Grace Bible Church

"For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." Hebrews 5:12-14

One of the great tragedies of christianity from the cross of our LORD unto this present hour is the constant tension between two allegiances. Between Moses and Christ, Between Law and Grace, Between Works and Faith. It appears that while men slept an enemy has come into the church and sowed the tares of doubt concerning the absolute efficacy of Grace. The complete satisfaction of Christ’s atoning work, and the simplicity of the Gospel of faith in Christ alone.

These unbelievers no matter how sincere or earnest they may appear, must be identified as corrupters of the word of GOD. "For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ." (2 Corinthians 2:17). The three Divine Persons, have but one enemy. This one enemy is our enemy. He is both mortal and Angelic. He is the enemy of the cross of Jesus Christ. "For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things." Philippians 3:18,19. God only has one enemy because there is only one issue in controversy, the cross of his Son, and will you bow to it!

The great sorrow of heart apparent in the efforts of the Hebrew writer is that the Hebrew church is halting between two opinions and stand in doubt of the Person and work of Jesus Christ. A firm rebuke is yielded in verse 12 which will be the basis of our study on the subject of Grace. We will proceed forward and backwards in the chapters as necessary to ascertain the breadth and scope of the significance of warning these Hebrews not to depart from Christ (the Person) to return to Moses (the Picture) and thus show themselves reprobate concerning the faith. These Hebrews should have been teachers of Christ. They should have been preachers of the righteousness of GOD. But they were unskillful in the word of righteousness. This word of righteousness is not the ten commandments. It is not sabbath keeping. It is not sacrifices and offerings. It is not prayer. It is not worshipping twice a day. The word of righteousness is not what you do.

The works of the Law call for personal obedience. It demands that you perform all things written there in to do them. "And the law is not of faith: but The man that doeth them shall live in them." (Galatians 3:12). "But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right, And hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, neither hath defiled his neighbour’s wife, neither hath come near to a menstruous woman, And hath not oppressed any, but hath restored to the debtor his pledge, hath spoiled none by violence, hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment; he that hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase, that hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, hath executed true judgment between man and man, Hath walked in my statues, and hath kept my judgments, to deal truly; he is just, he shall surely live, saith the Lord GOD." (Ezekiel 18:5-9). And the list is endless of the commands of Holy GOD as given under the administration of Moses, as to what a man must personally do to stand just before GOD, such as the ten commandments. These are the things that a man, women or child, must do to be just as Ezekiel says before GOD personally.

This is a righteousness, but it is not the righteousness of which we speak. It is the righteousness of the Law. But the righteousness of GOD apart from the works of the Law is made manifest, his name is Jesus Christ. This is the word of righteousness that the Hebrews were destitute of as so many Hebrews today. The Apostle condemns them as retarded spiritually. They were unseasoned, and without the fruit of Grace in the knowledge of Christ. Everything is beautiful in its time saith the preacher, but like the fig tree which Christ saw afar off having no fruit when He came to it, so these Hebrews were fruitless in the knowledge of Christ. "And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God." (Philipians 1:9-11).

The Jews had long been under the tutor and governor of Moses and Aaron. They had for 1500 years been exercised in the catechism of the ceremonial Law. The prophets and the priest every sabbath day preached to them Moses. "For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day." (Acts 15:21). All of it designed to bring them to Christ as a nation, in their theology and in their worship. But they refused to grow up. They refused to let go of the training wheels of the old economy, and the scaffolding of that system of works that were only designed to preserve them unto Christ. But much like a five year old child who should have long ago let off with the bottle, or the teenager who still wets in his pants or the adult who still depends upon his parents for support when he should be weaned and independent, Israel as these Hebrews, love the picture more than the person. They love the temple and the sacrifices instead of him who was greater than these. And when He came unto his own his own received him not. It is an odious thing to be a child when we should be adults.

