Hebrews Chapter Six, If They Fall Away

 

Hebrews 6:4 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.

 

I have written rather extensively on this passage back in 2010, specifically Hebrews 6:4-8. If anyone wants to read the content, you can find it here. Nonetheless it is good to take in the whole counsel of God, so we’ll address this topic again.

Hebrews Chapter Six, Pressing On

 

Hebrews 6:3 And this we will do if God permits.

 

To understand how the writer is transitioning his thoughts we need to focus on this verse for a moment. “And” is a coordinating conjunction: it connects two grammatically equal parts of a sentence. It is also used to link the idea that a former thought coincides with a future thought; that is, what comes before “and” and what follows are conceptualized together.

Hebrews Chapter Six, Final Destinations

 

Hebrews 6:2d and of eternal judgment.

 

Eternal judgment: two simple words. When linked together however, they challenge false doctrines that are all too prevalent in the Church. Universalism is the belief that God will not punish the wicked, but that all will go to Heaven one way or another.

Hebrews Chapter Six, The Hope Of The Resurrection

 

Though God has “put eternity in [our] hearts,” (Ecclesiastes 3:11) we ignore the pang that humanity wasn’t meant to wallow in the mire we find comfort in. Like a modern Sodom, we heap up things in our country to substitute for God, or to fill the void only spiritual life in Jesus Christ can truly fill. 

Hebrews Chapter Six, Resurrection In The Old Testament

 

Hebrews 6:2c of resurrection of the dead,

 

The veracity of the resurrection of the dead has been heckled and questioned by critics since the beginning. In the time of Christ there was a sect of Jewish religious leaders called the Sadducees. Having become a sect during the Maccabean period of Israel’s history, they derived their name from Zadok, one of David’s priests and claimed descent from him. 

Hebrews Chapter Six, Laying On Of Hands

 

Hebrews 6:2b of laying on of hands,

 

The doctrine of the laying on of hands, like baptism, is filled with controversy in the Christian church. The Charismatic/Pentecostal churches, like Assemblies of God or NAR, advocate laying on of hands to receive the Holy Spirit. In addition to this, of course, some sects also include the necessity to speak in tongues as a sign of receiving the Holy Spirit. Other denominations or Christian churches have done away with laying on of hands altogether.

Hebrews Chapter Six, Doctrine of Baptisms

 

Hebrews 6:2a of the doctrine of baptisms,

 

The word defined as baptisms in this verse is, “baptismos,” and, not to be confused with water baptism or the baptism of the Holy Spirit, is translated, “distinct from baptisma (the term for water immersion), it is used for the ceremonial washing of a vessel.” That being said, the NKJV (or KJV) has a weaker translation. The NIV renders the term, “cleansing rites.” The NASB uses, “washings.” The HCSB renders it, “ritual washings.” Finally, the RSV translates the term, “ablutions,” which simply means cleansing something with water. If the writer meant for the readers to understand this to be exclusively related to water baptism, something practiced by John the Baptist and by the Christian Church, he would have used the word baptisma.

Hebrews Chapter Six, Elementary Lessons

 

Hebrews 6:1 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,

 

Therefore, in context with the passage, indicates the writer’s interest in pressing past the comparison between solid food and milk. Having made his point that solid food belongs to the mature or to those who exercise Biblical discernment, he wants to lead his readership onward. He moves away from the elementary principles of Christ to perfection. In the New Testament the term “perfection” is often (but not always) synonymous with “maturity.”

Molehills Part One, Sabbath Keeping

 

“Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things,” Romans 14:1.

 

Romans chapter 14 begins a series of examples of issues that Paul would consider peripheral, or perhaps even nonissues in terms of fellowship and faith. In our church there are many divisions. Sometimes those divisions are necessary and clear; they delineate between orthodox faith and aberrant or heretical teaching. Such issues address the gospel, the person of Christ, the nature of the Holy Spirit, God the Father, salvation by faith through grace alone, etc.

Hebrews Chapter Five, Maturing Spiritually

 

Hebrews 5:14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

 

The brief detour comes to an end concerning the writer’s defense for why he believes it necessary to return to the elementary principles, leading into said principles in chapter 6. His final comment definitely bears some weight, however. 

Hebrews Chapter Five, Regression

 

Hebrews 5:13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.

 

Every teacher is always a student, too. We never stop learning, or maturing. In light of that statement we want to focus on the word, “only.” All of us begin with just milk, like a newborn babe. As we are physically born as helpless children, entirely dependent upon or mothers to feed us, so too is the newborn Christian dependent on other saints to help him on his walk.

Hebrews Chapter Five, Melchizedek's Order

 

Hebrews 5:10 called by God as High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek,” [11] of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.

 

Verse 9 iterates how Jesus, being perfected in His resurrection, became salvation’s author, or our “aitios: that which (literally) causes something to happen,” to all who obey Him. He is called by God according to Melchizedek’s order, not Aaron’s: a contrast we have been having explained since Hebrews 5:4.

Hebrews Chapter Five, Christ: The Author Of Salvation

 

Hebrews 5:9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,

 

The NT synonym for “perfect” is “mature.” Yet in this instance in Hebrews I do not believe that is what is necessarily meant. Scripture always explains itself, so if we look we may find answers. When Jesus our Lord was walking through the villages teaching, heading toward Jerusalem, He was warned by some Pharisees that Herod sought His death. Jesus’ response was most interesting. “Go, tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected,” Luke 13:32.