The Elementary Principles of the Christian Faith

"Therefore we must progress beyond the elementary instructions about Christ and move on to maturity, not laying this foundation again: repentance from dead works and faith in God, teaching about baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment," (Hebrews 6:1-2 NET). These verses clearly lays out the six basic principles that we as Christians must understand if we are to grow in maturity of faith. The first, repentance, tells us that it is faith in Jesus and not works that save us. The second is quite controversial: "teachings on baptisms." (emphasis added). Notice that it does not say baptism, singular, but baptisms, plural. Evangelicals, especially Calvinists, love to quote Ephesians 4:4-6 which says,"There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all" (NKJV). But that one baptism is the one "Baptism of the Holy Spirit", not one baptism in all of our faith. Laying on of hands is a command for the pastors and elders of churches, for sending people out to God's calling (Acts 13:1-3) and for the healing of the sick (James 5:14). Resurrection of the dead is one we are familiar with, and that relates to the events surrounding Jesus' resurrection (Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20) and the resurrection of the dead at the Rapture (1Thess 4:13-18). Eternal judgment is a hot button issue as well because many, many Christians don't want to believe in Hell. It is a real place, and if you die before believing in Christ, you will go there (2 Peter 2:4-9). The Devil is real, and he will do everything in his power to see as many people as possible go to Hell too (1 Peter 5:8).
Now most of what I have explained here is my opinion about these subjects. The one exception is eternal judgment. You cannot be a true follower of Christ if you do not understand that it is real. As for the other however, there are many opinions on them. You don't need to take my opinion on it; instead I exhort you to research the topics by reading commentaries about them and most importantly by searching the scriptures and seeing what they say about these subjects. Then you should discern what you believe about them, for then you will be able to grow in Christ.