Ablutions Age-during Baptisms Ceremonial Dead Doctrine Eternal Future Hands Imposition Instruction Judgement Judging Judgment Laying Putting Resurrection Rising Teaching Washings
6:2 Of the doctrine of baptisms. The third of these first principles which belong to the foundation relates to baptism. See Ac 2:38 Eph 4:5 Mt 28:19. But why is the plural used? There is but one baptism in water when the penitent is baptized into Christ (Eph 4:5 Ga 3:27). There is, however, another baptism which was promised before Christ came which was not of water. See Mt 3:12. Christ also promised it before his ascension. Hence there is not only the baptism of the body in water, but of the spirit in the Holy Spirit, as fulfilled on the day of Pentecost.
Of laying on of hands. In the primitive church the extraordinary operation of the Holy Spirit was imparted by the laying on of the Apostolic hands (Ac 8:17).
Of the resurrection of the dead. One of the fundamental but primary principles of Christian teaching.
Of eternal judgment. This was comprehended in teaching the resurrection. All were to be rewarded according to the deeds of this life.
6:1-8 Every part of the truth and will of God should be set before all who profess the gospel, and be urged on their hearts and consciences. We should not be always speaking about outward things; these have their places and use, but often take up too much attention and time, which might be better employed. The humbled sinner who pleads guilty, and cries for mercy, can have no ground from this passage to be discouraged, whatever his conscience may accuse him of. Nor does it prove that any one who is made a new creature in Christ, ever becomes a final apostate from him. The apostle is not speaking of the falling away of mere professors, never convinced or influenced by the gospel. Such have nothing to fall away from, but an empty name, or hypocritical profession. Neither is he speaking of partial declinings or backslidings. Nor are such sins meant, as Christians fall into through the strength of temptations, or the power of some worldly or fleshly lust. But the falling away here mentioned, is an open and avowed renouncing of Christ, from enmity of heart against him, his cause, and people, by men approving in their minds the deeds of his murderers, and all this after they have received the knowledge of the truth, and tasted some of its comforts. Of these it is said, that it is impossible to renew them again unto repentance. Not because the blood of Christ is not sufficient to obtain pardon for this sin; but this sin, in its very nature, is opposite to repentance and every thing that leads to it. If those who through mistaken views of this passage, as well as of their own case, fear that there is no mercy for them, would attend to the account given of the nature of this sin, that it is a total and a willing renouncing of Christ, and his cause, and joining with his enemies, it would relieve them from wrong fears. We should ourselves beware, and caution others, of every approach near to a gulf so awful as apostacy; yet in doing this we should keep close to the word of God, and be careful not to wound and terrify the weak, or discourage the fallen and penitent. Believers not only taste of the word of God, but they drink it in. And this fruitful field or garden receives the blessing. But the merely nominal Christian, continuing unfruitful under the means of grace, or producing nothing but deceit and selfishness, was near the awful state above described; and everlasting misery was the end reserved for him. Let us watch with humble caution and prayer as to ourselves.
Ablutions Age-During Ceremonial Dead Doctrine Eternal Future Hands Imposition Instruction Judgement Judging Judgment Laying Putting Resurrection Rising Teaching Washings
Ablutions Age-During Ceremonial Dead Doctrine Eternal Future Hands Imposition Instruction Judgement Judging Judgment Laying Putting Resurrection Rising Teaching Washings
