THEMES
Overarching Theme: Standing firm in the realities of a better covenant
Chapter Six Theme: Acknowledging limitations and vulnerabilities, and finding a promise to hold onto
BACKGROUND
This Chapter picks up on the need for maturity that was introduced in Chapter 5 preparing us for a more in-depth look at the high priestly ministry in Chapters 7-10. The writer’s commitment to seeing his readers holding firm to their faith is very much the motivation behind this chapter.
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Make sure you watch the video covering Hebrews 6 and have a Bible ready in front of you.
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Verses 1-3
The writer sets out six foundational points that Jewish believers would have been taught when coming to Jesus. They are: repentance, faith, cleansings (baptisms), the laying on of hands, resurrection and judgement. Each deserves a close look. They provide an insight into how well they had been taught when embracing Christianity from a Jewish background. Cleansing rites were important and for them baptism carried that understanding (see Acts 2:38). The laying on of hands was associated with receiving the Spirit (Acts 8:17), commissioning (Acts 6:6; 13:3) and healing (Luke 4:40). They would have known, though, that all three could happen without the laying on of hands.
Questions
How does this foundation-laying line up with the foundation-laying you experienced when you came to faith?
Can you give a reason as to why the writer lists repentance and faith first?
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Verses 4-8
These are challenging verses and we start by looking at the illustration in verses 7-8. This is not a contrast between land that is well watered and land that suffers drought. Both were well watered. Saying that the land ‘drinks the rain often falling on it’ (see verse 7) highlights the blessings God pours onto believers. These are listed in verses 4-5: enlightenment, tasting the heavenly gift, sharing in the Holy Spirit, tasting the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come. Despite this downpour of blessings, some still produce thorns. They live as if the crucifixion achieved nothing. The problem, which is highlighted verse 6, relates to the challenge of restoring such people to repentance. The Holy Spirit constantly works to bring about repentance (see David in Psalm 51:11), but some people only get as far as remorse (see Esau in Hebrews 2:17), having set their hearts against the Holy Spirit’s work (see Matt 12:32).
Other helpful verses are: 1 John 5:16; Galatians 6:1 and James 5:19.
Question
In the light of John 16:8-11, what do you think it means for us as Christians to welcome the ‘sin-convicting’ work of the Holy Spirit in our lives?
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Verses 9-12
These are encouraging words to hold onto after the challenge of verses 4-8. Verse 12 lays the foundation for some exciting lessons from the lives of others that we will come to in Chapter 11.
Question
What encouragement can you draw personally from the statement that ‘God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people’?
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Verses 13-20
When God made his promise to bless Abraham and his descents, it was a doubly guaranteed promise: God said it, and then backed it with a binding commitment by way of an oath. God wants us to know that his purposes are unchanging. We have a hope that we can hold onto with confidence as Jesus has anchored it in the heavenly holy of holies where he has entered to serve as our high priest.
Question
What value do you see in Jesus having anchored our hope?
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KEY TAKEAWAYS
Although this chapter carries warnings, it also carries a lot of encouragement. Its main purpose is declared in verse 1: ‘let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity.’ Despite the challenges, the writer is showing an underlying confidence in the growth-potential of every believer.
PRAYER & REFLECTION
Maybe a good way to reflect on the chapter is to think again about the blessings poured on the lives of believers: enlightenment, tasting the heavenly gift, sharing in the Holy Spirit, tasting the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come. We can give thanks for this as we pray.
Lord Jesus
We thank you for the enlightenment you have brought to our lives,
and are amazed that you have allowed us to taste the gift of heaven.
We recognise the cost to you of giving us a share in the Holy Spirit.
He only abides in us because of your work of reconciliation on the cross.
We have indeed tasted the goodness of the Word of God,
and experienced something of the powers of the age to come,
and for these realities we are deeply grateful.
Continue to increase our understanding
as we pray in your name.
Amen