath.

(17) Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:(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:

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IX. God is unchanging: God does not make promises and then break them. He will not promise you something and then back away from it. In fact, God wants to abundantly assure us of this very fact that His character is unchanging; that His counsel is immutable; and His counsel is His words and His promises, which He has confirmed with an oath.

a. Two unchanging things: There are two immutable things whereby it is impossible for God to lie. The first thing is His word.

Matthew 24:35(35) Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

The second is His oath. Because He could swear by none higher, He swore by Himself. Thus, we have two immutable things from God that you can bank on, trust in, and cling to that never change; that is, His word and His oath.

b. Strong consolation: I’ve had many people ask me why I am so passionate about God’s word and how I can be so steadfast in the things I know and believe. The answer is simple, and Paul tells us right here that we have strong consolation whenever we just take God at His word. The enemy many times will come up against you and try to tell you that things are not going to work out; you are going to fail. But God has told me that He is for me and not against me. When times get hard—when the circumstances get dire—I run for refuge to God’s Word, and I lay hold upon the hope that is set before me in these pages.

(19) Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;

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X. Soul anchor: It is the Word of God that anchors my soul in this great hope because God is faithful and because His Word is true. Because I have hid His Word in my heart, I cannot be swayed; I cannot be moved. His Word is both sure and steadfast. As the old hymn says, “My soul is anchored to the Rock that cannot be moved, founded firm and deep in my Savior’s love.” It is pretty hard to get tossed by a storm when your soul is anchored in the promises of God. Because of that, we are free to come into His presence, to come boldly unto His throne of grace, which is within the veil. Because Jesus, my great High Priest, has entered into heaven for me, and by Him and through Him I can come boldly and stand before the Father within the veil because I am standing upon His Word.

(20) Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Closing: As we dive next time into Chapter 7, Paul will begin to go deeper into the order of Melchisedec, showing us a more complete picture of the superiority of the high priesthood of Jesus. As I close tonight, I have a question for you: Is your soul anchored to the Word of God and to the promises that He has made to you? Is that your place of refuge? Do you have that strong consolation, comfort and assurance? Are you trusting that God is going to do it? We should stand in awe at the greatness of Jesus Christ, who has made us heirs of the promises, who has made it possible for us to lay hold upon all His glorious promises, being able to become a child through our faith in Him.