Hebrews 6:2 (KJV)
Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
The Apostle, speaking to a Jewish audience (or rather, writing to Jewish readers who have trusted Christ as Saviour), desires to lead them out of the rituals of their old culture and religion. Jesus came, at least in part, to confront what had grown into the grievous errors of Judaism. The last thing that a Jewish believer ought to have done was merge faith in Christ with those old errors.
Jewish tradition all had sound roots:
- The ceremonial washings (he uses the word “baptisms” here—not to be confused with the singular “baptism” of the Christian faith)
- The laying on of hands
- The resurrection of the dead
- The eternal judgment
In this context, all referred to parts of Jewish teaching that had lost their true intent through the corruptions of current Judaism.
Paul’s great “crime” against the Jews—the one they hated him for, and the one people still resist today—is his insistence that faith in Christ demands separation from meaningless religion. A Christian believer is to leave those things behind, no matter how entangled one has become in them. No matter how many family members may be hurt by that decision. No matter how deeply rooted those practices are in one’s culture. The Christian is to lay them aside and move into a brand new, free relationship with Christ through a local New Testament (I am convinced) Baptist church.
Leaving those traditions is challenging, to say the least. In some cultures, it can even be life-threatening. I do not want to judge anyone who struggles with it. I understand, at least in some small measure, the weight of that struggle.
But it can be done by the grace of God.
That is the ultimate interpretation of Hebrews 6:3 (KJV):
And this will we do, if God permit.
#FoundationsOfFaith #LeaveDeadReligion #ChristOverTradition #BiblicalSeparation #GrowInGrace
Empty Religion? True Faith in Christ Demands Leaving Tradition Behind
What do you think—have you ever had to step away from tradition to follow Christ more fully? Leave a comment below and join the conversation. I’d love to hear your experience.
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