Daily Bread 2011 - Hebrews 6
Daily Bread 2011 – Hebrews 6
1 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, 2 instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting, we will do so. 4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, 6 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.
What Does This Mean?
The author again warns the Hebrews to grow to maturity in their faith. By this time in the church there was a body of teachings regarding the basics of the Christian faith. We might call them “Christianity 101”. Some of these teachings included, repentance, faith, baptism, reception of the Holy Spirit, the resurrection and judgment. As someone comes to faith in Christ and is baptized they receive the Holy Spirit.
The writer refers to this experience as “being enlightened, tasting the heavenly gift, sharing in the Holy Spirit and tasting the goodness of the Word of God and the powers of the age to come. Clearly this is not just an intellectual knowledge but experiential as well. The experience doesn’t make the truth the truth, but it is a way of realizing it in one’s own life. The writer argues that once someone experiences the power of God in this way if they fall away cannot be brought to repentance.
What Does This Mean For Us?
There are a couple of different ways the church has interpreted this over the years. One is a doctrine that once you are saved you are always saved and you cannot lose your salvation. Along these lines those who fall away never really had salvation to begin with. The other view is that someone who has come to faith, been regenerated can still reject God and fall away. According to this passage it is impossible for that person to come back to faith as they would be crucifying Jesus all over again.
Although there are other biblical passages to support both sides, the evidence seems to be that once someone is saved and have received the Holy Spirit that they are God’s children, they have been bought with a price, the precious blood of Jesus Christ. If God is the person who saves on His initiative, it seems as though once who are chosen by God, we cannot “un-choose” ourselves. As Paul says to the church in Philippi, “He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.” Philippians 1:6
Father, as we have received this great gift of faith by your grace, help us to grow in understanding it and applying it our lives in Your power. Father we thank you for all your promises especially Your promise to finish the work you started in us. Amen.
1 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, 2 instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting, we will do so. 4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, 6 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.
What Does This Mean?
The author again warns the Hebrews to grow to maturity in their faith. By this time in the church there was a body of teachings regarding the basics of the Christian faith. We might call them “Christianity 101”. Some of these teachings included, repentance, faith, baptism, reception of the Holy Spirit, the resurrection and judgment. As someone comes to faith in Christ and is baptized they receive the Holy Spirit.
The writer refers to this experience as “being enlightened, tasting the heavenly gift, sharing in the Holy Spirit and tasting the goodness of the Word of God and the powers of the age to come. Clearly this is not just an intellectual knowledge but experiential as well. The experience doesn’t make the truth the truth, but it is a way of realizing it in one’s own life. The writer argues that once someone experiences the power of God in this way if they fall away cannot be brought to repentance.
What Does This Mean For Us?
There are a couple of different ways the church has interpreted this over the years. One is a doctrine that once you are saved you are always saved and you cannot lose your salvation. Along these lines those who fall away never really had salvation to begin with. The other view is that someone who has come to faith, been regenerated can still reject God and fall away. According to this passage it is impossible for that person to come back to faith as they would be crucifying Jesus all over again.
Although there are other biblical passages to support both sides, the evidence seems to be that once someone is saved and have received the Holy Spirit that they are God’s children, they have been bought with a price, the precious blood of Jesus Christ. If God is the person who saves on His initiative, it seems as though once who are chosen by God, we cannot “un-choose” ourselves. As Paul says to the church in Philippi, “He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.” Philippians 1:6
Father, as we have received this great gift of faith by your grace, help us to grow in understanding it and applying it our lives in Your power. Father we thank you for all your promises especially Your promise to finish the work you started in us. Amen.
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