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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: can you lose it? |
Bible Note: Heb 6:1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits. 4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. 7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; 8 but if it bears thorns and briars, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned. 9 But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. There are a couple of things I wish to point out in this passage. In verse 1, the writer speaks of dead works and faith toward God. I see this as our live without Christ (dead) and life in Christ (faith). Verse 2 speaks of baptisms (the first works of salvation), laying on of hands (ministering in the body of Christ), resurrection and judgment (the end of the current dispensation). Verse 3 specifies these preceding topics as those the writer wishes to leave behind, separating them from verse 4, which begins a new concept. Verses 4 and 5 speak of people who, among other things, have tasted of the powers of the age to come. I think of this as saying “who have felt the acceleration of a 2010 Ford”. The only ones who can do that are those driving Fords in 2010. The people who have tasted of the powers of the age to come are those who will live in the age to come. The writer continues in this thought in verse 7, speaking of the earth which receives blessing (until the Millennial Kingdom the earth is still cursed), unless the fruit is thorns, becoming near to being cursed. The earth was cursed so that it would produce thorns. In this passage, if it bears thorns, it will be rejected. These things lead me to think that those who will not be able to repent are those who continue in rebellion against Jesus as He reigns Personally and publicly upon the earth. His rule will be public, and their rebellion will be public. Also, viewed in this way, this passage is in harmony with those that tell us God continues to forgive and cleanse us, who have been justified. Love in Christ, Mark |