Still waiting for Heb 6:4-6.
Hebrews 6:1-9 KJV
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,
2) Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
3) And this will we do, if God permit.
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,
5) And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
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.
7) For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:
8) But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.
9) But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
This passage has caused many to fear for their salvation, and causes them to look to their own works to "continue being saved" instead of looking to Jesus' finished work. But is that right?
Revelation 2:4-5 KJV
4) Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
5) Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
I wonder how the church in Ephesus would see this?
Remember therefore from where you are fallen, and repent . . .
For it is impossible . . . If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance;
This interpretation, that these are born again Christians who cannot be renewed to repentance, seems to bring disharmony. "It is impossible", is what God said here. So why tell the Ephesians who had fallen to repent, and do the first things.
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,
5) And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
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.
It is impossible for those who have trusted Jesus . . . for those who have been regenerated . . . for those who are in Christ . . . for the born again . . . but none of these are said, nor any other way of specifying that these in particular are the regenerate.
- Once enlightened . . . understanding and knowledge
- tasted of the heavenly gift . . . have experienced something of it
- were made partakers (metochos {partners}, not koinonos {sharers}) of the Holy Spirit . . . participated in doings of the Holy Spirit, such as the 12, then 70 disciples sent out, working miracles
- have tasted the good word of God . . . have experienced something of it
- and the the powers of the world (lit. aion, age) to come . . .
The powers of the age to come. The kingdom age. This is what Jesus did, He came to Israel offering them the promised kingdom, and showed them the powers that will be in that age. Disease, deformity, no more. No more evil spirits harassing, no more sickness.
Jesus came working sings and wonders, the powers of the coming kingdom. Many believed, and many rejected.
For it is impossible . . . to renew them to repentance . . .
Jesus spoke of what would not be forgiven,
Matthew 12:22-32 KJV
22) Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.
23) And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?
The consensus at the time was that only Messiah could cast out a "blind/mute" demon, which was what Jesus did. And many believed.
24) But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.
The Pharisees should have believed also, but even with the miracles right in front of their faces, they claimed that the Spirit by which Jesus cast out demons was the Devil.
25) And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:
26) And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?
27) And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.
28) But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
This was what they were denying.
29) Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.
30) He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.
There are two sides in this war, and the one side isn't fighting against itself, the two war with each other. It's like Jesus is saying, "Think, man, think!"
31) Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
32) And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world (lit. aion, age), neither in the world (age) to come.
The Holy Spirit was in Christ to work signs and wonders that the people would believe in Him. Hebrews calls this "tasting the powers of the age to come". The Pharisees claimed Jesus had an evil spirit, that is, saying that the Holy Spirit was evil, so that they could deny that He was Christ, and deny tasting the powers of the age to come. They'll not be forgiven in this age, nor the age to come. Those who deny Jesus in the kingdom age will not be forgiven.
John wrote concerning the disbelief of the Pharisees,
John 12:37-41 KJV
37) But though he had done so many miracles before them,
yet they believed not on him:
38) That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?
They chose not to believe, being envious, wanting the power and the glory for themselves.
39)
Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,
40) He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
41) These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.
But they became blinded, just as God hardened Pharoah's heart (turned to stone) after Pharoah hardened his own heart (become wooden). They would not believe, therefore they could not believe. They blasphemed the Holy Spirit, choosing disbelief, and God made that their state.
For it is impossible to renew them to repentence.
Much love!