Hebrews Chapter 6
Hebrews 6:1-3 “Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so.
THEREFORE.....
The author’s goal is to motivate his readers to take the Scriptures more seriously and to move from milk to meat. The believers needed to move beyond the basics of their faith to an understanding of Christ as the perfect high priest and the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies. Rather than arguing about the respective merits of Judaism and Christianity, they needed to depend on Christ and live effectively for Him. By purposely avoiding the fuller and more complete teaching of the New Testament (the very teaching the author was urging his readers to heed with full attention), these teachers could stress the superiority of the Old Covenant, and the Jewish rituals and practices so familiar to them, and so much “better” in their minds. They were unwilling to move beyond the Old Testament revelation to the New. |
Certain elementary teachings are essential to all believers to understand. Those basics include the importance of faith, the foolishness of trying to be saved by good deeds, the meaning of baptism and spiritual gifts, and the facts of resurrections and eternal life.
To go on to maturity, we need to move beyond (not away) for a more complete understanding of our our beliefs. |
Hebrews 6:4-6 “It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting Him to public disgrace.
This is a difficult passage to understand and will largely be interpreted based on one's theology regarding whether a believer can lose their salvation.
A very good explanation by a very trusted teacher explained that these verses pertain to those who have come very close to faith, but who have never embraced the gospel personally for salvation. The most forceful example of this “close, but no cigar” unbeliever would be Judas, a man who heard the gospel from our Lord, who experienced God’s power, but who never really believed in Jesus for salvation. It would seem that the kind of person who is described above is one who has heard the gospel, who has witnessed and perhaps even experienced its power, but who has not come to faith, and who after experiencing the gospel “up close and personal,” has rejected it. LAN: The above explanation is consistent with the following comment which points to the danger of the Hebrew Christian returning to Judaism. A Jewish Christian who decided to return to Judaism, the break in belief was less obvious than a pagan who investigated Christianity and then went back to paganism. A Jewish believers life-style would remain relatively unchanged. But by deliberately turning away from Christ, they were cutting themselves off from God's forgiveness in Christ. |
However, while I certainly believe that the scenario is accurate, especially as it pertains to Judas, I struggle with the authors description of the individual who has been enlightened, who has tasted (experienced) the heavenly gift (of salvation?) AND who has shared in the Holy Spirit.
Romans 8:9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. Verse 6 also speaks of being "brought back to repentance"....doesn't that seem to indicate that they had previously repented? I suppose that someone could conclude that they were not sincere in their original repentance...but their sincerity doesn't seem to be in question. Regardless, those that reject Christ and His gift of salvation, will not be saved. Christ died once for all. He will not be crucified again. Apart from His cross, there is no other possible way of salvation. I would suggest that anyone who is concerned about the sincerity of their faith is most likely not in danger of falling away unless they realize that their life does not reflect Christ. We should all "examine our faith" and evaluate our actions and the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. If our lives are no different than unbelievers, than perhaps Christ has not been invited to make the difference. If a person has repented and accepted Christ as Lord but not made an effort to mature beyond elementary teachings, than use this Scripture not to doubt your faith but to provoke you to pray to the Holy Spirit and ask for growth in your faith and to give you a hunger for more of Christ and His Word. |
Hebrews 6:7-12 “Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned. Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are confident of better things in your case--things that accompany salvation. God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
What are the things that accompany salvation?
|
I desire to be a land that drinks in God's rain as it falls on me so that I produce a crop useful and reflective of my Creator. In that I receive His blessings. As I abide in Him and surrender daily to the working of the Holy Spirit in my life, I thirst for more of Him and hunger to know Him in His Word. It is His Word that keeps me accountable and prevents me from straying and producing thorns and thistles in my life that are indicative of my old nature.
"The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." Isaiah 58:11 |
Hebrews 6:13-20 "When God made His promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for Him to swear by, He swore by Himself, saying, "I will surely bless you and give you many descendants." And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised. Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of His purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, He confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.
The patience of Abraham
Abraham waited 25 years from the time that God promised him a son to Isaac's birth....but he did receive what was promised. Abraham did not get to see the fulfillment of the greater promise of the covenant. |
Romans 4:16
Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. Acts 7:17 “As the time drew near for God to fulfill his promise to Abraham, the number of our people in Egypt had greatly increased. Acts 13:26 “Fellow children of Abraham and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. Galatians 3:8 Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” Galatians 3:14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. John 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.” |