Let us then understand what is meant by the phrase, for he is a babe, from the Jewish perspective, from the standpoint of Israel. A babe means to be still in bondage to the Law. "Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father." (Galatians 4:1-2). The word child here is our word neepios. It is the word babe in our text Hebrews 5 vs. 13. The Apostle is clearly teaching that until Grace is poured out into the soul, though one is a Jew outwardly as these Israelites to whom and by whom Christ came, they were no different than the heathen who bowed down to Baal, or Ashtaroth, they both were still slaves, servants of sin and in bondage under the elements of the world. "Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:" (Galatians 4:3). But should the most high GOD rain blessings from above and send forth the spirit of Christ into our heart, whether Jew or Gentile, we by an act of free Grace are redeemed from the bondage of sin and error, from the weak and beggarly elements of the world, where unto our eyes are bowed down to the earth.

"They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly. They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;" (Psalm 17:10-11). The psalmist here is speaking of those who hate Christ. Those who hate the message of Grace and the servants of Christ. And as it was with the Jews in Christ’s day. And as it was with the Jews and Hebrews in the days of the Apostles, so it is now with those who profess that they know him but in works deny him. These ought to be teachers but have need to be taught once again what the principles of the oracles of GOD were designed for and to what end they should accomplish. As we conclude with today’s study let it be clearly understood what is in view in the book of Hebrews. It is the damnable sin of unbelief. "For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it." ( Hebrews 4:2). "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God." (Hebrews 3:12). "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins," (Hebrews 10:26). "Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul." (Hebrews 10:38-39).

My point in concluding. Many churches today are very much like these Hebrews. Their worship, their message, their doctrine, their practice is that of will worship and unbelief, legalism and works. It is a False faith, built upon a False Gospel with a False Christ. All of it rooted in unbelief, in the full efficacious free and sovereign Grace of GOD in Christ, as presented in the simplicity of the Gospel, given to his Apostles and then to us who believe. And until men let go of the picture and embrace the person their soul and the souls of all of their auditors, no matter how sincere, studious, and zealous, worship GOD in vain, and shall perish without faith.

"For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe." Hebrews 5:13

As we open up our discussion once again let us recapitulate. (1) The Hebrews were considered babes. They obviously were tottering to and fro like a fence post that had no depth of root. When the wind blew its instability was manifest. They said, is Christ enough or no, or should I let him go? The temple I can see and feel, to make the God I serve more real. Such is the weak and wavering mind of an infant, a child, one who is unskillful in the word of righteousness. The Apostle has laid down the rule of life for the believers. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. (Hebrews 10:38). From Adam until Christ comes again this is the rule of life for the just.

From Adam to Moses there was no temple, no carnal ordinances, no priesthood, no sacrifices, just the word of The LORD, which liveth and abideth forever. Isn’t that enough? Not for these Hebrews. The word of faith which Paul preached, fell into ill repose when the persecution came. "But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in they heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;" (Romans 10:8). When as our Master said "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?" (Matthew 10:22-25). The Romans persecuting you on one side and the Jews on the other, what will you do? The Apostle knew of the difficulty, and in love with the people of GOD, he would do the very best job he could to exalt Christ. To reveal Christ in all of his glorious offices to these faint hearted Hebrews, and because of his theological brilliance, not to mention being inspired by the Holy Ghost, the book of Hebrews is self contained. Its arguments, its purpose, its propositions, and the conclusion, are all to be found within the book.

The question for the Hebrew of his day and ours is, Who do you love, the picture or the person? As we said last time the Hebrews should have been teachers of Christ, having been disciplined in the First principles of the oracles of GOD. Which is the old testament ceremonial code, and the Law of commands contained in ordinances. All of the sacrifices, all of the washings or old testament immersion which were Jewish baptisms, all of the dietary codes, etc., should have driven them to its higher purpose and significance. "Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me," (Psalm 40:7). But the veil being still over their hearts, when He who was greater than the temple, Solomon, and Moses did come, they comprehended him not, and jealous for the picture they crucified the person.

