*All Scripture Quotes From the KJV or The Scriptures Translations. Both are translated from the Textus Receptus / Received Texts manuscripts.
Psalms 11:3 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
Hebrews 5:12 – 6:2 For indeed, although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first elements of the Words of Elohim. And you have become such as need milk and not solid food. V.13 For everyone partaking of milk is inexperienced in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. V.14 But solid food is for the mature whose senses have been trained by practice to discern both good and evil. V.6:1 Therefore, having left the word of the beginning of the Messiah, let us go on to perfection,1 not laying again the foundation of 1) repentance from dead works, and of belief toward Elohim, v.2 2) of the teaching of immersions, and of 3) laying on of hands, and of 4) resurrection of the dead, and of 5) everlasting judgment.
These five foundations are referred herein as-
1.) the first elements of the Words of Elohim ~ Heb.5:12
2.) the word of the beginning of the Messiah ~ Heb. 6:1
3.) the foundation ~ Heb. 6:1
If we do not have these foundations of the faith the Scriptures teach that we are mere babes v.13, without knowledge v.14 and unable to rightly discern both good and evil v.14.
Foundation One) BY GRACE YOU ARE SAVED, NOT OF WORKS ~ Heb 6:1
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by favour you have been saved, through belief, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of Elohim, it is not by works, so that no one should boast.
Titus 3:5-7 He saved us, not by works of righteousness which we have done but according to His compassion, through the washing of rebirth, and renewal by the Set-apart Spirit, which He poured out on us richly through יהושע Messiah our Saviour, that having been declared right by His favour we should become heirs according to the expectation of everlasting life.
Foundation Two) THE DOCTRINE OF BAPTISMS ~ Heb. 6:2
This primary doctrine is the baptism of conversion, at the time of conversion. It is a triune baptism made up of the a) Water of the Word, b) Blood of Y’shua (Jesus) and c) Ruach Ha Chodesh (The Holy Spirit). (There are other, secondary baptisms that are taught throughout the Scriptures.)
Sometimes people testify to secondary experiences regarding the baptism of Ruah ha Chodesh. This is easily explained in the context of the last will and testament of Y’shua.
Heb. 9:16-17 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. V.17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
For the beneficiary to receive the benefit of the will and last testament first they have to be named a beneficiary, second they must hear what the will says at the reading of it, third they must willing accept the terms of the will.
This is exactly happens for the new believer in Y’shua. First they become eligible recipients by conversion (John 1:18 & Romans 8:17, second they hear what the New Testament promises every first born / co-heir in (Romans 10:17) / with ha Ma Shiach (the Messiah), third they must receive the benefit by the terms and conditions put forth in the Word of Elohim (Romans 10:9). This explains exactly why so many profess to secondary experiences concerning Ruah ha Chodesh.
Ephesians 4:5 One Master, one belief, one immersion,
1John 5:8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
a) The baptism of the water of the Word
1Peter 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
Titus 3:5 He saved us, not by works of righteousness which we have done but according to His compassion, through the washing of rebirth, and renewal by the Set-apart Spirit,
John 3:5 יהושע answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he is unable to enter into the reign of Elohim.
Ephesians 5:25-26 Husbands, love your wives, as Messiah also did love the assembly and gave Himself for it, v.26 in order to set it apart and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word,
Heb. 10:22 let us draw near with a true heart in completeness of belief, having our hearts sprinkled from a wicked conscience and our bodies washed with clean water.
The baptism of the water of Word will save you, whereas physical water baptism by immersion will not and is not necessary to be converted from death to life. Just ask the convert on the cross next to Y’shua. Luke 23:43 And Y’shua said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
b) The baptism of the blood of Y’shua
Acts 2:38 And Kĕpha said to them, “Repent, and let each one of you be immersed in the Name of יהושע Messiah for the forgiveness of sins.1 And you shall receive the gift of the Set-apart Spirit.
Revelation 1:5 and from יהושע Messiah, the trustworthy witness, the first-born from the dead, and the ruler of the sovereigns of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,
Rev. 7:14 And I said to him, “Master, you know.” And he said to me, “These are those coming out of the great distress, having washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
c) The baptism of Ruah ha Chodesh (Holy Spirit)
Mark 1:8 “I indeed did immerse you in water, but He shall immerse you in the Set-apart Spirit.
Acts 1:5 because Yoḥanan truly immersed in water, but you shall be immersed in the Set-apart Spirit not many days from now. Act 19:1 And it came to be, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Sha’ul, having passed through the upper parts, came to Ephesos. And having found some taught ones,
Acts 11:16 “And I remembered the word of the Master, how He said, ‘Yoḥanan indeed immersed in water, but you shall be immersed in the Set-apart Spirit.’
Acts 19:2-6 he said to them, “Did you receive the Set-apart Spirit when you believed?” And they said to him, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Set-apart Spirit.” And he said to them, “Into what then were you immersed?” And they said, “Into Yoḥanan’s immersion.” And Sha’ul said, “Yoḥanan indeed immersed with an immersion of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe in the One who is coming after him, that is, in Messiah יהושע.” And when they heard this, they were immersed in the Name of the Master יהושע. And when Sha’ul had laid hands on them, the Set-apart Spirit came upon them, and they were speaking in tongues and prophesying.
Foundation Three) THE LAYING ON OF HANDS ~ Heb.6:2
Acts 6:6 whom they set before the emissaries. And when they had prayed, they laid hands on them
Acts 8:17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Set-apart Spirit.
Acts 9:17 And Ḥananyah went away and went into the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Sha’ul, the Master יהושע, who appeared to you on the way as you came, has sent me, so that you might see again and be filled with the Set-apart Spirit.”
