Lessons From Hebrews – Lesson 6
Hebrews has some great things in it. It also has some hard things to be understood.
2Pe 3:15 And account [that] the longsuffering of our Lord [is] salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
2Pe 3:16 As also in all [his] epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as [they do] also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
Peter says that Paul wrote to these people before and that in these writings are some things hard to be understood. And that the unlearned and unstable wrest over them.
I think that Peter was referring to the book of Hebrews. Just because you hit something hard is no reason to skip it. So we cannot go on to chapter 7.
This chapter kept me from teaching Hebrews for years. Because I did not have a handle on it and knew I could not skip it. So I had to wait, think, pray, and study.
Chapter 6 is controversial. The commentators are all over the place on this one. There are many who will not agree with me. I think that I am right, and am going to present my case.
Heb 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection;
It should be obvious that he is not talking about leaving as in saying goodbye and never looking back. Keep the context of the book in mind. These are baby Christians who should be on the meat of the word by now and are still on milk. Paul is telling them don’t stop with the basics. Keep going on. Keep learning, keep studying.
Heb 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
Heb 6:2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
And just to be clear, Paul lists what the basics are.
1) Repentance from dead works
I like the way he puts is. Dead works. The works of man are incapable of imparting spiritual life. They are dead. They can’t bring life. Repentance is a change of mind, a turning. This is so very basic to becoming a Christian. You must repent. You have to quit trying to work your way to heaven.
Jesus said. Luk 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Act 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
You can repeat a prayer all you want to, but if there is no repentance in the heart then there is no salvation. There must be a turning from dead works. You can no longer trust in your deeds. You must understand that your righteousness is vile.
Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean [thing], and all our righteousnesses [are] as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
This is not only foundational, but Paul lists it first in this list. Why? If you don’t get this, then you are not going any further with God.
There are more people who claim to be Christians that don’t understand this than there are that do understand it.
Church of Christ, Assembly of God, Catholics, Seventh day Adventists, there is even a group called Seventh day Baptists. All of them and many more don’t even get the first thing on Paul’s list of the first principals. Our works are dead works.
2) Faith toward God
First you repent of all faith in yourself and instead you put all your faith in God.
Luk 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as [his] eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
Luk 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified [rather] than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
That publican is a great example of someone who understood. He got saved and did not do anything to earn it. Another great example would be the thief on the cross.
3) The doctrine of baptisms
This is another one that many don’t get. Even many Baptists don’t get this one. The s is not there by accident. It says baptisms Plural. More than one.
Joh 1:33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
Luk 3:16 John answered, saying unto [them] all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:
There is a baptism of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost comes upon you and lives in your heart when you get saved. This baptism of the Holy Ghost happens only once and it happens at salvation.
Rom 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
After you get saved, then you are to follow the Lord in believer’s baptism. You are to show forth the death, the burial and the resurrection of Christ.
4) The laying on of hands
They practiced the laying on of hands while the bible was being written. And people were healed, others spoke in tongues. The laying on of hands had to do with the temporary sign gifts.
The laying on of hands was also done to send men out. Some still do this today. When they ordain a preacher, they will gather around him and lay hands upon him. It is a way to symbolize recognition, identification and approval.
5) The resurrection of the dead
Our bodies will be resurrected one day. Ours for the judgment seat of Christ and those that are lost at the Great White Throne judgment.
6) Of eternal judgment
There is a hell. It is full of torment, and it does last forever. There will be no getting out for those who go there.
So Paul is telling these Christians move on in your studies from these basics. Don’t forget these basics. They are foundational. But there is a whole lot more to learn.
Heb 6:3 And this will we do, if God permit.
If God permit. Paul says this we will do, if God permit. People read that and go what? I don’t get that. Let’s read it without the list of basics in the middle.
Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection and this will we do, if God permit.
People will say surely God wants all of His children to go on to perfection. And yet it says if God permit. This is not talking about heaven. You get saved and you will go on to heaven. This is talking about Spiritual maturity in this life.
You have to understand that you cannot do anything without Him. Jesus said, for without me ye can do nothing.
Starting with verse 3 is where the controversy is. And people come up with all kinds of weird stuff out of these next few verses. You have to get a hold of two things and look at these verses with them in mind.
One don’t let something that is confusing at first glance take away from what you know for sure.
You cannot in no way shape or form lose your salvation. Period. So this cannot be talking about losing you salvation. And two you have to keep these verses in the context of what is being talked about here.
Verse 1 says Therefore. That ties it back to what has went before.
Paul had admonished them already to not make the same mistake of unbelief that the Israelites in the wilderness made. They did not lose their salvation. God still loved them and took care of them. But they lost the victory of going into the land. That illustration that Paul brought up is at the heart of what is being talked about here. So before we read on in Hebrews,
Let’s set the context of what happened to them in our minds.
Go to Deu chapter 1.
Deu 1:21 Behold, the LORD thy God hath set the land before thee: go up [and] possess [it], as the LORD God of thy fathers hath said unto thee; fear not, neither be discouraged.
