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The Lord Jesus when on earth had said, "Ye believe in God, believe also in Me"
(John 14: 1). To trust in the God of one's fathers is a poor substitute for that faith which
owns Him as the "God of my salvation". The epistle to the Hebrews emphasizes the
necessity of the sacrificial and high priestly work of Christ. All who come unto God for
salvation come unto God "by Him" (Heb. 7: 25).
The Doctrine of Baptisms
The order of the words in the original is "baptisms of doctrine" (or instruction). The
word "of" may be the genitive of relation, and mean that these baptisms were related to
instruction and doctrine, for the ordinances of every dispensation have always had a
deeper value than the mere ritual observance. The most important word for our
consideration is "baptisms". We notice that it is in the plural, contrasting with the one
baptism of Eph. 4: The Apostle here says "Leave . . . . . not laying again . . . . . the
doctrine of baptisms". In Ephesians he says "Endeavour to keep . . . . . one baptism".
We would first direct attention to the two other passages of Scripture where the word
"baptisms" occurs. (1) in Heb. 9: 10 it is translated "washings":
"The first tabernacle . . . . . was a figure . . . . . in which were offered both gifts and
sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the
conscience; which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings (baptisms), and
carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation" (Heb. 9: 6-10).
God has used the same word here as in Heb. 6: 2, and has placed it in such a context
that nothing but blindness or wilfulness can bring it into the present dispensation of
heavenly and spiritual blessings. It is related to carnal ordinances which touched the
flesh but not the conscience, and is placed in full contrast with that which is perfect.
(2) The only other occurrence of this word is in Mark 7: 4-8:
"And when they come from the market, except they wash (baptize), they eat not. And
many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing (baptisms)
of cups, and pots, brazen vessels, and of tables . . . . . Howbeit in vain do they worship
Me, teaching for doctrines (similar word as in Heb. 6: 2), the commandments of men.
For laying aside (same word as leaving in Heb. 6: 1) the commandment of God, ye hold
the tradition of men."
It is striking to see that the inspired author of Hebrews takes up the very words of the
Lord in the Gospel. The Lord had said that among the doctrines of men which they held
was the "doctrine of baptisms", and that they had "left" the commandment of God to
"hold the traditions of men". The Apostle says, in effect, "Reverse all this; leave the
doctrine of baptisms for the revealed Word of God". What have we found hitherto? The
"baptisms" used in Heb. 6: 1, 2, and 9: 10 have one meaning. They formed part of
"carnal ordinances" imposed by God, which made none "perfect". Again, the word
occurs in Mark 7: 4, and designates the "ceremonial cleansings" imposed by the
traditions of the elders. Thus, whether imposed by God or men, these baptisms were
carnal ordinances, and had no place in "that which is perfect".