Discuss Hebrews 6 Page 6

UNCONDITIONAL COVENANT TO ABRAHAM.

This is what is getting covered up by spritualizing certain text.

And How it relates to us.

Hebrews 6:13-19 (KJV) For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,

Saying, SURELY BLESSING I WILL BLESS THEE, and MULTIPLYING I WILL MULTIPLY THEE.

And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.

Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the IMMUTABILITY of his counsel, CONFIRMED IT BY AN OATH:

That by TWO IMMUTABLE THINGS, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, BOTH SURE AND STEADFAST, AND WHICH ENTERED INTO THAT "WITHIN THE VEIL;"

Galatians 4:28. Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

Here's the covenant and Promise between God and Abraham.

TAKE NOTICE OF WHO IS THE LONE PARTICIPANT IN PERFORMING THE COVENANT.

Here's Isaac being Promised.

Genesis 15:4-5.

Abraham's participation.

Genesis 15:6.

Here's the covenant performed.

Genesis 15:8-11.

NOTICE WHAT GOD DOES TO ABRAHAM.

Genesis 15:12.

This covenant being instituted by God only suggests its faithfulness depended on Gods PROMISE NOT ABRAHAM'S FAITHFULNESS!!

Abraham faith was in God's PROMISE!!

That's Mercy, Grace, and Faith apart from works. And Eternal Security all in view here.

Galatians 4:28. !!

Galatians 3:8-9.

Galatians 3:13-15.

THE PROMISE OF A SAVIOR GIVEN BEFORE THE INSTITUTION OF THE MINISTRATION OF DEATH!!

Galatians 3:16-17.

2 Corinthians 3.

Galatians 3:18.

THE TRUE VINE!

AND OPERATION OF THE HOLYSPIRIT IN THE NEW COVENANT.

Hebrews 10:16.

Romans 6:6.

Romans 8:10-11.

( 2 Corinthians 3:5. )

This is what's being attacked by those crept in from unawares.

God bless.

Bro Dan,

Sorry for the late reply. I was away and just saw the questions you sent. I'll respond to the 2 verses you sent. First of all, Hebrews 10:26. This is one of the verses that is used by those who believe salvation can be lost. But I do not see anything there that tells me salvation can be lost. In all the verses in Hebrews chapter 10, beginning from verse 1, the writer, whoever that might be, is speaking to Hebrew people. He is showing them the superiority of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ over the sacrificial system of Judaism.

After the writer has presented his case that the sacrifice of Jesus Christ is far superior than their Jewish way of sacrificing, In Hebrews 10:26, the writer is telling these Hebrew people that if they turn away and go back to into Judaism, they are not going to find any sacrifice there that is going to take care of their sin problem if they reject Christ and His sacrifice. (There is no other sacrifice for sin).

A person who has "received the knowledge of the truth" does not mean that person is saved. Hebrews 6:4 also speaks about an "enlightened" person. People also use this verse to prove you can lose your salvation. But again, an enlightened person does not mean a saved person. A person can be enlightened to the truth, they can receive the knowledge of the truth, but if that person does not surrender their life to Jesus Christ, that knowledge and enlightenment means nothing.

These people were being enlightened to the truth about Christ. They received the knowledge. But instead of surrendering to Christ, they were turning away and going back into Judaism. It was much easier for them to do that than to surrender their life to Christ. Surrendering to Christ meant severe persecution, so they were turning away. No salvation there to be lost because they turned away without surrendering to Christ.

I'm running out of space. I'll respond to the other verse you mention ( Philippians 2:12) and your other questions in a second post.

Hello, it really doesn't matter what man thinks, but what God says, correct? So, if you believe and trust God then go with God's word. Here's the problem: people are falsely assuming they're 'saved' before they're even judged. It doesn't say in the Bible we're saved before we're judged, but after. The judgment is to determine salvation. So, you have many here claiming they can't lose their salvation. But that won't occur until after this life. So, they are taking verses that are for that and assuming they apply now. But read the Word closely, Paul said we can have assurance of salvation. Not that we're saved and can do whatever we want with no consequence. Paul said to run the race to get the prize. But people here are thinking he said 'you already have the prize, so don't run any race, and enjoy the world.' It says don't conform to the world.