Deu 1:22 And ye came near unto me every one of you, and said, We will send men before us, and they shall search us out the land, and bring us word again by what way we must go up, and into what cities we shall come.
Deu 1:23 And the saying pleased me well: and I took twelve men of you, one of a tribe:
Deu 1:24 And they turned and went up into the mountain, and came unto the valley of Eshcol, and searched it out.
Deu 1:25 And they took of the fruit of the land in their hands, and brought [it] down unto us, and brought us word again, and said, [It is] a good land which the LORD our God doth give us.
Deu 1:26 Notwithstanding ye would not go up, but rebelled against the commandment of the LORD your God:
They were told by God to go into the land and possess it. They had His promise that He would fight the battle. And what did they do? They rebelled against the commandment of God. And then they do something else that is horrible.
Deu 1:27 And ye murmured in your tents, and said, Because the LORD hated us, he hath brought us forth out of the land of Egypt, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us.
Deu 1:28 Whither shall we go up? our brethren have discouraged our heart, saying, The people [is] greater and taller than we; the cities [are] great and walled up to heaven; and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakims there.
They accuse the Lord of hating them.
Moses then tries to straighten them out and encourage them.
Deu 1:29 Then I said unto you, Dread not, neither be afraid of them.
Deu 1:30 The LORD your God which goeth before you, he shall fight for you, according to all that he did for you in Egypt before your eyes;
Deu 1:31 And in the wilderness, where thou hast seen how that the LORD thy God bare thee, as a man doth bear his son, in all the way that ye went, until ye came into this place.
Deu 1:32 Yet in this thing ye did not believe the LORD your God,
Deu 1:33 Who went in the way before you, to search you out a place to pitch your tents [in], in fire by night, to shew you by what way ye should go, and in a cloud by day.
Deu 1:34 And the LORD heard the voice of your words, and was wroth, and sware, saying,
Deu 1:35 Surely there shall not one of these men of this evil generation see that good land, which I sware to give unto your fathers,
Deu 1:36 Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh; he shall see it, and to him will I give the land that he hath trodden upon, and to his children, because he hath wholly followed the LORD.
They would not listen to the pleading of Moses. God finally says that’s it. Their hearts were too hard, they would not listen. Did they lose their salvation. No. But they pushed God too far and now they have to wonder around in the wilderness.
Deu 1:41 Then ye answered and said unto me, We have sinned against the LORD, we will go up and fight, according to all that the LORD our God commanded us. And when ye had girded on every man his weapons of war, ye were ready to go up into the hill.
Now the people finally get with the program. They say we have sinned against the Lord. They confessed it. And say we will now obey. They get their weapons and are going out.
Deu 1:42 And the LORD said unto me, Say unto them, Go not up, neither fight; for I [am] not among you; lest ye be smitten before your enemies.
God says don’t go up. He tells them it’s too late. You blew it. I am not going to fight for you. I will not empower your effort. It’s too late.
Deu 1:43 So I spake unto you; and ye would not hear, but rebelled against the commandment of the LORD, and went presumptuously up into the hill.
Deu 1:44 And the Amorites, which dwelt in that mountain, came out against you, and chased you, as bees do, and destroyed you in Seir, [even] unto Hormah.
Deu 1:45 And ye returned and wept before the LORD; but the LORD would not hearken to your voice, nor give ear unto you.
They pushed God too far. They rebelled one too many times. They confessed it and tried to go up, but God had decreed it is too late for that. No victory for you. They cried, they prayed, but God would not give ear unto them.
After they pushed God too far, no matter of begging, pleading, praying, nothing was going to change it. God was in no way going to give them victory in the land. God was not going to repent. He was not going to change His mind. Restoring their opportunity for victory was now impossible.
Ok go back to Hebrews Chapter 6.
Heb 6:4 For [it is] impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
You are not a partaker of the Holy Ghost, unless you are saved. So this is talking about saved people. And it says it is impossible. So what is about to be said is actually impossible. Can’t happen. No matter what. It is impossible.
Heb 6:5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
Heb 6:6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put [him] to an open shame.
So in short. It is impossible to fall away as in lose your salvation and then get saved again. It is impossible. And the reason is given. Because they would be crucifying to themselves the son of God afresh, and thus put Jesus to an open shame.
When you get saved you accept that Jesus took your sin upon Him on the cross. He actually bore your sin in His own body on the tree. Jesus was crucified for you. When you get saved you identify with that; with what He did for you.
In a way you mentally accept the placement of your sin upon Jesus. You accept that your sin was taken to calvary.
If you could lose your salvation and get saved again, you would be doing that all over again for a second time.
What an open shame, to crucify to yourself the Son of God afresh. Jesus went to the cross once. And only once! He cried it is finished and then rose again and sat down on the right hand of the Father.
What Jesus did was completely sufficient. Never to be put thru that again. What He did once was enough for every soul for all eternity. Never to be repeated.
I understand the way Paul phrased this as an hypothetical.
Yes, you cannot lose your salvation. He in no wise ever kicks anyone out who comes to Him. Eternal life is just that eternal. Period.
