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TO MATURE OR WHITHER. Hebrews 6:1-6. 09/10/2203. #18.
1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits. 4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.
1. ABCs of Christianity
a. Three basic approaches to passages:
a1. Those who are in Christ, but then back away lose their salvation (too many versus indicate that a believer can’t lose his or her salvation: Ephesians 1:13-14, Romans 8, John 6:47…)
a2. It is impossible for a believer to repent if he refuses to leave the elementary things of Christ in order to grow (remaining a carnal, immature Christian – I Corinthians 3)
a3. It is impossible for those who have initially entered into fellowship with the church, but who have not come to faith yet, to repent and be saved since they have rejected the Gospel
b. The author of Hebrews chastises the Hebrew believers for remaining in the trappings of the Old Testament Law
a1. While professing Christ, they were still participating in rituals of washings and laying on of hands, praying for the dead, etc.
a2. OT ceremonies pointed to Christ
c. Once Christ died and rose, the old rites were obsolete
d. The ceremonial law was baby’s milk and as long as they were sucking on milk, they could not mature
2. Backing away
a. Just as Paul was concerned for the carnal Corinthians, Hebrews was concerned for the immature Jews
b. Just as it was hard to recognize if a carnal believer is saved by his actions, it is hard to know if an immature believer is saved by his lack of growth
c. Those who back away had every advantage:
a1. Enlightened – heard and understood the Gospel and the Word of God
a2. Tasted the heavenly gift – they were around believers and experienced what salvation was
a3. Shared in Holy Spirit – benefitted from the fellowship and wisdom of Spirit filled believers
a4. Tasted the Word and its power – heard the teaching of the Word and felt its power
d. The lack of growth and leaving Old Covenant, indicated that perhaps they had not truly come to faith
3. Impossible repentance
a. The grave danger of participating with believers, but not coming to faith, is permanent rejection of Lord
b. Several passages indicate that false believers exist
a1. 1 Jn. 2:19 those who leave us = never saved
a2. Mt. 13 there are tares among the wheat
a3. 2 Cr. 11:26 Paul dealt with false brethren
a4. 2 Th. 2:8-11 God will send a lie to deceive those who knew, but rejected the Gospel
c. Those who reject the Gospel after having seemingly received it can’t come back since they rejected the only way of salvation (HEB. 10:26-31)
a1. This passage does not refer to those who are still seeking or believers struggling with sin
a2. Those who reject Christ after knowing fully who He is and what He did, are lost (Demus)
d. Those who try to maintain OT sacrifices and rituals crucify Christ again by going back to vain offerings
a1. Puts Christ to open shame by trying to add futile offerings to His eternal offering
a2. Must depend on Christ alone to be saved
e. I don’t know who is beyond repentance (a warning!)
Hebrews 10:26-31
26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.