Faith and Repentance - Hebrews 6:1-3

Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit.

Paul outlays six principles that "let us go on to perfection": repentance, faith, baptism, laying on of hands, resurrection and judgment. Paul says these are a foundation that he hopes his audience won't have to re-build. Which I take to mean that he wants to make perfectly clear that these principles should be well understood by all Christians.

"Repentance from dead works" is an interesting phrase. It appears that the original meaning was "works of death" or more appropriately; "works that lead to death". The meaning being that certain works (aka. sins) lead to spiritual death. Note that repentance is not possible without first faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The reason is that sin has effects that we cannot overcome on our own. For example, one may refrain from the repetition of some reprehensible act, but the psychological effects still remain. Feelings of guilt, unworthiness, self-hatred, etc. are effects that often accompany sin. Not to mention that our acts may cause similar scarring in others who were affected by our actions. In many cases, some acts are impossible to make full reparations for.

Enter Jesus Christ who said through his prophet Isaiah:

Come now, and let us reason together...: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Repentance is put into full effect by the atonement of Jesus Christ. He is the only one who "suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance". (Alma 7:13) He is the one that can take someone horrible and turn them into someone wonderful. Turn the reprobate into the upright, and the dross into treasure. As Isaiah said: "Beauty for ashes".

But how is the miracle done? It is done through faith in Christ, followed by sincere repentance; which means not only repenting of certain sins, but turning away from sin altogether. Only then can His atonement take effect:

Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God. And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot.

Perhaps I will have to leave explanation of the remaining principles of baptism, laying on of hands, resurrection and judgment for another post.