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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, |
Bible Question:
I have read many of the responses to the question of Hebrews 6:4-6. It seems to be a difficult, and frightening idea that a believer can fall from grace to the point of never being able to come back to salvation. But consider this: When Peter denied Christ 3 times, didn't he fall under the Hebrews 6:4-6 passage? If not, then would you say that the 3 deliberate denials were just simply 3 sins and not a falling away? Or how about when Peter (Matt 18:21-22) asked Christ, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven" So, what is exactly being said in Hebrews 6:4? Is it my own wishful thinking that says I can still be saved? You see, I truly beleived I was saved at one point, but slowly I drifted away from the Lord. My prayers became farther and farther between, and I eventually stopped reading the bible, and I fell back into my old sins. But several years later, I feel the honest need and desire to be close to the Lord again. I pray that I will never fall away again. But does this mean that I can never come back to the Lord again as stated in Hebrews 6:4-6? I do keep in mind what the Lord said, (Mark 3:28) Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter..." But I am still frightened. To be honest, I feel sick every time I read the book of Hebrews. No matter how much assurance I get from other passages in the bible, I am scared. It is good to be afraid of God, but not like this. I want to be happy that I have salvation, but the idea of being damned for eternity is to much to handle. What should I think? |
Bible Answer: Greetings JohnK! I understand your concern, but you need not be paralyzed with fear. There are two possible ways of looking at this passage, and neither one means that you are hopelessly lost. 1) Calvinistic Perspective: This view says that the passage is not talking about Christians. Therefore, the warning is not for you. 2) Arminian Perspective: This view says that Christians are addressed, but it is Christians who have "WILLFULLY" rejected Christ with full knowledge of what they were doing. Again, this would not apply to your circumstance. The basic context (I write from an Arminian perspective) is a group of Jewish believers who were seriously shaken in their faith because of persecution (see chap. 10 especially). They were seriously thinking of going back to Judaism. The writer of Hebrews, throughout the book, makes one simple point. Salvation is found in Christ alone, if you turn from Christ, there is not salvation. You and Peter both failed Christ, but you never rejected Christ. Peter was freely accepted by Christ, so are you my friend. Someone wrote earlier something to the effect that "it is those who are not worried about their relationship with Christ who need to be worried." I would agree. You may have failed, but you never rejected Him and you still desire to grow in grace. The message of Scripture to you is that "nothing can take you out of His hand." Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |