Hebrews 6:1-3 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, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
"Therefore" - because of the previous comments in chapter 5, about spiritual babies who can only digest milk.
"principles" - a different Greek word than the one used in 5:12, though the meaning isn't much different. This word is arche, and it means beginning, or first rule. We call it basic, as in foundational. For believers to grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ, we must start with Who and What He is, and what He has done for the human race (doctrine of the trinity, the essence of God, human good vs divine good, unlimited atonement, the faith-rest life, etc). Then we begin to build upon that foundation with doctrines of the Christian Way of Life and the mystery doctrines of the Church age as we progress toward maturity in our faith.
These Hebrew believers had been born Jews and raised in the ritual religion of the Mosaic Law. They were now Church. Jesus had ascended to heaven over 30 years prior to this writing. The temple had not yet been destroyed. These Jews had heard and believed the gospel of Jesus Christ. They had had ample time to become well versed in basic Bible doctrine, and in fact should now be evangelizing others, and discipling them in the Christian Way of Life. Apparently, though, they were stagnating at the point of salvation. The more advanced doctrines had been presented to them, but they really weren’t motivated to learn those truths and techniques of Christianity. They just wanted to keep hearing the gospel and basking in its sweetness and comfort.
They’d been taught repeatedly that human works are dead in God’s plan of grace, and that faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ is the only means of salvation. They knew by now that the ritual washings and laying on of hands in their former religion was not the same as Holy Spirit leadership. They knew that Holy Spirit baptism at the point of faith in Christ identified them forever with the plan of God, and that water baptism demonstrated that identification. They fully understood that those who have eternal life by faith in Jesus Christ will be resurrected unto life and those who die in their sins will be recipients of the second death, subject to eternal judgment because of their unbelief.
These all are foundational truths; basic doctrines of Christianity. A builder doesn’t keep building a foundation. Once the foundation is laid, he begins to build the edifice, or raised structure. It’s called going on to maturity. Doctrine is built upon doctrine. Precept upon precept. We learn the alphabet before we learn words; but once the abc’s are learned, and words are learned, we begin to read and write sentences and paragraphs.
I cannot move on from this foundational statement without pointing out that the thing the new believer repents is DEAD WORKS! I have never seen in the Bible the phrase “repent of your sins.” Repentance is a change of mental attitude. It is an about-face. One changes one’s mind about one’s works, realizing they cannot save. One begins to see human works from God’s perspective: something actually worthless to Him. Only HIS work is acceptable for eternal life. What we do about our sins is we realize we are born sinners who do commit sins and that Jesus paid for each and every one of them on the cross, so we are no longer under the burden of the debt of our sins. What we repent (change our attitude about) is our self-righteous arrogance that thought we could do something to gain favor from God. We repent (change our attitude) toward Jesus Christ by finally acknowledging His Finished Work, and its complete atonement for our lifetime of sins.
Having understood all this basic doctrine, we are prepared to move forward in the Christian Way of Life.
Having understood all this basic doctrine, we are prepared to move forward in the Christian Way of Life.
3 And this will we do, if God permits.
Jesus Christ IS God. He is the same today as He was in eternity past, before the foundation of the world. He will be the same in eternity future, after the destruction of the present universe. No matter what variations we encounter in earthly life, He is our constant. He is our solid hope. He is our perfect standard for doctrine. Therefore, we must remain steadfast in our orientation to Jesus and His Word.
What we are given in the written canon of scripture is the Mind of Christ. Every religion, every cult, every demonic and mystical “brotherhood” has its diverse teachings which deviate from God’s Word and God’s perfect plan of grace. Some of them are very attractive to human asceticism, human emotion, and even make seemingly good sense to human viewpoint. Be careful of your sources. All doctrine is not good doctrine. If it contradicts in any way the Word of God, it is strange teaching (false doctrine). If it goes beyond God’s written Word by embellishment or speculation, it is strange teaching. That’s why we who love the Bible are so critical of any artistic depictions of its story. There is no excuse for a born-again Bible believer to be led away by false doctrine. God’s Word is abundantly available to us and Pastors-Teachers are gifted by the Holy Spirit to lead us in our systematic study of it. The Holy Bible is inspired by God’s Spirit, it is well organized for systematic study and it is complete! No need to add or embellish. Such tactics do not increase understanding, they actually dilute the specific meaning and impact of God’s words.
