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 Chapters 6 and 12 both deal with the concept of Maturity -

6– Shows Doctrine and Discipline as a means for Perfecting Believers. This    leads to frustration, rejection and failure....

12- Shows Our Father GOD  is the source of Discipline  - for Growing and Perfecting Believers. This leads us to be Disciples, growing from Children into more Mature Sons of GOD.

In between Chapters 6 and 12, lies the Work of JESUS as Our High Priest, perfecting Atonement on Our Behalf. - HIS work in us, leads us to God in a perfect way.

 Chapter 6 should be seen in light of The Day of Atonement

In this chapter, one can see the yearly attempts of OT believers seeking to be reconciled to a Holy and Righteous God – once a year, on The Day of Atonement.

            The worthiness of Jesus has been introduced in the first five Chapters. For example–  4:14 “Seeing we have a great High Priest, that is passed into The Heavenlies... let us hold fast.” 4:16 ”Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

 The following page shows a diagram based on two good translations of the text.

First The Amplified Translation– This view seems to point towards the possibility that we could meet the requirements listed and gain perfection.... (At first, I like this idea, but it goes contrary to most of what Paul and Jesus had to say about self effort or works.)

Second The Wuest Expanded Translation– This view shows the doctrines listed are essentially Old Testament. This list of doctrines then relates to the self effort of The Law, which does a good job of showing sin and thus points to our need for Salvation....

    The First 4 Verses of Hebrews 6 and the Doctrines listed there, should be viewed from the Main Theme of The Day of Atonement.   

 –New Covenant Christians are totally dependent upon Jesus Christ. If we build upon an O.T. foundation for our relationship with God, we cannot be saved.

The 7 Doctrines listed are: First ‘Christ alone is Perfect’ – the other 6 can be seen as OT centered (or Mosaic Atonement activities) which we MUST NOT depend upon: 2-‘Repentance from dead works’ – 3-‘Faith Towards GOD’ – 4-‘Washings’ – 5-‘Laying on of Hands’ – 6- ‘Resurrection of The Dead and –7- Eternal Judgment.’ All of these concepts relate directly to The Day of Atonement and to the  OT activities written in Leviticus 16. (For Details, about Lev 16, see the Appendix at the end of this Booklet.)

 Any ability of a group of believers to reach self-righteous perfection under the O.T., would make void our dependence upon JESUS. Chapter 6 thus shows the futility of a Christian’s self righteousness, and then leads us back to JESUS as the only means of Atonement and Reconciliation To GOD.