Heb 5:12-15 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. Heb 6:1-3 (KJV) 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. |
Heb 5:12-15 For everyone who continues to feed on milk is obviously inexperienced and unskilled in the doctrine of righteousness (of conformity to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action), for he is a mere infant [not able to talk yet]! But solid food is for full-grown men, for those whose senses and mental faculties are trained by practice to discriminate and distinguish between what is morally good and noble and what is evil and contrary either to divine or human law. Heb 6:1-3 With teachings about purifying, the laying on of hands, the resurrection from the dead, and eternal judgment and punishment. [These are all matters of which you should have been fully aware long, long ago.] If indeed God permits, we will [now] proceed [to advanced teaching]. |
This portion of Scripture talks of "The first Principles of the Oracles of God " or "The Principles of the Doctrine of Christ" or as the Amplified Bible puts in, "The Very First Principles of God's Word " and " The elementary stage in the Teachings of Christ The Messiah".
Paul is speaking to the church of Hebrew believers here. These are the people who had converted from Judaism to Christianity, probably the first group of believers.
The same scripture speaks to us at this time, this season. We are not exempted here.
It starts by saying, "For when for the time ye ought to be teachers". This means God expects every one of us to be able to teach this "The Very First Principles of God's Word" or we can put it as "The Foundational Doctrines of Christ".
God expects a certain level of spiritual growth in believers with time. This growth is indicated with the ability to teach and equip other believers with the same foundational truths that we were taught.
It seems from this portion of scripture that the Hebrews were not doing this. Paul says that they were not teaching the foundational doctrines that they were taught. So now they have become like babies and have to be taught these all over again.
Paul emphasizes on the importance of teaching these foundational principles. This was a pattern followed in the first churches. They knew the importance of teaching it and ensuring that the people got their foundations right.
Paul himself explains how he did this in Acts 20.
Act 20:20-21 (KJV) |
This shows that they taught this publicly and from house to house. And He says it's PROFITABLE for them, for their benefit.
And what did he teach? Doesn't it show the same thing as we read in Hebrews 6 – repentance and faith?
This is very important as we see a lot of "Flaky Christianity" out there. People get tossed here and there with every wind of doctrine that comes out of man's wisdom and experience and not based on the word of God. This prevents people from growing up spiritually and knowing God and instead keeps them bound to the lies and traditions passed on through the ages. This prevents them from bearing any fruit and being useful for The Master.
Hos 4:6 (KJV) My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: |
They need to know the truth in the Word of God to experience the Freedom that it gives. Freedom from all sickness, disease, poverty, depression, and all kinds of spiritual and mental bondages.
Joh 8:32 (KJV) And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. |
Throughout Scripture, we see a lot of importance being exerted by God in "laying the foundations". God always made sure he sets the foundations right. Several scriptures talk about God laying the "foundations of the earth / world".
(Psa 102:25; Isa 48:13; Zec 12:1; Heb 1:10; Rev 13:8; Rev 17:8) (Matt 13:35; 25:34; Luke 11:50; John 17:24; Eph 1:4; Heb 4:3; Heb 9:26; 1 Pet 1:20; Job 38:5,6)
God has laid out the foundations correctly in His word and it is up to us as responsible believers to study these and in turn teach others and grow up to eat more "meat" of the Word, rather than sticking on with "milk" as babies.
"For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe". (Heb 5:13)
God wants us to be skilful
in the Word of righteousness and not continue to stay as babies.
Why should we be skilful in the "Word of Righteousness"?
Eph 6:17 (KJV) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: |
The Word of God is the Sword of the Spirit
(Eph 6:17)
What use is a sword to a person if he is not skilful in using it, he will end up hurting himself instead of using it for his benefit. Or it may end up as a show piece in his house.
The Word of God is our Sword in the Spirit realm. Why do we need a sword of this kind?
Eph 6:12 Eph 6:12 |
Our enemy does not fight with us in the physical realm directly. He fights with us in the Spiritual realm. And the only offensive weapon that works in this realm is the Word of God.
Heb 5:15 |
"By Reason of Use have their senses exercised".. That means by continuously practicing these foundational truths, exercising them, with repetition, there is a stage of maturity that we reach by which God can give us more revelation into his Word and use us to be a blessing to nations. Our senses become so used to certain things and ways of God that it becomes normal for us.
Consider this, you can take a morsel of food from your plate and place it right into your mouth even if it is dark and you are unable to see your hands. You don't have to see your mouth to place the food into your mouth. How are you able to do this? Your senses have become so used to it all these years of your life that you don't have to see it.
