The Manifold Wisdom Of God
Your Kingdom Foundation
(PRINCIPLES AND ELEMENTARIES AND ORACLES)
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"Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ,
let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation
of repentance from dead works and
of faith toward God,
of the teaching of immersions,
of laying on of hands,
of resurrection of the dead and
of eternal judgment ...," Hebrews 6'1-3.
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All foundations have a beginning. The first few words of the whole Word of God are: "In the beginning".
Then "God said, 'Let there be light', and there was light".
This first of God's creative actions shines across the years to God's first creative action in a Believer's spiritual beginning:
"For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ," 2 Corinthians 4'6.
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A Believer is a person who has heard and believed the Good News of Jesus, repented and received "the Light of the world".
That's the beginning of new creation life. What happens next is crucial.
As Jesus says:
"Whoever comes to Me and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like:
He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock.
And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.
But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great," Luke 6'47-49.
The purpose of Your Kingdom Foundation messages is about hearing the Word of Christ doing it. And being like the wise builder "who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock".
Because, circumstances do come against us. Also, people with opposing ideas try to derail us.
If the foundation is weak or faulty, the danger of deception and the attempts of the enemy to steer us away from Jesus could succeed.
So, be wise and
"Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit,
according to the tradition of men,
according to the basic principles of the world,
and not according to Christ," Colossians 2'8.
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Here's a useful thing to know. When reading something that you find hard to understand, never say "I don't understand".
Say, "Father, help me to understand", then leave it with Him. The Holy Spirit will resolve it for you in due course. And you might be surprised with the way He does it.
As Colossians 2'3 says, the world has its basic principles. In contrast, God has His Kingdom principles.
YOUR FOUNDATION
The letter to the Hebrews records that a Believer's foundation is made up of "the first principles of the oracles of God" and "the elementary principles of Christ" (5'11-12 and 6'1-3).
They appear throughout the New Testament. But in chapter six they are listed all together.
The fact is, they came to be listed because the writer had taught them to these Believers once before.
But they had "become dull of hearing". Instead of being teachers of others, he says, they needed to be taught again (chapter 5'11-12).
However, he does not want to say any more about the matter, so he says:
"Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation
of repentance from dead works and
of faith toward God,
of the teaching of immersions,
of laying on of hands,
of resurrection of the dead and
of eternal judgment.
And this we will do if God permits" (chapter 6'1-3) .
One thing about needs to be said here at this point. xx
Thank God for leading the writer to list these wonderful principles for Believers to have and to hold, to explore and to experience.
CHRIST'S ELEMENTARIES
Referring to the foundation, the New King James translation in Hebrews 6'1 refers to "the elementary principles" and shows the word "principles" in italics.
Translators use italicised wording for clarification where the Greek text seems to need it. Some don't and put words in as they see fit.
When the word principles is deleted what is left is "elementaries" or "elementary things".
That shows the description of the Believers' Kingdom Foundation, "the first principles of the oracles of God" and "the elementary things of Christ", as being twofold.
The point is, they are describing two different aspects, like understandings and experiences are aspects of a Believer's life.
The writer is saying that the principles of the oracles of God are about the elementary things of Christ.
But if principles are understandings, what are the Lord's elementary things that would, or should, be reflected in a Believer's foundation?
So what were, what are, the elementary things of Jesus for true Believers to understand and experience? A few scriptures reveal the things of Jesus, and Believers:
Jesus was born of the Holy Spirit - Luke 1'38. Believers are born again of the Spirit - John 3'3-8.
Jesus was immersed in water - Matthew 3'16. Believers are immersed in water - Acts 19'5.
Jesus had an experience with the Holy Spirit - Matthew 3'16. Believers receive the Spirit - Acts 10'47,19'2.
Laying on of hands and casting out demons are His elementaries, too.
YOUR "PERFECTION"!
One final comment to finish this introduction. At either end of Hebrews 6'1-3 are these words: "Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection ..." "And this we will do if God permits".
Because they are frequently misunderstood Let Us Go On To Perfection? is focused on understanding exactly what the writer is saying.
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Next up after this introduction to Your Kingdom Foundation are Repentance and Faith.
Every one who has repented and believed knows that these are gifts from the Father through which, when taken up, the Holy Spirit brings powerful benefits.
Α-Ω
Prayer. Heavenly Father, thank you for these wonderful oracles, principles and elementary things.
Thank you, too, for your mercy and grace and the Holy Spirit's help to receive, incorporate and live in them daily.
In the name of Jesus. Amen.