Meat, the hard truth - Not for Milk Christians
02 May '17 17:111 editThis is the strongest, clearest passage from the writings of Paul, which summarises the entire doctrine of the true Christian. It demolishes some of the long-held and cherished false doctrines of some churches, and puts things in perspective. This is my summary below, but read the passage for yourself:
A. Some Christians are dull of hearing and instead of growing and becoming teachers, they do not understand and need teaching themselves
B. The difference between Milk and Meat [explained in another thread]
C. In order to graduate and move up to perfection the Christian needs to stop repeating the same basic doctrines over and over, doctrines of faith, the death of Christ, the resurrection etc etc. Constant repetition instead of moving forward leads to stagnation.
D. The moving forward to perfection process is essential because if God grants all these good heavenly gifts to the Christian, and they still fall away there are dire consequences.
E. Christians that bear fruit receives blessing from God, while Christians who produce nothing [ie stuck on milk] will be destroyed.
F. Things which leads to eternal life - work and labour.
G. Diligent Christians who are patient to the end will inherit the Kingdom of God.
Here is the passage :
A. Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. 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.
B. 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.
C. 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.
D. And this will we do, if God permit.
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.
E. For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.
F. But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
G. And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
(Hebrews 5:11-6:12 KJV)
A. Some Christians are dull of hearing and instead of growing and becoming teachers, they do not understand and need teaching themselves
B. The difference between Milk and Meat [explained in another thread]
C. In order to graduate and move up to perfection the Christian needs to stop repeating the same basic doctrines over and over, doctrines of faith, the death of Christ, the resurrection etc etc. Constant repetition instead of moving forward leads to stagnation.
D. The moving forward to perfection process is essential because if God grants all these good heavenly gifts to the Christian, and they still fall away there are dire consequences.
E. Christians that bear fruit receives blessing from God, while Christians who produce nothing [ie stuck on milk] will be destroyed.
F. Things which leads to eternal life - work and labour.
G. Diligent Christians who are patient to the end will inherit the Kingdom of God.
Here is the passage :
A. Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. 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.
B. 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.
C. 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.
D. And this will we do, if God permit.
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.
E. For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.
F. But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
G. And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
(Hebrews 5:11-6:12 KJV)
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