Introduction

Hebrews 6:1-3

-- New International

Hebrews 6:1 Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2. instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.  3. And God permitting, we will do so.

1. What are the elementary or foundational teachings of Christ?

1. They are the foundational principles of Christ.

1. When we think of a home the foundation is the first thing built and is the basis of the whole house.

1. When we look at the word elementary we may think of elementary school, which is the basis for all learning that the rest of our learning is built on.

1. The foundational or elementary principles of Christ are the basis that our whole Christian experience is built on.

1. Without a form foundation the house will fall or without elementary teaching we can?t go on in the learning process.

1. Without them we can?t go on to maturity or grow in our Christian life and faith in Jesus the Christ.

1. The scriptures say with these principles we can go on to maturity.

 -- King James

Hebrews 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,

      9.   The King James uses the word perfection in place if the word maturity.

1. The only way we can be perfect is in Jesus the Christ!

1. The word Christ means ?the anointed one? or the ?Messiah?.

1. When we are rooted in the foundation, which is Christ we are anointed of God.

The elementary or foundational principles of Christ are:

      1.  Repentance from dead works

1. Faith toward God
2. The doctrine of baptism?s
3. The laying on of hands
4. The resurrection of the dead?
5. Eternal Judgments

All of the above are built on the foundation of Jesus the Christ.

The picture below illustrates what we are talking about

Stone #1 Repentance from dead works

-- New International

Acts 17:30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.

1. God overlooked ignorance in the past (or before Jesus died on the cross).

1. God commands everyone to repent after Jesus death on the cross.

1. We will be without excuse if we do not repent from dead works.

Why is repentance important?

1. It is the first foundational stone toward salvation.

-- New International

Mark 1:14  After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15.  "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"

1. It was commanded by Jesus. 

6.  Notice Jesus said repent and believe the good news.

-- New International

Mark 1:4 And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

1. It was preached by John the Baptist.

-- New International

Acts 2:37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" 38.  Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

1. It was taught by Peter

-- New International

Luke 13:3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.

1. Jesus said that if we did not repent we would perish.

What is true repentance?

2 Corinthians 7:10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11.  See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.

1. There are two types of sorrow spoke of in the Bible that bring forth repentance.

1. These two types of sorrow are worldly sorrow and Godly sorrow.

1. Worldly sorrow brings death but Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation.

1. Godly sorrow produces in us earnestness, eagerness to clear ourselves, indignation, alarm, longing. concern, readiness to see justice done.

1. Simply said when we have Godly sorrow we have a true desire to get ourselves right with God.

1. There are two Greek words that are mostly translated as "repent". (These are the two most common and are more)

Metamelomai -  to care afterwards, i.e. regret:

Example of worldly repentance

-- King James

Matthew 27:3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders

16. Judas felt bad about the outcome of his betraying Jesus but he did not change his mind or actions.

1. Judas did not have true repentance.

Metanoia ? a change of mind concerning sin,

Example of true or Godly repentance

The Prodigal Son

-- New International

Luke 15:11 Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. 12.  The younger one said to his father, `Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.  13.  "Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.  14.  After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.  15.  So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.  16.  He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.  17.  "When he came to his senses, he said, `How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!  18.  I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.  19.  I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.'  20.  So he got up and went to his father.   "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.  21.  "The son said to him, `Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. 

22.    "But the father said to his servants, `Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.  23.  Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate.  24.  For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.  25.  "Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing.  26.  So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on.  27.  `Your brother has come,' he replied, `and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.'  28.  "The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 

29.  But he answered his father, `Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.  30.  But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'  31.  "`My son,' the father said, `you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.

 32.  But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'"

18. Notice that the prodigal son ? came to himself ? or realized his sinful and      separated condition.

19. We must first realize that we are lost before we can realize that we need found

20. Notice that the prodigal son confessed his sin when he said ?Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you ?

21.  Notice that the prodigal son had a change of heart and came home to the father?s house.

22.  It is our responsibility to come home.

23.  Notice that the father restored him to his rightful place as son.

What Are Dead Works?

-- King James

Romans 10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

24.  It is our effort to establish our own righteousness apart from the righteous that God has supplies for us

(see also Phil 3:9) we can not get our own righteousness by obeying the law. Our righteousness is as filthy rags (literally ministerial rags). You throw out the blood of Christ when you use your own righteousness!

