Six Reasons Why You Should Not Shrink Back to the Old Covenant
As one reads the book of Hebrews, it is imperative to understand the types and shadows of the Old Testament, in contrast with the substance of Christ and the New Testament. In this, Christianity supersedes Judaism because Jesus Messiah is the Antitype. He fulfilled the types and shadows of the Old Testament. Thus, there is great joy in one seeing, knowing, and understanding this foundation stone of Bible interpretation. Our Lord is to be observed throughout the Scriptures because He is the subject throughout (Old and New Testament).
In Hebrews 5:11, the author/pastor digresses from his explanation of the connection between Melchizedek and Jesus. His pastoral concern for his audience is the reason for the warning he issued (Heb 5:11–6:8). These are the Jewish Christians, like himself, who need the exhortation to look to the perfections of Christ Jesus. The author encourages them to move past the types and shadows to the substance.
In addition to that encouragement to embrace the knowledge of the truth, as it is in Jesus, the author lists six Old Testament teachings that must be laid aside in favor of Christ. Let us consider these six that come in pairs relating to conversion; initiation; and consummation.
First, to lay again a foundation of repentance from dead works is an allusion to the works of the Law that could not justify anyone because of sinful flesh. Christ fulfilled the Law of God and fulfilled all righteousness (Mt 5:17). The Levitical priests performed “dead works” in the Temple that could never secure right standing for those who came to worship at the Temple. Hence, Christ’s perfect work was superior.
Second, Israel did have an advantage over surrounding nations who worshiped endless false gods through idols. Faith in Yahweh was not wrong; but God sent His Son so that Israel would believe in Him who was the fullest revelation of Yahweh (Heb 1:1–3). There was never to be anything beyond Christ, nor should worshipers ignore Him, the sent One from heaven (Jn 3:16; 16:28).
For one to repent means a turning from something to something else. Christ Jesus is “the something else” in every case (Acts 5:31; 11:18). Yahweh demanded His Son be the object of faith because in Him, the fullness of deity dwells in bodily form (Col 2:9). God dwelt among us as the God-man, Jesus Christ. Everything He did was in subjugation to God the Father, Yahweh, the God of Israel.
Third, we move from images of conversion to initiation. In Hebrews 6:2, the instructions about washings allude to the ritual of ceremonial cleansing found in the Pentateuch. These served to teach Israel about the holiness of God and the filth of sin. The message: in order to approach Yahweh, the worshiper must be clean.
As one learns Christ, he sees the Antitype and His precious blood that cleanses us from all sin (1 Jn 1:7; Rev 1:5). The superiority of Christ is again understood to be the one time, once for all time, once for all His people sacrifice of Himself on the cross. The ritual, ceremonial washings were types of the permanently “clean” status of those “in Christ.” His work also cleansed the worshiper’s conscience, which the type had not done in the Old Testament.
Fourth, there was the laying of hands. This was taken from Leviticus 16 and the day of atonement. On Yom Kippur, the high priest had two animals. One was sacrificed and one was spared. The blood of the first, on the hands of the priest, was laid on the head of the second. The sins of the people were confessed; and the animal was released in the wilderness. Here is another picture of substitutionary atonement.
Christ, as we are learning, is better. By His death on the cross and with His shed blood applied to His chosen people, we are released to live, forever. Eternal life is the gift of God (Rom 6:23), extended to the redeemed people through the mediatorial work of Christ (1 Tim 2:5; Heb 9:15; 12:24).
Fifth, we consider our final pairing that points us to end things. Resurrection from the dead is evident in the Old Testament. The resurrection of the just and the unjust was taught and believed by some in Israel (e. g. Martha in John 11). In this, all would be raised from the dead to stand trial before Yahweh. Good and bad would be assessed at the throne of judgment on the day of judgment.
Sixth, the eternal judgment of Old Testament revelation found its fulfillment in Christ as the righteous Judge of the world (Gen 18:25), the living and the dead (2 Cor 5:10). All will be resurrected with an ensuing separation of those inside and those outside of Christ (Mt 25:32; Jn 5:28–29). Eternal life is set against eternal punishment.
In Christ, we were judged at Calvary, where Jesus died in our place of judgment and punishment. There is now therefore no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:1). In contrast with being judged on the last day, believers will sit down on the throne with Christ to judge the angels, the world, and witness the sentencing of the damned to eternal punishment in the fiery hell of the lake of fire (Mt 25:41, 46; Jude 7; Rev 20:14–15; 21:8).
In conclusion, looking at Hebrews 6:3, the reader learns that salvation is all of His grace (Eph 2:8–9). If God permits, we are carried on to perfection. The economy between the preacher and the hearer implores both to be found faithful. The charge of dull hearing should provoke examination (Heb 5:11). The preacher must preach Christ and Him crucified (1 Cor 1:18, 23; 2:2, 4), regardless of the hearer’s status in that event.
We grow, spiritually, by the grace of God (Rom 8:29; 2 Pet 3:18). God has His chosen people, whom He gave to Christ (Jn 17:2, 6, 24), and for whom Christ came to die (Mt 1:21; Jn 10:11, 15). We know this because of the gracious revelation and illumination provided by the Holy Spirit, sent to us (Jn 14:26; 15:26). The world does not receive the Spirit (Jn 14:17), so we only have two groups in view…those who are growing in Christ and those who are shrinking back to destruction.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
October 3, 2024
Hebrews 6:1–3