Letter to the Hebrews Volume 46

 The Danger of Not Advancing in the Faith Part 1

Hebrews 6:1 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, KJV

The writer of Hebrews wants to be an instrument (in the then Hebrew converts and indeed all converts to Christ now and in every era and generation) of their/our moving forward or progressing in our knowledge of our Great High Priest Jesus Christ and to leave the elementary or foundational principles of faith in Jesus Christ moving onward and upward into complete and full spiritual maturity, as it is written here, "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," (Hebrews 6:1) (KJV). When the writer declares here, 'leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ', he means that those Hebrew converts then and all we converts now and of all time should move on into the deeper spiritual truths concerning our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ and not continue to dwell for long periods of time on these principles listed below in this verse. The English word 'perfection' is translated by the Greek word teleiotēs meaning the state of completeness or maturity (mentally or morally); perfectness. It simply means to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18) by way of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God into complete spiritual maturity being always able to distinguish good from evil and also those who are teaching false doctrine. Note: It does not mean perfection to the point that a child of God is without any sin while down here in this tent, house, or body of ours as we sojourn on the earth heading to our heavenly home.

As we stated above, the writer of Hebrews details a list of the elementary elements of our faith in Jesus Christ or another way of putting it would be the beginning principles of Christianity. First is 'repentance from dead works', and the English word 'repentance' is translated by the Greek word metanoia which means (subjectively) compunction (for guilt, including reformation); by implication reversal (of [another's] decision): - repentance; literally a change of mind. In other words, when any sinner comes to faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, he or she is moved in their inner man or inner woman by the declaration of the Gospel of Christ in the Power of the Holy Spirit to change their mind about themselves, their sin, and desire to receive forgiveness of their sin from Christ Jesus our Lord and so the new birth takes place in the inner man or inner woman (John 3:8). Once the child is born then he or she lives the rest of their lives as a pilgrim on the earth in repentance and confession of sin to our Lord Jesus Christ, as it is written, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He (Jesus) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him (Jesus) a liar, and His (Jesus) Word is not in us." (1 John 1:8-10) (KJV).

When the writer says here 'from dead works', he meant those religious ceremonial works done by the Jews or Hebrews then at the time which could never cleanse their conscience from the guilt of sin nor could they ever get close to God. Today those 'dead works' would be the rituals or rites or regiments (i.e. like the lighting of candles or inscents and the wearing of certain clothing during a Church service and many other things that are not bad, however, they have no power to render grace to any person or to get any person closer to God) done in some places that have been done for so many years, yet they are not works of faith, but instead man-made works. When the writer of Hebrews here declares 'of faith towards God', he means simply that repentance from sin and dead works of rituals and religion leads to faith to God, for repentance and faith toward God were the very first elements or principles taught by the Apostles when they were sent out after the day of Pentecost, as it is written here these words from the Apostle Peter, "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." (Acts 2:38-39) (KJV).

Here is what Matthew Henry had to say of this verse, "We have here the Apostle's advice to the Hebrews - that they would grow up from a state of childhood to the fullness of the stature of the new man in Christ. He declares his readiness to assist them all he could in their spiritual progress; and, for their greater encouragement, he puts himself with them: Let us go on. Here observe, In order to their growth, Christians must leave the principles of the doctrine of Christ. How must they leave them? They must not lose them, they must not despise them, they must not forget them. They must lay them up in their hearts, and lay them as the foundation of all their profession and expectation; but they must not rest and stay in them, they must not be always laying the foundation, they must go on, and build upon it. There must be a superstructure; for the foundation is laid on purpose to support the building. Here it may be enquired, Why did the Apostle resolve to set strong meat before the Hebrews, when he knew they were but babes? Answer. 1. Though some of them were but weak, yet others of them had gained more strength; and they must be provided for suitably. And, as those who are grown Christians must be willing to hear the plainest truths preached for the sake of the weak, so the weak must be willing to hear the more difficult and mysterious truths preached for the sake of those who are strong. 2. He hoped they would be growing in their spiritual strength and stature, and so be able to digest stronger meat."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…