Results 1 - 2 of 2
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Impossible to renew to repentance? | Heb 6:6 | Lifer1J511 | 3595 | ||
Does anyone have good insight into the meaning of this passage? It seems to suggest that if you hear the truth of the gospel, and then reject it, you will never be given another opportunity. But that conclusion seems to condradict a God who is long-suffering and not willing that any should perish. I intended for the scripture reference to show verse 4,5 and 6 but couldn't find a way to make it list all 3 verses. Thanks, fellow Bereans. | ||||||
2 | Impossible to renew to repentance? | Heb 6:6 | BadDog | 63463 | ||
LiferJ511, You might want to look at some of my comments in Heb. 10:26, to get a feel for how I view Hebrews in general. Also, let me point out one significant point: repentance (noun: METANOIA - verb: METANOEO) has a root idea of "to change the mind/attitude." It often is in relation to sin, but not always, in the NT. It does not mean to "turn around and go in a different direction," though that may certainly happen. Now let me point out 1 other very interesting thing about METANOIA/METANOEO: The gospel of John is the one book in the entire Bible which clearly states in 20:30,31 that's its purpose is evangelistic. Hence, if repentance is required to be saved, it would appear many times there, right? Well, it appears not once in John's gospel, though he does use it in Revelations and some of his letters. Repentance, I then maintain, is a state that the Spirit may bring us to so that we are responsive to the gospel. But it is not HOW we are saved... which is through faith, and faith alone. Repentance is also something that believers do, or must do if God is going to be able to use us (when there is unconfessed sin in our lives which we continue to refuse to deal with.) So repentance, then, is not a synonym for eternal life salvation. My contention would be that "impossible to renew to repentance" is NOT referring to loss of eternal life at all. It is referring to loss of rewards and inheritance certainly. But as you've noted, if we take this to its necessary conclusion, to say that this refers to loss of salvation, then we must also say that once someone has lost eternal life, it is IMPOSSIBLE to ever gain it back! Now obviously that does not make any sense. That doesn't fit the God of the Bible. That this passage is directed toward believers I would take as "yes." It refers to being "partakers of the Holy Spirit." Sure sounds like a believer to me. You might want to compare 1 Corin. 3 (part regarding building on the foundation). Notice how parallel the passages are. Both use fire symbolically. Both refer to near loss of salvation (Hebrews - "close to being cursed. Its end is to be burned." and 1 Cor. 3:15 - "If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.") Both refer to rewards. It's interesting that one passage makes it clear that we won't lose our salvation even if our works do not glorify God (1 Cor. 3 passage), while the other passage (Heb. 5:11 - 6:9) has been taken by many to teach just the opposite. I contend that they say much the same thing. Thanks, BadDog |
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