The milk of the word in this case, refers to the weak and beggarly elements that are compatible to those who are not of full age, again Judaism, who had not yet been weaned from the breast and drawn from the milk. "Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts." (Isaiah 28:9). Remember to be a child is to drink milk, in order that one may grow. Israel should have grown to maturity (full age) when Christ came. They should have been prepared for the meat of the gospel truth. When Christ said, I am the way, the life and the truth, when He said, except you eat my flesh and drink my blood, you have no life in you. When He said no man comes unto the Father but by me, this was meat too heavy for the Jews infant mind. "These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?" (John 6:59-60). "From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him." (John 6:66).

Christ alone apart from works is meat, designed to make a strong body out of a mature man. "Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:" (Ephesians 4:13). "No more children That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;" (Ephesians 4:14). You see what I’m saying. But persecution will always spy out the hypocrite. "The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure. Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off." (Isaiah 33:14-17).

Do you see the King in his beauty? The word neepios literally means unable to speak. Like Jeremiah who confessed when the LORD called him, "Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child." (Jeremiah 1:6). Obviously if one is not able to speak he cannot be an ambassador of Christ. It takes a mouth with words, to beseech men to be reconciled to GOD. And it takes a message, the message that GOD was in Christ reconciling the world to himself not imputing their trespasses to them. This is a hard saying but it is gospel truth. GOD in the person of Jesus Christ has long ago reconciled elect sinners to himself in their federal head Jesus Christ. Long ago on the cross of Golgotha, God had made peace between him and the sinner. "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement." (Romans 5:8-11).

Salvation is what Christ accomplished at Calvary. Redemption accomplished was the work of the cross. Not your receiving it. Not your accepting Christ, or seeking him, or whatever. The work of justification is Salvation. The man, woman or child that has been justified by the blood of his cross, is at that point in the scheme of redemption saved. "Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him." (Romans 5:9). He has but to experience the sanctifying work of the Spirit in regeneration that gives him life and faith in Christ, through the preaching of the gospel. "Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began," (2 Timothy 1:8-9).

Do you see it? The experience of grace is one thing. Grace in its work of Salvation, in Christ is another. To be sure it is all of Grace, but what we experience is a by product of the great work of our Saviour. The accomplishment of redemption at Calvary is destined to application at the time appointed of GOD in the life of the elect. It is the message of faith in Christ that the spirit uses as the instrument of saving faith in the sinner. Who in turn will let everything go for Christ. That’s what you do when you love someone. They Follow Christ. That which these Hebrews were about to depart from. And the Apostle diagnoses them as being untried (a piros) in this word of righteousness. It did not fill them. It was not meat for them. Like the armour of Saul on David, untried, so that David had no confidence in them. Even so these Hebrews had no confidence in the message of faith alone without the scaffolding of Moses. They needed someone to hold them by the hand. Someone they could confess to, to pray to, who would console them. Someone they could see. A vicar, a pope, a father, that special man of God for them. Anyone but a Christ who is in the heavens, with whom it demands faith to see and hear. These trues are the strong meat. Trues of the gospel way. Meat for those whose senses have been exercised to discern between good and evil. The goodness of Grace and truth in Christ and the evil of damnation which works by the Law. He that is of full age (maturity) understands these things. Next time we shall consider Chapter 6:1-3.

"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, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit." Hebrews 6:1-3

Now what is it then that the Apostle instructs these slothful students of the scriptures to do? Leave! Leave off with the picture. Verses 1-3 of Hebrews 6 is a reference to the old testament principles pointing at Christ in the dead works of sacrificial offerings. Dead works in that they had no saving virtue in them.

David a man of faith was raised above the carnal ordinance of sacrifices to see what was acceptable with GOD. Not the blood of bulls and goats, but the blood of Jesus Christ without spot and blemish. "For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise." (Psalm 50:16-17).

