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Devotion
{Continued from August 30, 2010}
From last week's posting
{THINGS HARD TO UTTER ~ HARD TO UNDERSTAND.}
In Verses 1 through 6, of Chapter 6, we encounter what is probably the most difficult scripture to interpret in the book of Hebrews.
In Verse 1 the apostle Paul mentioned a foundation of repentance and
followed by presenting
SIX THINGS FOUND IN THE FOUNDATION.
Having determined the subject Paul is concerned with in this passage, we can then look at the six things mentioned and conclude that they have nothing to do with the foundations of Christianity as many commentaries conclude. Neither do they have anything to do with the initial experiences of a Christian. What we are looking at is Judaism, a basic foundation that began the way for the fuller and final revelation God made in His Son {Refer again to Hebrews, 1: 1.}
REPENTANCE FROM DEAD WORKS
The first of these items in the foundation is a "repentance from dead works." It is apparent that he is referring to dead works, and not sin. The only other place we find this expression in the New Testament is in Hebrews 9: 14. There it is dealing with the ineffective works of the Levitical service, a contrast from the blood of bulls and goats against the blood of Christ. "How much more shall the blood of Christ . . . . from dead works . . . . "
FAITH TOWARD GOD
The second item mentioned is "of faith toward God." At first glance, and maybe the second, third, or even fourth, this appears to be the hardest of the six to interpret. Yet the difficulty fades when we think on the history of the Jews found in the Old Testament. Keeping in mind, as always, these were Christian Jews to whom this epistle was addressed.
In their history it is common knowledge that they were different from the Gentiles. To the heathen, the one true God was totally unknown {Acts 17: 23}. On the other hand, God had revealed Himself to the fathers, and through the prophets had given to them His written Word. Tracing their history we find that from generation to generation, they went from personal knowledge of god, to, more or less, a tradition passed on from their fathers. Their "Faith in God" had generally turned to a national faith, a form, not a personal relation with Him {James 2: 19}. A study of the gospels, particularly with the Scribes and Pharisees, will also beat this out.
This national "Faith toward God" should have given way to "Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ." {Galatians 2: 16, 20, Ephesians 1: 5, Philippians 3: 14, Colossians 2: 5 and 1 Timothy 3: 13}, Recall also Jesus said, shortly before his crucifixion, "Let not your heart be troubled, ye believe in God, believe also in me." {John 14: 1.}
DOCTRINE OF BAPTISMS
The next item mentioned is "Of the Doctrine of Baptisms." "Baptismos" is the Greek word, and it is found only four other places in the New Testament {Mark 7, 4-5, Hebrews 6: 2, and 9: 10}.
A Greek dictionary renders this word to mean washings and comes from such Old Testament passages such as Exodus 30: 18 - 19, Leviticus 16: 14 and Numbers 19: 19. These washings were intended to show God was a Holy God and that one had to be cleansed {washings} before they approached the Lord. They were for the "purifying of the flesh, {Hebrews 9: 13}, external and ceremonial purification.
From a study of Hebrews written by Al Russ {October 1993}.
Edited and revised July 2010
{To be continued o/a Sep 13, 2010}
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