11 Importance of Spiritual Growth

In the later part of Hebrews chapter 5, the author discussed the subject of spiritual immaturity. Now in chapter 6, he shows the importance for every believer to grow spiritually.

While starting with the basics is essential for every believer, in the same way, it’s essential that at some point, everyone begin to exhibit growth and to move from those basics.

1 Need for Spiritual Progress

Hebrews 6:1-3

The author then outlines various steps the believer must take, so that they’ll move forward in their Christian walk:

• Leave behind “elementary principles.”

These are the necessary, but only the basic building blocks of the faith.

• Then, the believer must “go on to perfection,”

In the original Greek, the word translated as “perfection”, is the word teleiotes, which speaks of moving forward into maturity.

All of this shows that it’s impossible (and impractical) to re-lay the foundation which was already established.

If we were to re-lay our Christian foundation, we would invariably dismantle all which God has done in establishing our Christian faith.

The author then described the elementary principles which we are to leave behind:

• “Repentance from dead works, and faith toward God”.

But these are only the first steps in the life of a believer. After this is has taken place, one is then born again.

Our being born again (born from above) happens once, since everything the Lord does is perfect.

• Next, he mentions “the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands.”

The word we have translated has “baptisms” in the original manuscripts, was the ancient Greek word baptismos.

The reason the author chose this word, is because his Jewish audience would have been familiar with the various types of “baptisms” observed in Judaism.

+ One form was what was called “proselyte baptism” which was performed when a “stranger” (non-Jewish person) desired to convert to Judaism.

+ The other form brings us back to the Greek word “baptismos”. The Jews of that practiced what was referred to as “ceremonial washings”. New Testament writers used the word “baptismos” when referring to this practice. Here’s one example:

Mark 7:4

In the same way, both Old Covenant Judaism, and the church, observed “laying on of hands” when someone was being set apart for service to the Lord.

• The next principles mentioned were “resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.”

Both were foundational principles taught by Jesus. Therefore, they should not be tampered with.

2 Danger of Falling Away

Next, the author shows how we bring shame on what Jesus has accomplished for us, whenever we fall away, and then try to re-establish the foundational principles we mentioned previously:

Hebrews 6:4-6

This passage is often misunderstood, and unfortunately, has not always been interpreted soundly:

• Some look upon it as speaking of a believer who’s lost their salvation.

Yet, this is contrary to Scripture, which points to God not only saving us, but that we cannot be taken from Him:

John 10:28-29

Then, there’s yet another passage which strongly supports that position:

Romans 8:38-39

• Another, and more plausible idea, is that it refers to someone who at one time, made an “apparent” or “outward” profession of faith, but not a true “inner” acceptance of Christ.

These are often emotional responses to the Gospel, rather than a true response from the heart.

• Another understanding of the passage speaks of a believer who’s strayed so far, that they’ve become disqualified from service. The apostle Paul spoke of how one most always be on guard against that:

1 Corinthians 9:27

As for the text, the passage seems to be speaking of someone who’s only “appeared” to be saved:

Hebrews 6:4-6

The Greek word for “enlightened” means “a new light shining” which points to the new birth, and the light of Christ therefore shining in the believer.

Then the Greek word for “tasted” speaks of “a real and full experience”.

So, in both instances, it points to sharing a new life with Christ. Therefore, the author is saying, it’s impossible to share a new life in the Lord, and then need to do it all over again.

While the topic has been debated in Christian circles for centuries, there is a passage which indeed show that someone may have an outward appearance of being saved, while it never being the case:

Matthew 7:21-23

The answer, and the key, is for believers to remain in Christ, where they will be accepted and remain safe:

Ephesians 1:6