God’s plan is grace. The law was an instructor to teach us that we are hopelessly lost without God’s grace. We Christians must focus our faith and our manner of life on God’s grace. God’s grace is our strength of character. There is no benefit in devoting our attention to maintenance of a strict diet for religious reasons. It is a distraction from the central truth of the Christian Way of Life, which is God’s grace. If we believe God and love God we will relax and appreciate the marvelous bounty of His grace.
The more we know God's Word, the less likely we can be fooled by false doctrine.
2 John 1:8-11 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those
things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not
in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of
Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.The more we know God's Word, the less likely we can be fooled by false doctrine.
10 If there come any unto you, and bring not
this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
We owe no hospitality to those who blaspheme our Lord Jesus Christ. To offer them hospitality is to encourage, even take part in their evil.
11 For he that biddeth him God speed is
partaker of his evil deeds.
Revelation 2:14-16 But I have a few things against thee,
because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac
to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things
sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
The church at Pergamum was established in a place of iniquity, “where Satan’s throne is.” Pergamum was once the capital of the Roman province of Asia and had housed a fine library. This community practiced worship of the Roman emperor and also was the location of an altar of Zeus in the local acropolis. "Satan’s throne" would indicate that it was headquarters for occult religion.
Even in the midst of all this evil, the church at Pergamum was holding fast the name of Jesus and remaining faithful, though they had seen the martyrdom of a faithful witness. Some, however, had apparently been enticed to compromise their faith in the manner of Balaam’s teaching. When Balaam couldn’t succeed in pronouncing a curse on God’s people in Numbers chapters 22-24, he convinced the pagan king to simply allow his women to walk in the presence of the sons of Israel. The Israelite men would thereby be enticed to consort with those women, and gradually be drawn into the idol worship which would lead to their destruction. Numbers 31 describes the outcome. This is the inevitable result of compromising the Word of God to suit one’s lust pattern. (Remember, we mustn’t judge the idolaters, so let’s just wallow with them. After all, God is love. If we demonstrate our faithfulness to God’s Word and God’s will, they will accuse us of being bigots, won’t they? What kind of witness is that?) Well, brethren, faithfulness to God’s Word and God’s will is exactly the witness He requires of His people, and is the quality He always honors.
15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
Jesus had commended the church at Ephesus for their hatred of the deeds of the Nicolaitans, who distorted doctrine and practiced immoral behaviors (“God loves us all. He made us. He wants us to be happy”). Repentance is in order here. Adjust your attitude. Shape up, or I (Jesus) am coming soon to correct the problem. Are you listening? The Spirit is speaking!
Even in the midst of all this evil, the church at Pergamum was holding fast the name of Jesus and remaining faithful, though they had seen the martyrdom of a faithful witness. Some, however, had apparently been enticed to compromise their faith in the manner of Balaam’s teaching. When Balaam couldn’t succeed in pronouncing a curse on God’s people in Numbers chapters 22-24, he convinced the pagan king to simply allow his women to walk in the presence of the sons of Israel. The Israelite men would thereby be enticed to consort with those women, and gradually be drawn into the idol worship which would lead to their destruction. Numbers 31 describes the outcome. This is the inevitable result of compromising the Word of God to suit one’s lust pattern. (Remember, we mustn’t judge the idolaters, so let’s just wallow with them. After all, God is love. If we demonstrate our faithfulness to God’s Word and God’s will, they will accuse us of being bigots, won’t they? What kind of witness is that?) Well, brethren, faithfulness to God’s Word and God’s will is exactly the witness He requires of His people, and is the quality He always honors.
