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Hebrews wanted to speak of laying a foundation, as he does in chapter 1:10,
he avoids the verb kataballo and uses the verb themelioo. It will be
recognized, therefore, by the careful student, that the wording and
interpretation of Hebrews 6:1 leaves the interpretation of kataboles kosmou
(Eph. 1:4) to be decided on its merits. Following the word `baptisms' in
verse 2 are the words `of instruction' in the original which is somewhat
peculiar. We might have felt that didache could as well be prefixed to
repentance or faith. There must, therefore, be some reason not quite visible
on the surface, and it appears to be this. Before a believer could be
accepted for baptism and the laying on of hands, he must have already
accepted these four words of the beginning of Christ:
(1)
Repentance from dead works.
(2)
Faith toward God.
(3)
Resurrection of the dead.
(4)
Aionian judgment.
Repentance from Dead Works.-- Repentance is a foundation truth. In 1
Thessalonians 1:9 it is suggested in the words, `how ye turned to God from
idols'. It is manifest that it is not to be contemplated that this act of
turning or repentance was to be repeated. Turning from idols and repentance
from dead works alike, were marks of a great and vital change. To need a
repetition would indicate a most serious lapse.
The references in Hebrews 6 to the impossibility of renewing again unto
repentance, likewise demand careful study, especially as some, through
failure to recognize the dispensational setting of this passage, have
entertained most harmful ideas concerning the falling away of the believer.
It is impossible to be too keenly sensitive to the serious nature of the
failure dealt with in this chapter. To be `dull of hearing', to remain `a
babe', to be satisfied with the `milk' of the word, and to make no advance,
may seem bad but not serious. The inspired apostle takes another view. To
remain a babe is really to go back, and this may be the beginning of
apostasy. Let us see how the Scriptures speak of those who failed to go on
unto perfection:
`It is impossible ... to renew them again unto repentance; if they
should fall away, having crucified again to themselves the Son of God,
and put Him to an open shame' (Heb. 6:4-6 author's translation).
`If we should voluntarily sin after having received the full knowledge
of the truth, there remaineth no more a sacrifice for sins ... having
trampled under foot the Son of God' (Heb. 10:26-29 author's
translation).
We must distinguish between the fact that many, if not all, saints
after conversion lapse into sin of one sort or another, and the falling away
intended here. It is the teaching of the Scriptures that if a man be
overtaken in a fault, the spiritual ones of the church must restore him in a
spirit of meekness, considering themselves lest they also should be tempted
(Gal. 6:1). The exhortations to the seven churches of Revelation 2 and 3,
are further illustrations of the same truth. It is evident that here in the
epistle to the Hebrews something more serious is involved:
`For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have
tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost
(holy spirit), and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of