Study Notes

Hebrews 6:3-12

Review

For the last six weeks, we looked at the "milk" of Christianity, the elementary teachings about the Christ. We did this because we needed our foundations to be built or strengthened. Indeed, for some, this was the first they'd heard of these things. But for the audience to whom the author of Hebrews was writing, these were subjects already covered in depth. So he'd written them, saying, "In this letter, I want to leave these elementary things and press on to maturity." And so he says in verse three...

6:3 This We Shall Do

We will leave these things - not leaving them behind, but going higher, going further, beyond the basic truths. The writer can hardly wait to share some incredibly deep truths of the Scripture with them. But first, he's got to address a problem. A problem that was so deadly, so dangerous, that it had to be dealt with immediately.

That problem was, as we have discussed before, the Christian Jews' desire to go back into Judaism. Some had grown tired of the constant persecutions. Others longed for a return to tradition: the rituals and regulations of their former religion.

While this is not a typical problem in today's church, it does create an interesting dilemma. You see, when this problem is addressed by the author, it opens up a theological can of worms that challenges each of us in our view of Christianity, of our faith, and our walk with God. Let's read on...

6:4-6 In The Case Of Those

"In the case of those." There are some who have had certain experiences relating to Christianity who have afterwards fallen away. And the writer says that they will never repent.

You can tell already that we are in scary territory. Because, at first reading, it sounds like the author is saying, "If a Christian backslides, they lose their salvation and can't ever be saved." Indeed, several denominations teach this doctrine. But let's approach these verses biblically, with no doctrinal or theological prejudices or preconceptions, and see what the Lord is really saying in His Word.

Once Been Enlightened

The Greek word for "enlightened" is "fo-TID-zo." It means to have light given to you. It is the same word that John used when he wrote of Jesus as the Light, saying,

John 1:9 There was the true light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.

When Jesus came into the world, he enlightened (fo-TID-zo) every man. What was He enlightening them to? Paul told Timothy that He...

2Tim. 1:10 ...brought life and immortality to light through the gospel...

Literally, he enlightened us to realize the truth about life and immortality. Only the gospel can save us. But unfortunately, although everyone is enlightened, not everyone recognizes and receives it. John also wrote,

John 1:5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

So, those who have been enlightened would be anyone who has heard the gospel message.

In our interpretation of these verses, we might begin to reassure ourselves that he is not talking about Christians after all. Unfortunately, that reassurance won't last after we look at the next description.

Tasted Of The Heavenly Gift, Partakers Of The Holy Spirit

This word "gift" (do-reh-AH) is used 11 times in the New Testament. It most often is used to describe the gift of the Holy Spirit given to people when they believe.

Acts 2:38 And Peter {said} to them, "Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 10:45 And all the circumcised believers who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out upon the Gentiles also.

And the word "partakers" means "those who partner and share with." These are people who have received the gift of the Holy Spirit, having become partners and sharers with Him, through their belief in Jesus Christ.

Now, some commentators will protest this interpretation, saying, "No, these are people who were simply being drawn into a relationship with the Spirit, but turned away." They claim that the word "tasted" shows that they only had a taste of things. They never actually experienced them in a true way.

But I have a problem with that. If we interpret the word "tasted" as only a quick, passing experience, then how must we reinterpret the verse that says He tasted death for everyone (Heb. 2:9)? Would these commentators also claim that Jesus only came very near to death?

Tasted The Word And The Powers

Finally, they tasted (same word) the Word of God and the powers of the age. These are people who heard the gospel, were given the Holy Spirit, been taught the Word, and even experienced spiritual power in their lives.

Fallen Away

These verses clearly present people who made commitments to Christ as having fallen away. You might say, "Hey, that doesn't line up with my theology!" Well, I don't know what to say about your theology. All I can tell you is what the Bible is saying. The apostle Paul certainly believed that you could fall away from the faith. And so did the Holy Spirit. Timothy was told,

1Tim. 4:1 But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons

The author of Hebrews also believed this. I would remind you of what we read back in chapter three,

Hebr. 3:12-14 Take care, brethren, lest there should be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart, in falling away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is {still} called "Today," lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end;

These are people who had faith in Christ, yet had fallen away from Christ.

Renewed Again To Repentance

This is what really freaks some Christians out. They say, "After getting saved, I backslid. I fell into my old ways, old habits, and old friends. I spent several years in the world. Does this mean I have no hope of being saved?"

My answer is a simple question: "Did you repent?" You see, if you fell back into your old ways, realized that it was wrong and returned to the Lord, then you didn't fall away. Because if you truly fall away, you truly don't come back. Ever.

Crucify To Themselves

Someone who falls away from the Lord and never comes back is making a silent statement. They are saying, "Jesus died on the cross and stayed there. I used to believe He rose from the dead, but I don't anymore." They are crucifying Christ all over again. Oh, they may say they still believe, but are denying His resurrection by refusing to turn to Him.

Are they saved? No way. Without a resurrection, there is no Christianity.

1Cor. 15:17 ...if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.

Without faith in the resurrection, there is no salvation, no forgiveness of sins.

6:7-8 Vegetation Or Thorns?

It's amazing, isn't it, that although the same amount of water is poured on different gardens, some bear fruit and some bear thorns. What is the difference? What kind of soil you have.

Jesus addressed this entire issue when He taught us the parable of the sower. He talked about seed falling on four different types of soil: that hard-pack stuff by the wayside where seeds get snatched away by birds, the rocky soil, the soils with thorns in it, and good soil. He then explained what it meant, saying,

Matt. 13:18-23 "Hear then the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, the evil {one} comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road. And the one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word, and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no {firm} root in himself, but is {only} temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away. And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit, and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty."

The same seed in different soils produced different results. Notice that the seed sown in the rocky soil did become a plant. Sure, it burned out, but it was a plant nonetheless. Jesus described these people as falling away.

Dear saints, make sure there's no rocks in your heart to defeat the Word of God sown in your heart. I want to believe that you're in for the long haul, that you're going to endure and bear fruit.

6:9 Things That Accompany Salvation

The author believes the same thing. That the fruit of salvation will be borne in their lives, that they will not allow themselves to fall away.

6:10 Your Work And Love

How do you demonstrate love for God? By ministering to His people - giving your life to serving them. And notice that you can't rest on your laurels because of what you have done in the past - it is "having ministered and STILL ministering" to them. It doesn't matter whether you were an elder in your last church, or taught children's church in the 80's. It doesn't matter that you hosted a home fellowship last year, or that you did ministry a few months ago. Are you STILL ministering to the saints? If not, then why not? After all, that is how you show your love for God's name.

6:11-12 Full Assurance Of Hope Until The End

Maybe you've been listening to this message and can't get over the fact that it sounds like I'm preaching against eternal security. But understand this: God wants you to have security in your eternity. He wants you to have full assurance of hope until the end. But you don't get that by having a doctrinal belief. You get it by showing diligence in your walk with God.

Saints, we've got to keep pressing on, keep growing. We've got to imitate the great men and women of the faith who lived their lives for the Lord until the day they died and went to be with Him.

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