Matthew 12:32 "...but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come."

Matthew 7:21-23

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."

Hebrews 10:26 "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,"

Hebrews 6:4-6

James 2:14-26 "...faith, if it hath not works, is dead..."

James 2:19 "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble."

1 Peter 1:13 "...hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;"

Romans 11

John 14:15 "If ye love me, keep my commandments."

Matthew 12:31-32

Romans 14:12

1 Peter 1:5 - "...salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."

1 Cor 9:24-27 "run the race", not the 'race was already won.'

2 Peter 3:17

Luke 8:5-18

1 Timothy 4:1

2 Peter 2:20-22

I suggest praying and asking for peace and understanding.

If you're referring to something you thought or did before you came to know the Lord, then I personally don't believe you are guilty of this. I think it's closer to the opposite of what the other commenter said. I think it's especially for Christians who already 'know better' and already know the truth, then reject it to the point of calling good evil and evil good and claiming evil motives- perhaps like an ultimate betrayal, and it might also involve denying the holy spirit within you. I hesitate to even write this as an example. A clear example of this blaspheming is Matthew 12:24 by the Pharisees. Jesus logically refuted it, but it's unclear whether He was saying the Pharisees then had no chance to go to heaven, because I don't believe they had true knowledge of the truth yet. I think it's possible Judas committed this as well. It's possible Peter committed this, but was forgiven in a special circumstance, possibly.

My Biblical support for this is Hebrews 10:26 and 2 Peter 2:20-22 and 1 Timothy 1:13 and Hebrews 6:4-6 and Luke 23:34. Maybe more here: Link

This is my personal opinion. Romans 1:20 could be used to suggest otherwise, but it's my opinion that it is only concerning knowing there's a God, not necessarily having the full truth of Jesus Christ and the holy spirit and then denying. I also don't believe falling away qualifies. I think we're talking about a full on rejection and I hate even the thought while writing this, but if it couldn't happen Jesus would not have warned us about it. God bless.

Hello, this question was just asked yesterday, and probably every week on this discussion area.

Here's verses about it:

Link

Here's a previous discussion I found via advanced search and selecting discussions.

Link

More verses:

Matthew 12:32 "...but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come."

OSAS believers: "Ok, but a Christian would never do that"

"Christians no longer have freewill to sin? Is that true?"

Joshua 24:15 "choose you this day whom ye will serve"

Matthew 7:21-23

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."

Hebrews 10:26 "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,"

Hebrews 6:4-6

James 2:14-26 "...faith, if it hath not works, is dead..."

James 2:19 "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble."

1 Peter 1:13 "...hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;"

Romans 11

John 14:15 "If ye love me, keep my commandments."

Matthew 12:31-32

Romans 14:12

1 Peter 1:5 - "...salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."

1 Cor 9:24-27 "run the race", not the 'race was already won.'

2 Peter 3:17

Luke 8:5-18

1 Timothy 4:1

2 Peter 2:20-22

Hebrews 3:12

Galatians 5:4

1 Corinthians 15:2-8

2 Peter 2:20-21

Hi Michael,

Just one verse in the Bible is all it takes to refute the OSAS theory:

Matthew 12:32 "...but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come."

But there's so many more verses too. Paul is the one who said we can have assurance of salvation, but what people often do is the remove the contingent part- this requires us to "follow Jesus!" A Christian is an active Jesus follower. It's a pursuit that involves effort and transforming oneself. Not being slave to sin, but to righteousness. People want their cake and to eat it too, by not following Jesus, enjoying unlimited sin, but also demanding salvation like a spoiled, self-entitled brat. Some Christians even deny this reality. But Jesus already addressed that:

Matthew 7:21-23

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."

Believe it or not, there are even people who don't want to do good. They claim that it's 'bad' to do good works. One should ask, did Jesus say that? If not, does that idea come from God or satan?

John 14:15 "If ye love me, keep my commandments."

I think people would slander Jesus today for doing good works, just like they did back then.

