Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Hebrews 6:2

"of the teaching of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment." — Hebrews 6:2 (ASV)

“Instruction” is in apposition to “foundation” and introduces a fresh group of subjects. “Baptisms” is a word usually used of purification ceremonies other than Christian baptism (9:10; Mark 7:4), and it is plural (which would be unusual for baptism). Thus it is likely that the word refers to something other than Christian baptism. There were such purification ceremonies, or lustrations, in the Jewish religion as in most other religions of the day. Sometimes there was confusion over ritual washings (Jn 3:25ff.; Acts 19:1–5). It would thus be one of the elementary items of instruction that converts be taught the right approach to the various “baptisms” they would encounter. The “laying on of hands” was a widespread practice in antiquity. Among Christians, hands were laid on new converts (Acts 8:17), on Timothy by the presbyterate (1 Timothy 4:14), and on Timothy by Paul (2 Timothy 1:6). This action was sometimes associated with commissioning for ministry and sometimes with the beginnings of Christian service. It seems to have been connected with the gift of the Spirit at least on some occasions (e. g., Acts 8:17–19). It is Christian beginnings, perhaps with the thought of God’s gift of the Holy Spirit, that are in mind here. “The resurrection of the dead... and eternal judgment” were topics that went together and were important for Jews and Christians alike. They form a reminder that this life is not everything. We are responsible people, and one day we shall rise from the dead and give account of ourselves to God. This must have been of importance to new converts in a time when many people thought of death as the end of everything.