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NASB | Hebrews 6:4 For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Hebrews 6:4 For [it is impossible to restore to repentance] those who have once been enlightened [spiritually] and who have tasted and consciously experienced the heavenly gift and have shared in the Holy Spirit, |
Subject: WHO is Hebrews 6:4-11 refering to? |
Bible Note: New here, but not new to Christianity. When I first received Christ, I was in non-denominational setting where there were many 'on fire' Christians, but also various different doctrines, and they all had verses to support their views. It is funny now, but as a new Christian I felt like these opposing views were yanking me back and forth, as each tried to sway me to their view. So, I had to dig deep into scripture and consider everything that these opposite views were so sure of. There were several I had to study the word about, but relevant to this discussion,eternal security and the doctrine of election. I learned that was called Calvinism vs Armenianism. That one really gave me a fit. I read the books they suggested, the scriptures, and found a few more scriptures on my own that those who were so adament had not told me about. I guess in all honesty, I came to believe in some of the things the Calvinists were saying, although the armenians certainly had some good points too. But, in both cases, in those very adament, it seemed that when they ran into a difficult scripture that was hard to fit into their 'doctrine box', it was given an 'unnatural' interpretation, which I was unwilling to do. Because of my determination to be as unbiased as possible in approaching God's word, I left some questions unanswered. I would have to say that I do believe in election, but cannot say that I am strongly 'Calvinistic', either. I think that where most scripture is pretty obvious, as to the meaning and natural interpretation, there are a few scriptures which are difficult. I remember this one as being a very difficult one, in terms of eternal security, in which what one believes seems incluenced by Calvinistic leanings vs armenian, where calvinists would be clearly in the 'eternal security' camp, while many armenians believe in eternal security too, but some armenians seem to believe that it is possible to fall from grace and of course am aware of these views. For that reason, I do not see it as a Calvinistic/armenian issue only. Looking at it again, it is still difficult and feel disinclined to over interpret certain words to make them 'fit' my doctrinal bias. On this one, I have to say that I would not feel comfortable making such a strong stance as to whether certain parts refer to 'those in Christ' or those who 'sampled Christ' without becoming completely His. Perhaps in time, the Holy Spirit will reveal more of this one to me, but for now, it's true meaning is somewhat of a 'mystery'. I really think a person who did not know anything about eternal security, Calvinism, etc, may also be inclined as am I, to say 'this is a difficult passage, and I am not absolutely sure which group of folks are being referred to here'. Laura |