Here are more verses (too many to even paste here):

Hebrews 10:26 "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,"

Hebrews 6:4-6

James 2:14-26 "...faith, if it hath not works, is dead..."

James 2:19 "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble."

1 Peter 1:13 "...hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;"

Romans 11

Matthew 12:31-32

Romans 14:12

1 Peter 1:5 - "...salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."

1 Cor 9:24-27 "run the race", not 'party' or sit on sofa.

Pray to God to know the truth.

Amen Brother Chris.

Here's some parallel verses. Part 1.

Galatians 3:16-29. Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.

For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.

Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.

But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Hebrews 6:13-19.

Genesis 15:5-12.

( Genesis 15:6. )

Galatians 3:26-29.

Hi Robin,

I would like to add to the truth of what Sacha has shared and take it from verse 10.

Isaiah 55:10-13. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that ( it may give SEED to the sower, and BREAD TO THE EATER:)

SO SHALL MY WORD BE THAT GOETH FORTH OUT OF MY MOUTH: IT SHALL NOT RETURN UNTO ME VOID, BUT IT SHALL ACCOMPLISH THAT WHICH I PLEASE, AND IT SHALL PROSPER IN THE THING WHERETO I SENT IT.

For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

INSTEAD OF THE THORN SHALL COME UP THE FIR TREE, and INSTEAD OF THE BRIER SHALL COME UP THE MYRTLE TREE: and it shall be to the LORD for a name,( FOR AN EVERLASTING SIGN THAT SHALL NOT BE CUT OFF. )

Here you have an prominence on the word of God, Salvation is a revelation of God and the word of God is like rain that comes down from heaven, We should bud in response to the word and the Holyspirit in the same way the Earth responds to rain.

God's WORD WILL PROSPER AND ACCOMPLISH THAT WHICH HE PLEASE!

Providing his word TRULY abides in us.

Remember the parable of the sower?

We also see the concept here in

1 Corinthians 3:6. I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

The bread reminds me of Jesus saying I am that bread which came down from heaven.

John 6:33. For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.

These passages is also why I believe Romans 6 references fruit barring rather than lost Salvation.

Hebrews 6:7-8 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:

But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

Wonderful passage.

God bless.

Thank you! Brothers in Christ Jesus, Rest is Peace. God bless our faithfulness.

Hebrews 6:10

Hebrews 6:9-12

But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we this speak.

For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:

That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Esther 6:9

And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, that they may array the man withal whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring him on horseback through the streets of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour.

Esther 6:10a

Then the king said to Haman, Make haste...

Well I posted a question a while back, that I can paste here:

"If you are afraid you have fallen away because you had thoughts of unbelief and doubt, is it possible that you have not apostatized because you are worried about it? As in if you questioned your faith and felt faithless will God forgive that or are you doomed because you were not faithful when trying to research and prove to yourself that Christianity is true and felt discouraged and confused. Since then have been praying for forgiveness and understanding but according to Hebrews 6:4-6, it looks really bad. Now I am sitting at home just worried that I have unwittingly forfeited my salvation because I was scared and confused and weak in faith. This is incredibly stressful."

Now I realize that I was arrogant to question God and asking questions isn't wrong but not seeking help from a mature Christian first was dumb

(Part 2)

Some of them (Hebrew people) were considering going back into the old religious system of the Old Testament.

3) There were also Hebrew unbelievers. These were those who were at these meetings, those who were in the crowd that just did not believe.

So if I understand these three groups, I can better understand some of the scriptures that are being presented. There are sections of scriptures to each one of these three groups in the book of Hebrews.

Now, all that to say this:

Hebrews 6:4-6 does not worry me at all. My relationship with Jesus Christ can never be broken. My fellowship with Him can be broken but never my relationship. A true believer, a person who is born of God's Spirit, cannot commit apostasy.

What I see in those three verses is the writer talking to those in group 1 and explaining to them the outcome of those in group 2 if they should walk away.



Now those in the 3rd group were non-believers who were following along but were never going to believe. They were probably there to watch and accuse those in group 2 who decided to identify with those in group 1 which would in turn cause them to be persecuted.