15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
Jesus had commended the church at Ephesus for their hatred of the deeds of the Nicolaitans, who distorted doctrine and practiced immoral behaviors (“God loves us all. He made us. He wants us to be happy”). Repentance is in order here. Adjust your attitude. Shape up, or I (Jesus) am coming soon to correct the problem. Are you listening? The Spirit is speaking!
The hidden manna was what physically sustained the Jews in their wilderness journey. Jesus Christ is our hidden manna, Who sustains us spiritually in the devil’s world. We don’t live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. The white stone was a balloting system used in judicial decisions. The white stone was a vote of “not guilty.” All who have overcome by believing in Jesus Christ are identified by that white stone, and it bears our new name for all eternity.
Revelation 2:23-25 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
"This doctrine" that some in the congregation do not have, is Jezabel's evil religion.
Jezebel symbolizes a false religious system that mixes worldliness and occultism (esoteric “knowledge”) with the true worship of God. This is an abomination, of course, and is condemned throughout the scriptures.
We wonder why God doesn’t simply strike these evil infiltrators dead and be done with them. He tells us in verse 21: “I gave her time to repent.” Grace always comes before judgment. There will come a deadline, however, when the false teachers and those who have committed spiritual and physical adultery with them will be called to account. They may think they’ve had problems in life, but they have not seen anything yet.
There is always a remnant according to the election of grace. God knows their faithfulness. He urges them to preserve and protect what they know to be true. When He returns to set up His kingdom on the earth, these faithful ones will be given authority over nations. God’s system of authority is the issue in this message to Thyatira. His Word clearly defines His supreme authority and designates those humans who represent His authority, especially in the Church. In this case, as with all other examples of disobedience to the direct command of God, the humans involved consider themselves “good” and “intelligent” and think that just because “there’s a rule about that” doesn’t mean it applies to them.
That is the arrogance of human good. Our way is not better than God’s way. God knows us better than we know ourselves, and He has established the boundaries within which our lives will be most productive and most pleasing to Him. Plainly speaking: there are important reasons, known only to God (though we could probably think of a few) that He has given commands and limitations for His people to follow. In God’s system of worship, women were never allowed prominence. This Jezebel characterization of the female leader of false religion is a good clue, though we don’t know the particulars. God condemned her evil. That’s all we need to know.
Remember the definition of evil: anything that contradicts the direct Word of God. No matter how pretty it is, how beneficial it looks, how innocent-looking or how much fun; if God forbade it in His Word, it is evil. It must be rejected.
Revelation 2:23-25 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
"This doctrine" that some in the congregation do not have, is Jezabel's evil religion.
Jezebel symbolizes a false religious system that mixes worldliness and occultism (esoteric “knowledge”) with the true worship of God. This is an abomination, of course, and is condemned throughout the scriptures.
We wonder why God doesn’t simply strike these evil infiltrators dead and be done with them. He tells us in verse 21: “I gave her time to repent.” Grace always comes before judgment. There will come a deadline, however, when the false teachers and those who have committed spiritual and physical adultery with them will be called to account. They may think they’ve had problems in life, but they have not seen anything yet.
There is always a remnant according to the election of grace. God knows their faithfulness. He urges them to preserve and protect what they know to be true. When He returns to set up His kingdom on the earth, these faithful ones will be given authority over nations. God’s system of authority is the issue in this message to Thyatira. His Word clearly defines His supreme authority and designates those humans who represent His authority, especially in the Church. In this case, as with all other examples of disobedience to the direct command of God, the humans involved consider themselves “good” and “intelligent” and think that just because “there’s a rule about that” doesn’t mean it applies to them.
Remember the definition of evil: anything that contradicts the direct Word of God. No matter how pretty it is, how beneficial it looks, how innocent-looking or how much fun; if God forbade it in His Word, it is evil. It must be rejected.
No comments:
Post a Comment