Many modern Biblical scholars believe that the six principles of the doctrine of Christ refer to the foundational doctrines of Christianity, but this cannot be true, because Paul speaks of abandoning those very things. These same scholars then attempt to soften Paul’s directive, by concluding that he means mature Christians simply cannot cling to milk (foundational doctrines) as their steady diet. Rather they must go on to maturity, which is equated with eating solid food. While it is true that milk isn’t the diet of a mature adult, this explanation simply falls short of equating the principles of the doctrine of Christ with foundational Christian doctrines. We simply cannot abandon what is foundational to our faith, and Paul does tell his readers to abandon the principles of the doctrine of Christ. So how should we understand this?
The very first thing Paul tells his readers that they must do in chapter six of his epistle is to abandon (G863) the Principles of the Doctrine of Christ (Hebrews 6:1)! The Greek word is aphiemi (G863), and is used of divorcing one’s spouse in 1Corinthians 7:11-13. It is also used of the disciples forsaking their own work to follow Jesus (Mark 1:18; Luke 5:11), and then again of them forsaking Jesus and fleeing those who took him (Matthew 26:56; Mark 14:40). Therefore, it would be wrong to say Paul was simply saying believers shouldn’t cling to the fundamentals, but continue on to maturity. On the contrary, the mature doctrines of Christ are built upon the fundamentals. We are built upon the Apostles and the Prophets, and Jesus, our Savior, is the chief Cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20). Who among us would think he must not cling to this foundation?
According to Paul, there are six Principles of the Doctrine of Christ (Hebrews 6:1-2):
- repentance from dead works;
- faith toward God;
- the doctrine of baptisms;
- the doctrine of laying on of hands;
- the doctrine of the resurrection from the dead;
- the doctrine of eternal judgment.
While there are Christian doctrines with similar names, these specific doctrines are Old Covenant doctrines, which were fulfilled by Christ.[1]
The first doctrine in Paul’s list of the Principles of Christ is repentance from dead works (Hebrews 6:1). Everyone agrees that repentance involves a change of one’s mind or attitude toward something, and in the context of the Bible, that would be repentance of our rebellion against God. Paul uses the phrase dead (G3498) works (G2041) only one other time in his epistle, at Hebrews 9:14, where he says:
“How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (emphasis mine).
The same Greek words are used in both passages, and the obvious meaning in Hebrews 9:14 is that dead words refers to sin. The problem with the doctrine of repentance from dead works is that no one is able to do it (Joshua 24:19). This idea is a product of the Law acted out in the Levitical priesthood, which made no one perfect (Hebrews 7:19). Rather, Paul preached repentance toward God (Act 20:21). That is, to enter into his rest by ceasing our rebellion against him.[2] Therefore, laying aside the sin that so easily defeats us can only be done through the blood of Jesus, not through works on our part. It is done by fixing our eyes upon Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our salvation (Hebrews 12:1-2). So, this particular principle is a work of God in us, not a labor on our part. On the contrary, we cease our rebellion against God by embracing Christ, and it is he who washes away our sin and purges our consciences from our evil behavior.
[1] I shall deal with the first of these six principles in this study, four in the next, and the sixth in the study following that one, three studies in all.
[2] See my earlier study: The Rest for the People of God, which concerns Hebrews 4:4-10.
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