One of the benefits of believing the gospel of grace is that it completely changes the way you read the Bible. You realize that God is not in the bait and switch business of drawing you in with love only to hammer you with law – He is love all the way through. When you see this you will no longer get frightened when you read a passage like Hebrews 10:26 or this one four chapters earlier:
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. (Heb 6:4-6)
If you wear the lenses of performance-based Christianity, this could be a scary scripture, for it sounds like your salvation hinges on your behavior. Do good, get good, but fall away and you’re lost forever. If that’s how this scripture appears to you, change your glasses! What you look through determines what you see. So read this scripture through the lens of Jesus and His finished work.
So who and what is this passage describing?
Some say that this scripture is referring to Christians – those who have become sharers or partakers in the Holy Spirit. If so, then the argument being made is deliberately nonsensical. If they fall away it is impossible for them to get saved again because Jesus would have to come and die again. Since Jesus isn’t going to die again, then it’s impossible for them to fall away. Instead of being a threat to your eternal salvation, this verse actually supports it. But I know not everyone will agree.
How many times can you be born again?
I have heard one reputable teacher say that if you are saved through an act of your free will, then you can get unsaved through an act of your free will. I guess the conclusion follows the premise but how true is the premise? Were you born into this world through an act of your free will? No, you had absolutely no say in the matter. So what about your spiritual birth?
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. (Joh 1:12-13).
To be born again literally means to be born “from above” or, as John puts it, “born of God.” It is 100% a work of the Spirit. You may think that you came to God of your own free will, but reflect for a moment on what actually happened. Who was it that planted and watered the seed of the gospel? (Not you.) Who was it that made the seed grow? (Not you.) Who was it that lifted the veil so that you could see things as they really are? (Not you.) Do you see? You would never have called on the name of the Lord if He had not first called on you.
I don’t mean to get all zen on you, but here’s my point: When you were dead in the trespasses and uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive together with Christ (Col 2:13). You were dead; now you are alive – all this is because of Him.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, (2 Cor 5:17-18a)
The important thing is not how you got saved, but that you are saved. When you received the gift of salvation, you became a new creation. If you were to fall away, it would be impossible for you to be born again because you have already been born again. It would be like an adult trying to return to the womb and re-enter the world through the birth canal. Just as it can’t happen in the natural, it can’t happen in the spiritual. Once you’re born you’re born! To claim that you can lose your salvation – that you can undo what God has done – is like saying that God makes mistakes. And He doesn’t.
You may act like an old creation just as a butterfly may act like a caterpillar. But when you do, you are acting contrary to you true identity. We used to say that Christians who fell into sin were back-sliders. But a more accurate description is that they are hypocrites. They are acting contrary to their true identity in Christ.
Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. (Heb 12:14)
“Be holy” is not an instruction for improving performance; it’s an admonition to be who you truly are. Be holy, because you are, in fact, holy. “We have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus once for all” (Heb 10:10).
Eat the bread of life, don’t just taste it
Others say that this scripture (Heb 6:4-6 remember?) is referring to unbelievers. It is describing those who have tasted but not eaten the heavenly gift. They have seen the light but preferred the darkness. They may have received the gospel with joy but the seed never took root and grew. When trouble came they fell away. To my mind this is a perfect description of Judas.
Along with the other disciples Judas was involved in a supernatural ministry that saw him casting out demons and healing the sick (Mk 6:13). He may have even prophesied in Jesus’ name. Judas tasted the goodness of the word of God but ultimately he rejected it. When he walked out of the first communion he walked out on Jesus. He was basically saying, “No, your blood and your body are not good enough for me.” Judas preferred a DIY religion to the grace of God.
Hebrews 6:4-6 says that it is impossible for people like Judas to be brought back to the place of repentance. Why? Because they have heard the truth and rejected it. They have followed the way of Cain, held to the teaching of Balaam, and are in danger of ending up like Korah. Those who have never heard the good news of God’s grace may yet receive it. But those who have heard and hardened their hearts toward it, are well and truly lost.
