FOUNDATIONS
The principles of the doctrine of Christ.
Part 1 - Introduction
This post is the first in a series examining the fundamental doctrines of Christianity. These are doctrines that every Christian must know and believe. In this first part we will look at Hebrews 5:12 - 6:8, where these doctrines are listed. This will serve as our introduction, identify the doctrines, and establish that they are, in fact, the fundamental doctrines. In the following six parts, GOD willing, we will examine each doctrine.
Hebrews 5:12-6:8 KJV
(12) For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. (13) For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. (14) But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
(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, (2) Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. (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. (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.
The exposition of this text identifies three distinct portions. They are: the rebuke to the immature, the review of the foundational doctrines, and the motivation for going on unto perfection.
1. REBUKE TO THE WEAK / IMMATURE (5:12-14)
This rebuke is strong, and intended for those who would consider themselves mature in the faith. Because it is at "the time ye ought to be teachers". This would make it difficult for them to hear, because they have not progressed and grown as they ought to have. They ought to be teachers, but instead need to be taught.
The subject matter which they should know, but do not, are "the first principles of the oracles of GOD". These are what we will refer to as the FOUNDATION. They also do not know the "word of righteousness", which we will refer to as the STRUCTURE. This includes every truth and doctrine beyond the foundational ones; the exercise of discernment between good and evil, duty and sin, truth and error; and the improved sense of what is pleasing or provoking to GOD, and what is helpful or hurtful to our own souls. (Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible, Heb 5:10-14)
The rebuke is not simply that they were immature; we must all be children at some time. The rebuke is that they remained in this state, and even began to flounder instead of progressing. Obviously, the STRUCTURE is built on the FOUNDATION. They had not begun to build the STRUCTURE, and in fact they did not even have the FOUNDATION straight.
2. REVIEW OF THE FOUNDATION (6:1-3)
Here, the apostle states his intention to "go on unto perfection...if GOD permits", which means providing "strong meat". He intends that the rebuke will stir the people to diligence, and that they will be ready to receive some of this STRUCTURE after their FOUNDATION is straightened. In the remainder of the book of Hebrews he does provide this STRUCTURE, but before that he reviews the FOUNDATION.
When he says, "leaving the principles", he does not mean that they are less important, or that we can forget them or set them aside. The principles are the FOUNDATION, they MUST be right or the STRUCTURE will not stand. Therefore "leaving" the foundation means going on to the next stage in building; it means BUILDING ON the FOUNDATION. Because of the importance of the FOUNDATION, he provides a review of the first principles of the doctrine of CHRIST. They are:
- REPENTANCE
- FAITH
- BAPTISM
- LAYING ON HANDS
- RESURRECTION
- ETERNAL JUDGMENT
These doctrines are the first principles; they are fundamental, foundational, elementary Christian doctrines. They are the FOUNDATION. Every Christian must know these. Like milk for babies, this is what ought to be given to new Christians. Without these doctrines we have no FOUNDATION and we will be unable to "go on unto perfection".
3. MOTIVATION FOR "GOING ON UNTO PERFECTION" (6:4-8)
There are some who will be "enlightened", and "taste" of the things of GOD; but then they will turn back. It will be impossible to renew them again to faith, because they are crucifying the SON OF GOD again, and shaming HIM publicly. They are like a field which will not grow crops and is destroyed. Not willing that we should suffer such fate, the apostle here encourages us to GO ON. Going on is the opposite of turning back; it is the only way to mature. No Christian is ever just idle; we will either grow or die, we are going on or turning back. This provides us with clear motivation to set our FOUNDATION right, so that we can then build the STRUCTURE.
It is the intention of this series to explore the FOUNDATION, and ensure that it is laid correctly.