So what I see in Hebrews 6:4-6 is a group of people (Hebrew people) who were faced with a decision. Do I leave Judaism and receive Christ as my Savior. Or, do I walk away and go back into Judaism because of what it would cost me to surrender my life to Christ. For a Jewish person, this was a very difficult decision.

What the writer is saying is that after they have come to a full understanding of salvation through Christ, if they do not take the next step in turning from Judaism and surrendering their life to Him, but instead walk away because of what it would cost them, it is impossible for them to find salvation any other way.

If we were to put ourselves in the same position that these Jews were faced with, which of these three groups would we identify ourselves with?

(Part 1)

Lex,

I'll have to respond in a couple of posts. I believe this is important as some use this section of scripture to show that our salvation can be lost.

When I approach any book of the bible, I first have to understand who the book was written to and why it was written. Hebrews was written to the Hebrews, Jewish people. The letter was written to Hebrew Christians. But at the same time, as I go through the book, I see three different classes of people. So I have to understand it from a Jewish standpoint.

The Purpose of the Letter was to warn against apostasy during persecution. It's when believers suffer that believers consider to stop following Christ, or consider compromising in their walk with the Lord when things get tough. Now when I say believer, I also think this can be broken down into two classes, those who are saved, and those who are unsaved.

Now in order for me to understand the various passages and the various sections of Hebrews, I have to understand these three groups to whom it was written.

1) To Hebrew believers. (Saved believers)

2) To Hebrews who have an intellectual understanding of Christ but have not been saved, and they are considering going back to the religious system of Judaism because of the persecution for identifying with Hebrew believers. So these are Hebrews who understand what's being taught, and they intellectually agree with it, but they have never received Christ.

Chapter 10 tells us that after they identified with the Hebrew believers and they went home, their possessions were stolen. Their fellow Jews were kicking them out of the temples. And it would cause some of them to lose their jobs. Their friends would disown them.

So you can imagine a Jewish person, right at that place where they understand and they agree with it, but they haven't received Christ. But they have this persecution going on and they say "If I go all the way with this thing, this is what's going to happen. Everybody is going to disown me.

Jesse,

This sounds like someone who is a true believer "4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,

5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame."

I have worried about this scripture alot and how can someone be a partaker of the Holy Ghost and the powers of the world to come without being a true believer? I mean enlightened and tasting the Word of God could be people who are exposed to the truth but if they are partakers of the Holy Ghost doesn't that mean the Holy Spirit is in them?

Thanks John Nolan, I appreciate your encouraging words and yes it is our job to help others find Christ as their Savior ( Matthew 28: 18-20). And for those in Christ, to abide in His Word. It's ignorance of the Word of God that Hebrews 6:6 comes into play. (see also v.4). The key word there is "if." Thanks for your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Happy Father's Day everyone.

Ron,

Hebrews 6:4-6 is a section that many use to say you can lose your salvation. But it is not talking about losing salvation. Salvation cannot be lost. You have to understand that these were Hebrew/Jewish people who were following along with the believers and partaking in the teachings along with the believers. But they never were saved so there was no salvation to be lost.

Think about it this way. There are many people who pack our churches every Sunday. But not all who go to church are saved individuals. A person has to receive Christ and be born of His Spirit in order to be saved. Now, those individuals in the church who have never received Christ, they may look and act like believers, and yet be void of the indwelling Spirit in their lives.

You and I might think they are saved because they go to church and speak the lingo, and might even say amen on occasion but still never received Christ. So after many years of going to church, they had enough and walked away forever. Did they lose their salvation? No, they were never saved, to begin with.

That is the same thing we see in Hebrews chapter 6. Those Hebrew people were in with the crown and partaking of the same things the believers were partaking of, but they did not take that next step of surrendering their life to Christ. They were being enlightened to the truth, but an enlightened person does not mean they are a saved person. A person can be enlightened to the truth, and still, never receive Christ. They didn't surrender because of the persecution that they would have to go through if they denounced Judaism and received Christ as their Messiah.