But just think about what it would mean if you could lose your salvation. It would actually be impossible to get saved again because of the open shame that would be placed on Jesus.
You can’t lose your salvation and if you could, then you could not get it back. The shame that would put on Jesus is not allowed.
This is a way of demonstrating that even thinking of going back to Judaism and then maybe coming back later is thinking about putting Jesus to an open shame. It is actually impossible Paul said.
Paul is warning these Christians not to go back to Judaism. He has given them the example of the children of Israel and how they lost the victory, and could never get that opportunity again. He wrote in
Heb 3:19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
Heb 4:1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left [us] of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
He is saying you can make the same mistake. God will do to you what He did to them.
They were dull of hearing, they were not growing and learning. They were saved, but they never moved forward in their Christian walk. Now they are thinking about throwing in the towel.
They have partook of the Holy Ghost, and Paul says if you fall away. If you do this and go back to Judaism. Then it is impossible to renew you.
Again this is not talking about losing your salvation. They are saved. Once saved always saved. However, they are about to throw away their walk with the Lord.
Paul is trying to get thru to them, just how awful a thing it is that they are considering. And it is actually impossible. Once saved always saved.
And remember the entire context of the example of the Children of Israel in the wilderness.
God might just say to you like He did to them. That’s it. You pushed me too far. You have put me to an open shame. I am done working with you. Yes you are still my child. I gave you eternal life. But I am not going to use you. You blew it. Too late. The opportunities that I had for you will never be renewed.
God will say that’s it and He will not change His mind. They will just be put on a shelf so to speak, and there they will say. A castaway.
1Co 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
1Co 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they [do it] to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
1Co 9:26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
1Co 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring [it] into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Paul understood the danger of Christians being rebellious and disobeying God. Paul did not want to be put on a shelf. He did not want to lose out on being used by God. Paul knew that God can quit using a man if the man blows it.
Let’s look at another example. Hebrews chapter 12.
This is something that is foreign to most. They look at God as a type of Santa Claus. They just go to Him for what they want. They ask and expect to get whatever they want no matter what they do.
They think they can push God and push and rebel and disobey. Again and again and again, and that there will never be any consequences. They always think there will always be another chance. That is not true. Sometimes you lose an opportunity and that’s it. It’s gone. Sometimes you make a bad decision and there is no undoing it.
Heb 12:14 Follow peace with all [men], and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Heb 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble [you], and thereby many be defiled;
Heb 12:16 Lest there [be] any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
Heb 12:17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
Esau sought to undo what he did. He sought carefully with tears. He found no place of repentance on that matter. He blew it. It was too late. God was not going to give him another chance on that.
Christian you can push God too far.
As I was putting this lesson together I thought about how many times I have seen this happen to Christians.
I counted 5 men that I have known who have been called to preach who have blown it.
One man was called, went to Bible College in Florida. Finances got tight, he got mad about it and quit before he finished. He threw away the chance to be a pastor. God worked on his heart and later in life God renewed the call. His heart once again became burdened.
Now he has a family and kids. He tells God no. I will not go back to college. The burden goes away. Years later God once again burdens him to get into full time ministry. God even hands it to him on a platter. The pastor of his youth calls him and wants him to run his bus ministry.
He will even get to do some teaching. All he has to do is quit his job and move. God had already worked to take away the man’s house. Moving would be easy. God’s finger prints is all over this offer. The man tells God. Not now. I will go next January. He never went. Opportunity lost. I highly doubt that he will ever get another chance.
Another man I knew got called, went to one college, then quit, went to another, then quit. He was given one place to serve, then another, then another. Messed them all up. Now he is just sitting on a shelf. Blew it.
I counted 5 men that I have known that did it. God is a God of forgiveness. He is a God of second chances, and third chances, but He does have a limit. You can push Him too far. You can tell Him no one too many times.
Here is another example that I have seen.
Someone gets under conviction thru the preaching, the invitation comes. They know God is dealing with their heart, but they tell Him no. I will not go up and pray. God I will not submit to what you are telling me to do.
God brings conviction to them again as they are reading their Bible. They tell God no. I will not change that in my life.
Conviction comes again. They refuse to respond. God brings it again, and then again, and then again. They refuse and refuse and refuse.
One day they say no once too often. Now they go to church and nothing. Their heart never gets moved the same way again. No more conviction. No more tears.
You can stand up there and preach your heart out, and you will never move them. I don’t care how much you put into the sermon. It will not matter how well it was put together, or how good the delivery. They will never move. Why? Because God is no longer working on their heart.
They hardened their heart one too many times and God says your heart is too hard. I am putting you on a shelf. That’s it. You can just wonder around in the wilderness until I take you home.
What we have in Chapter 6 is a stern warning that Christians can push God too far. God will put you on a shelf and the opportunities that you had to be used of Him are gone. And we have an hypothetical of how horrible it would be if you could lose your salvation and if you could it would be impossible to get saved again because it would be bringing Jesus to an open shame.
Let it be a warning to us to always keep our hearts tender toward God.