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,
2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Today’s opening Scripture reveals the need for growth for the believer. It tells us to leave the elementary principles of the doctrine of Christ and 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. However, we cannot go on unto perfection or maturity without first and foremost getting rooted in the foundation of the first principles of Christ. It is these six first principles of Christ that are the steps unto perfection or maturity; they are the risers leading to mastery in the divine or Christian life. We must understand the first principles of Christ in order to reach maturity in Christ, for we cannot go on unto perfection without first laying the foundation of the elementary principles of Christ, which shows how vital these principles are.
The first is ‘Repentance from dead works’ which speaks of a change of mind from dead works, works of the flesh, works of sin unto good works, which are works of faith and love wrought by the strength of the Spirit of God. Dead works are works of the old man or old nature, works of unbelief, and all that which is alien to the nature of God. The second is, ‘Faith toward God’ which speaks of unshaken conviction in God based on the revelation of the Word and the eternal character of God. The third is, ‘Doctrine of baptisms’ which speaks of the baptism into Christ at salvation, baptism in water after salvation, and baptism of the Spirit that flows from within the saved to overwhelm him for strength and power for life and ministry. The fourth is, ‘Laying on of hands’ which talks of laying hands to impart spiritual virtues of blessings, the impartation of grace, the gift and gifts of the Spirit. The fifth is, ‘Resurrection of the dead’ which speaks of the raising of the dead unto life, that they might be judged: the righteous unto immortality and eternal reward, but the unrighteous unto eternal damnation. The sixth is, ‘Eternal judgment’ which speaks of God’s final judgment of all men, both the righteous and the unrighteous: the righteous unto life but the unrighteous unto eternal damnation. God will bring all works and intents to His righteous judgment.
My Solid Front (Confession):
Father, thank You for the understanding of the elementary principles of the doctrine of Christ. I am established in them as I go on to perfection in Jesus’ Name! Amen!
Further Meditation:
Hebrews 5:12-14; Colossians 2:9.