And this speaks first of that humble servant who was meek and lonely of heart. Jesus Christ his heart, his work and his brokenness alone is accepted with the Father. I suggest that you give that heart to GOD if ever you shall be heard of him. This too is the only way your guilty sin stained conscience can be free of the condemnation of the Law. "For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" (Hebrews 9:13-14).

Do you see it? It takes the same GOD that places the burden of guilt upon the condemned sinners conscience by the Law, to remove it by the proper and acceptable sacrifice. The blood of his Son, to be brought to GOD by faith alone. David knew that the mere ritual and formality of orthodox worship was not acceptable with GOD. His heart still condemned him. GOD was greater than his heart, and pressed out of his servant this eternal truth, sacrifices and offerings thou wouldst not. True repentance is a work of Grace, not a work of the Law. Real genuine repentance is exactly what faith in Christ does. Turn you from the futility and emptiness of works to serve the true and the living GOD.

The Apostle here warns the Hebrews and todays Hebrews that Moses is dead. He died in the wilderness along with Aaron and Miriam, and is vanishing away in the faith eye of those who see Jesus Christ only. Faith toward God is what the carnal ordinances tutored, as one was to look beyond the type, the ceremony to the promise that is conveyed. But men, as it was then also now stumble at the sign. There is no efficacy in signs, no power. The stop sign calls for one to stop. It however, can not stop the person that refuses to yield and the consequences are too frequently evident. So too, sacrifices and washings, are of themselves dead, and possess no sacramental virtues as alleged by the catholics and some branches of reformed theology.

Verse 2 of the doctrine of Baptisms, laying on of hands, and of resurrection from the dead. These are old testament ceremonies. Baptism? Yes. The priests were called to constant washings of complete oblation in order to prepare to minister in the temple. "And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shalt wash them with water." (Exodus 29:4). This was no sprinkling. It was a thorough bathing. The same word is used for what Bathsheba was doing when David viewed her. "And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon." (2 Samuel 11:2). Also that leper, who signified a totally depraved sinner, was to wash completely in order to be considered cleansed. "And he that is to be cleansed shall wash his clothes, and shave off all his hair, and wash himself in water, that he may be clean: and after that he shall come into the camp, and shall tarry abroad out of his tent seven days." (Leviticus 14:8). Again, "And if any man’s seed of copulation go out from him, then he shall wash all his flesh in water, and be unclean until the even." (Leviticus 15:16).

To follow these commands of washings in the old testament is to see the extent to which the Israelites were to regard cleansing, signifying once again, their depravity. So it was that the Pharisee’s were obsessed with washing. They washed their hands off continually and rigorously. They bathed totally (immersed) when they came from the market place. "For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables." (Mark 7:3-4). They took these external cleansings so far as to question our LORD’S holiness because he ate with sinners, who touched him also. "Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner." (Luke 7:39). By cleaving to the sign they missed the substance. By holding to the picture they rejected the person.

Laying on of hands, was done to all sin offerings. It represented the transfer of sins. It taught the doctrine of substitution, pointing to the vicarious substitutionary work of Jesus Christ on the behalf of guilty sinners. "And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness:" (Leviticus 16:21). Christ here is the scape goat. The fit man -- that is the redeemer who takes away our sin, is Christ also.

Also laying on of hands was to install and, confer authority upon office bearers. "And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him;" (Numbers 27:18). Also the laying on of hands signified condemnation and death. The one upon whom the hand would be laid was subject to punishment. "Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp; and let all that heard him lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him." (Leviticus 24:14).