So instead of surrendering their life to Christ, they turned away and went back into Judaism. It was much easier for them to do that than surrender to Christ. But they were never saved, so there was no salvation to be lost!

Regarding Hebrews chapter 6 - is such a person lost for evermore?

Hello Lex,

You have been given some pretty sound biblical advice here. If I might add, Hebrews 6:4-6 is not talking about a born again believer losing salvation as salvation cannot be lost.

I would like to also share with you what I get from Mark 9:24, the verse you shared. I'm glad you brought this verse up.

It says, "And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief."



Nowhere in the Bible does it challenge someone to come up with their own faith so that Jesus can perform in your life. That's the cry of a person. I believe, but Lord Help my unbelief because I can't believe. Only God can give me that. Help my unbelief!



It is always the strong point in a person's life when they can approach the Lord, even as a nonbeliever, even if you don't understand the things of God, you can still approach Him and say "Lord, if you are real, make yourself real to me!"



I mean, even a nonbeliever, somebody who doesn't believe in God, they are asking God to do it all because they realize their human inability to figure Him out.



If you have ever looked at the awesomeness of an electrical storm, you can just sense that there is an awesome God behind all of this because this is just a drop in the bucket compared to the universe.



But how are you going to find God? How are you going to know about Him? You know, when you come to Him and say, help my unbelief, I am empty, magnify yourself to me, show yourself to me, because I don't have the ability to know, and He reaches down to those people to manifest Himself.

If you have truly called out to the Lord to save you, His promise is that He will do so ( Romans 10:13). And once you are saved, your salvation can never be lost!

Dear Lex. You've shared a couple of things that are very concerning. You wrote that you were, "not faithful when trying to research and prove to yourself that Christianity is true." Though not knowing what was going through your heart & mind, I believe that if a person is a Christian, he has already confirmed in his heart of the reality of his sinfulness, his need of a Saviour, of Christ's full & complete Work on the Cross for him, & that by accepting & believing that Truth in repentance, he has not only proven the reality of Jesus, but also of the inward change in him.

Christians can have all types of intrusions into their lives as Satan creates fears, doubts, temptations to sin, etc. All these things God forgives on the basis of His Son's death as we come in repentance for our folly & sin. But you have stated that you might not be fully convinced that "Christianity is true". So, I would ask you, with great care: 'have you truly repented of your sins, been born again & have God's Spirit in you?' And secondly, 'if you have come the Way of the Cross, then what is troubling you about your faith or God's Word?'

Before you can even concern yourself with Hebrews 6:4-6 (which was a specific warning to those who were wanting to revert back into Judaism) & about apostatizing, I feel you need to attend to the other matter to find out why you are having doubts about 'your faith' & to prove the truth of 'Christianity'. However, if you truly believe you're saved, then it could be that you're not spending much time in God's Word, in prayer & receiving wholesome teaching in a Fellowship. Maybe, you need to ask questions (even here on this Site), seeking answers that will clear up your doubts & fears. And remember, when God's Word assures us or gives us an answer, we can fully trust it & use it against any doubts or fears we may have. Every Christian must daily put on God's Armour in readiness ( Ephesians 6:10-18). May the Lord lead you especially in your matters of concern.

If you are afraid you have fallen away because you had thoughts of unbelief and doubt, is it possible that you have not aposticized because you are worried about it? As in if you questioned your faith and felt faithless will God forgive that or are you doomed because you were not faithful when trying to research and prove to yourself that Christianity is true and felt discouraged and confused. Since then have been praying for forgiveness and understanding but according to Hebrews 6:4-6 it looks really bad. Now I am sitting at home just worried that I have unwittingly forfeited my salvation because I was scared and confused and weak in faith. This is incredibly stressful.

Hebrews 6:1-2 = The epistle writer identifies "the first principles" here in these verses which include the following:

+ "repentance from dead works" (v.1),

+ "faith toward GOD" (v.1),

+ "the Doctrine of baptism" (v.2),

+ "laying on of hands" (v.2),

+ the "resurrection of the dead" (v.2), and

+ of "eternal judgment" (v.2).

