HEBREWS CHAPTER 6, “IS DOCTRINE ENOUGH”

THE CLOSING thought of the preceding chapter is that the followers of God through His Son Jesus should attain a “full age.” We find that this means to become mature. The margins of many Bibles use the word “perfect,” but one would say that it is impossible to become “perfect” in this age. The word “perfect,” as it is used in God’s Word as pertaining to this life, means ‘upright.” This is what God asked Abraham to be. (See Genesis 17:1.) What is the way, then, that one can become “upright” and of “full age” in the Christian life? “Therefore ... let us go on” (vs. 1). What is the goal? It is given in verse 12: “followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Paul in other writings showed that one living a Christian life must build! On what do we build? On the teachings of God! These teachings are of old. The gospel was preached to Abraham. (See Galatians 3:8.) In verses 1 and 2 of Hebrews 6, Paul mentioned six distinct doctrines. Why no more? We find that each of these teachings was a part of the Israelitish teaching. The Hebrews understood the meaning of each. What was it that Paul suggested being left behind for something better? It was the “principles of the doctrine of the Messiah” (vs. 1). Was Paul denying Jesus? No! far from that! The margin reads, “leaving the word of the beginning of the Messiah.” That Jesus was the son of God, “called of God,” even after the “order of Melchizedek,” to be the “Apostle and High Priest of our profession” was well established. Through Jesus, one must repent. Through Him, one could be “washed” and made clean from sin. Through Him, one could bring forth “works” that would glorify the Father. Through Him was the promise of “all that are in the grave” should come forth at the sound of His voice, God has given to Him all judgment. These teachings were all a part of the prophets. They needed no further establishing. They were recorded in the word of God. They had been ordained of God. These were the “principles” from which to “go on.” In verse 3, Paul showed his intention to go on “if God permit.” He was asking the Hebrews to walk with Him. “It is impossible for those who were once enlightened ...if they shall fall away” (vv. 4-6). Paul shows that the ones “enlightened” had “tasted” of God’s goodness (the heavenly gift; accepting of Jesus probable); they had been blessed with a measure of the “Holy Spirit” (this is given in part at baptism); they had “tasted” of God’s Word (had heard and understood enough to believe and accept, even to knowing of the “powers of the world to come”). The “falling away” would be a rejection of these things, a turning away.

Many have done this. They have followed and enjoyed Yehovah - God’s goodness for a time, then literally have turned their backs on God and have gone after evil and evil ways. Paul wrote, “It is impossible ... to renew them again unto repentance.” We know that God’s mercy is very great. But for one to feel that He can be just in such wrongdoing by repenting at the last moment or that God in His great mercy will overlook such actions is not in keeping with the Scripture. When people have “tasted” of God’s goodness and “power” in the name of Jesus, according to Paul “they crucify to themselves the son of God afresh and put him to an open shame” (v. 6).

To show the probable rejection of those who will do such a thing, Paul used the example of the thorn and brier. Both received of God the blessing of rain, but they are “rejected. ..whose end is to be burned” (vs. 8). Many of the Hebrew “brethren” were about to reject the gospel message they had heard, and Jesus whom they had received as their Saviour. Paul was pleading, “Let us go on.”

Reader, whoever you are, take heed to this warning of God’s Word. We must “go on.” Just knowing doctrine is not enough. It will not save anyone. We must live by the “doctrine of the Messiah” and go on “unto perfection” (vs. 1); full growth in Jesus or maturity. This is for daily life.

We are not to continue as babes. We are to become men. These Hebrews had shown a “work and labour of love” in the name of Jesus. They had ministered “to the saints” and others (vs. 10), but this was not yet enough. They were to “show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end” (vs.11). Paul warned them against being “slothful” (vs. 12), and pointed to Abraham who, because of his faithfulness, had been assured of God of things to be.

In making the promises to Abraham, God assured them by two facts:

1) He could swear or give His oath by no greater;

2) He, God, could not lie. We read that Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness. (See Galatians 3:6.)

By these same “two immutable” things we “have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us” (v. 18). The “refuge” is in Jesus, and He had been “set” before everyone as the Son of God. Through Him is the “hope” of eternal salvation. This “hope” is an “anchor” of the “soul, both sure and steadfast. . . even Jesus, made a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek” (vv. 19, 20).

Brethren, doctrine is not enough! A knowledge of the teachings of God makes us liable to those teachings. This is especially true if we have been a partaker of the good-ness of God through them. Do we believe God? Is our hope in the “immutable things” that confirm God to be true and capable of doing what He has promised? Do we believe that He will keep His Word concerning those who are willingly unfaithful?

Brethren of the called-out Assemblies of God, “let us go on.” We have a great heritage to defend; the “exceeding great and precious promises,” which tell of life only in Jesus, His return to the earth, and the Kingdom of God to be established on the earth. We have the promise of “life abundantly” in the ages to come, but even now we have that promise in living in Jesus and by His example.

Yes, brethren, “let us go on.” Let the “teaching of the Messiah” lead us in the “narrow way.” Let it be the “light” that will lead us in the righteous way.