That the old testament taught the doctrine of the resurrection is seen also in the ceremony. "Then shall the priest command to take for him that is to be cleansed two birds alive and clean, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop: And the priest shall command that one of the birds be killed in an earthen vessel over running water: As for the living bird, he shall take it, and the cedar wood, and the scarlet, and the hyssop, and shall dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water: And he shall sprinkle upon him that is to be cleansed from the leprosy seven times, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the living bird loose into the open field. And he that is to be cleansed shall wash his clothes, and shave off all his hair, and wash himself in water, that he may be clean: and after that he shall come into the camp, and shall tarry abroad out of his tent seven days. But it shall be on the seventh day, that he shall shave all his hair off his head and his beard and his eyebrows, even all his hair he shall shave off: and he shall wash his clothes, also he shall wash his flesh in water, and he shall be clean. And on the eighth day he shall take two he lambs without blemish, and one ewe lamb of the first year without blemish, and three tenth deals of fine flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, and one log of oil. And the priest that maketh him clean shall present the man that is to be made clean, and those things, before the LORD, at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: And the priest shall take one he lamb, and offer him for a trespass offering, and the log of oil, and wave them for a wave offering before the LORD: And he shall slay the lamb in the place where he shall kill the sin offering and the burnt offering, in the holy place: for as the sin offering is the priest’s, so is the trespass offering: it is most holy: And the priest shall take some of the blood of the trespass offering, and the priest shall put it upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot: And the priest shall take some of the log of oil, and pour it into the palm of his own left hand: And the priest shall dip his right finger in the oil that is in his left hand, and shall sprinkle of the oil with his finger seven times before the LORD: And of the rest of the oil that is in his hand shall the priest put upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot, upon the blood of the trespass offering:" (Leviticus 14:4-17).

The two birds in our account stand as representatives of that leper, who was as a dead man. His condemnation was seen in the death of the one bird, and his resurrection is seen in the bird that was let loose and free in the open field. The cleansing of this leper signified the work of grace accomplished at Calvary for the elect, whom Christ, signified by the bird that was killed over running water. The bird and the running water pointing to the fact that Christ the lamb slain, the sacrifice was under divine appointment. The living bird was the risen LORD and the leper. Who also has risen from the dead with Christ, now free from the bondage of his sins. This is free Grace, that totally frees the sinner from his sin. The articles in this ordinance of cleansing should have brought great joy to the leper if he could recognize what it signified for him in Christ.

Of eternal judgment, it is plain that every death of every sacrifice pointed at the penalty of sin. Death was a constant reality in the sacrifice of bullocks, heifers and goats as they were slaughtered in the atonement of sin. The wages of sin is death.

You see all these were clearly set forth and taught in the old testament, and they were the first principle of the doctrines of Christ. But we must leave the first principles of the old covenant tutor to embrace the perfection of the gospel, Jesus Christ. And the one skillful in the word of righteousness must abandon all of these pictures and point directly at Jesus Christ, just as John the baptist did when Christ was revealed to him.

"Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:" Colossians 1:28 "And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:" Colossians 2:10

Let us go on to perfection, and consider this plain statement. "For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect." (Hebrews 10:1). A right and proper presentation of the gospel and its ordinances must necessarily point men and women to Christ, and their faith must be placed firmly in the work of Christ, not the work of the Holy Ghost or of the Father, but of Christ. Men are accepted of the Father only through Christ. And they are brought to the Son if indeed it is the work of the Spirit, whose duty it is to reveal Christ to and in lost sinners, elect unto salvation.

The great tragedy of the Church today is their departure from Christ. Christ Jesus is not the sum total of their religion, their message, their life, He's a part of it; and a very little part at that. This reveals an absence of the work of the Spirit present in any church whose emphasis is anything else than Jesus Christ. For the Christian Christ is their life. "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God." (Colossians 3:1). The Apostle warns of the logical consequences of departing from Christ and returning to legal bondage. "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, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame." (Hebrews 6:4-6). The point of verses 4-6 is not one of a loss of Grace, but rather a loss of an opportunity to the Grace of GOD.

The point that is stressed in this great book is the once for all sacrifice for sin. "For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation." (Hebrews 9:26-28). Listen, Jesus Christ came one time, He died one time, Men and women believe efficaciously one time, and thats it. There is not to be a falling away from Christ and coming to him again. That is not possible. What kind of work would that be? Whose authorship may we attribute this hit and miss theology? Certainly not GOD! Especially in the work of Salvation. "I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him." (Ecclesiastes 3:14).