A hard heart is a deadly thing. It will keep you from repenting, it will keep you restless and in bondage to works:
So, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert.” (Heb 3:7-8)
Judas heard the voice of the Living Word but hardened his heart. He became restless to the point of suicide. He never came to the place of repentance. He never entered that rest which comes only through faith in Christ.
Righteous rain
In Hebrews 5 and 6 we learn that Jesus has been designated by God as a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek. To a Hebrew reader raised on the covenant of law, this would have been an astonishing announcement: “Jesus, the eternal high priest, will forever mediate a new and superior covenant of grace underwritten by the unshakeable oath of God.” There are only two possible responses to such an announcement:
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. (Heb 6:7-8)
We can either receive the blessing of God that comes down from heaven like rain and, by so doing, become fruitful and useful, or we can reject what God offers us and be worthless and in danger of being cursed. The righteousness that God gives comes to us is like rain:
You heavens above, rain down righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up, let righteousness grow with it; I, the Lord, have created it. (Isa 45:8)
God sends His rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. All we can do is respond. We can either put up umbrellas of religious works and say, like Judas, “No thanks, I don’t need it.” Or we can say, “Rain on this filthy sinner and make me clean.” The bad news of the old covenant is that no one will be declared righteous by observing the law (Rom 3:20). The good news of the new is that the righteousness gifted by God comes through faith in Jesus to all who believe (Rom 3:21).
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Related posts:
- Not by sight
- Hebrews 10:26
- What is the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit?
Thank you for shareing the true word of God. Being bound by religion for thrity years. I am set free. All of this teaching is new to me. I feel like a weight has been lifted off me. Thank you so much for shareing the word of God.
Comment by Betty Ferguson — February 28, 2012 @ 8:49 am |
Not entirely sure I agree with this one. You said: “It is describing those who have tasted but not eaten the heavenly gift.” The same word for “tasted” was used to describe Jesus tasting death for every man in 2:9. Did Jesus merely taste or experience death? One can look the word up in a Strong’s Concordance and see that “taste” often refers to experience. “Taste and see that the Lord is good…Shall never taste of death… In Acts 10:10; 20:11; 23:14, the ‘same’ Greek word for “taste” is translated as “eaten.” Jesus clearly tasted death for every man and not merely got a small taste of it. I believe the author was remaining consistent with how he used the word “taste” back in chapter 2.
The author sure seems to go out of his way to describe such people that mirror the same words to describe believers. Why go out of his way to use such words to describe them if they never believed at all? I cannot find any other author that used such a description like that to refer to imposters. All I am saying is that it appears to be a real stretch here in chapter 6. It clearly states that they WERE MADE Partakers of the Holy Ghost that Romans 8:9 seems to suggest believers only. Hebrews already defined partakers in Hebrews 3:1 as being believers. They were “once” enlightened, and you cannot get around the Greek that means “once for all” and not some “partial sight.”
The word “repentance” seems to be defined by the context as a return to a repentance of “dead things.” These people were returning back to the temple. I do not believe salvation was lost here, but these Jewish believers were to know that what they were turning to was impossible.
I think the passage is quite clear that believers were in the context right from verse 1. Our eyes can plainly see that believers are being described, as it is very hard for someone to accept that the author was using all of those colorful words to describe an almost believer. This is why so many struggle with the arguments that the author was not describing a believer here when it is very clear he was. It would be as trying to argue that my comments left here were really not left here, as anyone can see they were left here. Not criticizing your blog, but I just find your view a little hard to accept.
Comment by Dale — February 28, 2012 @ 9:13 am |
Hi Dale,
Thanks for your comment. I’ll grant that the word “partakers” could be describing believers but it could also be describing people like the false prophet Balaam. Permit me to give you four more reasons why this may be describing unbelievers. (I didn’t list these in the post because they are subsidiary to the point I hoped to make.)
1. The author is describing people who are “slow to learn” (5:11), who need someone to teach them “the elementary truths of God’s word all over again” (5:12). They need to hear the gospel again because they clearly haven’t grasped it.
