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NASB | Hebrews 6:6 and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Hebrews 6:6 and then have fallen away--it is impossible to bring them back again to repentance, since they again nail the Son of God on the cross [for as far as they are concerned, they are treating the death of Christ as if they were not saved by it], and are holding Him up again to public disgrace. |
Subject: If you are saved can you lose it |
Bible Note: Exactly. However, does tasting the heavenly gift mean being regenerate? We could look at lots of examples in Scripture where people had the advantage of living among God's people but were not God's people. Perhaps the most striking example we see are the Pharisees in the first century. Romans 2 and Romans 9 and Philippians 3 list some of the blessings that belonged to the Pharisees as part of God's covenant people. However, Jesus refers to them as blind guides and hypocrites and vipers and children of the devil and of hell. They definitely heard of God's goodness in the Law and the Prophets, were circumcised, partook of the Passover and the other feasts. But they still were not really of God. As Romans 9 puts it, all are not Israel who are descended from Israel. I believe that the parallel situation in the church is what the writer of Hebrews refers to. We have to admit that there are people in the most faithful, Christ-exalting churches who hear the word preached week after week, bow their heads when everyone else does, get baptized, and partake of the Lord's Table, but who do not have faith nor do these things in that faith. When severe trial and temptation come along, they are gone. This makes sense to me for a number of reasons. First of all, it fits perfectly with the numerous passages which suggest that the believer is secure because God has transformed him into something new and keeps him. Secondly, it supports the biblical truth that faith without works is dead, that a true faith brings forth a faithful life. Thirdly, the Hebrews being addressed in the epistle were very familiar with the concept of the covenant, a concept largely understood and ignored by 21st-century Gentile believers. Being "cut off" had a very specific and earthly connotation for the Israelite, and it pointed to a spiritual truth as well about the state of their souls. --Joe! |