In the previous chapter (5:12), these "principles" are "first" (Greek noun root ; pronounced "ar-KHAY"), for all believers experience these "first principles" in Salvation.

The "first principles" are the "milk" (5:12-13) new convert Christian "babe(s)" require to sustain spiritual new life. The epistle writer metaphorically described those principles which follow the "first principles" as "strong meat" (5:14). Here, the verb "leaving" does not mean to forsake and abandon the "first principles", for these are "foundational".

As newborns grow in stature from "babes" into "them that are of full age" (5:14), so too do their nutritional demands increase from "milk" (5:13) to "strong meat".

The term "first" speaks of the basic, foundational principles, and from which more in-depth principles will follow. These principles which follow will require more spiritual insight and discernment.

This same rule applies to every individual Christian who strives for spiritual maturity and "perfection". "Leaving" means to build upon these "first principles" by pressing forward unto spiritual "perfection". Once the Christian convert achieves full understanding of the "first principles", he then strengthens these initial principles with more weightier, complex THEOlogical Doctrines.

Page 2.

When considering Hebrews 10:26,27 & its sister portion in Hebrews 6:4-6, we find that the same matter is being addressed. In both references, the warning of "sinning wilfully" & "falling away" are given. And these are mentioned because some of them were teetering into apostasy (i.e. turning from Christ back into Judaism). Just as Hebrews was for the teaching & guidance to the 'Messianic Jews", it was also a stern warning to the others.

So the "wilful sin" in Hebrews 10:26, wasn't a voluntary act of sin or being found living in such state, but one of apostasy. And as we read that passage through to verse 29, we note the writer's lesson: 'if those who sinned under Moses' Law were condemned to death without mercy, how much more will these others suffer who have trodden over God's Son, despising His Sacrifice, doing despite to the Spirit of Grace'. These were those who may have been converted, or appeared to be, but had determined in their hearts that Jesus' Sacrifice was insufficient or had little appeal in the light of the old Judaistic beliefs & teachings. To these, the writer says, that there remains "no more (no other) sacrifice for their sins" - the Law could never save them, nor can any other saviour. But "we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul" (v 39): there were still those who held onto Christ as their only Saviour & Hope.

So we can delight that even if we, as believers, slip up & sin, Christ's Sacrifice & the Spirit's Work in us, will ever alert us, draw us & bring us to repentance. If a person has none of this blessed Work going on in him, then the Spirit is not in residence & he may be deceiving himself ( Romans 8:9). But the warnings there in those portions in Hebrews were for those desiring to turn back into Judaism, for which there was no forgiveness & no further sacrifice available ( Hebrews 6:4-6).

Michael.

As we know there's several views of Hebrews 6. Here's 4 commonly used.

1) Paul is talking to unconverted Jews that has been enlightened but turned back to Judaism.

2) Paul is talking Jewish believers to urge them towards Maturity, who's mengaling in Judaism, as did the Galatians.

3) Paul is talking to a mix of the 2 just mentioned 1 and 2.

4) He's talking about Jews loosing salvation.

Consider this verse you mentioned-

Hebrews 6:4. For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,

"IF" This verse means salvation, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO RENEW YOU AGAIN UNTO REPENTANCE. "" MEANING YOU HAVE ONE CHANCE IN A LIFETIME TO

GET IT RIIGHT!! ARE YOU ARE FOREVER LOST!! IT IS IMPOSSIBLE!!! To renew the broken commitment, MEANING ONCE YOU COMMIT ONE SIN YOU ARE LOST.

Which Dont fit in the light of these scriptures?

Jude 1:24-25. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

2 Timothy 1:12. For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

John 10:28-29. And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

Romans 8:38-39. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Hello S Spencer.

1) In short, yes, Peter is warning about false prophets who left the true faith and, in short, apostatized. But, the warning that Peter is giving, is to faithful believers, to not follow them and become rejected as they were. Notice.

2 Peter 2:3 "And through covetousness shall THEY (apostates) with feigned words make merchandise of YOU (true faithful believers): whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not."

The apostates want to make the faithful Christians into apostates too. Thus, the warning. Why? Because there is a real serious danger.