2. He says they live on milk and are “not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness” (5:13). This is a reference to the gospel that reveals a righteousness from God (Rom 1:17).
3. He is exhorting them to leave the elementary and old covenant teachings pertaining to repentance from dead works, faith in God (as opposed to the faith of God), ritual baptisms, etc. We may get confused between OT shadows and NT realities until we recall he is addressing Hebrews schooled in the Mosaic Law and has just spent three chapters explaining Jesus using old covenant terms.
4. Then he says “even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are confident of better things in your case—things that accompany salvation.” In other words, the things he has just been speaking of are things which do not accompany salvation. He has been describing religious people who have had a taste – they’ve heard the gospel, benefited from signs and wonders – but they haven’t believed it. They need to hear it/see it all again. They have tasted and seen that the Lord is good but so far they have not actually put their trust in Him (Ps 34:8).
At the end of the day, I don’t really have a strong view as to whether this is describing believers or unbelievers. It could be either or both. This could be one of those verses that has relevance for everyone. My point is this – the author’s intention is not to frighten his “dear friends” (6:9). He writes to reassure them that the hope God offers us is a “firm and secure anchor for the soul” (6:19). Although this verse may suggest we can lose our salvation when we read it thru the lenses of performance-based Christianity, once you understand what Christ has done in chapters 3, 4 and 5, you will find unshakeably good news in chapter 6. What’s our part in this? “Drink it in and receive the blessing of God” (6:7).
Comment by Paul Ellis — February 28, 2012 @ 11:34 am |
Paul, I completely agree with your perspective on this issue. Like you, I too am unsure if it’s addressed to unbelievers or believers, but I think that your explanations make sense regarding both of those possibilities and the implications of either being the case. Your explanation in this preceding comment makes perfect sense to me. Most scholars believe that Hebrews was addressed to Jews because of the covenant and priestly language used throughout. In light of that, it would make sense them being referred to as “partakers” … of the old covenant. The old covenant was also instituted by God, although most of them misunderstood it, and they had received from the Holy Spirit, etc. In this context, the author may have very well been calling them to move past their former understanding and cling to the new covenant. Falling back into their old lawkeeping mindset disgraces the work of the cross and says that what Jesus accomplished wasn’t good enough.
Comment by Brandon — February 28, 2012 @ 1:27 pm
If Jesus Himself is my salvation {and He is},how can I be lost? Anyone who believes in Jesus has {present tense} eternal {never ending} life.Salvation should not be confused with probation.
Comment by Charles — February 28, 2012 @ 9:21 am |
Best post yet!!! Keep up the incredible insights. I used to struggle with Hebrews 6 when I was younger, and the church that I went to would reinforce that fear by its legalistic teachings. It is time for the emancipation to begin!
Comment by Brian Lawrence — February 28, 2012 @ 9:29 am |
A logic-based “faith” leaves a person susceptible to every nuance of interpretation of scripture. Such “faith” is fed by the greek “if then else”. If you do this… then I will bless you… or curse you.
God defies logic. With Him… it’s “I absolutely love you… no strings attached at all… ever!” No “if then else”. Faith is letting go of disbelief… allowing God to love oneself. If this is one’s foundation… the scripture reveals truth… otherwise it’s just a lot of legalistic gobbledegook.
Still Paul… you’re ability to make sense of the tangle of scripture is impressive. Good word!
Comment by Tom NeSmith — February 28, 2012 @ 11:01 am |
Dear Paul,
It is alway is a joy to read what you write – encouraging
You wrote about Judas – this article, Judas Iscariot–In Heaven or in Hell? by Gary Amirault came to mind. Agreement is not the issue – only thing that is essential is our oneness in Christ Jesus, and Him Lord and Saviour. Hope this comes thorugh…cannot reply to your writings.
