Decoding Hebrews - Chapter 6
What exactly are the “elementary principles” of Hebrews 6 and what do they reveal about baptism?
Is “baptism” a Christian invention… or is the author actually talking about ancient Jewish ritual washings (mikva’ot)? Could the Greek word baptismoí (“washings,” Heb 6:2) unlock one of the most misunderstood doctrines in the church?
In this episode of Decoding Hebrews, Pastor Jim Staley is returning Hebrews 6 to its first-century Jewish context. We’ll unpack “repentance from dead works,” “faith toward God,” and the instruction about washings, exploring how the early audience would have heard these terms. Long before later traditions reframed them. What did purification, covenant renewal, and discipleship look like in Second Temple Judaism? And how does this reshape our understanding of New Covenant immersion and sanctification?
Discover how Hebrews 6 reframes “baptism” as rooted in Israel’s story—and why that matters for following Yeshua today.