Written by Francis E. Burnett and edited and added to by Bruce Lyon

 

THE CLOSING thought of the preceding chapter is that the followers of God through His Son Jesus should attain a “full age.” We find that this means to become mature. The margins of many Bibles use the word “perfect,” but one would say that it is impossible to become “perfect” in this age. The word “perfect,” as it is used in God’s Word as pertaining to this life, means ‘upright.” This is what God asked Abraham to be. (See Genesis 17:1.) What is the way, then, that one can become “upright” and of “full age” in the Christian life? “Therefore ... let us go on” (vs. 1). What is the goal? It is given in verse 12: “followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Paul in other writings showed that one living a Christian life must build! On what do we build? On the teachings of God! These teachings are of old. The gospel was preached to Abraham. (See Galatians 3:8.) In verses 1 and 2 of Hebrews 6, Paul mentioned six distinct doctrines. Why no more? We find that each of these teachings was a part of the Israelitish teaching. The Hebrews understood the meaning of each. What was it that Paul suggested being left behind for something better? It was the “principles of the doctrine of the Messiah” (vs. 1). Was Paul denying Jesus? No! far from that! The margin reads, “leaving the word of the beginning of the Messiah.” That Jesus was the son of God, “called of God,” even after the “order of Melchizedek,” to be the “Apostle and High Priest of our profession” was well established. Through Jesus, one must repent. Through Him, one could be “washed” and made clean from sin. Through Him, one could bring forth “works” that would glorify the Father. Through Him was the promise of “all that are in the grave” should come forth at the sound of His voice, God has given to Him all judgment. These teachings were all a part of the prophets. They needed no further establishing. They were recorded in the word of God. They had been ordained of God. These were the “principles” from which to “go on.” In verse 3, Paul showed his intention to go on “if God permit.” He was asking the Hebrews to walk with Him. “It is impossible for those who were once enlightened ...if they shall fall away” (vv. 4-6). Paul shows that the ones “enlightened” had “tasted” of God’s goodness (the heavenly gift; accepting of Jesus probable); they had been blessed with a measure of the “Holy Spirit” (this is given in part at baptism); they had “tasted” of God’s Word (had heard and understood enough to believe and accept, even to knowing of the “powers of the world to come”). The “falling away” would be a rejection of these things, a turning away.

Many have done this. They have followed and enjoyed Yehovah - God’s goodness for a time, then literally have turned their backs on God and have gone after evil and evil ways. Paul wrote, “It is impossible ... to renew them again unto repentance.” We know that God’s mercy is very great. But for one to feel that He can be just in such wrongdoing by repenting at the last moment or that God in His great mercy will overlook such actions is not in keeping with the Scripture. When people have “tasted” of God’s goodness and “power” in the name of Jesus, according to Paul “they crucify to themselves the son of God afresh and put him to an open shame” (v. 6).

To show the probable rejection of those who will do such a thing, Paul used the example of the thorn and brier. Both received of God the blessing of rain, but they are “rejected. ..whose end is to be burned” (vs. 8). Many of the Hebrew “brethren” were about to reject the gospel message they had heard, and Jesus whom they had received as their Saviour. Paul was pleading, “Let us go on.”

Reader, whoever you are, take heed to this warning of God’s Word. We must “go on.” Just knowing doctrine is not enough. It will not save anyone. We must live by the “doctrine of the Messiah” and go on “unto perfection” (vs. 1); full growth in Jesus or maturity. This is for daily life.

We are not to continue as babes. We are to become men. These Hebrews had shown a “work and labour of love” in the name of Jesus. They had ministered “to the saints” and others (vs. 10), but this was not yet enough. They were to “show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end” (vs.11). Paul warned them against being “slothful” (vs. 12), and pointed to Abraham who, because of his faithfulness, had been assured of God of things to be.

In making the promises to Abraham, God assured them by two facts:

1) He could swear or give His oath by no greater;

2) He, God, could not lie. We read that Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness. (See Galatians 3:6.)

By these same “two immutable” things we “have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us” (v. 18). The “refuge” is in Jesus, and He had been “set” before everyone as the Son of God. Through Him is the “hope” of eternal salvation. This “hope” is an “anchor” of the “soul, both sure and steadfast. . . even Jesus, made a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek” (vv. 19, 20).

Brethren, doctrine is not enough! A knowledge of the teachings of God makes us liable to those teachings. This is especially true if we have been a partaker of the good-ness of God through them. Do we believe God? Is our hope in the “immutable things” that confirm God to be true and capable of doing what He has promised? Do we believe that He will keep His Word concerning those who are willingly unfaithful?

Brethren of the called-out Assemblies of God, “let us go on.” We have a great heritage to defend; the “exceeding great and precious promises,” which tell of life only in Jesus, His return to the earth, and the Kingdom of God to be established on the earth. We have the promise of “life abundantly” in the ages to come, but even now we have that promise in living in Jesus and by His example.

Yes, brethren, “let us go on.” Let the “teaching of the Messiah” lead us in the “narrow way.” Let it be the “light” that will lead us in the righteous way.

Written by Francis E. Burnett and edited and added to by Bruce Lyon