Blessings always,
Comment by Joanne — February 28, 2012 @ 12:07 pm |
I fear that you are not reading this passage so much through glasses, but through sunglasses – there seem to be some parts that you are just not reading. The passage says “it is impossible … if they fall away to be brought back”, yet you interpret this as “it’s impossible for them to fall away” – perhaps I’m missing something, but you’ve turned the logic of the verse back to front to fit your argument? The passage clearly (to me at least!) seems to describe what happens if a believer falls away. If it was impossible for a believer to fall away, why on earth would the writer not clearly say that?
I agree that the passage is highly uncomfortable reading. But if I reinterpreted everything I found uncomfortable in scripture through my previous beliefs, then I would never grow in my knowledge, wisdom in faith.
Comment by Paul — February 28, 2012 @ 9:50 pm |
I think you misunderstood Paul’s argument and interpretation. He was saying there are several different ways of looking at what is said in that Scripture, and he pointed out how in light of salvation being secure that if it were possible to fall away “it is impossible” to return. However, the passage you are referring to does not use the term believer as you are assuming or implying. It is not clear at all if it is referring to believers or simply hearers. It is more likely referring to those who have previously been under the old covenant because Hebrews is addressed to Jews and is referring to the measure of the Holy Spirit that they were partakers in under the provision of the old covenant. Hebrews is ripe with passage referring to Jesus as the new and only high priest and the mediator of a new covenant, and the author is calling them forward into the new promise. The “falling away” would be for them to return to their old covenant lawkeeping mindset.
Comment by Brandon — February 29, 2012 @ 6:55 am |
Great post by you Paul thanks for sharing the revelation: From http://hischarisisenough.wordpress.com/2011/05/15/would-some-please-just-teach-hebrews-6-properly/
Hebrews 6:4-6: This passage has caused many to fear and to be in bondage. Many Christians believe as such when they have sinned greatly and are lost , making it is impossible to come back. It is helpful to note that the letter to the Hebrews is written to Jews and not Gentiles. As such any warnings which are issued are issued to them and not the Gentiles. Let us consider their story in Numbers and Deuteronomy.
The Hebrews stood at the entrance of God’s physical rest –the Promised Land. This was after they witnessed the column of cloud in the day and bright fire in the night; the brightness of His glory on Mount Sinai; and the fire that consumed the rebels. The Hebrews saw His light –they were “enlightened”. (Exodus 13: 21-22, 2 Samuel 22: 7-13, Numbers 11: 1-3) They ate the daily bread –the manna– that He provided. The Hebrews tasted the food (“heavenly gift”) given from heaven to know about the word of God (Exodus 16: 11-18, 31, Deuteronomy 8: 1-4).The Holy Spirit that rested on Moses (so that he could fairly judge the disputes of the people) was later partaken (shared) with seventy leaders to help carrying the heavy burden. In this way, the people partook (shared) in the Holy Spirit (Numbers 11: 4-6, 10-17). The Spirit also rested on their kings ad prophets. We do not share the Holy Spirit. We possess the Holy Spirit (John 14:16)
They saw supernatural events occur before their eyes –like the sea parting before them so they could escape from slavery and their enemies be destroyed (Exodus 14: 21-28). Those miracles were physical demonstrations of spiritual power yet to come through Jesus. But even after all of these, those stubborn people deliberately refused to go into the Land –God’s Promised Land of rest. That is what it means “by falling away” by constantly rejected Jesus as their Messiah. Hence please note it is written towards the unbelieving Jews. The passage is not about Jews or Gentiles who already believed. Rather it is a letter to Jews who were sitting on the fence.
The promises which however which are made are available for the believer upon his belief. Therefore it does not talk about a believer that has gone away. It is possible to come back. The Father of the Prodigal Son proves that!
Comment by Grant — February 29, 2012 @ 1:13 am |
Thanks Grant, that’s really good!
Comment by Paul Ellis — February 29, 2012 @ 7:54 pm |
BOOOOOMMMMMMM! Another “killer” scripture disarmed and brought into the beautiful light of the New Covenant!! Well done Paul!