The work of Grace is a perfect work. "Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you." (Philippians 3:15). So the elect are those that every where in the new testament are called perfect. "Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:" (1 Corinthians 2:6). "Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God." (Colossians 4:12). "I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me." (John 17:23). "Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." (Hebrews 13:21). And many more.

Not that those who are appointed to salvation by Jesus Christ, stand without sin and infirmity. They certainly do. They possess in themselves all the imperfections that sin affords any man. But their faith in its nature is perfect. The object of their faith is perfect. The work accomplished on their behalf in Christ is perfect. So that the Father looks upon his elect as perfect. Without spot or blemish. The work of Grace in the believer, that of regeneration, whose principle fruit is that of faith in Christ is a perfect work.

None born of the Spirit can die. So likewise they cannot be separated from the cross of Christ from which flows all of their blessedness. The faith of the elect is more clad to the cross of Christ than two pieces of steel welded together. And his seed will always remain in him and in this way he cannot sin. He cannot depart from Christ! It is impossible. The hypothesis is however, that if he could, if some how the child of GOD could spurn his birthright of grace, Christ would have to be crucified all over again. That shall not be and cannot be.

So what is being taught is to depart from Christ in the doctrine of Grace. To reject the message that Messiah has actually come and put away sin by the sacrifice of himself, is to depart from any hope of eternal life since there is no one else coming to take away sin. This passage corresponds with Hebrews 10:26, "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,". To sin wilfully is to presumptuously return to Judaism as though everything they have heard of the Messiah by his Apostles were a farce, a joke. It did not happen. As though Christ did not die successfully for offenses and be raised again for justification. And everyone who saw Jesus of Nazareth after his resurrection was duped or collaborated with the Apostles to propagate a lie about Jesus, when in reality he did not rise from the dead, but his body was stolen and we don't know where they have laid him. This is in effect what one embraces and confesses when they return to Moses. Apart from Christ there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin.

Before we go on in the 6th chapter let us consider the efforts that the Apostle put in the previous chapters that lead to this summarization suggested in the 6th chapter.

He opens the Epistle plainly setting forth the dispensation of GOD in the revelation of truth to the Fathers of old. "GOD, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets," (Hebrews 1:1). The old testament is called the Law and the prophets. "And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself." (Luke 24:27). "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil." (Matthew 5:17). "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets." (Matthew 7:12). "On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." (Matthew 22:40).

GOD was pleased to communicate and reveal himself in the various methods seen in the old testament dreams, visions, prophecies, etc. Angel visitation was in vogue at that time. But the means whereby he would communicate in these last days to his people would be strictly in Jesus Christ. That is, Christ Jesus, incarnate GOD. The one born of Mary whose work is fully recorded in the four evangelists. That record of his birth, life, death and resurrection is the message of GOD to sinners today. Not that, as we said before the old testament did not contain the gospel. It most certainly did. All the scriptures pointed to Christ. But the Christ of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John; the Christ of the Apostle Paul is the very Christ prophesied of old. This is the contention. We preach Jesus of Nazareth. This is the very Christ of GOD.

This Jesus of Nazareth is GOD'S SON. It is he to whom we must bow. He is appointed heir of all things, and he made the world. This is Apostolic doctrine. "For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:" (Colossians 1:16). "And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:" (Ephesians 3:9). "And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life." (1 John 5:20).

This is the understanding of all the elect. GOD was manifest in the flesh. The writer to the Hebrews starts his sermon out with the Deity of Jesus Christ. The whole of the chapter is devoted to it. His excellency exceeds that of the angels. "Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they." (Hebrews 1:4). GOD has highly exalted him. He hath the preeminence in the thoughts of the Apostle. And it appears that the apostle wishes to make clear the majesty of Christ in this First chapter. Also verse 2 teaches us of the work of redemption. That Christ by himself, apart from the cooperation of sinners, apart from the free will, imaginary free will of the sinner to choose Christ, has put away sin and sat down. This is the truth of the gospel. Many many armenians utterly miss this point. The putting away of sins is done.

