Intro: we find the writer of Hebrews giving encouragement to move into the deeper things of Christ. He states that he will give if God permits him to discuss deeper theology. But in this chapter he goes over many basics of Christianity that are essentials to living by faith. In the next few weeks I would like to look at these:
The Doctrine of Christ
Repentance From Dead Works
Faith toward God
Doctrines of Baptisms
Laying on of Hands
Resurrection from the Dead
Eternal Judgment
v. 4-6—the principles of backsliding
v .9---things that accompany Salvation
v. 13-19 Covenant Relationship
v. Priesthood of Christ
The Doctrine of Christ
This one subject is so great, that there is not enough paper in this world to write down everything concerning Jesus Christ. But there are a few basics that every Christian should know, and hold onto.
1. Jesus is God---the Son of God—John 20:28 My Lord and My God—Jesus stated that if you have seen me, you have seen the Father ( John 14:9). This is such an important doctrine because in this world there are many who claimed to be God, or the Son of God. But we preach that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father but through him, John 14:6.
2. Jesus is the Son of man—he became flesh—John 1:14, Matthew 1:23- who was born of a virgin. So many Gnostics have taught this heresy that Christ wasn’t really flesh or human. That he was 100 percent God, and 0 percent man. We do not accept this, because if he wasn’t flesh, and he wasn’t human, then he couldn’t identify with man or die for man.
3. Jesus is the Word of God—John 1:1—God needed to communicate to man, but they rejected the prophets, they no longer received prophetic utterance, so in these last times He has spoken to us by the Son. This is one of the greatest doctrines of Christ, that He is the Word of God. Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
4. Jesus is the Lamb of God—Revelation 13:8—lamb slain from the foundation of the world. There is so much meat in this one thought. Jesus was prepared as a sacrificial lamb for the sins of the world, before man ever committed the first sin.
a. no other sacrifice was ever accepted by God. Hebrews teaches us that the blood of bulls and goats, God took no pleasure in them. But when Jesus entered heaven as the lamb that was slain, he was able to open the seals, so that man could have entrance into God’s presence.
b. Offered once for all—this is so important, Jesus is one sacrifice offered for all time for all people. We can’t do perpetual sacrifices of the blood and body of Christ, that would do despite to the Spirit of grace and trample under foot the blood of Christ.
c. Washes white as snow, white as wool—Isaiah 1:18 The cleansing is complete in Christ. There is now no condemnation for those in Christ.
5. Lion of the Tribe of Judah— Rev. 5:5 Jesus is Messiah—Matthew 1 genealogies—from Abraham to Christ. For many this Doctrine of Christ may seem none important, but without this record of Christ, we could not fully understand the mystery of Christ. Just imagine, that God from Abraham, secured this bloodline, through David all the way to Christ.
a. so that through Abraham’s seed the world would be blessed and he would make of him a great nation.
b. So that someone from David’s line would sit forever on the throne of God.
c. So that Israel being a little speck of land in the middle of the entire world would be God’s holy city, and all the world would look at Israel as God’s miracle in the desert.
6. One who will baptize in the Holy Spirit and fire—Matthew 3:11-since we are Pentecostals this is one of the most important Doctrine of Christ, that He is the Baptizer in the Holy Spirit. There are several reason’s why this is so important:
a. because many who speak openly against the Pentecostal movement use the thought that we emphasize the Holy Spirit and undervalue the work of Christ. But on the contrary, we give Jesus all the glory, because he is the one who sends another comforter. He is the one pouring out of His Spirit on all flesh.
b. Since Jesus is the baptizer, He commanded them to wait or tarry for the power from on high. He valued the work of the Holy Spirit so much that He said, it is expedient for you that I go.
c. Since they were all saved, the disciples of Christ, it is impossible to say that you are baptized in the Holy Spirit upon being saved, it is subsequent to the work of salvation, meaning the two are distinct in our lives, even though many can get saved and be baptized in the Holy Spirit at the same in the same setting.
7. One resurrected from the dead—first fruit.
8. One exalted to the right hand of God.
Close: these are simple doctrines of Christ, but every Christian should know these backwards and forwards because this is the gospel of Jesus Christ that must be spread around the world.
The sad thing I see in ministry is that everything today isn’t pointing to Christ. Many teachers, sermons, and conferences don’t have the ultimate goal of presenting Christ. John said, “I must decrease, He must increase.”
Everything should point to the cross. Our ultimate goal isn’t to present the church, our ministries, our abilities or our gifts, our ultimate goal is to make the Doctrines of Christ known in all the world.