Comment by Andre van der Merwe — February 29, 2012 @ 8:45 am |
Boom… Yes…. but assent to logical constructs does not change anything. The only place to find life is in the acceptance of His love (aka faith). Perceiving the world through logic is vain… unless… somehow… miraculously that logic leads a person to faith.
Comment by Tom NeSmith — February 29, 2012 @ 10:30 am |
Hi Tom, you make some excellent points about faith that I agree with whole-heartedly. I don’t write these posts to convince unbelievers about Jesus – that’s the Holy Spirit’s job. (And this is why I am wary of Christian apologetics.) I write so that we can take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ. The religious market is full of arguments and theories and reasonings that stand against the knowledge of God. These things make Christians insecure and anxious. They tarnish faith with doubt. My aim is to revel in Jesus and what He has done. My purpose with these scripture studies is to exhort with sound doctrine and maybe, just maybe, convince a few gainsayers.
Comment by Paul Ellis — February 29, 2012 @ 7:34 pm
Hi Paul. Just to share a powerful truth I learned recently; KJV 2 Cor 10:5 the OBEDIENT OF CHRIST (bringing into captivity every thought to the Finished Work of Christ at the cross).
Comment by Pat — March 1, 2012 @ 3:39 pm
Thsnks Paul. Your sharing reminds me of 2 Peter 2:22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. Here it clearly says DOG & SOW not SHEEP.
Comment by Pat — February 29, 2012 @ 5:54 pm |
Great Paul: Check out John Sheasbys series on Hebrews. He does such a great Job, nearly more than on hour on each chapter approx.
This is one of the most gracious books, when read through “righteousness by faith.”
http://www.liberatedliving.com/media.html (check the 2010/2011 message-archive – he has not yet made a compilation)
Comment by Tobias Skradde — February 29, 2012 @ 9:37 pm |
Heb 6:4-6 Is a STRONG phrase COMPLIMENTING Heb 6:1-4
Heb 6:4-6 paints a picture of how IMPOSSIBLE looks like
“…LET US LEAVE the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity”
“…BECAUSE IT IS IMPOSSIBLE for Jesus to die again at the Cross”
- grace and peace
Comment by savedbygrace — February 29, 2012 @ 10:07 pm |
don’t know exactly what the term “fall away” means in this scripture, but, if it means going back to a life of drugs and defilement (like I did 3 times) then I’m living a lie right now in Christ walking in Victory (not perfect but..) for the last 7 years. If once you get saved (born again) and one time or another fall back into some old sinful habits, and could NEVER repent from them again…..then God’s grace is not sufficient..
Comment by Thomas Fontenot — May 12, 2012 @ 3:20 am |
Praise God. for your life renewed. We can always turn to God. When we accept Him as our savior and lord we are sealed in Him. He will never, ever, ever leave or forsake us.
The Prodigal Son mentioned above humbled himself and went back to his father’s house. I believe some people have distorted this story. I don’t remember the son ever saying to himself ” I’ve been a bad son, disrespectful, unloving, greedy, and disobediant. Nope, it was all about him. I would be better off as a servant in my father’s house than I am now. I will say to him (his father)….But if I remember correctly that when he got home his father hugged him, clothed him, threw him a party and I can’t remember where the son ever did say to his father all the things he had planned to say to get into his father’s good graces.
God is always there ready to give us his love. I also believe the Holy Spirit keeps right on prompting us to return. Sometimes I believe things will happen that were set in motion by God to help us to make that journey back.
With me it was a friend who kept calling me to pray for someone. I kept saying you know I don’t pray, My prays will not do them any good because I’m not walking with God. But as the months went by I finally gave in just to hopefully stop the nagging. Wow, that’s all it took, glory to God. I didn’t stop praying, reading the Word, praising God, and praying in tongues almost none stop for weeks. It felt so good to be home. Then about six months later I started watching Joseph Prince and after that Andrew Wommack. Wow God’s even better than I thought He was. Jesus is Lord and He loves you. I’m so happy for you.
Comment by Deb — May 12, 2012 @ 4:21 pm |