Why?
Does the writer of hebrews say this?
View attachment 32989
6:1-2 This list of doctrines relates to issues shared by Judaism and Christianity. However,
they are primarily Jewish (i.e., washings and laying on of hands). These would be doctrines that believing and unbelieving Jews would agree on easily. They are not the important theological issues related to Jesus of Nazareth as the prophesied Messiah.
There is a plausible theory that the first phrase should translate archē (elementary teachings) as "origins of the Messiah" (cf. A. B. Bruce, The Epistle to the Hebrews, p. 197).
Could it be that a group of Jews were disillusioned with the growing Gentile flavor of Christianity and were questioning how Jesus had fulfilled OT prophecy and expectations? Could the list of Jewish doctrines be the focus of a discussion about a possible return to the Mosaic covenant for salvation, instead of Jesus?
6:1
NASB, NJB"elementary teachings about the Christ"
NKJV"the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ"
NRSV"the basic teachings about Christ"
TEV"the first lessons of the Christian message"
The Greek term archē has a large semantical field. The basic thrust is the beginning of some thing (the first cause of authority/rule). It is the contextual opposite of teleios ("maturity" Heb. 6:1b).
The problem of understanding this phrase is that the principles enumerated in Heb. 6:1-2 do not relate to the Messiah as much as traditional teachings of Judaism. This is one of the textual reason for the supposition that the book was written to a Jewish synagogue audience (cf. Heb. 10:25) of both believing and unbelieving Jews (cf. R. C. Graze, No Easy Salvation).
"let us press on" This is a present passive subjunctive, "let us be borne." The focus is on the continual provision by a divine agent! They will advance toward maturity if they allow the Spirit the freedom to motivate them. This very Greek term was used by the Pythagorean philosophers for advancing to a higher stage of understanding (cf. A. T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament, p. 373).
NASB, TEV"maturity"
NKJV, NRSV"perfection"
NJB"completion"
This is a form of the Greek term teleios, which is used only here in the NT. See Special Topic at Heb. 7:11. It is the contextual opposite of archē of Heb. 6:1a (basic principles). These believers must move beyond those theological topics which they have in common with their Jewish friends and co-worshipers.
"repentance. . .faith" These are the old and new covenant obligations, one negative and one positive.
Repentance is a difficult topic because of the confusion over its meaning. The Hebrew term reflects a change of action while the Greek term reflects a change of mind. Repentance is the turning from a self-centered, self-directed life to a God-centered, God-directed life.
1. Jesus connected lack of repentance with perishing (cf. Luke 13:3,5 and 2 Pet. 3:9)
2. repentance is linked as the companion obligation to faith (cf. Mark 1:15; Acts 2:38, 41; 3:16; 19; 20:21)
3. God is even affirmed as being the source of repentance (cf. Acts 5:31; 11:18; 2 Tim. 2:25)
6:2 "washings" The plural is never used for Christian baptism, but for OT ceremonial ablutions (cf. Mark 7:4; Heb. 9:10). These three pairs of doctrines are not uniquely Christian. They seem to be common doctrines with Judaism, particularly those which Pharisees shared with Christianity.
"laying on of hands" This is used in several senses in the OT and NT. It shows association with
1. setting one aside to God's chosen task (cf. Num. 27:18,23; Deut. 34:9; Acts 6:6; 13:3; 1 Tim. 4:14; 5:22; 2 Tim. 1:6)
2. identifying with a sacrifice
a. priest (cf. Exod.29:10,15,19; Lev. 16:21; Num. 8:12)
b. laypersons (cf. Lev. 1:4; 3:2,8; 4:4,15,24; 2 Chr. 29:23
3. identifying with a stoning victim (cf. Lev. 24:14)
4. praying for blessing (cf. Matt. 19:13,15)
5. praying for healing (cf. Matt. 9:18; Mark 5:23; 6:5; 7:32; 8:23; 16:18; Luke 4:40; 13:13; Acts 9:17; 28:8)
6. praying for receiving the Spirit (cf. Acts 8:17-19; 19:6)
"the resurrection. . .eternal judgment" The Pharisees and Essenes (i.e., the Dead Sea Scrolls community) held these eschatological doctrines in common with Christianity.
1. Are verses 2-4 a list of Christian essentials or truths of Judaism?
2. Does the book of Hebrews teach "falling from grace"? Why or why not?
3. Why is the historical setting of this book so important to a proper interpretation?
4. Does the Bible teach that the truly redeemed will hold out until the end or that those who hold out in faith to the end are the redeemed?
5. Are those spoken to in verses 4-6 believers or unbelievers? Why?
6. How are the "you" of Heb. 6:9 related to the "those" of Heb. 6:4?
7. Describe the persecution the believers were facing.
8. What are the two unchangeable things of Heb. 6:18?
9. How are both God's sovereignty and human freewill balanced in Heb. 6:18?
10. How are the character of God and the finished work of Christ related in Heb. 6:13-20?
A bit of background info
@MatthewG-Hope this helps.
Johann