Milk to Strong Meat
Scripture Text: Hebrews 5:12-6:2
Introduction-
Six Principles of the Doctrine of Christ- Heb 6:1; 2John 2:9-Apostle’s doctrine is the doctrine of Christ.
1. Repentance from Dead Works
2. Faith Toward God
3. Doctrine of Baptisms
4. Laying on of Hands
5. Resurrection of the Dead
6. Eternal Judgment
Repentance from Dead Works
Rev. 3:1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
Sardis Church-Dead in spirit, while alive in the flesh.
Rev 3:2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
Sin is not in the temptations, but in yielding to them. All sin consists of voluntarily consenting to the lustful desire. James 1:12-25
You can escape. 1 Cor 10:12-13
Heb. 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
By repentance- Dead works have been purged by God from the conscience housed in the human mind. Dead Works are the impetus for repetitive disobedient thoughts in the mind. They are the fruit of the sins that were committed (James 1:15); therefore they become the seeds (the memories of the unlawful pleasure that sin brought to your flesh) for the next harvest of wrong actions.
Matt 7:21-24 You must do your Father’s will. The Father’s will is found in the Bible and by revelation from the Holy Spirit. Dead works-shows lack of life- kills your relationship with Jesus.
John 17:3 Eternal Life is knowing Jesus.
Class readings-Titus 2:14, Matt: 8:22, Eph 5:14; Rom. 6:13, 22; Heb. 7:27; 10:22;
1Pe 4:2; 1Jo 1:7; Re 1:5.
Faith Toward God
Scripture Introduction:
Heb 11:1 Definition of Faith
1 Cor. 2:5 Faith in the power of God
2 Peter 1:4 Promises are given to us
Heb 11:33 We through faith obtain promises
James 2:14-26Faith and works tie together. Can faith alone save you? NO!
Faith in the power of God to fulfil His promises, which we have claimed for ourselves by faith! Faith in the power of God to do the works that he has given to us to perform!
Danger of Self- Deception
Faith is conceived in the Heart of Man(Rom 10:10). The heart must be free from self-deception to believe in the promises given to us by God. One must discern truth from that which is deceptive. This involves acknowledging our own efforts to deceive ourselves and choosing to embrace the truth of God. God wants us liberated internally.Self-deception is the obtaining ofa belief and holding to that belief in the face of strong evidence to the contrary; self-deception is motivated by desires or emotions that are in favor of the retention of that belief.
We must have objective (Biblical) evidence that we are correct in our beliefs.Only God knows the condition of your heart.
Jer. 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? 10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
1Sa 16:7; 1Ch 28:9; Ps 7:9; 62:12; 139:23-24; Ro 2:6; 8:27; Re 2:23
The problem with self-deception is that our carnal-fleshly selves can be so successful at it; that we don’t know we are so successful at it, and don’t realize the damage it does to us. Many people have deceived themselves so long that they have difficulty believing they are deceived.
Biblical principles that teach us how to discern areas were we have deceived ourselves:
1. When we hear and fail to apply the Word of God to our lives. James 1:22
2. When we say we have no sin. 1 John 1:8; Prov 20:9-11, Eccl 7:20, 1 John 2:4
3. When we think too high of ourselves.Ga. 6:3-5; 2:6 Ro 12:3; 1Co 8:2; 2Co 3:5; 12:11
4. Evaluating our wisdom by the standard of the age-rather than by the wisdom of God. 1 Cor. 3:18, Prov 3:7, Is. 5:20-23, Prov. 17:15. Sin bitter Je. 2:19; 4:18, Acts 8:23
5. We deceive ourselves when we think we can sin and then escape the consequences. 1Cor. 6:9, Ga 5:21; Eph 5:5;
Some actions are “minor” sins that people think they can get away with. One thing leads to another and their sins become more severe-it makes a person think they are above the consequences of their sinful actions. What is lost is the fear of God.
John 8: 32 The virtue in any concept that you hold is in its ability to either equip you to do God’s will or draw you to God’s heart.
Ro 6:14, 18, 22; 8:2; Jas 1:25; 2:12
Doubt Is the Enemy of Faith
Gen 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
Lest we think that we can lay all of the blame on Satan, the Bible clearly holds us accountable for our own doubts. When Zechariah was visited by the angel of the Lord and told that he would have a son (Luke 1:11-17), he doubted the word given to him. He logically assumed that he and his wife were too old to have children, and in response to his doubt, the angel said he would be mute until the day God’s promise was fulfilled (Luke 1:18-20). Zechariah doubted God’s ability to overcome natural obstacles – many people today share the same doubt. Any time we allow human reason to overshadow faith in God, sinful doubt is the result. No matter how logical our reasons may seem, God has made foolish the wisdom of the world (1 Corinthians 1:20), and His seemingly foolish plans are far wiser than man’s. Faith is trusting God even when His plan goes against human reason or experience.
