LESSON AIM

1. We will know that growth in Christian maturity is an ongoing process

2. We will desire to grow in the knowledge of GOD

3. We will commit to applying the truth of GOD’S WORD in our daily lives.

KEEP IN MIND

“Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of CHRIST, let us go on unto perfection; not loving again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward GOD” (Hebrews 6:1).

The writer warns against spiritual immaturity. The Hebrews were stuck at a level where they were capable of absorbing only beginning spiritual truths. They are warned against falling away from the truth. Nevertheless, the writer is convinced that this would not be true of them. He reminds them of the faithfulness of GOD in rewarding them for their good works.

By way of background, the write has presented JESUS as our HIGH PRIEST (Hebrews 4:14—5:10). Jewish believers understood the role and importance of the high priest. JESUS as the GREAT HIGH PRIEST is a concept with which this audience easily identified.

Presenting JESUS in this way crated a foundation upon which the writer could build to encourage his readers to grow in faithfulness. Essentially, he was saying to the Jewish believers and to all believers, “Look, our confidence should rest in JESUS, OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST, who became the ultimate sacrifice for our sins, JESUS is our example of what it means to be tempted, suffer, and yet emerge victorious. So, let’s stop being babies and grow up in our faithfulness to GOD AND CHRIST, OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST.”

1. BABES IN FAITHFULNESS (Hebrews 5:11-14)

The writer of Hebrews has some special news about a special person that he wants to share with his readers. JESUS, our HIGH PRIEST, is the “of whom” that the writer desired to discuss (v.11).

But he had a problem! It would be difficult to teach the Hebrews more about JESUS as their great HIGH PRIEST because they had become “dull of hearing.” In other words, they had become indifferent or inattentive to the WORD OF GOD. The writer knew that it was useless to explain deeper Christian truths when these believers did not understand the basics of Christianity. To explain anything more about the heavenly office of CHRIST would be like speaking to a deaf person who could not lip-read.

The Hebrew believers should have been ready to teach others the basic principles of GOD’S WORD, but they still needed to be taught themselves (v.12). They had been Christians for some time and had been taught the basics. Yet, instead of growing and being able to teach others, they had stagnated and needed to be re-taught the elementary principles of GOD’S WORDS. They needed a remedial course in the ABCs of spiritual truth.

They still needed to drink spiritual “milk” (v.13). Milk is given to babies because they can’t digest solid food, especially meat. These Jewish believers were still “babes in CHRIST”—unskilled and inexperienced in studying and applying the WORD OF GOD to their lives. They were not growing in faithfulness.

Mature believers who digest the “meat” of the WORD demonstrate their growth by being able to “discern both good and evil” (v.14). Christian maturity takes time, growth in knowledge, and experience in discerning good and evil.

2. GROWING IN FAITHFULNESS (6:1-3)

Babies progress from milk to strained food and eventually to solid food. The writer tells the Hebrew believers that it’s time to move beyond the basics (milk) to maturity (meat).

How are they to go about growing in faithfulness? First, they must build upon the “elementary teachings about CHRIST” (6:1). These “elementary teachings” are the foundations of the Christian faith.

Six elementary doctrines are identified for these believers to build on in order to grow in faithfulness. These six “spiritual ABCs” are easily arranged in pairs. The first pair, repentance and faith, deal with the initial requirements of becoming a believer (v.1). Repentance involves turning away from sins, which lead to death instead of eternal life. Faith is trusting GOD in all circumstances.

The next pair also played a significant role in the believers’ early lives as Christians. “Baptisms, and…laying on of hands” (v.2) were a part of the early church’s sacraments. Baptism identified the believer with CHRIST, and the laying on of hands signified a person being set apart for GOD.

The third pair, resurrection and eternal judgment, were vital to the believers’ future. The writer encouraged the Jewish believers, with the help of GOD, to go beyond the ABCs of spiritual truth and to grow in their faithfulness (v.3).

3. REMAINING IN FAITHFULNESS (vv.4-12)

The writer moves from exhorting to warning. He warns the Hebrews about the danger of their spiritual laziness.

Verses 4-6 are some of the most hotly debated in the Bible. The questions addressed by the writer are: Can a person who has really known GOD fall away? What exactly is meant by the word “impossible”? (v.4) What does it mean to crucify the SON of GOD afresh and put HIM “to an open shame”? (v.6) This passage has been debated for ages without consensus, and we will not resolve the debate in this lesson. The key is to remain faithful and to grow continually in our knowledge and experience of GOD.

In verses 7-8, the writer uses a practical illustration to explain this spiritual truth: a plot of land lovingly watered by rain from above. The land can drink the rain and produce useful crops, or it can produce thorns and briers fit only for burning. This illustration teaches that believers can drink in the WORD and produce good fruit or remain useless to the kingdom of GOD.

Bearing good fruit is expected of believers. Fruit bearing involves demonstrating the “fruit of the Spirit” and teaching others the ABCs of spiritual truth (Galatians 5L22-23).

“Beloved” (Hebrews 6:9) is a term of endearment meant to assure the Jewish believers that the writer was confident that they would not fall away. He believes they will experience all the blessings that come with salvation. Some of these blessings are forgiveness, providential care, mercy, grace, peace, and the fruit of the Spirit (Matthew 10:42; 1 Thessalonians 1:3).

The writer of Hebrews encourages his readers by affirming GOD’S righteousness. GOD will remember all of our hard work for HIM as our growth in faithfulness results in fruitfulness.

Verses 11is a call to perseverance in faith. Those who faithfully follow the LORD feel assured that they are really born again and need not worry. In verse 12, believers are told not to be lazy but to imitate those who have gone before them (see examples in Hebrews 11).

THINK ABOUT IT!!!!

Spiritually Yours,

Rev. Chris Lowe, Sr. DD

email Dr. Lowe

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