Growing Up In Christ
Hebrews 6:1-3

Hebrews 6:1-3 NIV

Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so.

Hebrews 6:1-3 The Message Bible
So come on, let's leave the preschool finger-painting exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art. Grow up in Christ. The basic foundational truths are in place: turning your back on 'salvation by self-help' and turning toward trust in God; baptismal instructions; laying on of hands; resurrection of the dead; eternal judgment. God helping us, we’ll stay true to all that. But there's so much more. Let's get on with it!

Few Christians today are truly walking in the fullness of these five elementary teachings of Christ:  repentance, faith, baptism, laying on of hands, and eternal judgment. These teachings are the foundational truths; therefore, we must not rush to move on to greater works before apprehending these truths.  Just as one must not move on to college prior to understanding the truths learned in elementary school, we must examine these truths and gain the understanding that Christ wants to build in each of our lives.

Repentance and Faith

Jesus said, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 3:2)  Jesus taught that there are two kingdoms that are in direct opposition:  the kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of light.  When man chose to sin, from that moment on all of mankind was born into the kingdom of darkness and destined for hell.  But God sent His only begotten Son, Jesus that all men would have the opportunity to choose to come out of the darkness and into the light.  God’s desire is for all men to come to repentance and accept the free gift of salvation that is in Christ. 

Ephesians 2:8-9
“For it is by grace that you have been saved through faith and that not of yourselves it is a gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.”

The sacrifice that Jesus gave could never be repaid by human effort.  There is nothing that man could do to earn the right to enter heaven.  All of mans good works are “like filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6) before a Holy God who cannot allow any sin into His presence.  Understanding that regardless of how much you miss the mark, the only payment for sin that God will accept is the blood of Jesus. 

Acts 4:12
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven by which man may be saved.”

 

Jesus paid the full price of sin, that man may chose to enter the kingdom of light.  God’s call is for all men to turn to God in repentance and through faith believe in Him. Repentance is completely turning away from sin.  Literally, repentance is turning from the sin, making a 180-degree turn in the opposite direction and surrendering that area of your life to God.  When man walks in the kingdom of darkness, he is a slave to sin.  But the moment he chooses to enter the kingdom of light, he becomes a new creation in Christ and now has the power to choose to walk away from sin becoming a slave to righteousness.

Instruction about baptism

Baptism is a symbol of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.  After becoming a new creation in Christ through believing on His Name and accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior, we are now called to follow Christ into baptism.  The baptism we enter into is “not the removal of dirt from the body, but a pledge of a good conscience toward God.” (1 Peter 3:21)

"We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."(Romans 6:4)

Baptism is the burying of the old man and resurrecting a new man who is alive unto God. Understanding that baptism is not salvation; faith in Jesus Christ alone saves a man, but baptism is the public profession of that faith. By coming alive in Christ we also become part of the whole body of Christ.  “For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body – whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free – and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.” (1 Corinthians 12:13)

Laying on of hands

The scriptures clearly state that we must “not be hasty in the laying on of hands” (1 Timothy 5:22).  The impartation of the Holy Spirit given through the laying on of hands can be manifested in various forms:  healings, gifts, powers, etc.   

”For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands (2 Timothy 1:6).

 

Before laying hands on someone, we must be certain that it is from the Holy Spirit’s leading.  Also we must be careful who lays their hands in faith upon us because the spirits within a person can be transferred to another.

Eternal Judgment

Eternal judgment determines whether a person will spend eternity in heaven or hell.   Both heaven and hell are reality as man’s soul was created to live forever.  God has given eternal life to all who believe in His only begotten Son, but eternal damnation to all who reject Jesus Christ.  

“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." (John 3:36)

God desires all men to be saved and come to repentance (1 Timothy 2:4), but for those who do not chose Christ, their destiny is equivalent to Satan who is destined for “eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.”(Matthew 25:41) Understand that God did not prepare hell for man, but He cannot allow sin into His presence.  Therefore, if man has not been redeemed by the blood of Christ there is no sacrifice for sin left for him.  God is a righteous judge, and He sent His Son into the world to die that those who believe in Him may be saved.  Even though God loves mankind so much that He would choose to die that all who believe may inherit eternal life; in the same manner, all who reject Jesus Christ as Savior are destined for eternal damnation.