“Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment” (Heb. 6:1-2).

Square One

We need a firm foundation if we want to grow beyond the fundamentals. We press on to maturity, not by continually rehashing elementary doctrines but by building on them, making them solid ground. Let’s ensure we grasp these six “elementary” principles (Heb. 6:1-2).

Repentance

People sometimes confuse repentance with “feeling bad” for our sins. Sorrow and repentance aren’t the same, but our grief motivates repentance (2 Cor. 7:10). We “repent” when we “turn back” so that sins “may be blotted out” (Acts 3:19). We reorient the direction of our will, choosing to live toward God rather than away from him. But inner change leads to behavior change to “produce fruit in keeping with repentance” (Luke 3:8). We repent from “dead works” (Heb. 6:1; 9:14), sins, which lead to death (Jam. 1:15). Jesus came to call “sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:32). Repentance describes our initial conversion, but also a Christian’s return to God each time we sin (Acts 8:13,22).

Faith isn’t just affirming an idea but giving our allegiance and confidence to Christ.

Faith

The Greek and Hebrew words for faith reflect a combination of trust and loyalty. Our confidence in God’s Word shapes our worldview since “we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7). In life’s events, we see the rule of God; in trials, we see the attacks of our enemy; in guilt, we know the grace of our Lord; and in death we see the sleep that awaits our awakening on the last day. John’s gospel equates “believing” in Jesus with “receiving” Him (John 1:12). Faith isn’t just affirming an idea but giving our allegiance and confidence to Christ. Faith changes how we live now by giving substance to our hope (Heb. 11:1). Like the faithful before us, we must act on our faith (Heb. 11:7-40, Jam. 2:17-26). Do you have the faith to think and pray big, risk looking foolish, sacrifice, and put ALL your heart in the Lord’s hands? And will you speak your faith? “For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved” (Rom. 10:10).

Washings

Under the Law, Israelites washed their whole bodies to remove uncleanness (Lev 17:16). That foreshadows New Testament “washing” (cf. Heb. 10:22), which changes (1 Cor. 6:9-11) and cleanses us by the “washing of water” (Eph 5:26). The Greek word for “washings” in our text (Heb 6:2) — baptismon — could be translated “baptisms” or “immersions.”

Now there’s “one baptism” (Eph. 4:5) — burial in water (Rom. 6:4) “for the forgiveness of sins” (Acts 2:38).

It isn’t about getting your body clean but washing away guilt. “Baptism … now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 3:21). There have been different “washings” throughout history. Now there’s “one baptism” (Eph. 4:5) — burial in water (Rom. 6:4, Acts 8:38) “for the forgiveness of sins” (Acts 2:38). To convert to Christ you must submit to his teaching on “repentance from dead works and … faith toward God” and “instruction about washings” (Heb. 6:1-2) — so you can “be baptized and wash away your sins” (Acts 22:16).

Laying on Hands

Laying on hands has many purposes, but in Hebrews 6:2, “laying on of hands” probably refers to bestowing gifts of the Spirit through the Apostles laying on hands (Acts 8:18; cf. Deut. 34:9). After Pentecost, we don’t read of anyone except the Apostles performing signs (Acts 5:12) until they appointed the Seven, praying and laying hands on them (Acts 6:6). Then two of the Seven — Stephen and Philip — performed miracles (Acts 6:8; 8:6-7). How did they receive this power? “The Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands” (Acts 8:18), a unique “power” (Acts 8:19) given as “the gift of God” (Acts 8:20). When the Samaritans received the gospel the Spirit “had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized” (Acts 8:14-16). Only when Apostles “laid their hands on them … they received the Holy Spirit” (8:17).

The Apostle Paul also laid hands on others, bringing gifts of the Spirit (Acts 19:5-6; 2 Tim. 1:6). The purpose of these signs has been fulfilled (cf. Mk 16:16; 1 Cor. 13:8-12), and we have no living Apostles today (cf. Acts 1:21-25, 1 Cor. 15:4-10).

Resurrection

When the Apostles preached (Acts 17:32, 23:6) or wrote about our hope, they stressed resurrection (Phil. 3:11,14,21; Rom. 8:18-25) when our mortal bodies are “swallowed up by life” (2 Cor. 5:4; 1 Cor. 15:37-38,53-54). Jesus said, “All who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out” (John 5:28) on the “last day” (John 6:39,40,44,54; 11:24; 12:48). Death is like sleeping (1 Thes 4:14ff) because when you sleep, you know you’ll rise in the morning. Our “changed” bodies will become imperishable, glorious bodies (1 Cor. 15:42-54). So, in hope, we’re “steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work” (1 Cor. 15:58).

Since all will face judgment, we reason with everyone to persuade them to come to Christ before that day (2 Cor 5:10-11).

Judgment

God will judge the living and the dead through Christ on his appointed day (Acts 10:42; 17:31). God will avenge evil and bring eternal destruction to those who disobey the gospel (2 Thes. 1:6-9). But we rejoice because the Good King will bring justice (Ps. 96:11-13) and reward faithful servants (Matt. 25:31-46). Since all will face judgment, we reason with everyone to persuade them to come to Christ before that day (2 Cor 5:10-11).