Yes, Hark, there is application to the Church, but, when we do not keep Hebrews in it's historical context we create false conclusions, as well as overlook the significance that his teaching has to his Hebrew brethren.
For example, the group he writes to is distinct from you and I because we...were never under the Law. We never had to forego a heritage we were brought up under which was God ordained as Israel did.
Here is an example:
Hebrews 5:10-14
King James Version (KJV)
10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.
12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
The "First Principles of the Oracles of God" is a reference to the Hebrew Scriptures, not the Bible that includes the New Testament. While the Epistles were circulated at that time, if we blend the New Testament into what he is saying we lose what his intent is.
And the intent is, "You guys are ignorant of the ABCs that the Old Testament teaches, which makes it hard to teach you a more in-depth understanding about Christ. You should be teachers of the Old Testament but you are in need that someone teach you, again, the basic principles given to us in the Old Testament."
What is not being taught here is "You Christians need to mature, and grow in Christ." He is in fact saying that these Hebrews need to go on unto that which is perfect, meaning, the Old Testament was incomplete in knowledge concerning Christ, and was only the ABCs. And it is addressed to Hebrews as a group, not the Church only. Of course it was written to be circulated among Christians, but the focus is on those of Israel struggling with leaving the Covenant of Law and embracing those things he lists.
Jewish believer can be guilty of doing the same thing Gentiles believer were doing in the churches at Galatia; finishing by the flesh under the law what was begun with the Spirit. This is why I see any reproof & edification towards body of Christ, it is applicable towards all.
In Acts, the Gentiles were warned not to be hoodwinked into being pressured to follow the commandments under the Old Covenant. They did give other instructions like abstain from fornication and things offered unto idols. And so the edification and reproofs that Paul had written to the Jewish believers in Christ can be applied to the Gentiles believers in Christ as the Gentiles have been warned about false apostles that wish to bring them under bondage.
He says that here:
Hebrews 6
King James Version (KJV)
1 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.
If you have to leave the First Principles and go on unto perfection...that means you have not yet gone on to perfection.
That is the exhortation, and it is specific to those who were under Law. And there is no-one in our time that stands in that unique place in History. Not even among the Jews, because the Jews do not practice the Law as they did in this day, for no offering for sin is offered up according to the Law.
Secondly, the list given specifically refers to doctrines of Judaism, not Christianity. We know this because they are told "Do not lay again these foundational principles," which coincides with progressing from the ABCs, the foundational principles...to that which is perfect (complete).
The Old Testament did not instruct concerning completion in regards to resurrection. They knew there would be a resurrection but they had no idea concerning glorification. We do not have a doctrine of baptisms (washings), we have One Baptism (singular). We do not simply place faith in God, the Gospel demands specific faith in the Person and Work of Christ.
So when we impose a modern application and neglect the historical context it is no wonder we have people teaching that this teaches loss of salvation.
And it is simply not in the text.
What he states specifically is that these Jews are to leave that which was incomplete and go on unto that which is. He is not saying abandon the First Principles, but to progress from them.
And that is the same danger in view in Chapter 10. There he is specific and warns against treading Christ underfoot, counting His Sacrifice as unholy, and resisting the Spirit of Grace.
Who could do that?
Jews who were raised under Law who were, at this time, still able to go to the Temple and offer up sacrifice for sin according to the Law.
But you will never understand this until you spend considerable time familiarizing yourself with this Epistle.
Gentile believers need the edification in Hebrews 6th chapter as much as Jewish believers in moving on from the gospel into growing in Christ to perfection by His grace & by His help as our Good Shepherd.
Already, Gentile believers think they can lose their salvation or that once they have gone astray, they can never be saved again when that is not what Hebrews 6 th chapter nor the 10th chapter is testifying about. They read the false teachings into these selected verses pulled out of context without actually reading the chapter in question so as to see what is actually written is not going against any other truths in the N.T.
Can you honestly say that you have given this Book serious study? Rather than focusing on certain portions of it as most do? Be honest.
Let's avoid that train of thought as it does tempt believers to judge one another in regards to honesty. We all prophecy in part and know in part as we are to lean on the Good Shepherd to confirm or reprove us so we can bear more fruit.
As you have posted earlier, some believers holding to errant doctrines do not know they are in error.
One can read the Bible cover to cover, and I have done that at least twice, but that doesn't necessarily mean I can't learn anything new and the same goes for you.
If one reads the scripture one way because they have been taught to read an application in that way, it will take the Lord to help them see His truth the way He meant it to be received.
Example, seeing the sons of God as fallen angels instead of as a reference to the line of Seth as tracing back to Israel's family roots, aka their family tree.
We both have to rely on the Lord to minister to each of us in causing the increase in the progress of our discussion. He is our Good Shepherd. It is not by honestly reading & studying the scripture is how we are shepherding ourselves as if we can when wisdom comes from the Lord.
I am not sure what you mean by "tagging."
I am hoping to figure out if that @ symbol next to the name is how the alert system lets me know someone tagged me by doing that. Usually it alert that I have been quoted in a thread, but some of these alert me that I have been tagged in that thread, as mentioned by the @ next to my name, but not necessarily quoting me.
May God bless you to receive sharpening as you sharpen others as well.
