Hebrews Chapter 6
In the beginning verses of this chapter the author explains to the Jewish reader that once he or she has been introduced to the saving grace of Jesus Christ they cannot go back to a practice of religion. The writer is referring to people who had heard the truth that their sins could be forgiven by placing their trust in the Messiah, but they rejected God’s grace and mercy and went back to again practicing religion.
Let's Reflect
1. What are some of the religious practices talked about in the first few verses?
2. You will note that all of these religious practices are things that people could participate in, but yet is not distinctly Christian because the emphasis is not on the saving work of Jesus Christ. Even the baptism mentioned in these verses is a different Greek word (baptismos) which is used to refer to Jewish ceremonial washings. This same word is used in Hebrews 9:10, and Mark 7:4,8 The word used to describe a Christian baptism is (baptizo). This type of baptism is one that follows a decision to follow Christ as a believer that has been cleansed by the Holy Spirit. Can you think of an example today where people practice baptism and call it Christian baptism, but it has more of a meaning similar to baptismos?
3. The writer describes a person who is quite literally moving backwards and rejecting the truth of the gospel that they have heard. What does he say in verse 6 about these people who are fallen away from the truth and cannot be restored, in reality they are doing what?
4. Please do not be confused, he is not talking about someone who is weak in their faith (in the first few verses of the chapter). But in verses 9-12 he is talking about those who have a weak, immature faith. These people need guidance, and they also need to not be what?
5. So what is it that we are placing our faith in? Is it just a religion or empty words written down? No, our faith is in God who keeps His promises always. What Old Testament promise was mentioned in verses 13-15?
6. Because we can see that God keeps His promises from the Old Testament or fulfills those covenants that He made to Old Testament saints, we know that we can trust Him with our future because God cannot break an oath, nor can He do what?
Another encouragement to our faith is that Jesus has become our High Priest FOREVER, a priest like Melchizedek. Who was Melchizedek? He was a priest during the time of Abraham. In chapter 7 we will look further at who Melchizedek was.
