Introduction

Let’s take some time to look at the practical application of what we are learning in our study of the book of Hebrews.

In our study we came to learn about the "Elementary Teachings" about Christ. Hebrews identifies six topics in Hebrews 6:1,2 as foundational doctrines. These teachings the writer calls "milk" and he say they are for a child (ESV), a babe (KJV, NKJV), an infant (NASB, NIV), who is "unskilled" (ESV, NKJV), "unskillful" (KJV), "not accustomed" (NASB), "not acquainted" (NIV), "in the word/teaching of righteousness."

The Hebrew writer then contrasts the diet of milk for infants to "solid food" (ESV, NASB, NIV, NKJV, WEB), "strong meat" (KJV) which is for the "mature", "of full age" (KJV).

Hebrews 5:11-14 (ESV)
11 About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

There are two other passages in the New Testament that use this language of milk & solid food for elementary & advanced teachings of Christianity.

The 1st passage:

1 Corinthians 3:1-3 (ESV)
1 But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, 3 for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?

Notice: the Corinthians were "not ready" for solid food. How did Paul know they were not ready for solid food? They were still fleshly & not spiritual, because, says Paul, they were jealous & they strove with one another.

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"Solid food" is NOT for everyone. It IS NOT for those "outside" Christ, it is not for the immature in Christ.

Solid food is for those who have laid a solid foundation. We need to refresh our minds about what Jesus said about building His church   ( -pdf ).

The 2nd passage:

1 Peter 2:1-3 (ESV) 1 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

Peter also notices that Christians were deceitful, hypocritical, envious, slanderous and held malice towards one another.

Peter’s solution: "[be] like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation, if…​"

How Do You Grow Up Salvation?

Long for the pure spiritual milk

1 Peter 2:1-3 (ESV)

  1. 1 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.

  2. 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk,

    • that by it you may grow up into salvation—

    • 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

Lay a solid foundation

1 Corinthians 3:1-3 (ESV)

  1. 1 But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ.

  2. 2 I fed you with milk, not solid food,

    • for you were not ready for it.

    • And even now you are not yet ready,

    • 3 for you are still of the flesh.

    • For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?

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These are the FOUNDATIONAL topics

The elementary doctrine of Christ

Hebrews 6:1,2
1 Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of:

  1. repentance from dead works and of

  2. faith toward God, 2 and of

  3. instruction about baptisms, the

  4. laying on of hands, the

  5. resurrection of the dead, and

  6. eternal judgment.

By now you ought to be teachers

  • We need to learn these foundational topics well enough to teach

THEN progress to solid food

Hebrews Study
Study the arguments in Hebrews to become aware of "solid food"

Learn about righteousness Hebrews 5:13,14

  1. 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child.

  2. 14 But solid food is for the mature,

    • for those who have their powers of discernment trained

    • by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

We need to add what the Bible has to say about righteousness to our foundational learning.

From our Romans class

We may recognize these six topics listed in Paul’s gospel

THE POINT: The foundational topics are PART of the gospel.

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What else does Paul mention is in the gospel?

  • Jesus' fleshly heritage (through King David)

  • Jesus' spiritual heritage (declared to be "The Son of God…​")

  • All six foundational topics are mentioned

  • AND IN THE GOSPEL, Paul says, THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD is revealed.

In our study of "solid food" Romans NEEDS to follow our study of Hebrews so that we may become skilled in the word of righteousness.

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