Hebrews 6:1-3 - Let us move on

6:1

The writer urges his readers to “move beyond the elementary teachings”. The Greek is actually passive, meaning more “let us be moved beyond ...” It is the Holy Spirit who ultimately instructs us and we need to let Him move us on. The basic teachings of the gospel are laid at conversion or shortly thereafter, and then we are to move forward. Ie we should not be constantly debating the foundational teachings, but instead building upon them.

When we look at the things that are listed as “elementary teachings” we see that most of them refer to the basics of salvation. In turning to angels, or to Jewish religious practices the readers were undermining the fundamentals. For in Christ and the cross everything needed for our justification and righteousness has been achieved.

“Acts that lead to death” is actually “dead works”. Similar expression is used elsewhere in the New Testament when talking about faith that is dead. Faith that is dead, as in James 2:14-16, is faith that does not produce anything, and so is dead and worthless. Likewise, following Jewish religious practices with regard to sacrifices etc would produce nothing towards salvation, so were deadworks. In his first sermon in Acts Peter told the people they needed to “repent and believe”.

6:2,3

“Cleansing rites” or “washings” may refer to baptism. The Qumran community had various washings, and Jewish religious practice also had purification rituals, including baptism for converts. In Acts we read of some who had heard only of “John’s baptism”.  So the reference here maybe to the difference between Christian baptism and these practices. It also implies that the readers had a strong Jewish background.

Laying on of hands could refer to people being baptised in the Holy Spirit, who was sometimes, but not always, given by the laying on of hands, or to healing, or to ordination.

The resurrection of the dead and eternal judgement are regarded as fundamental too. The gospel is most definitely not for this life only.

The writer is determined to move the Hebrews on, but knows that he is completely dependent upon God for this to be successfully achieved.