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Foundational Teachings (Hebrews 6:1-2) On to Full Growth


Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings [baptisms], the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. (Heb 6:1-2 ESV)

Repentance from Dead Works & Faith in God

repentance from dead works and of faith toward God

The basic “milk” of the teaching: the word of grace

We are saved by grace through faith; it has nothing to do with our works. Even our good works are “dead” because we are spiritually dead to God. 

For ye are saved by grace, through faith; and this not of yourselves; it is God's gift: not on the principle of works, that no one might boast. For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God has before prepared that we should walk in them. (Eph 2:8-10) 
but knowing that a man is not justified on the principle of works of law nor but by the faith of Jesus Christ, *we* also have believed on Christ Jesus, that we might be justified on the principle of the faith of Christ; and not of works of law; because on the principle of works of law no flesh shall be justified. (Gal 2:16)
and that I may be found in him, not having my righteousness, which [would be] on the principle of law, but that which is by faith of Christ, the righteousness which [is] of God through faith, (Phil 3:9)

Some common confusing thoughts

Everything good is of God. Try to do good and stop doing bad now that you are a Christian. Keep Christian rules.

The key principle for growth: Life or Death

I am the vine, ye [are] the branches. He that abides in me and I in him, *he* bears much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing. (John 15:4) 
And the commandment, which [was] for life, was found, [as] to me, itself [to be] unto death: (Rom 7:10) 
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and of death. (Rom 8:2) 
I am crucified with Christ, and no longer live, *I*, but Christ lives in me; but [in] that I now live in flesh, I live by faith, the [faith] of the Son of God, who has loved me and given himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness [is] by law, then Christ has died for nothing. (Gal 2:20-21) 
I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness [is] by law, then Christ has died for nothing. (Gal 5:4) 

The Doctrine of Baptisms & the Laying On of Hands

instruction about washings [baptisms], the laying on of hands

The basic “milk” of the teaching: the word of grace

 We are delivered from the power of the world and brought into the church, the family of God.

And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38)
They then that received his word were baptized: and there were added unto them in that day about three thousand souls. (Acts 2:41)
Then they laid their hands upon them, and they received the Holy Spirit. (Acts 8:17)

Some common confusing thoughts

 Does baptism save us? If so…  If not… Do we have the Holy Spirit?

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned. (Mark 16:16)
And the apostles who were in Jerusalem, having heard that Samaria had received the word of God, sent to them Peter and John; who, having come down, prayed for them that they might receive [the] Holy Spirit; for He  was not yet fallen upon any of them, only they were baptised to the name of the Lord Jesus. (Acts 8:14-16)

The key principle for growth: Union & Communion

Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him through baptism unto death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life. For if we are become identified with [him] in the likeness of his death, so also we shall be of [his] resurrection; (Rom 6:3-5)
The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not [the] communion of the blood of the Christ? The bread which we break, is it not [the] communion of the body of the Christ? Because we, [being] many, are one loaf, one body; for we all partake of that one loaf. (1 Cor 10:16-17)
For even as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of the body, being many, are one body, so also [is] the Christ. For also in [the power of] one Spirit *we* have all been baptised into one body (1 Cor 12-13a)

Resurrection from the Dead & Eternal Judgment

the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment

The basic “milk” of the teaching: the word of grace

 We have passed out of the judgment to hell and now have eternal life. We are assured of being in heaven.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, that he that hears my word, and believes him that has sent me, has life eternal, and does not come into judgment, but is passed out of death into life. (John 5:24)
And if any one was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire. (Rev 20:15)
All that the Father gives me shall come to me, and him that comes to me I will not at all cast out. … And this is the will of him that has sent me, that of all that he has given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up in the last day. (John 6:37, 39)

Some common confusing thoughts

 Can I lose my salvation? What about all of the warnings in the Bible? If I am definitely going to heaven then why not live however I want to now?
What then shall we say? Should we continue in sin that grace may abound? (Romans 6:1)

The key principle for growth: Gift & Reward

If the work of any one which he has built upon [the foundation] shall abide, he shall receive a reward. If the work of any one shall be consumed, he shall suffer loss, but *he* shall be saved, but so as through [the] fire. (1 Cor 3:14-15)
For we must all be manifested before the judgment-seat of the Christ, that each may receive the things [done] in the body, according to those he has done, whether [it be] good or evil. (2 Cor 5:10)





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