Hebrews 6 - Have You Graduated From Elementary School of Faith Yet?

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6 Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2 instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting, we will do so.

The author once again picks up with the theme of moving on to Christian maturity.  He teaches them to move on from the "elementary" teachings about Christ. What does he mean by that? 

He gives clues by citing repentance, faith, cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, and teaching on the judgment and resurrection from the dead. We might call these the basics of the Christian faith. If you read through the Apostle's Creed, which our church confesses in our 8am service, it contains many of these core doctrines. 

Click here to see the Apostle's Creed Written Around

“When we consider the ‘rudiments’ one by one, it is remarkable how little in the list is distinctive of Christianity, for practically every item could have its place in a fairly orthodox Jewish community… Each of them, indeed, acquires a new significance in a Christian context; but the impression we get is that existing Jewish beliefs and practices were used as a foundation on which to build Christian truth.” (Bruce)

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 and who have fallen[ away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. 7 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. 8 But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.

As I have said earlier, the writer of Hebrews is addressing the fact that some of these new believers are either spiritually immature or completely leaving the faith altogether. But not it is says, "It is impossible for someone who has become a born again believer, who is filled with the Holy Spirit to be brought back to repentance if they have denounced the Christian faith." 

These are very challenging verses that beg the question, were these people really saved in the first place? Is it possible to lose one's salvation if we fall into sin and need to repent again? The reality is we need to repent every day from our sin, but the writer may be referring to something different here. 

 One of the most heated debates over any New Testament passage is focused on this text. The question is simple: Are these people with these impressive spiritual experiences in fact Christians? Are they God’s elect, chosen before the foundation of the world? Commentators divide on this issue, usually deciding the issue with great certainty but with no agreement. One the one side we see clearly that someone can have great spiritual experiences and still not be saved (Matthew 7:21-23). One can even do many religious things and still not be saved. The Pharisees of New Testament times are a good example of this principle. These men did many religious things but were not saved or submitted to God. - Guzik

If You Want to Read David Guzik's Full Commentary on Hebrews 6 Click on this Link

9 Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your case—the things that have to do with salvation. 10 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. 11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. 12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

The author here seems to insinuate that his previous warnings were not specifically meant for them. He seems to have evidence that they are living out their Christian faith. We might say they were bearing "spiritual fruit"! 

The author sees their good work in helping other believers and assures them that God sees this. He wants to make sure they continue in their faith and continue to work out their salvation, so that they can remain faithful to the end. He refers again to "laziness" the presenting issue for the Hebrews. Some of them were not grounded in the Word of God. Some of them were not clear on the basic teaching around salvation. Many were not in place where they could make disciples of others in the church (which he calls "teaching others"). He urges them to persevere so that they can take hold of what has been promised, eternal life. 

The writer to the Hebrews encouraged like a coach, urging believers to press on. The followers of Jesus must keep up their good work; press on with that hope until the end; and imitate those who inherit (not earn) God’s promises. When we fail to do this, discouragement often makes us become sluggish.

The Certainty of God’s Promise

13 When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” 15 And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.

Abraham was given as an example of someone who clung to God's promises to give him many descendants. Abram believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness. But just because Abram believed God's promise didn't mean that he didn't have to persevere in faith to see the promise fulfilled. 

The same is true with us. We are saved by faith and born again of the Holy Spirit, but we still need to patiently endure the trials of this life, as we await our future inheritance as sons and daughters of God. 

16 People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. 17 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. 18 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 set before us may be greatly encouraged. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

The writer emphasizes the importance of the word "hope". He encouraged them to "take hold of hope". This word hope is used in an active way not a passive one. It is a living and active hope.  It is a hope that is like an anchor in the storm.  

"And we know that God's hope does not disappoint us because it has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit." (Romans 5:5) Hope is a gift God gives us through Christ. We need to cling to it in difficult times. When we lose hope we are in a very dark place. 

The ship must have hold of the anchor, even as we must lay hold of hope. The anchor itself may have a strong grip, and be secured to the ocean floor, yet if it isn’t securely attached to the ship it is of no use. But there is also a sense in which the anchor has hold of the ship, even as hope has hold of us. - Guzik