Instead, try this. Lift up your left hand way up. Hold your right hand down. Now close your eyes try to hold the middle finger of your left hand that is held up with your right hand. At least 8 out of 10 people will miss it. Why? Because you have not exercised it like you do with your mouth.
Similarly, a person who tries to drive a car for the first time finds it difficult to coordinate between the accelerator, brake and clutch, and at the same time handle the steering and the gear lever. But an experienced driver does not even blink an eye. He does not even have to think to change the gears; his hands and feet move accordingly as required. His senses are used to it.
According to God's standards, these foundational doctrines are considered as "milk" and not "meat". In layman terms, these foundational doctrines are the ABCs for a believer.
Just like babies take some time to perfect their ABCs, a young baby believer would take some time to learn these. Similarly, just like any adult person should be in a position to at least say the ABCs to someone, God expects every believer to be able to teach and talk about these foundational Doctrines to other baby believers.
Paul called these the First principles of the Oracles of God. The Greek word used for Oracle is logion
(log'-ee-on), which means "Utterance of God". This comes from the root word Logos which means "something said (including the thought) or word". So it's clear that God calls these the basic First principles of His spoken word.
As we study the scriptures, we find it's not just the Hebrews who failed to teach the foundational doctrines. Let's look at some more examples.
1Co 3:1 1Co 3:1 |
So according to Paul's standards, they are babies. But we see in the beginning of the book that Paul says that they come short in no gift, praising them.
1Co 1:4-7 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: 1Co 1:4-7 [So] that in Him in every respect you were enriched, in full power and readiness of speech [to speak of your faith] and complete knowledge and illumination [to give you full insight into its meaning]. In this way [our] witnessing concerning Christ (the Messiah) was so confirmed and established and made sure in you That you are not [consciously] falling behind or lacking in any special spiritual endowment or Christian grace [the reception of which is due to the power of divine grace operating in your souls by the Holy Spirit], while you wait and watch [constantly living in hope] for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and [His] being made visible to all. |
So we can see that having the Spiritual gifts operating in a church or in a believer's life does not mean that they are grown up spiritually and are mature.
But lets see what Paul has to say about it. Paul himself has said that he has laid the foundation properly as a wise master-builder.
1Co 3:10 |
So we can see from the above that Spiritual Maturity of a person decreases if he is not involved in building up others. There is a danger of reverting back to babyhood.
If as believers we continue to slack away from building up our foundations and in turn help others in building up their foundations by teaching these foundational principles, we end up losing our ability to eat the meat of the word. It's not fun to keep drinking only milk.
This is the responsibility of every believer, and one has to be involved in this on a continual basis.
Jesus is our foundation.
1Co 3:11 |
"Jesus Christ is the very foundation of the church. He is the foundation of My Life."
Mat 16:18 |
"Upon This Rock" – The revelation of Jesus Christ, will the church be built.
He is the chief corner stone.
(Psa 118:22; Isa 28:16; Zec 10:4; Matt 21: 42; Mark 12:10; Luke 20:17; Acts 4:11; Eph 2:20; 1 Pet 2:6,7)
Eph 2:20-22 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. Eph 2:20-22 In Him the whole structure is joined (bound, welded) together harmoniously, and it continues to rise (grow, increase) into a holy temple in the Lord [a sanctuary dedicated, consecrated, and sacred to the presence of the Lord]. In Him [and in fellowship with one another] you yourselves also are being built up [into this structure] with the rest, to form a fixed abode (dwelling place) of God in (by, through) the Spirit. |
Heb.5:8,9. Jesus learned obedience. He grew in favor and matured.
Heb 5:8-9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; |
It is the truth that you know and continue in that sets you free. Hear, obey, and continue, then you will grow and become more than a conqueror.
2Ti 3:14 |
1Ti 4:16 |
These Hebrews were not doing this, v 11, because when the opportunity came they did not apply it.
The Corinthians were also not doing this in spite of the fact that Paul had taught them the foundations. (1 Cor 3:10)
"It isn't always your favorite message that you get to preach. It has to be at their level."
From my experience of teaching these to others I have found that my understanding of these increases and expands every time I teach them. I see new things that I had not seen before.
Every time I come back to teach the same topic to a new group of people, I have more to teach them than I had for the previous group.
In fact, this just expands my capacity to eat meat.
These 7 are not the only principles. They are the first and others have to be lined up with these, just as later stones in a building have to be lined up with the original cornerstone.
2Jn 1:9 2Jn 1:9 |
Every other doctrine in the word of God springs out of these.
The Foundational Doctrines of Christ as listed in Hebrews 6:1-2 are:
We'll look at each one of them in detail as we take this journey together to ensure that we build a strong foundation in the Word of God.
Click on each topic to go to the concerned pages with the teachings.
God Bless You!!!
