Hebrews 6:2

“Of the doctrine of baptisms, etc..] Some read this divisively, “baptism and doctrine”, as the Ethiopic version; as if the one respected the ordinance of baptism, and the other the ministry of the word; but it is best to read them conjunctively: and by which most understand the Gospel ordinance of water baptism, so called by a change of number, the plural for the singular, as the Syriac and Ethiopic versions, who render it baptism; or because of the different persons baptized, and times of baptizing, as some; or because of the trine immersion, as others; or because of the threefold baptism of spirit, blood, and water, which have some agreement with each other; or because of the baptism of…”

“the doctrine of baptisms--paired with "laying on of hands," as the latter followed on Christian baptism, and answers to the rite of confirmation in Episcopal churches. Jewish believers passed, by an easy transition, from Jewish baptismal purifications (Heb 9:10, "washings"), baptism of proselytes, and John's baptism, and legal imposition of hands, to their Christian analogues, baptism, and the subsequent laying on of hands, accompanied by the gift of the Holy Ghost (compare Heb 6:4). Greek, "baptismoi," plural, including Jewish and Christian baptisms, are to be distinguished from baptisma, singular, restricted to Christian baptism. The six particulars here specified had been, as it were, the…”

“Of the doctrine of baptisms - This is mentioned as the third element or principle of the Christian religion. The Jews made much of various kinds of “washings,” which were called “baptisms;” see the note on Mark 7:4. It is supposed also, that they were in the practice of baptizing proselytes to their religion; see the note on Matthew 3:6. Since they made so much of various kinds of ablution, it was important that the true doctrine on the subject should be stated as one of the elements of the Christian religion, that they might be recalled from superstition, and that they might enjoy the benefits of what was designed to be an important aid to piety - the true doctrine of baptisms. It will be…”

“6:2 The term baptisms (or washings) is plural, so it must mean more than just Christian baptism. Instruction about various washings was prevalent in first-century Judaism (see Matt 15:2; Mark 7:3). The author might also have in mind the cleansing rituals of the Old Testament (cp. Heb 9:13; 10:22). • The laying on of hands was associated with healing (Mark 5:22-23; Luke 13:13), ritual blessing (Matt 19:13, 15), reception of the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:17; 9:17; 19:6), and acknowledgement of a person’s ministry (Acts 6:6; 13:3). • resurrection of the dead: See “The Resurrection of the Dead” Theme Note. • eternal judgment: See Rev 20:11-15.”

“the doctrine: Heb 9:10; Mar 7:4, Mar 7:8; Luk 11:38 \*Gr: Mat 3:14, Mat 20:22, Mat 20:23, Mat 28:19; Mar 16:16; Luk 3:16, Luk 12:50; Joh 1:33, Joh 3:25, Joh 3:26; Joh 4:1, Joh 4:2; Act 2:38, Act 2:41, Act 8:12, Act 8:13, Act 8:16, Act 8:36-38, Act 10:47, Act 16:15, Act 16:33, Act 19:2-5; Rom 6:3, Rom 6:4; Co1 1:12-17, Co1 10:2, Co1 12:13; Col 2:12; Pe1 3:20, Pe1 3:21 laying: Act 6:6, Act 8:14-18, Act 13:3, Act 19:6 resurrection: Heb 11:35; Isa 26:19; Eze 37:1-14; Dan 12:2; Mat 22:23-32; Luk 14:14; Joh 5:29, Joh 11:24, Joh 11:25; Act 4:2, Act 17:18, Act 17:31, Act 17:32, Act 23:6, Act 24:15, Act 24:21, Act 26:8; Rom 6:5; 1Cor. 15:13-57; Phi 3:21; Th1 4:14-18; Ti2 2:18 eternal: Ecc 12:14;…”