2) They were not just enlightened, they were true believers.

Hebrews 6:4 "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made PARTAKERS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT,"

If you are made partakers of the Hold Spirit, you have received God's Holy Spirit and are a Christian. You have to safeguard that or God will take away his Holy Spirit.

Psalms 51:11 "Cast me not away from thy presence; and TAKE NOT YOUR HOLY SPIRIT FROM ME."

I concur with you, though, in that we can agree to disagree and move on.

Good day.

Hello S Spencer.

Thank you for your response.

I commend you for citing verses that clearly show that Paul is talking to actual believers. They were "Holy Brethren". They had believed in Jesus Christ and were very surely baptized in water. That would make them part of the Church.

However, very serious warnings are given to not lose faith and to not stop trusting in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Please take specific note that the Apostle Paul does not say "you" but "we". In other words, he includes "himself" in those warnings.

Hebrews 2:1 "Therefore WE ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which WE have heard, lest at any time WE should let them slip."

Hebrews 2:3 "How shall WE escape, if WE neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;"

Hebrews 3:12 "Take heed, BRETHREN, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of UNBELIEF, in DEPARTING from the living God."

Hebrews 3:14 "For WE (includes Paul) are made partakers of Christ, if WE HOLD the beginning of our confidence stedfast UNTO THE END;"

Hebrews 12:15-17 "Looking diligently lest any man FAIL OF THE GRACE OF GOD; lest any ROOT OF BITTERNESS SPRINGING UP trouble you, and thereby many be DEFILED; Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat SOLD his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, HE WAS REJECTED: for he found NO PLACE OF REPENTANCE, though he sought it carefully with tears.

Hebrews 6:6 "If they shall FALL AWAY (apostatize), to renew them again unto REPENTANCE; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame."

2 Peter 2:20 "For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and OVERCOME, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning."

Overcome means definitely. No return.

Hello S Spencer.

Thank you for your thoughts.

Yes, that is what Hebrews 6:4-6 is indeed saying. A person who becomes a true Christian and remains one for years but who later decides, of his own free will, to fall away and no longer serve God and becomes a hater of God - and remains firmly in that state for the rest of his life - will no longer be able to be saved. There is no more forgiveness for them.

Hebrews 10:26 "For if we sin WILFULLY after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,"

2 Peter 2:20 "For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and OVERCOME, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning."

There are 2 types of sins. The sins we make because of our imperfection - which can be forgiven - and the willful, rebellious sin that we chose to do because we no longer love God but have decided our our own free will to be against God. Notice this very carefully at

1 John 5:16-17 "If any man see his brother sin a sin which is NOT unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin NOT unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.

John speaks of 2 sins. One is unto death and the other is not. Weaknesses due to our imperfect flesh, is not a sin unto death. But, wickedness not due to our imperfect flesh but due to a heart that has become evil by choice, is a sin unto death - the second death.

Yes, "all unrighteousness is sin" says John. Even if I just lust momentarily at a woman, I have committed a sin. However, sin can be forgiven - unless it is willful. Willful and persistent sin with no repentance is unto death and there remains to more sacrifice for that kind of sin.

I welcome your further thoughts.

Good day.

(Part 5)

So the writer of Hebrews encourages the believers to move past the foundation doctrines and elements of the things of the Lord, mainly because the people who stay in that area can either be saved or unsaved.

There's some that taste of the Holy Spirit, they partake of the Holy Spirit, they get the knowledge and enlightenment of the basic truths and foundations of the things of Christ, and they might even in their mind believe that it's true.

But he's showing them that moving on shows you're saved. He says right now you're dull of hearing, so I encourage you in your Spiritual growth to get your senses exercised by God's word. If not, you'll just drop out and it will just prove that you're not the real thing!

Hebrews 6:4-6 does not show that a believer can lose their salvation. It's talking about those who were following along and being enlightened to the truth but never taking the next step in surrendering their life to Christ. They turned and walked away because of what it would cost them to leave Judaism to claim Christ as their Messiah.

