The author of the book of Hebrews says that his audience is "dull of hearing" and can't handle deep teaching. He says they "need milk, not solid food." Are we in any better position to understand the great mysteries of God two thousand years later or are we in an even worse condition—one that doesn't even understand the "milk" that the author speaks of: repentance from dead works, faith toward God, instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And if we think we understand these things, do we understand them as the earliest disciples would have? Join Rabbi Damian in this introduction to the Elementary Principles of the book of Hebrews as we spend several weeks working to understand these from a thoroughly biblical, and therefore Jewish, perspective.

In our discussion of the "Elementary Principles" of the book of Hebrews, we can't escape the nagging question, "How is this relevant to the Gospel?" Yes, the Gospel, the Good News, is central to everything Yeshua and his disciples taught. But is the Gospel being preached from our pulpits today the same Good News Yeshua and his disciples proclaimed? And if it isn't why isn't it? Join Rabbi as he peels back centuries of misinformation to reveal the heart of the Gospel message absent from our modern evangelistic efforts.

In our last sermon, we acknowledged that the Gospel message being proclaimed by most believers today was lacking a central component: the Kingdom. Why was this essential component lost in the centuries following the resurrection of Yeshua (Jesus)? Was it because it was too Jewish? Why is the Kingdom crucial to the Gospel message? Join Rabbi Damian as he unravels this ancient mystery and helps us to look forward to the fulfillment of the long-awaited prophecies anticipated by Yeshua and his disciples.

Is the church the Kingdom? Possibly one of the most important messages you will ever hear, "Replacing the Kingdom" helps us to understand the thread that was pulled to unraveled a large portion of Yeshua's Gospel message. By examining church history we can see how the promises God made to Israel were appropriated by the church and the Scriptures lost their literal meaning and became simply stories and allegories to support anti-Jewish theology. How then do we address the question of whether or not Yeshua brought the Kingdom? Join Rabbi Damian in this powerful message that is purposed to re-center our beliefs, hopes, and teachings on what Yeshua considered of utmost importance.

Thus far, we’ve restored the importance of the kingdom and redefined the accurate gospel message. Yeshua (Jesus) called on those who followed him to become “converts” to his message of hope for the future. But what was his message and why? Was it a call to personal salvation above all or was it a cry to a nation to return to God? The answer is, “Yes” and this installment will help you see it clearly.

Repentance is where it begins. It’s the foundation of the gospel. It’s the first of six elementary principles the author of Hebrews says we must know and live by: repentance from “dead works.” But what does this mean? The common interpretations of dead works suggest we must change our mind and stop doing things to try to earn salvation. We’ve got to repent from this behavior that surely kills! Is this correct? Would the audience of Hebrews have understood this interpretation? More importantly, what does it mean for us today as we attempt to understand the basics, the “milk” we’re called to know and to teach?

What is true repentance? It’s certainly important, so If we’re supposed to do it, we better know what it means, right? This teaching focuses on the traditional Christian understanding of repentance as a change of mind and compares that with word’s fullest meaning as intended by Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) and the Apostles.

There is likely nothing more important in the relationship between God and his people or between Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) and his disciples than faith. It is certainly no surprise to see it listed among the “elementary principles of Messiah” in Hebrews 6. But do we really understand what it means to have “faith ON God” as Hebrews describes it? Is my belief in God the same as my faith toward Him? This is our topic in the 8th installment of "Got Milk?".

“They believed in the Lord and also in his servant, Moses.” That’s Exodus 14. In John 14, Yeshua (Jesus) says, “Believe in God, believe also in me.” Wow! That’s pretty similar. But Moses and Jesus? What do they have to do with each other? You’ve likely heard this answer — absolutely nothing. That’s wrong. Seeing the similarities illuminates so much and that’s the purpose of this teaching which concludes the elementary principle of faith toward God.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” It’s the Great Commission and its central to the instruction is to “baptize.” Is it a surprise that an Elementary Principle of Messiah then would be “instructions about washings?” No, but how much do we actually understand even the basics of this process? It’s not what you might think.

Baptizing them in the name of …” These are familiar words with a very powerful message behind them. The meaning and significance of baptism “in the name of …” would have been communicated to new disciples in the elementary principle known as “instructions about washings.” After this message, you’ll know what they knew.

The Fourth elementary principle is about the "laying on of hands." Simple, right? That’s how people get healed … Maybe there’s more to discuss?