Firstly, Hebrews 6:1-2 is describing Judaism, which provide types that were equivalent to the ABCs that a child uses to begin to form words.
The word "baptisms" is actually talking about washings under Judaism, not water baptism.
Secondly, I believe baptism is a command that should be honored. However it doesn't convey grace like you are suggesting. This view is called baptismal regeneration, and it is a heresy.
Thirdly, I believe in obedience to all commandments that are relevant to the believer.
By the way, does your group (whatever it is) observe laying on of hands? One interesting dilemma that Campbellites have is that they don't lay hands on believers after baptism, because they don't believe that there are any apostles today that can do this. However, they are sticklers about the water baptism thing.
Here's some notes from MacArthur's study bible on Heb 6:1-2:
Hebrews 6:1-2 Heb. 6:1 leave. This “leave” does not mean to despise or abandon the basic doctrines. They are the place to start, not stop. They are the gate of entrance on the road to salvation in Christ. elementary doctrine of Christ. As “the oracles of God” in 5:12 refers to the OT, so does this phrase. The writer is referring to basic OT teaching that prepared the way for Messiah—the beginning teaching about Christ. This OT “doctrine” includes the six features listed in 6:1–2. go on to maturity. Salvation by faith in Messiah Jesus. See note on 5:14. The verb is passive, so as to indicate “let us be carried to salvation.” That is not a matter of learners being carried by teachers, but both being carried forward by God. The writer warns his Jewish readers that there is no value in stopping with the OT basics and repeating (“laying again”) what was only intended to be foundational. repentance from dead works. This OT form of repentance is the turning away from evil deeds that bring death (cf. Ezek. 18:4; Rom. 6:23) and turning to God. Too often the Jew only turned to God in a superficial fashion—fulfilling the letter of the law as evidence of his repentance. The inner man was still dead (Matt. 23:25–28; Rom. 2:28–29). Such repentance was not the kind that brought salvation (Heb. 6:6 12:17; cf. Acts 11:18; 2 Cor. 7:10). Under the New Covenant, however, “repentance toward God” is coupled with “faith in our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21). Christ’s atoning sacrifice saves from “dead works” (Heb. 9:14; cf. John 14:6). faith toward God. Faith directed only toward the Father is unacceptable without faith in his Son, Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12; cf. James 2:14–20).
Heb. 6:2 washings. In the OT Levitical system, there were many ceremonial cleansings, which were outward signs of heart cleansing (cf. Ex. 30:18–21; Lev. 16:4 24 26 28; Mark 7:4 8). The New Covenant called for an inner washing (Titus 3:5) that regenerated the soul. laying on of hands. Under the Old Covenant, the person who brought a sacrifice placed his hands on it to symbolize his identification with it as a substitute sacrifice for sin (Lev. 1:4 3:8 13 16:21). There could also be a reference here to solemn priestly blessings (cf. Matt. 19:13). resurrection . . . and eternal judgment. The Pharisees believed in the resurrection from the dead (Acts 23:8) but were still spiritually dead (Matt. 23:27). They also believed in the judgment of God and were headed for it. It is significant that all of the doctrines listed in Heb. 6:1–2 can be associated with the Pharisees, who were attracted to and sometimes associated with Jesus (Luke 7:36–50 13:31 14:1; John 3:1). Paul was a Pharisee before his conversion (Phil. 3:5). The Pharisees were products of the pursuit of righteousness by works of the law rather than by faith (Rom. 9:30–32 10:1–3). A portion of the Hebrews to whom this epistle was written may have been Pharisees.
(MacArthur Study Notes (ESV))
The word "baptisms" is actually talking about washings under Judaism, not water baptism.
Secondly, I believe baptism is a command that should be honored. However it doesn't convey grace like you are suggesting. This view is called baptismal regeneration, and it is a heresy.
Thirdly, I believe in obedience to all commandments that are relevant to the believer.
By the way, does your group (whatever it is) observe laying on of hands? One interesting dilemma that Campbellites have is that they don't lay hands on believers after baptism, because they don't believe that there are any apostles today that can do this. However, they are sticklers about the water baptism thing.
Here's some notes from MacArthur's study bible on Heb 6:1-2:
Hebrews 6:1-2 Heb. 6:1 leave. This “leave” does not mean to despise or abandon the basic doctrines. They are the place to start, not stop. They are the gate of entrance on the road to salvation in Christ. elementary doctrine of Christ. As “the oracles of God” in 5:12 refers to the OT, so does this phrase. The writer is referring to basic OT teaching that prepared the way for Messiah—the beginning teaching about Christ. This OT “doctrine” includes the six features listed in 6:1–2. go on to maturity. Salvation by faith in Messiah Jesus. See note on 5:14. The verb is passive, so as to indicate “let us be carried to salvation.” That is not a matter of learners being carried by teachers, but both being carried forward by God. The writer warns his Jewish readers that there is no value in stopping with the OT basics and repeating (“laying again”) what was only intended to be foundational. repentance from dead works. This OT form of repentance is the turning away from evil deeds that bring death (cf. Ezek. 18:4; Rom. 6:23) and turning to God. Too often the Jew only turned to God in a superficial fashion—fulfilling the letter of the law as evidence of his repentance. The inner man was still dead (Matt. 23:25–28; Rom. 2:28–29). Such repentance was not the kind that brought salvation (Heb. 6:6 12:17; cf. Acts 11:18; 2 Cor. 7:10). Under the New Covenant, however, “repentance toward God” is coupled with “faith in our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21). Christ’s atoning sacrifice saves from “dead works” (Heb. 9:14; cf. John 14:6). faith toward God. Faith directed only toward the Father is unacceptable without faith in his Son, Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12; cf. James 2:14–20).
Heb. 6:2 washings. In the OT Levitical system, there were many ceremonial cleansings, which were outward signs of heart cleansing (cf. Ex. 30:18–21; Lev. 16:4 24 26 28; Mark 7:4 8). The New Covenant called for an inner washing (Titus 3:5) that regenerated the soul. laying on of hands. Under the Old Covenant, the person who brought a sacrifice placed his hands on it to symbolize his identification with it as a substitute sacrifice for sin (Lev. 1:4 3:8 13 16:21). There could also be a reference here to solemn priestly blessings (cf. Matt. 19:13). resurrection . . . and eternal judgment. The Pharisees believed in the resurrection from the dead (Acts 23:8) but were still spiritually dead (Matt. 23:27). They also believed in the judgment of God and were headed for it. It is significant that all of the doctrines listed in Heb. 6:1–2 can be associated with the Pharisees, who were attracted to and sometimes associated with Jesus (Luke 7:36–50 13:31 14:1; John 3:1). Paul was a Pharisee before his conversion (Phil. 3:5). The Pharisees were products of the pursuit of righteousness by works of the law rather than by faith (Rom. 9:30–32 10:1–3). A portion of the Hebrews to whom this epistle was written may have been Pharisees.
(MacArthur Study Notes (ESV))
-
1
- Show all