Its done. From the cross to this present hour it remaineth only to be revealed to designated sinners what Christ has done for them while they were yet sinners. When the Spirit gives life to a dead sinner, he also gives him faith in the testimony. Faith in the blood is the experience of Grace within. And the whole of chapter 1 is devoted to affirming the Deity of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. The easy access to so many an old testament passage to the subject is proof that the volume was written of Him. And it appears by the reference to angels both in chapters 1 and 2 that the Hebrews were caught up in the same vanity of angelology that the Colossians were in chapter 2 verse 18. The Apostle instructs them in the proper service and ministry of Angels. Angels cannot make men sin. Therefore they cannot redeem them. Angels also cannot cohabit with mankind to produce some strange flesh so called as alleged by those who interpret Genesis 6 in such away. They minister to men. They were designed for this purpose.

Even Jesus the Son of GOD, as a man was ministered to by Angels as the second Adam being fully man in need of his Fathers care. "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: (Matthew 3:11). "And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him." (Luke 22:43). An unfathomable truth. The voluntary submission of GOD'S Son to abandon himself to his Father and glorify Him by a walk of faith and obedience. He said nothing or did nothing of himself. He did only his fathers will, setting a pattern of testimony to what GOD requires of his sons. "Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise." (John 5:19).

In this way did He empty himself, or rather veiled his own glory until his work of redemption was accomplished. "I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was." (John 17:4-5).

Chapter 2 opens up with the solemn warning worthy of the ears of the whole general assembly. Every sinner within ear shot of this warning should take heed how he hear. The passage can be rendered this way. Because of what has just been declared we must give our minds over to the constant meditation upon and diligent consideration of, both in prayer and the attendance of the word, concerning the things of which we have specifically heard. Lest the message of Jesus Christ, the only gospel of salvation, leak out of us like a vessel with holes in it, and we be found lacking.

Sinners from the foundation of the world will perish for their sin and according to the light that was in them. Sodom and Gomorrah is a chilling example of the vengeance of hell fire upon sinners. But men and women who have heard the gospel such as national Israel will suffer greater punishment than them. And those who sit in churches today especially gospel churches and hear the message of the gospel and remain inpenitent will experience the depths of hell and the severest punishment for rejecting so great a light as the glorious light of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is exceeding wickedness to remain obstinate at so clear a testimony of escape. To refuse the simplicity and sufficiency of GOD'S love. LORD have mercy.

It appears that verses 4, 5 speak of the newness of the message. Recognizing that what our LORD was preaching and subsequently his Apostles, was a first; it was new wine. It was a new and living way, confirmed by many divine proofs, apostolic proofs. Which also will leave the world of detractors without excuse but a greater witness against them.

Verse 5 through the end of the chapter is a proof of Christ's humanity. That He was the man under whom all things would be subject. And that GOD was ordained long ago and prophesied in the eighth Psalm to put on our nature and redeem his sons, his children, his brethren, the children whom the LORD had given him.

The atoning work of Jesus Christ was not for the world. While according to verse 9, "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man." (Hebrews 2:9). He tasted death as a man. He was representative of only those by whom his suffering would serve their eternal glory. "For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings." (Hebrews 2:10). Again the litany of verses prove that Jesus Christ of Nazareth was the promised seed of Abraham. "For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham." (Hebrews 2:16). His atoning work not only accomplished redemption but destroyed the works of the devil. "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;" (Hebrews 2:14).

