Subject: To whom do we belong? |
Bible Note: Hank - Since my time is limited and I have a back log of mail that I have not had the time to answer fully, I will however take this moment to address part of your response at this time. Concerning Heb. 6:4-6 you said - "The author gives further indication that he may have been speaking of a purely hypothetical situation that did not pertain directly to his immediate readers in v. 9, because he says, "But, beloved, we are confident of better things (than what he described in the foregoing passage) concerning you," There is nothing in either the language or the context to indicate that the instances of apostasy cited in Heb. 6:4-6 are only hypothetical. Those who hold to the unconditional eternal security position take this text to say that “this is not a warning of apostasy, but rather a warning against imagining that apostasy is possible.” Their reasoning comes from Paul’s statement “But beloved, we are persuaded better things of you.” They fail to reckon with the transition from the third person (those, they, and them) in verses 4-6 to the second person (you) in verse 9. The writer is persuaded of better things for “you” not “them” Hopefully I will have nore time in the near future to answer more fully your questions. Sola Scriptura New Creature |