(Part 3)

Hebrews 6:5, "And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,"

All these tastes, it's like sampling. A non-believer can sit in with believers and receive the same ministry of God's Spirit to that group, even in their own lives, as to the truth of Christ. And then it says "And the powers of the world to come." They were actually there to participate.

I recall the ten lepers that approached Jesus and wanted their healing. So He healed the ten lepers and sent them on their way, and only one of them stopped and returned to worship the Lord, and the Lord turns to the disciples and says weren't there ten lepers?

Nine of them just took their healing and took off. Only one turned to worship Christ.

There are people who participate in the powers of God's Spirit moving in amongst His people, and they're not even saved.

And then Hebrews 6:6 says, "If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame."

Here's the literal translation from the Greek text. The King James says "if they shall fall away." There's no "if" in the Greek text. It's just after having fallen away. They've already done it.

It's after having fallen away. And you can see in all these things that he's listing, they are all past tense. It's something they used to do that they don't do anymore.

Verse 4 started off by saying it's impossible for these people. Verse 6 says to renew them again unto repentance; Impossible! Seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to open shame.

These are Hebrews and Jews who went back and denounced the whole thing and were back professing their unbelief, and hatred, and anger toward the Lord and they were doing it publically.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

I would like to share my understanding of Hebrews 6:4-6 because there are many teachers that use this text to show that a believer can lose their salvation, not understanding that the writer of Hebrews is talking to people who have been listening and receiving the truth, and understanding the truth, but then ready to go back and not make that final surrender to Christ. They say that you can't be enlightened unless you're a Christian. And that is not true.

This may be a little lengthy, but I believe that when it comes to salvation, no words should be spared. I hope that you would take 5 or 10 minutes to read what I have to say here. That's all I ask.

(Part 1)

Hebrews 6:4 says, "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,"

The writer says first of all in verse 4, for it is impossible for those who were once enlightened. Notice past tense verbs. The word enlightened means to have your mind illuminated to the truth. And as I said, there are those who say that only believers can be enlightened.

Well, John tells us in John 1:9 that the light, who is Christ, enlightens every man coming into this world. Every person is enlightened to the truth.

Paul says in Romans Chapter 1, beginning at Verse 18 that no one has an excuse when standing before God, because even creation testifies to the very attributes of God.

In other words, the Holy Spirit uses creation as an initial enlightenment for every human being. That doesn't mean that every human being hears the gospel message.

I emphasize, and I'm not trying to belittle the gospel or its importance on preaching or teaching, but the gospel of John is presenting to us that the light of the world has come into this world, and the emphasis is the difference between light and darkness.

Hello, again Michael,

I can't agree that when someone truly believes in Christ that they automatically receive the Holy Spirit. Belief alone does not save anyone. James 2:19 seems to indicate that. I took a look at Acts 10:44 as you've asked. But also I have to look at Acts 10:43.

This is where the beauty of the Greek text comes in because it gives me a different perspective. Acts 10:43 in the KJV says, "To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins."

There are two things about this verse: The word believes is a present participle which means continuously believing. It never stops. Secondly, the term "in him" is the most common term for believing in Christ. It is EIS AUTON in the Greek text, and it means "into him," a very different meaning than just believing "in Him."

It is a word that expresses surrender so that whosoever continually believes and continually surrenders to Christ, will receive forgiveness of sins. Emphasis on continually. This shows who a saved person is. Their belief and surrender never end. There are a lot of people who believe in Jesus Christ but are void of His indwelling Spirit.

Again, with the branches being broken off, I have to say they were broken off because of unbelief. Gentiles were grafted in, and it says they likewise can be removed just like the Jews were. But this is not talking about a saved individual losing their salvation. A Gentile can also be a dead branch in the tree just like the branches

A branch can be in the vine and not produce fruit. It will be cut off. The branch that remains in the tree will produce fruit continuously because it is feeding off the life source of the tree or vine which is Christ. That branch will never be cut off.

I don't believe Hebrews 6:4 is referring to saved individuals, but to Jews who were following along but never surrendered their life to Christ, as Judas did for 3 years.

Thanks for the conversation.