Yes, believers must move beyond elementary teachings to grow into the deeper truths God intends for them.
Les Feldick teaches that elementary teachings are foundational, but just as one progresses from basic arithmetic to higher mathematics, Christians must build on the basics and advance into deeper doctrines. Paul's writings are a progressive revelation, moving from simple truths to deep spiritual truths that carnal believers cannot comprehend. This growth is essential for strengthening faith and not being blown about by every wind of doctrine.
Hebrews 6:1 — This verse explicitly instructs leaving the principles of Christ to go on unto perfection, supporting the need to move beyond elementary teachings.
The Bible indicates that spiritual growth is expected. While foundational teachings are necessary, believers are encouraged to advance. Hebrews 6:1 says, "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." This implies that staying only at elementary principles is not the goal. Paul's writings also show a progression. As Les notes, Paul's letters (e.g., Romans, Galatians, Ephesians) reflect a progressive revelation, moving from basic salvation truths to deep doctrines about the Body of Christ and the believer's spiritual position. The Bible itself is a progressive revelation, with newer truths building on older ones.
Les Feldick explains that Christians must move from elementary doctrines to deeper truths, just as students progress from basic arithmetic to higher mathematics. He emphasizes that Paul's writings are a progressive revelation, starting simple and culminating in profound spiritual truths. For example, Romans is doctrinally elementary, yet essential; Galatians addresses legalism; and the prison epistles (Ephesians, Philippians) contain the deep doctrines of grace and the believer's position in the heavenlies. Les stresses that this deeper teaching is what the Christian community needs today—not just the exciting topics like prophecy, but the nitty-gritty of everyday Christian living.
Les uses the analogy of secular education: you cannot go into higher mathematics without basic arithmetic, but you don't stay in third or fourth grade arithmetic. You build on it and move on. Similarly, elementary teachings are foundational, but believers must progress to deeper doctrines.
Les states that Paul's writings are a progressive revelation in themselves, like the Bible as a whole. He begins with simple teachings and moves to deeper spiritual truths. For example, Romans and Galatians address foundational and corrective issues, while Ephesians and Philippians contain the deep water of the Body of Christ and heavenly positions.
Les believes that the Christian community needs to get into the doctrines God has revealed, not just the basics. He mentions that he teaches things not normally taught, which open eyes to deeper truths. He also stresses that this deeper teaching is the nitty-gritty of everyday Christian living, strengthening faith and preventing being blown about by every wind of doctrine.
Why the Jews Called Jesus Accursed — 1 Corinthians 12:3 Explained
Hello and welcome to Through the Bible with Les Feldick. An Oklahoma rancher and farmer, Les Feldick has been teaching homestyle Bible classes for 20 years in Iowa, Oklahoma, and Texas. Les Feldick's unique style of Bible teaching has made the books of the Bible come to life. When Les is teaching, it's so interesting that people say time just seems to fly by. And now, here is Les Feldick.
Progressive Revelation in Paul's Writings
Les explains that Paul's letters are a progressive revelation, moving from simple beginnings to deep spiritual truths that the carnal believer cannot comprehend.
Deeper Teaching for the Christian Community
Les emphasizes that believers need to get into deeper doctrines that God has revealed, not just the basics, and that this is what the Christian community needs today.
Everyday Christian Living
Les discusses the nitty-gritty of everyday Christian living, which requires deeper teaching to strengthen faith and avoid being blown about by every wind of doctrine.
Why Paul's Letters Are the Most Neglected in the Bible
I think I could very easy spend five years on just Paul's epistles. It wouldn't be any trouble at all. Because there is so much in this little section of our New Testament that is so intrinsic to our daily needs, our salvation need. Everything is in this little section of our mind. And most people... We've been teaching Romans in one of my other classes.
Analogy of Elementary Education
Les uses the analogy of arithmetic to show that you build on elementary teachings but do not stay there; you move on to deeper truths.
Deep Water in Paul's Later Letters
Les points to Ephesians and Philippians as examples of deep water and higher plane teachings where God wants believers to be, showing the need to progress beyond basics.
Does the Holy Spirit Live in You? Romans 8:9 Explained
And as I've been stressing in all the five years that I've been teaching, that for this age of grace, which we call the Church Age, Paul of course is the designated Apostle of the Gentiles. And consequently I feel that it's in the Pauline letters that we have to garner basically the fundamental truths for salvation, for the Christian walk, for the operation of the local church.
Hebrews 6:1: 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.
This verse directly commands believers to move beyond the elementary principles of Christ and go on to maturity, supporting the need for progression.
Les Feldick indicates that while basics are essential, staying only on elementary principles is not the goal. He uses the analogy of arithmetic: you don't stay in third grade; you build on it and move on to higher mathematics. Similarly, believers should progress to deeper truths.
According to Les, deeper teachings include the deep spiritual truths in Paul's later letters like Ephesians and Philippians, which cover the Body of Christ and the believer's position in the heavenlies. These are considered deep water and a higher plane of understanding.
Watch the Teaching: Why the Jews Called Jesus Accursed — 1 Corinthians 12:3 Explained