It appears that the devil has power to kill. This truth is affirmed by other scripture such as, "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matthew 10:28). Here he works through evil and wicked men who oppose the gospel and GOD's servants. "And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life." (Job 2:6). The passage clearly teaches that death is an enemy of man. It is in the power of the devil to take life, but only at the permission of GOD. No life can be expired except GOD permit. So that while in those special cases where the devil is directly involved in this matter of taking life GOD has allowed and superintended the act, though the devil be the direct instrumentality. However in the case of our study, the destruction of the works of the devil are those things that lead up to death, namely sin. In the blinding of mens hearts and directing them in the way of error, and in the paths of destruction, as with Adam and Eve, and all the children of the disobedience in whom the prince of the air works.

The redemption in Christ by application of the Spirit removes, the veil of darkness so that sinners see the path of destruction. They depart by Grace from the paths of iniquity and walk in his way. They tend to the things above, to life, to Christ. He gives them life and they shall never perish. So the works of the devil are destroyed, and hell is swallowed up by, Jesus Christ. And the elect go over dry shod in Christ to glory. This is called redemption and reconciliation. "Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted." (Hebrews 2:17-18).

Chapter 3 the writer juxtaposesa Moses to Christ and speaks of two houses. This principle must be carefully regarded. Moses has a house, and Christ has a house. Which house are you in? The answer lies in your confidence. For this the question raised to these Hebrews.

"Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house." Hebrews 3:1,2

Here we are! The Apostle has put the issue right back in the face of the Hebrews. Are you a Hebrew? Then here is what the Apostle has asked you to do; consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus.

What a wise word. Here has been the whole objective of the Apostle from the start, to consider Christ. The word consider, means to behold. "For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was." (James 1:23, 24). "When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight: and as he drew near to behold it, the voice of the Lord came unto him, Saying, I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Then Moses trembled, and durst not behold." (Acts 7:31, 32).

To behold the Apostle sent from the Father and to behold the High Priest present with the Father is exactly what all GOD's people will do. They have no interest in anyone else. They are willing and ready to consider, ponder, heed, and follow that man sent from GOD, Jesus Christ. For they know that when they behold him, they are beholding the Lamb that took away their sin.

The Apostle has already identified Jesus Christ as the last word to men from GOD. If we refuse to hear him we have no hope of eternal life. That man or woman is greatly misled to believe that GOD will have anything to do with them if they lightly esteem his Son. If they place anything or any one with or above him, they stand as objects of GOD's displeasure and wrath. The Apostle also has established Christ's Deity and redeemer-hood, so that He ought to be the more earnestly heeded. Now the Apostle's goal is to teach the Hebrews, right where it ought to be the most offensive, the most effective in getting their attention, at Moses. You see they were proud to be Moses disciples. "Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses' disciples." (John 9:28). They ruled under Moses' administration. "Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:" (Matthew 23:2). And they trusted in Moses. "Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father; there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust." (John 5:45).

But you see child of GOD, Moses' house was complete when Christ appeared. Christ was the capstone of the old testament and He is the foundation stone of the new testament. "The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes." (Psalm 118:22,23). As soon as the eternal SON of GOD took on our nature, Moses' house, rule, way, and Moses' influence began to dissolve. The covenant GOD made with Israel through him began to wax old and fade away. The Son has come, and He is the heir. This truth was hard to receive by those Hebrews, as it is today by the Neo-Jews, who can't seem to live without the picture. What is the problem? They need to consider Him, more diligently.

We have two faithful men who rule over two houses. The one was national, political, and temporal. The other spiritual, heavenly, and eternal. The one was governed by carnal laws and commandments designed to herd a nation of unregenerate rebels with a few saints in it to Christ. The other is governed by a quickening Spirit whose law is spiritual and internal. He governs, controls, feeds, guides, nurtures, and keeps a nation of born again, elect of GOD Christ following saints, with a few hypocrites amongst them. Sometimes they are called hypocrites, goats, tares, weeds, thorns, thistles, beasts, etc., but they are never called children of GOD, Christian, or Abraham's seed. Only if ye be Christ's, then are you Abraham's seed and heirs of the promise of GOD in Christ. A different kind of house! Now whose house are you in? Who do you follow? Who is your head? If you don't really know the answer, let me give you some good advice, consider Christ.