In the last session we examined the second aspect of the foundation of Christ mentioned in Hebrews 6:1-3 which is “faith toward God”. In this session will continue our study with the third foundational stone “the doctrine of baptisms.

In our foundation text, the Greek word for “baptisms” is plural, implying that there is more than one baptism. I will take the time in the future to explain the meaning of Eph. 4:4-6 where the scripture states that there is but one baptism.

SEVEN TYPES OF BAPTISM

In our foundational text, the Greek word for “baptisms” is plural, implying that there is more than one baptism.

There are seven types of baptism mentioned in the New Testament. Each of those mentioned has different meanings.

1. The Baptism of John

2. Water Baptism (baptism into the Name)

3. Baptism in the Holy Spirit

4 Baptism with Fire

5. Baptism into the Body of Christ

6 Baptism into his death

7. The Baptism of Suffering

There are more disastrous things happening around the world simultaneously right now than I can ever remember in my lifetime.

There is refining and shaking that is taking place both in the world and in the church, the dross is being brought to the surface, that which has been hidden is being exposed.

Amid all this chaos, we have an UNSHAKABLE HOPE AND A ROCK upon which to stand, Jesus Christ the Lord.

1 Corinthians 10:4 “…for they drank of that Spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.”

This just may be our finest hour, just maybe this new age could be the age during which His Glory fills the whole earth.

Listen to the words of Jesus recorded in John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

Jesus is inviting us to come to the place of rest that He prepared for us.

That place of rest is in His finished work at Calvary that poised us for life and victory in this world.

Hebrews 6:1-3 (NKJV) Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits.

DOCTRINE OF CHRIST

1. Repentance from dead works,

2. Faith towards God,

3. The doctrine of baptisms,

4. The laying on of hands,

5. The resurrection of the dead,

6. And eternal judgment.

Contextually the Hebrew writer desired to proceed to the exposition of the doctrine of Christ's priesthood, but he takes a "short detour" explaining to them that Christian maturity is not to be attained by going back to subjects that belong to the ABC's of the Faith.

He was doing his utmost to shift the focus and faith of his audience from the rudimentary principles of Judaism.

However, what does it look like for us in the 21st century, we didn't practice the Jewish faith before we put our faith in Christ.

Many of us came into the house of God as a result of incorrect or incomplete gospels, such as the gospel of salvation.

Most of us came into the Christian faith without anyone laying foundations within us concerning Christ, making us vulnerable and susceptible to deception and half-truths.

For many of us, foundations have to be laid for the first time, we are living in a house built on shifting sand.

THE OPENING WORDS OF THIS SECTION ARE SURPRISING.

He has just told his readers that they are not able to assimilate solid food which he would like to give them but can’t because they are immature.

We might have expected him to say, as Paul says to the Corinthians in a similar situation: 1 Corinthians 3:2 (NKJV) I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able;

But he doesn't say this, instead, he says, "Let us press on."

· This was the solution to their problem.

· If they progressed properly, they would avoid the dangers of immaturity.

Hebrews 6:1 (NKJV) Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,

· The word "leaving" is the Greek word aphiemi.

o It is a verb meaning: "to put or to place".

o Thus the word means: "to send away, depart, let go, to disregard."

The word "perfection" is teleiotes, which means: "completeness."

This is not the same as the word teleios used in Heb 5:14, meaning "full age" or mature.

Maturity is the first step towards completeness.

The words "let us go on" are passive, which gives us the idea of "being carried on."

· It is a word taken from the progress which a ship makes when under sail.

· It most likely suggests that God is the actual agent in the advance.

Many people claim to be Christian, but there is a significant difference between being a fan of Jesus and a follower of Jesus.

· Just like in sports, many have their preferred team that they support along with all the regalia, however, they are not involved in the physical aspect of the game, they are just fans.

· Christianity is not a spectator sport, it requires participation in all that Christ represents and demands to be successful.

· To be a follower of Jesus, you must deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow him.

Listen to the words of Jesus, the head of the Christ recorded in Mark 8:34 (ASV) And he called unto him the multitude with his disciples, and said unto them, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 

Jesus was primarily addressing the multitude, explaining to them how to become His disciple.

Spiritual maturity is achieved through becoming more like Jesus Christ.

According to the apostle Paul, it’s an ongoing process that will never end in this life.

Philippians 3:12-14 (ASV) Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect: but I press on, if so be that I may lay hold on that for which also I was laid hold on by Christ Jesus. 13  Brethren, I count not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, 14  I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

· I believe Paul is speaking amongst other things of the full representation of Christ that we are called to in the world.

· Like Paul, we have to press continually toward a deeper knowledge of God in Christ.

· Christian maturity requires a radical reordering of one’s priorities, shifting from pleasing self to pleasing God, and learning to obey God.

· The key to spiritual maturity is consistency, perseverance in doing those things we know will bring us into a deeper walk with God.

· These practices are referred to as the spiritual disciplines and include things such as Bible reading/study/meditation, prayer, fellowship with God and the brethren, service in various spheres of life, and stewardship of time, energy and money.

A recurring theme in this epistle is that of Jesus as our High Priest.