Acts 13:3 Then having fasted and prayed, and having laid hands on them, they sent them away.
Acts 19:6 And when Sha’ul had laid hands on them, the Set-apart Spirit came upon them, and they were speaking in tongues and prophesying.
1Timothy 4:14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the elderhood.
2Tim. 1:6 For this reason I remind you to stir up the gift of Elohim which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
Every believer in Y’shua is called a saint, by Heaven itself. 61 Times We Are Called Saints in the New Testament of the Scriptures (KJV)! The saints are addressed as the living, not the dead. Here are a few examples.
Romans 1:7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ
Rom. 12:13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
Rom. 15:25-26 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. V.26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.
Ephesians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
In addition every believer in Y’shua is called a royal priest of Elohim.
1Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a set-apart nation, a people for a possession, that you should proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light,
Revelation 1:5 and from יהושע Messiah, the trustworthy witness, the first-born from the dead, and the ruler of the sovereigns of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, v.6 and has made us sovereigns and priests to His Elohim and Father, to Him be esteem and rule forever and ever. Amĕn.
Rev. 5:9 And they sang a renewed song, saying, “You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals, because You were slain, and have redeemed us to Elohim by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, v.10 and made us sovereigns and priests to our Elohim, and we shall reign upon the earth.”
Rev 20:6 Blessed and set-apart is the one having part in the first resurrection. The second death possesses no authority over these, but they shall be priests of Elohim and of Messiah, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
As believers we are all called saints and we are all called to the holy priesthood. We are all called to lay hands on one another in ministry, prayers and blessings. Husbands are called to lay hands on their wives and children and bless them and minister to them as the priest of their home. Mothers likewise should lay hands on their husbands and children in prayer and blessings. Every believer should lay hands in blessing and prayers for the gifts and callings of Heaven (1 Corinthians 12) on every new convert as well as other believers in need of blessings, ministry and prayer.
Some are confused about this third foundation of our faith because it is erroneously taught that we should not be hasty to lay hands on others in ministry. The proof text is offered from 1 Timothy 5:22.
1Timothy 5:22 Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in sins of others. Keep yourself clean.
This text in context is referring to laying hands on others in accusation of gross unrepented sins. Specifically, it is referring to having at least two or three witnesses before accusing an elder. In addition to not laying hand hastily in accusation Paul is warning Timothy that if there are two or three witnesses and he does not deal with the sinner according to the Scriptures he will also be guilty of the same sin(s) in the eyes of heaven. (Romans 1:31-2:6)
Foundation Four) THE RESURRECTION
a) The resurrection of the saints is called the first resurrection.
Revelation 20:5-6 v.5 This is the first resurrection. V.6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
1Thessalonians 4:13-18 Now, brothers, we do not wish you to be ignorant concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you be sad as others who have no expectation. V.14 For if we believe that יהושע died and rose again, so also Elohim shall bring with Him those who sleep1 in יהושע. (Footnote: 1An euphemism for death), a typical Hebrew word for it. V. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Master, that we, the living who are left over at the coming of the Master shall in no way go before those who are asleep. v.16 Because the Master Himself shall come down from heaven with a shout, with the voice of a chief messenger, and with the trumpet of Elohim, and the dead in Messiah shall rise first. V.17 Then we, the living who are left over, shall be caught away together with them in the clouds to meet the Master in the air – and so we shall always be with the Master. V.18 So, then, encourage one another with these words.
b) The resurrection of the wicked is the second resurrection, unto judgment.
Rev. 20:11-13 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. V.12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. V.13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them:
Foundation Five) THE EVERLASTING JUDGMENT
Revelation 20:13-14 and they were judged every man according to their works. v.14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
1Corinthians 6:1-3 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? V.2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? V. 3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
Many believers have bought the lie that the saints are not called to judge. However, the Scripture teaches that not only should we judge righteously in this lifetime, but we shall also do the same at the everlasting judgment. Y’shua taught us to judge rightly! If you will carefully study Matthew 7:1- 5 you will see that Y’shua is teaching us that we are not to judge hypocritically, but righteously.
John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
Here are some examples of the righteous judgment the Scriptures call for in this lifetime.
Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
Act 20:28-31 “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Set-apart Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the assembly of Elohim which He has purchased with His own blood. V.29 “For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves1 shall come in among you, not sparing the flock. Footnote: 1See Matthew 7:15-23, Matt. 10:16, Luke. 10:3, John 10:12. V.30 “Also from among yourselves men shall arise, speaking distorted teachings, to draw away the taught ones after themselves. v.31 “Therefore watch, remembering that for three years, night and day, I did not cease to warn each one with tears.
1 John 2:18-19 Little children, it is the last hour. And as you have heard that the anti-messiah is coming, even now many anti-messiahs have come. This is how we know that it is the last hour. V.19 They went out from us, but they were not of us, for if they had been of us, they would have stayed with us – but in order that it might be made manifest that none of them were of us.
3 John 9-10 I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be the first among them, does not receive us. V.10 So if I come, I shall call to mind his works which he does, babbling against us with wicked words. And not satisfied with that, he himself does not receive the brothers, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the assembly.
2 Timothy 4:10 for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and went to Thessalonike v. 14 Alexander the coppersmith did many evils to me. The Master shall repay him according to his works. Psalms. 28:4; 62:12
I hope this study has been a great blessing to you and that you will share it with others that the foundations may be restored to the assemblies of believers all over the world. May you richly be blessed as you regard the Word of Elohim in your hearing and your doing.
Shalom, shalom!
Robert Arthur McDuffie
