Page 19 - October 2024 - Truth & Tidings

The Progress to Spiritual refers to the doctrinal foundation of the
Maturity (6:1-3) Messiah laid in the OT. They are not to
abandon such, but to go on to something
As we noted in the last article, the ex- far more fulfilling. The very idea is seen in
hortation in 6:1-2 commences with “there- leaving the alphabet to go on to the use of
fore” and thus addresses the infantile words and sentences to express thought
condition to which the Hebrew believers and to comprehend. We don’t abandon
had reverted (5:11-14). The essence of the the alphabet, but we move on from it to
exhortation is that they must advance more profitable things. It is futile to linger
from the state they are in and the founda- at the beginning.
tional things they have learned (or been “Let us go on” is from a single word
accustomed to) from the Old Testament. meaning “let us be borne along.” Like a
The reason they must make progress and ship being carried along by the wind (see
the solemn implications for not advancing “driven,” Act 27:15,17), it denotes being
are given in verses 4-8, which we shall carried forward. Just as we cannot con-
consider in the next two articles. trol human growth by our own strength,
The exhortation is threefold. First, they they are to progress, being conscious of
are to leave “the principles of the doctrine God’s hand in bearing up (or “uphold-
of Christ.” Second, they must “go on unto ing,” 1:3) all things. The appeal to go on
1
perfection.” And third, they must not lay to “perfection” (“full age,” 5:14) assumes
again a “foundation of repentance from they must have at some point begun. This
dead works, and of faith toward God, of confirms that the recipients are children of
the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on God, as is further proven by the writer’s
of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, addressing them as “beloved” and com-
and of eternal judgement.” mending them for their “work and labour
The word for “principles” means the of love” shown “toward His name,” and
beginning or origin of something (see their continuing service “to the saints”
1:10; 3:14; 7:3; also, “first,” 2:3; 5:12). “Doc- (6:9,10). Hence, the exhortation is not for
trine” is from logos, which denotes the the unsaved, for such are dead and can-
expression of thought; the most common not advance.
rendering is “word” (2:2; 5:13; 12:19, etc.). “Not laying again” confirms they
As “Christ” is preceded by the definite already had a foundation. As with con-
article, the literal expression is “the begin- structing a house, they are to leave the
ning word of the Christ (or Messiah).” The foundations and get on with the build-
beginning word of the Messiah was given ing. There are six foundational aspects
“in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, (in three groups of two) that they must
and in the psalms” (Luk 24:44). Hence, it not lay again: (1) repentance from dead
works, and faith toward God; (2) doctrine
1 Bible quotations in this article are from the of baptisms, and laying on of hands; and
KJV. (3) resurrection of dead ones, and eternal
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