Contrary to the humanistic view that doubt is essential to life, the Bible says that doubt is a destroyer of life. James 1:5-8 tells us that when we ask God for wisdom, we are to ask in faith, without doubt. If we doubt God’s ability to respond to our request, what would be the point of asking in the first place? God says that if we doubt while we ask, we will not receive anything from Him, because we are unstable. “He who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind” (James 1:6).
James 1:6-8 The doubting one sins against the Lord because he has questioned the character, goodness, and faithfulness of God. Unlike the God who does not change (James 1: 17), the doubting person is "like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind" (v. 6). Such an individual "should not think he will receive anything from the Lord" (v. 7).
Luke 6: 46-49
A Sinking Sand Walk
Matt 7:26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
Doubt is a state of uncertainty or lack of conviction. In other words, “sandy ground”.
To conquer doubt there must be an established and active love relationship with Jesus Christ.A live faith is necessary, faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17). God gave us the Bible as a testimony of His works in the past, so we will have a reason to trust Him in the present.
False Trust- Shaky Ground- Brings Bad Footing. Makes life insecure. Ps 52:1-9, Ps 146:3, Prov. 11:28; 28:26, Isa. 31:1-3, Isa 47:10, Amos 6:1.
Causes that tend to produce backsliding:
Luke 8:13Shallowness-lack of root
John 6:63-66Lack of spiritual insight
2 Tim 4:10Love of the World
Luke 11:24-26Emptiness of Life
1 Kings 11:4Evil associations
Ex. 32:1, 8; 1 Sam15:11 Absence of Spiritual Leadership
2 Chr 25:2, 14; Ps 78:51-57; Hos 6:4 Worldly Success
Faith in God-He will keep you from falling-Jude 24
Matt 16:15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
John 6:67-69, 1Co 2:10; Ga 1:16; Eph 2:8
Doctrine of Baptism
Three sections in this study
Water Baptism
Holy Ghost Baptism
Fire Baptism
Water Baptism
Started with John the Baptist Mk 1:4, Lk 3:3
Purpose of his baptism:
1. To give knowledge of salvation Lk 1:77-78
2. Justify God Lk 7:29-30
3. Guide our feet into the way of peace. Lk 1:79, Matt 3:6
Jesus water baptized-Jn 3:22-26; Jn 4:1-2
Peter & water baptism- Acts 2:37-39; 8:16; 1 Peter 3:20-21
Paul & water baptism- Acts 19:5; 22:16; Rom 6:1-23; 1 Cor 6:11; Titus 3:5
“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee,Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, hecannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5)
Christ’s doctrine of the new birth is built upon the promiseof Ezekiel 36:25-26: “Then will I sprinkle clean waterupon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness,and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heartalso will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you:and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh,and I will give you an heart of flesh.”
Jesus divided the new birth into two componentsin order to explain it. We must bear in mind, however, that the new birth is asingle experience (Ephesians 4:5) consisting of two parts; one part isincomplete without the other. There is only one birth, nottwo.
Eph 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Faith- refers to a belief system, and a set of doctrines.
1 Cor 10:2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
The cloud and the sea symbolize the water and the spirit respectively. You will notice that in Moses day the scripture says baptized; as the sacred rite is treated as one complete unit. Exodus 14:19-31; Acts 10:44-47
Some hermeneutic principles…
The Typical Principle refers to biblical “types.”
A type is a divinely appointed illustration of a particular scriptural truth. It is in the New Testament where Old Testament “types” or illustrations are thus clearly revealed and designated.
The brazen serpent- Num 21:1-9; Jn 3:14-15; Jn 12:32 Side note- 2 Kings 18:1-7
Christ speaks of himself portrayed in the Old Testament:
Luke24:25-44; John 5:39-44
Paul uses sacrificial language speaking of Christ-Eph 5:2
Hebrews 9:9-11, 23-24 – The tabernacle that once was is now realized in a presently heavenly tabernacle of which Christ is the minister of the sanctuary.