-- New International

Romans 3:20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. 21.  But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22.  This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference,

25.  We cannot do what we see as good things by observing the law and be made righteous.

26. We must become righteous through faith in Jesus the Christ.

-- New International

Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--9.  not by works, so that no one can boast.  10.  For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do

27.  Salvation is not of ourselves it is the gift of God.

28.  Salvation is not by works of our own righteousness.

29. Simply put dead works are our way of trying to earn righteousness with God.

True Repentance

30.  Turns from dead works or trying earn our own righteousness with God.

31.  Has Godly sorrow for sin that brings a change to the way we live.

32.  Confesses or agrees with God concerning his sins that produces a changed lifestyle.

33.  Trusts in the goodness and mercy of God alone for his righteousness.

24. When we truly repent it will bring a gratefulness or love for God that will cause us to change but our change is not what saves us.

Stone # 2 Faith in God

Hebrews 6:1 Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God,

1.      In chapter one we learned about repentance from dead works and we realize the reason that it came first is that dead works will kill our faith.

What is faith?

-- New International

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

2.      Faith is being sure of what we hope for.

-- New International

1 John 5:14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us--whatever we ask--we know that we have what we asked of him

3.      To be sure of what we hope for we must make sure that it is according to his will or his word.

4.      You must hope for something you do not have to have faith.

5.      We know that if we ask according to his will he hears us and also that we shall have what we are asking for.

-- New International

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

6.      Now faith is being sure or we could say sure that it is God?s will.

7.      And certain of confident of what we do not see.

8.      The thing we are confident of or are turning our faith to is God because he is a Spirit and we cannot see him.

-- King James

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

9.      When we have faith it is the evidence of things not seen or our faith will show evidence of God that we can?t see.

-- New International

James 2:17 in the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

10.  Without works faith is dead or we will do something to show we have faith.

11.  If we are working in his kingdom that is proof that it is more that just a good thought.

-- New International

Matthew 8:9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, `Go,' and he goes; and that one, `Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, `Do this,' and he does it." 10.  When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, "I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.

12.  To have great faith we must understand authority.

-- New International

Matthew 28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me

13.  Jesus said he had all authority or he has the power to do what he said he could do and nothing can hinder him.

-- New International

Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?

            14. God can?t lie and what he promised he will do he will do it!

Why is faith important

-- King James

Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

14.  As Christians or those who are righteous we live by faith.

15.  We have to have faith for right standing with God to be revealed.

-- New International

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him

16.  Without faith we cannot please God.

17.  It takes faith to believe that he exists, as we can?t see him.

-- King James

Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

18.  We are justified by faith.

19.  Without faith in Jesus we cannot access grace or the goodness of God.

-- New International

Hebrews 6:1 Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God,

20.  Without faith we will not have a good foundation and we cannot go on to

 maturity.

-- New International

1 John 5:4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

21.  Faith causes us to overcome the world and have the victory.

Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-

            22. We are saved through faith.

How do we get faith?

-- King James

Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith

            22. Everyone has some faith given him or her by God.

-- King James

Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

22.  We get faith or increase faith by hearing what God says about something.

-- King James

1 Corinthians 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. 2.  Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.

 3.  Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

 4.  Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

 5.  And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

 6.  And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

 7.  But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

 8.  For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

 9.  To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

 10.  To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

 11.  But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

1. For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

23.  Faith can be given as a spiritual gift

Foundation stone # 3 Doctrine of Baptisms

Ephesians 6:1-3

-- New International

Hebrews 6:1 Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2. instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.  3. And God permitting, we will do so.

1.      Notice that the word Baptisms is plural which means that there is more than one baptism.

2.      We will be looking at three baptisms John?s baptism, Water baptism in the name of the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit, and Holy Spirit Baptism which includes the baptism of fire.

3.      The Greek word for ?baptize? means to immerse, bury, dip, or submerge.

4.      The word is interpreted; to put under or into water, to entirely immerse.

5.      We will look first at the baptism of John

-- New International

Matthew 3:11  "I baptize you with  water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

6.      John?s baptism was a baptism of water unto repentance only.

-- New International

Acts 19:1  While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2.  and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when  you believed?"   They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."  3.  So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you receive?"   "John's baptism," they replied.  4.  Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus."

 5.  On hearing this, they were baptized into  the name of the Lord Jesus.

 6.  When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues  and prophesied.  7.  There were about twelve men in all.

7.      Paul baptized again the believers that were baptized in Johns baptism showing us that the baptism of John was done away with  

  Matthew 28:18  Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in  the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

 20.  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

8.      Jesus told us to baptize in the name of the Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit

9. When we are baptized in the name of The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit we are baptized into the fullness of the Godhead

Who can be baptized?

 -- New International