Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Hebrews 6:2 of instruction about washings and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Hebrews 6:2 of teaching about washings (ritual purifications), the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. [These are all important matters in which you should have been proficient long ago.] |
Bible Question: Hebrews 6:1-2 lists several "foundational" principles: repentance, baptism, resurrection and judgement. These are clearly basic christian doctrines. But why is the laying on of hands included? What makes it as basic as the others? |
Bible Answer: Some excellent posts have been given to you so far and I am ecouraged by such thorough posts. This is what will make this forum a treasure for many people world wide. One thing I would like to add is that though it seems obvious that Paul is wanting to take them on unto perfection, the list he gives has been treated by the church for centuries as the main meat of theological teachings. So if these be the first principles then I am wondering when someone is going to start teaching like they are moving on to perfection. Instead it seems that many spend their entire ministries on this list. Than being said I think the real key here is in the NASB amplified way of stating it...[These are all matters of which you should have been fully aware long, long ago.] See it is not that these are ideas of less significance, how can foundational priniciple of oracle of Christ be considered a non important issue. The idea is that "YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO KNOW THIS BY NOW... do we really have to go back and lay this foundation again.. What do you really need to go back and get born again AGAIN? Are you needing to learn all the things you learned when you first came into this Life?" As you read the passage you see him say as much when he speaks about a person that has known these things and goes back to living the old life anyway.. The main idea seems to be that it is a sad thing to have to keep dealing with the basics of "you should stop sinning and live in holiness..." Or.. when you get baptized you are buried with Him that you might walk in newness of life... There is a time when you should be focusing on the newness of life not the identifying with Christ on the cross as a constant repenting of sins... So putting it in this light (you should have already moved on..) then the laying on of hands would fit that which we see in Acts when the apostles laid hands on new believers and they recieved the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This was a beginning thing, now they are to walk in that baptism of the Holy Spirit and all that the Spirit brings. Why look for another laying on of hands.. or think you need a new initializing all the time.. the initializing experience is good and to be sought, but then you need to quit focusing on that laying on of hands experience that helped you get into the baptism of the Holy Ghost to begin with, and move on to the many gifts that the Spirit brings and understand what it means to edify in Love others. This is the way I see this passage and I hope it helps to add to the pool of knowledge. |