New Testament divinely appointed types of water baptism:
Noah’s flood- 1Peter 3:21,
Circumcision- Col 2:11-12
Crossing of the Red Sea- 1 Cor 10:1-2Four things learned concerning this type about water baptism;
1. All experienced this baptism, not just the priest.
2. This baptism occurred only once; there was no need to repeat it.
3. The baptism was part of their deliverance from bondage
4. They were baptized unto their deliverer, Moses.
First Mention Principle- God indicates in the first mention of a subject, the truth with which that subject stands connected in the mind of God. In general, the first time a concept is mentioned in Scripture it carries with it a meaning which will be consistent throughout the entire bible.
Jesus use of this principle- Matt 19:3-9. Jesus goes all the way back to Genesis 2:24 the first statement ever made about how marriage functions to respond to the Pharisees questions.
The first mention principle in conjunction with thetypicalprinciple can be used to reveal scriptural truths concerning water baptism. The first mention of water baptism is in the Old Testament.
1 Peter 3:20-21
20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
What we learn...
1. Baptism is salvific (it has to do with salvation)
2. Baptism is not just a physical cleansing
3. Baptism will be the step taken by the person who has a clear conscience towards God.
4. The benefits of baptism are provided by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The Progressive Mention principle is the principle by which God makes the revelation of any given truth increasingly clear as the Word proceeds to its completion.
The first mention of water baptism was a typical reference involving the patriarch Noah. Now the second mention of water baptism as we proceed through scripture is Apostle Paul referring to another Old Testament event.
Colossians 2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
Paul indicates Old Testament circumcision was a symbol of a greater reality: New Testament baptism. This is the second mention of water baptism in the bible due to it being the next chronological event after the world-wide flood that is said to represent baptism. Nothing in this second mention of baptism contradicts the truth that has been revealed unto us from the first mention of baptism. However we gain added insights of truth.
1. Baptism is not a human work (it is “made without hands”).
2. Baptism results in sin being put off.
3. Baptism is burial with Christ.
4. In baptism we are not only buried with Christ; we also join in His resurrection
5. Baptism is valid only by faith
6. The efficacy of baptism is in “the operation of God” (what God does in baptism, not what man does)
The third mention of baptism in scripture:
1 Cor. 10:1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
Third biblical mention of baptism due to this scripture being the third eventchronologically, which is identified as symbolizing water baptism. No contradictions with truth that has been revealed before but more insight is gained:
1. Baptism is a mark of deliverance and separation from the old life.
2. Baptism is for all who would experience this deliverance and separation.
3. As Israel was baptized unto her deliverer, Moses, so the church is baptized unto her deliverer, Jesus Christ.
So even if we did not have Acts 2:38; and other similar scriptures- we would know the following from the first three mentions of baptism in the bible.
1. Baptism is salvific (it has to do with salvation)
2. Baptism is not just a physical cleansing
3. Baptism will be the step taken by the person who has a clear conscience towards God.
4. The benefits of baptism are provided by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
5. Baptism is not a human work (it is “made without hands”).
6. Baptism results in sin being put off.
7. Baptism is burial with Christ.
8. In baptism we are not only buried with Christ; we also join in His resurrection
9. Baptism is valid only by faith
10. The efficacy of baptism is in “the operation of God” (what God does in baptism, not what man does)
11. Baptism is a mark of deliverance and separation from the old life.
12. Baptism is for all who would experience this deliverance and separation.
13. As Israel was baptized unto her deliverer, Moses, so the church is baptized unto her deliverer, Jesus Christ.
The Full Mention principle- The principle by which God declares all we need to know upon any subject vital to our spiritual life.
Matt. 3:6, 11, 13;
Mark 1:4- “for the remission of sins”
John 3:22; 4:1-2 Baptism performed under the ministry of Jesus by his disciples, who apparently did the baptizing under His authority (in His name).
Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 8:16; 10:48; 19:5; 22:16; Romans 6:3; 1 Cor 1:13.
The Holy Spirit
God is holy (I Peter 1:16). In fact, God alone is holyin Himself. Furthermore, God is a Spirit (John 4:24), andthere is only one Spirit of God (Ephesians 4:4). The Holy
Spirit is God (Acts 5:3-4; I Corinthians 3:16-17 with6:19-20). One of the titles of the Holy Spirit is “Spirit ofGod” (Romans 8:9).
The titles “Holy Ghost” and “Holy Spirit” are interchangeable,with the KJV ordinarily using the former butsometimes the latter (Luke 11:13; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30).
The original Greek text, however, uses only one phrase,pneuma hagion. All major translations since the KJVhave uniformly chosen “Holy Spirit” since it is more