Are you building on the correct foundation?

Are you building on the correct foundation?

Heb 6:1-2 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

Hebrews is an instructional epistle written to those Jews who would be living during the 7-year Tribulation and Millennial Kingdom. The writer of Hebrews provides the necessary doctrine relevant for these believers during this time. The verse above is of particular interest because the writer informs these believers not to go back to the Old Covenant and relay a foundation that has already been established. He writes that these believers are to press on to perfection by trusting in Jesus, the living and glorified Christ, their Messiah, who has overcome the world, who holds a position in heaven above the angels and has obtained a more excellent name, who is greater than Moses, who ratifies a New Covenant, and who is the perfect sacrifice and the High Priest of their salvation.

In this regard, these believers are to leave behind them those established principles of the doctrine of Christ and not attempt to reestablish these Old Covenant practices. The book of Hebrews is to guide these believers into a faith that is heavenward, looking up to where their Saviour is to come from. They should not focus on building a temple made by human hands. They should not reestablish a sacrificial system, they should not get tied down with traditions and ordinances that are of that old system. They should not develop old habits by going back to the basic principles that are listed. Why? Because the rest of Hebrews steers them into a new and living relationship with their glorified Messiah. The temple they should focus on is made of living stones. Their sacrifice for sin has already been offered, once for all by a perfect, unblemished Lamb. The law is no longer written on stone but will soon be written within their hearts. The New Covenant has replaced the Old Covenant, and these believers should steer away from trying to revive the old ways and rather placing their faith in their risen Lord and a new form of worship.

Having said all this, it is noteworthy to mention that there has always been a foundation upon which Israel stood. They have existed on this foundation for most of their history, but now the instruction is to press on and build upon it with new materials instead of relaying the same old foundation which already exists.

So, how is this applicable to us today? Well, the simple fact is that we do not stand on this foundation. As the Body of Christ under grace, God has provided us a different foundation; a brand-new foundation that is unique and specific to us. Paul says the following,

1 Corinthians 3:10-11 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is [the risen] Jesus Christ.

This is yet another perfect example of the critical need of right division, 2Tim.2;15. Paul, who is the apostle to the Gentiles was provided with a grace doctrine that does not build upon Israel’s old foundation, but that lays a brand-new foundation. We as grace believers should be stablished upon the principles that Paul lays out in Romans, and we build upon this new foundation with the doctrine provided to us in Romans to Philemon.