He has been described as:

a. A "merciful and faithful High Priest" - ⁠Heb 2:17⁠

b. The "High Priest of our confession" - ⁠Heb 3:1⁠

c. A "great High Priest who has passed through the heavens" - Heb 4:14

d. A High Priest who can "sympathize with our weaknesses" - ⁠Heb 4:15⁠

This is in keeping with the overall purpose of the epistle which is to show the superiority of Jesus and His new covenant

Thus far We have considered Jesus' superiority to...

1) The Prophets - ⁠Heb 1:1-3⁠

2) Angels - ⁠Heb 1:4-2:18⁠

3) And Moses - ⁠Heb 3:1-6⁠

It is only natural that A COMPARISON to Aaron and his priesthood be made.

The actual comparison with Aaron will follow later in chapter 7, but first, there is a need to...

a. Review the qualities required in high priests

b. Establish that Jesus does indeed qualify as a High Priest

This is exactly what we find in the text for our study today in ⁠He 5:1-10⁠

For us as NON-JEWISH readers who may be unfamiliar with the role of HIGH PRIESTS, this portion of Scripture can be ENLIGHTENING and increase our appreciation of Jesus as our High Priest.

In our study thus far we have seen the concern of the author of "The Book Of Hebrews" on two specific aspects: 

a. That the Jewish Christians remain steadfast in their faith. 

b. That they do not make the same mistake of departing from the living God, as did many of their ancestors 

His "MODUS OPERANDI" has been two-fold: 

a. Illustrate the superiority of Jesus (e.g., to prophets, to angels, and Moses) 

b. Exhort them to faithfulness. 

In the previous two exhortations we have seen thus far, to remain faithful we must... 

a. Heb 2:1-4 "...give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard" 

b. Heb 3:12-14 "...exhort one another daily..." 

To put it another way, to remain faithful we must be diligent... 

a. In our study of the Word of God

b. In exhorting one another daily 

Today we come to another necessary aspect of our walk with God recorded in the passage read earlier in Heb 4:14-16. 

The main thought in this passage is that we should "come boldly to the throne of grace" 

WE WILL SET OUT TO ANSWER TWO VERY IMPORTANT QUESTIONS: 

1. What does that mean to come boldly to the throne of grace? 

2. And why should we be diligent to do this?

In ⁠Heb 4:11⁠, we find a succinct summary of all that has been said in ⁠Heb 3:7-4:10⁠...

a. We need to be diligent to enter "the rest that remains", our heavenly rest

b. Or we may fall short of our rest, just as many Israelites fell short of their Canaan rest...

"Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience." - ⁠Heb 4:11⁠

To stress the need for diligence, we are reminded regarding the Word of God - ⁠Heb 4:12-13⁠

a. That Word which provided the example of the Israelites' disobedience

b. That Word which is now warning them not to emulate the Israelites' example

In this passage, the Word of God is described in amazing terms...

a. It is "living"

b. It is "powerful"

c. It is "sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit"

d. It is "a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart"

At a time in which God's Word is so often neglected, even by some Christians, it never hurts to contemplate the wonder of God's Word...

a. And so we take this opportunity to reflect upon what is said in this passage

b. With a desire to renew and increase our appreciation of the power of God's Word!

In chapter three of Hebrews we saw...

a. A comparison of Christ to Moses

b. How the comparison led to a warning based upon the example of Israel in the wilderness

The Appeal to the example of Israel's fall in the wilderness is a critical one...

a. For despite Moses' leadership, most died in the wilderness and did not enter the promised land for lack of faith

b. Now under Christ's leadership, we face a similar danger of falling short of our "promise" through a lack of faith - He 3:14-15; 4:1

Chapter four continues the warning with a focus on the promised "rest" which awaits the faithful Christian...

a. This promised "rest" is one of several "rests" found in the Scriptures

b. It is a "rest" that Moses and Joshua did not provide, which is just another reason why the Hebrew Christian should not forsake Jesus and return to Judaism

c. It is "The Rest That Remains" for the people of God today!

Today, we shall address two questions...

a. What is "The Rest That Remains"?

b. What essential elements are necessary to enter "The Rest That Remains"?

In the previous study, we considered "The Supremacy Of Jesus Over Moses"...

a. Jesus was superior, not in faithfulness, but in His person and service

b. Moses was a servant in the house of God

c. Jesus, however, is the builder of the house and serves as the Son over the house!

In ⁠He 3:6⁠, the writer to the Hebrews affirms that "we" are the house of Christ...

a. Referring to the church, which is the house of God - ⁠1 Tim 3:15⁠

1 Timothy 3:15 (HCSB) But if I should be delayed, ⌊I have written⌋ so that you will know how people ought to act in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

b. For in Christ, we are now "members of the household of God", and together  with the faithful saints of old(including Moses), we are now "fellow-citizens" in the commonwealth of Israel! - cf. Ep 2:11-22

Citizens are not asylum seekers or illegal immigrants, nor are they tourist. They became citizens by birth or naturalization.

If your life has been submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ you have been born into the kingdom of God and are a citizen with all rights and privileges. In Christ, you have obtained the status of Joint-heir with access to an inheritance.