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leaving the foundation

Hebrews 6:1-12 (JDV)

Hebrews 6:1 Therefore, let us let go of the first word about Christ and move on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and faith focused on God,
Hebrews 6:2 teaching about baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead ones, and permanent judgment.
Hebrews 6:3 And we will do this if God permits.
Hebrews 6:4 You see, it is impossible to renew to repentance those who were once enlightened, who tasted the sky gift, who share in the Sacred Breath,
Hebrews 6:5 who tasted God’s good word and the powers of the coming age,
Hebrews 6:6 and who have fallen away. This is because, to their own harm, they are recrucifying the Son of God and holding him up to contempt.
Hebrews 6:7 You see, the ground that drinks the rain that often falls on it and that produces vegetation useful to those for whom it is cultivated receives a blessing from God.
Hebrews 6:8 But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and about to be cursed, and at the end will be burned.
Hebrews 6:9 Even though we are speaking this way, dearly loved friends, in your case we are confident of things that are better and that pertain to salvation.
Hebrews 6:10 You see, God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the care you demonstrated for his name by serving the devotees – and by continuing to serve them.
Hebrews 6:11 Now we desire each of you to demonstrate the same diligence for the full assurance of your hope until the end,
Hebrews 6:12 so that you won’t become lazy but will be imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and perseverance.

leaving the foundation

In what sense is it Christian to leave the foundational principles? A. B. Bruce explains:

“Such are the fundamentals. What is meant by leaving them? Not, of course, ceasing to believe in them, or to think and speak of them, or to attach importance to them; for, though elementary, they are the foundation (themelion). They are to be left in the sense in which a builder leaves the foundation of a house—by erecting an edifice thereon. They are not to be treated as if they were everything, building as well as foundation. There has always been a Christianity of this sort, stationary, unprogressive; always concerned about the initial stage, and never getting beyond it.” (206).

Our God wants us to grow, mature, to build on our foundation. He wants us to go beyond what we were when we first came to him in repentance.

Bruce, Alexander Balmain. The Epistle to the Hebrews: The First Apology for Christianity; an Exegetical Study. (Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark) 1899.