INTERNET BIBLE STUDIES Hebrews Lesson 6
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Hebrews Chapter 6

Hebrews Lesson 06

Memory verses for this week:  Gen 12:2  And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 

Introduction:  In Chapter 5, Paul showed the Hebrews how important the office of the High Priest was.   And while Aaron and his descendants were chosen to fill this office, today we have a far greater High Priest seated in Heaven today.   That of course is Jesus Christ who paid the price for our sins and offered his perfect sacrifice to God and has completed the job forever.    No High Priest ever sat down in the innermost chamber of the tabernacle called the Holy of Holies.   The Old Testatment priest’s job was never completed.   But Jesus completed the offering God required to forgive us of our sins when he offered His own blood on that perfect Mercy Seat that God pitched and not man. 

I.  Going On Unto Perfection

Heb 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,

From verse one, we can gather that the Hebrews were familiar with the teachings of repentance and faith.   But they seemed to be shallow in other parts of the Word of the Lord.  It appears from chapter 4 of Hebrews that this group had not grown in God’s Word.

Heb 4:1  Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

Heb 4:2  For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

Heb 4:3  For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

Paul preached repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord.

Acts 20:21  Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

The reality is that God has commanded that all men now repent.

Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

Repentance is one of the requirements of salvation.   We must have faith, but faith without repentance will not save a person.    We must first understand that we are a lost sinner before God with no way to pay for our sins.   Then when we turn from those sins (repent) and come to Jesus for forgiveness of sins.   The Holy Spirit is the method God uses to draw us unto the Son.

Luke 13:3  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?  5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

 

Paul urges the people in that day to leave the elemental truths and push on toward higher and deeper things.   He did this for several reasons.

1 Cor 2:10  But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

1 Cor 2:11  For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

 

Heb 5:11  Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.

Heb 5:12  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.

Heb 5:13  For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

Heb 5:14  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.

These Hebrews were dull of hearing.   We need to be people who are attentive and listening and very teachable.   Unless we are, we will never be able to teach others.

Heb 6:2  Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

Heb 6:3  And this will we do, if God permit.

We find four things in verse 4 that Paul wants them to dig into a bit deeper.  

1.  The Doctrine of Baptisms

The children of Israel were baptized unto Moses in the cloud when they crossed the Red Sea.

1 Corinthians 10:2  And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

John the Baptist baptized Jesus as an example to us.

Matthew 3:16  And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

John told how that Jesus would come and use the element of the Holy Spirit to baptize the church on the day of Pentecost.

Matthew 3:11   I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

We see the record of that baptism in Acts Chapter 2 when Jesus came and baptized them in the Holy Spirit.   The Holy Ghost filled the house, effectively immersing them with the Spirit of God.

Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Then we see the baptism that still goes on today in the Great Commission over in Matthew Chapter 28.

Matthew 28:18  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

 

2.   The Doctrine of Laying on of Hands

Under the law, they laid their hands on the head of their offering.    (This showed that their sins were being placed upon their offering.)

Leviticus 3:2  And he shall lay his hand upon the head of his offering, and kill it at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron’s sons the priests shall sprinkle the blood upon the altar round about.

Leviticus 3:8  And he shall lay his hand upon the head of his offering, and kill it before the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron’s sons shall sprinkle the blood thereof round about upon the altar. …. 13 And he shall lay his hand upon the head of it, and kill it before the tabernacle of the congregation: and the sons of Aaron shall sprinkle the blood thereof upon the altar round about. 

From the day of Pentecost unto the house of Cornelius, the Holy Ghost was only given by the laying on of hands by the apostles.

Acts 8:17  Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. 

Acts 9:17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

When a man is ordained today, there is a laying on of the hands.

Acts 6:6  Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

Acts 13:3  And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

2 Tim 1:6  Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

3.  The Doctrine of the Resurrection

We know that Jesus was the first to be resurrected.  He is the first fruits of the resurrection.   One day, there will be a resurrection of both the just (saved) and the unjust. (lost)

John 5:28  Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

John 5:29  And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

One of the leading religious groups of Paul’s day was the group called the Sadducees.   They had a false teaching that said there would be no resurrection.

Acts 23:8  For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.

Some during this time taught that the resurrection had already come and was now past.

2 Tim 2:16  But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

2 Tim 2:17  And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

2 Tim 2:18  Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

There will be one thousand years between the resurrection of the saved and the lost.

Rev 20:4  And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

Rev 20:5  But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

Rev 20:6  Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

4.    The Doctrine of Eternal Judgment

All of the saved will stand at the judgment seat of Christ to receive our rewards.

Rom 14:10  But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

Rom 14:11  For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

Rom 14:12  So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

The lost will stand at the great white throne judgment to be cast into the lake of fire.

Rev 20:11  And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

Rev 20:12  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

Rev 20:13  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

Rev 20:14  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

Rev 20:15  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

II.  Impossible to be Lost After You are Saved

Heb 6:4  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,

Heb 6:5  And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

Heb 6:6  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.

Some use verse 4 to teach that a person can lose their salvation.  It is important to read what the verses say.  Paul did not say this condition could happen.   He was explaining “For it is impossible for one to repent and be saved to fall away and be lost once they know Jesus as Lord and Savior.”  If it were possible, they would have to crucify to themselves the Son of God again… causing him to be put to an open shame.   But is not like man.   He doesn’t promise one thing and then do another.   If God gives us something, we can trust it unto the end.   If it could be lost, it would not be ‘eternal’ salvation.    Christ died once for our sins, and we are saved once and once only.   Once in God’s family, we can not be removed.   If one of my sons turned away from me and said they were no longer my son, it would not make it true.  The same is true of a child of God.  He is forever our eternal Heavenly Father.

 

III.  Two Kinds of Fruits

Heb 6:7  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:

Heb 6:8  But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

One who receives the teachings of God and continues in them is fruitful.   But the man or woman who does not bring fort fruits is rejected of God.   This once again is not speaking of losing our salvation, but speaking of losing rewards for not bringing fruits that are worthy of a reward.

1 Cor 3:11  For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

1 Cor 3:12  Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

1 Cor 3:13  Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

1 Cor 3:14  If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

1 Cor 3:15  If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Heb 6:9  But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.

Heb 6:10  For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

Heb 6:11  And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:

Heb 6:12  That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Paul was persuaded of better things of these Hebrews.  He expected fruits that would bring honor to God.   None of the work we do for the Lord will be forgotten.    We should not work in order to receive a reward, but be sure that God is not unfaithful to remember your works in His name.

1 Cor 15:58  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

 

Gal 6:6  Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

Gal 6:7  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Gal 6:8  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

Gal 6:9  And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

IV.  Jesus Christ – The Great Forerunner

Heb 6:13  For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,

Heb 6:14  Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.

Heb 6:15  And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

Heb 6:16  For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.

We have a great High Priest and forerunner, that being our Lord Jesus Christ.   God made a promise to Abraham and sware by Himself on His eternal sovereignty.   The promise was to Abraham and his seed.   The promise had to be fulfilled because God had sworn by Himself.    We have an even greater promise….

Heb 6:17  Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:

Heb 6:18  That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

Heb 6:19  Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;

Heb 6:20  Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Our promise that is greater than Abraham’s promise is the assurance of eternal life.  Every man, woman, boy, or girl who knows Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior will never taste death.    The moment the believer’s eyes close in death, we come into the presence of the Lord.   Verse 18 says there are tow immutable things… the promise and the oath.   The hope we have is both sure and steadfast.  Christ is our anchor, and he is with the Father today in Heaven, making intercession for us.

2 Tim 1:12  For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

 

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Prov 4:18  But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

 

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