Verses 1-6

Verses 1-2. The basics of the Word, that we must fully understand and obey, first, are these: (1) Repentance from dead works, (2) faith toward God, (3) baptisms, (4) laying on of hands, (5) resurrection of the dead, and (6) eternal judgment.
(1) Repentance and continued repentance:
- Confess and turn away from sin, and choose to obey God's Word (1 John 1:9, Luke 13:3-5, John 8:11, 1 John 2:3,15, 3:10, Romans 2:5-11, 12:2).
- Deny yourself—lose your life to follow what Christ wants/commands (Matthew 10:38-39, 16:24).
- Deny your self-righteousness (Luke 18:10-14, Mark 2:17, Romans 3:20, Galatians 5:4).
- Accept the inevitable persecutions and hardships for your faith (Matthew 16:24, Acts 14:22, Matthew 5:10, 1 Peter 4:1).
- Let go of dependent attachment to any material possession or human relationship (Luke 14:26-33, Matthew10:34-39, 19:16-24)
(2) Faith / belief / following Christ:
- Understand and agree that Jesus is both God and man (1 John 4:2-3, Hebrews 2:16-18, 4:15, 1 John 5:1, 1 John 2:22-23).
- That Jesus died, was buried, rose again (1 Corinthians 15:3-8), and that He will return for judgment (1 Corinthians 15:12-23,49-55, 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17, 1 Corinthians 15:20-23,49-55).
- That the whole Bible is true and to be obeyed (Matthew 5:17-20, Luke 24:25-27,44-48, John 5:46-47, Luke 16:29-31).
- That Jesus' work saves you, not your own works—that we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9, Galatians 2:16, 2 Corinthians 5:21).
- That faith is shown by works—action of obedience to Christ is how one believes in Christ (John 3:36, James 2:14-26, John 14:15,21,23-24, Luke 6:46-49, Matthew 7:21).
  - Following Christ:
  - Become a diligent student of the Bible—learn from Christ (John 6:57,63, 8:31-32,51, 15:4-8, James 1:22-25).
  - Purpose to do what Jesus did—follow His example (Matthew 11:29, 1 John 2:6, John 13:13-17,34-35, Matthew 28:18-20, John 20:21).
(3) The Four Baptisms:
- Baptism of salvation—that you are saved by the indwelling and washing of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5, 1 Corinthians 6:11, John 3:5, Romans 8:9).
- Baptism in water—the physical act to symbolize your salvation (Romans 6:1-6, Colossians 2:11-12, 1 Peter 3:21, Mark 16:16).
- Baptism of the Holy Spirit—endowment of power from the Spirit (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4-8, 2:1-4, 8:14-17, 10:44-46, 11:15-17, 19:
  - This baptism of power is separate from the indwelling of the Spirit for salvation.
- Baptism of fire—a cleansing burn, after death, before we enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 3:11-12, Mark 9:49, 1 Corinthians 3:15, Malachi 3:2-3).
(4) The laying on of hands:
- Laying hands as used in a variety of cases, like in baptizing someone, in praying for them for things, etc. (Acts 8:15-18, 9:17, Mark 16:18, 1 Timothy 5:22), including receiving help/ministry from someone else (Acts 8:30-38).
  - Understand and teach this as a basic action to start ministering to others.
- The laying on of hands is also used in many cases for bringing physical healing to others. This makes it an elementary principle because healing is really a very small and insignificant part of what can be done with the power of the kingdom.
  - With a body of believers, many great things can be attained, and healing with the laying on of hands is a small thing. Remember this and expect greater works!
(5) Resurrection of the dead:
- Jesus' resurrection from the dead (Revelation 1:18) provides:
- Our resurrection out of the deadness of sin to a new life of holiness (Romans 6:5-14, 20-23, 8:13).
- Our future, physical resurrection:
  - Every believer enters the kingdom of heaven, to be with the Lord, and receives their new body (Job 19:25-27, 1 John 3:2, 2 Corinthians 5:1-5).
  - At the end of this world, Christ will physically return to earth alongside the believers that were with Him in heaven (1 Thessalonians 3:13), and believers still living on earth will receive their new body (1 Corinthians 15:51-55, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17).
(6) Eternal judgment:
- The judgment from God that every person receives, after death (Hebrews 9:27). Christ will also be enacting a final judgment when He returns (2 Timothy 4:1, Revelation 22:12, Matthew 25:31-32, John 12:48).
  - The Judgment for Believers:
    - We will stand before Christ to speak about our lives on earth and to receive a judgment from Christ (1 Peter 4:17-18, Romans 14:10-12, 2 Corinthians 5:9-10, Luke 12:42-48, 1 Corinthians 3:8-15, Matthew 25:19-23)
  - The Judgment for Unbelievers:
    - After death, the spirits/souls of unbelievers are sent to Hades (Psalm 16:10, Revelation 20:13)—an eternal prison generated by an intense flame for the punishment of sin (Matthew 25:46, Mark 9:47-48).
    - And all the unbelieving dead will be resurrected out of Hades (Acts 24:15, John 5:28-29) to receive a final judgment for their works—called the second death (Revelation 20:14-15). They will be cast alive into the lake of fire(Revelation 20:12-13,15), as they will have a new body that can burn forever (Isaiah 66:24, Matthew 10:28).

Verses 3-8. Purpose to become mature and to move past these basic principles of the Christian life and doctrine. But remember that God determines whether you will be allowed to. This is for our protection.
- For if a person is granted great revelation and power, but they later fall away from repentance (the basics), they would be in great danger of denying Christ. They would lose their salvation, and it would be impossible for them to be saved again.
- Anyone can fall away. Therefore, for our protection, God won't let us grow beyond what is needed for our present lives. Focus on the basics—know them and obey them well—and then think about greater works.
  - Verses 7-8. Be a fruit-bearing believer! Be obedient to the Word with which God has blessed you!
    - If you do not learn this, any greater blessing from God (greater “rain”) would be bad. You would only bear bad fruit, and God would have to reject you.

Verses 9-12

Work hard to serve others for God's kingdom, and out of love! Do this diligently, and without slowing down.
Faith, patience, and diligence are essential. We need patience in order to have faith. In fact, patience is necessary for growth in all areas (James 1:3-4, Luke 8:15).
- Patience is the ability to keep faith no matter what happens (Revelation 2:10), and to labor hard (and even suffer) for long periods of time without growing tired or frustrated (Revelation 2:3, Galatians 5:22, 1 Corinthians 13:4).
  - A truly patient person will be able to suffer and still be joyful and kind.
- Diligence is the ability to work with passion and energy—to your fullest ability—at all times and in everything that you do (Ecclesiastes 9:10, Colossians 3:23).
  - Diligent people will be fruitful (2 Peter 1:10, Proverbs 13:4).
God is pleased us when we are faithful, diligent, and patient, and He will not forget the work involved with this! He will reward it!

Verses 13-20

Grow your faith and be patient because you can trust the God will surely keep His promises. He will never let you down, so press forward for His kingdom (see Hebrews 10:35)!
- God gave Abraham confidence by making a covenant with him (Genesis 15); we can have confidence because of the covenant God made with us in Christ.
- Jesus died and offered His own blood to assure you of eternal life (Luke 22:20). This assurance will anchor your mind, keeping you at peace. Always remember what Christ has done for you!