For context, we will quote verses 1-6 of the Hebrews 6, "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, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit. For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame."
In this quote, Paul was substantiating the eternal security of those who place their faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for the remittance of all sin.
One must pay careful attention to what Paul says herein, "Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection".
Paul, in essence said, we are stepping outside and away from the "doctrine of Christ" so as to "go on to perfection", perfection having been required to maintain salvation under Hebrew law. To accomplish that separation, Paul metaphorically abandoned the discussion of things contained in the "doctrine of Christ" in which he listed, "the doctrine of baptisms" (NOTE: The term baptism is pluralized, (baptismS) clearly establishing that, in the language Paul applied to this text, not only is there more than one application for the term but also that the term "baptism" can be applied to, or describe, a "doctrine".)
Paul was stating that if one could "fall away" from the redemption achieved by faith in Christ through imperfection, that one could never again regain redemption without bringing Jesus back and re-crucifying Him.
There are many who contend that those of us who are saved by the grace of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, must live a sinless life, or, in essence, return to the old law just as those Hebrews were trying to do, in order to maintain their salvation. This contention is firmly and simply nullified by Ephesians 4:30, "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby YE ARE SEALED UNTO THE DAY OF REDEMPTION."
The usage of the term "baptisms", as it is applied in today's lesson, clearly denotes a doctrine, and in no way refers to water immersion.~
No comments:
Post a Comment