Moving On To Perfection

Intro

Series - The Foundations Of Our Faith

Title - Moving On To Perfection

Text - Hebrews 6.1-3

Hebrews 6:1–3 NKJV

1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits.

Background

Paul branches out from his teaching about the excellence of Christ, and addressed the spiritual condition of the saints.

he breaks his teaching on the subject of Melchizedek and begins his admonition -

Hebrews 5:11 NKJV

11 of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.

dull of hearing - slow to learn and understand

he begins to describe the difference between the babe and the one who is of “full age”

Hebrews 5:12–14 NKJV

12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Therefore -

Hebrews 6:1 NKJV

1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,

let’s move ourselves to maturity

by leaving the discussion on the “elementary” (first) principles of Christ

The Elementary Principles

The foundational doctrines of our faith

the authority of the Scripture

the deity of Christ

th fall of man

the saving work of Christ

More elementary principles -

Repentance from dead works and of faith toward God

This is related to our topic on the saving work of Christ

Repentance and Faith two important components of the sinner’s response to the gospel

Repentance and faith are the results of the conviction produced in the heart after the gospel is heard.

Luke 24:46–47 NKJV

46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Doctrine of baptisms

Also related to salvation

baptisms - plural, the word indicates the emphasis on water batism and Holy Spirit baptism

water baptism is a necessary component for salvation

Mark 16:16 NKJV

16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

Acts 2:38 NKJV

38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Holy Spirit baptism is that experience whereby God affirms the person’s faith by giving the Holy Spirit

Ephesians 1:13 NKJV

13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,

Laying on of hands

The apostles and the early church believed in laying of hands, which served a number of purposes -

praying for the pouring out of the Holy Spirit

Acts 8:14–17 NKJV

14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Acts 19:5–6 NKJV

5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.

praying for the sick

Acts 28:8–9 NKJV

8 And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. 9 So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed.

praying for those called into the ministry

Acts 13:1–3 NKJV

1 Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.

2 Timothy 1:6–7 NKJV

6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Resurrection of the dead

Belief in the resurrection is a fundamental component of the Christian faith

Romans 10:9 NKJV

9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

1 Thessalonians 1:9–10 NKJV

9 For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

2 Timothy 2:8 NKJV

8 Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel,

Eternal judgment

The doctrine of judgment is a fundamental belief -

eternal, because it is final

Judgment will be by Jesus Christ

Acts 17:30–31 NKJV

30 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, 31 because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”

Acts 10:42–43 NKJV

42 And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. 43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”

As beautiful as these doctrines are, they are the “elementary principles” of Christ - fundamentals!

There is so much more that is in store for those who will “go on to perfection” .

Maturity as a destination

“Let us go on...”

Hebrews 6:1 NKJV

1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,

to be moved along, to be driven, propelled

the same word is used of God’s holy men (moved by)

2 Peter 1:21 NKJV

21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

Christians mature when they allow themselves to be moved by the Holy Spirit and by the Word of God

Conclusion

What are the benefits of the fundamental doctrines of Christ

They help us become established in our understanding concerning our salvation

Colossians 2:6–10 NKJV

6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

They help us aspire growth that leads to maturity

1 Peter 2:1–3 NKJV

1 Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

those who truly understand the fundamentals of faith will develop a hunger for the deep things of God.