The heaven gift (dorea) in Hebrew 6:4 is Jesus Himself. The Greek word 'dorea' is used in the Bible for Jesus or The Holy Spirit. In respect of all other gifts the Greek word 'charisma' is used. Jesus Himself has mentioned He is the heavenly gift in John 3:16. Hebrew 6:4-6 applied to a particular group of people who witnessed and experienced the personal ministry of Jesus during His lifetime but refused to acknowledged Him as the Savior and Son of God. The scripture here do not apply to believers and it has been wrongly used against the belief of once saved always saved. Any comment?
2006-12-05 16:04:31 · 12 answers · asked by seekfind 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Salvation is a blessing from God not a person so the word 'dorea' cannot refer to it. All who are saved are given by the Father to the Son if they be lost and cannot be snatched out of both Jesus' and the Fatrher's hands are they forever saved. Jesus those who are saved have the Holy Spirit in them forever (John 14:16). If the Holy Spirit never leaves you how can you lose your salvation?
2006-12-05 16:27:17 · update #1
The above should read 'cannot be lost' and 'are they not forever saved?'
2006-12-05 16:29:48 · update #2
You are exactly right when you say that this verse is not referring to believers (saved individuals) and it is indeed misused by those who teach you can lose your salvation. Here's why:
If the writer is referring to salvation, there could be nothing better than that. But if you continue reading you'll find that the writer clarifies this by saying in Heb 6:9,
"But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany SALVATION, though we speak in this manner." (Emphasis mine.)
NKJV
It doesn't get much clearer than that! Context is the key, and "proof texting" rarely acknowledges proper context.
2006-12-05 16:27:28 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, eternal salvation is truth.
The unbelievers in the group were the people being addressed. These people had heard the truth and maybe even professed their faith with their mouth, but their heart was far from it.
Today, they would be called half-Christian or Christian in name only. They are not true believers. That is what these scripture verses are referring to. A person that is a true Christian is born-again with the Holy Spirit. God reads a person's heart and mind and He decides if their faith is genuine or not. He sends the Holy Spirit accordingly.
The word of God is clear...it is impossible for a true believer with the Holy Spirit to lose the free gift of salvation, just as it is impossible for them to earn it.
2006-12-05 16:36:13 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your interpretation is too narrow. As a true believer I have experienced Jesus as the "heavenly gift" though I was not around when He walked the earth.
I think the "once saved, always saved" doctrine is shaky to say the least. A man-made doctrine which oversimplifies the mystery of God's patience and grace. I would not encourage anyone to believe it as I think I would be tempting them to be slack in their attitude to God.
But I do believe "All those the Father has given me shall not be lost; no-one is able to snatch them from my Father's hand".
To Fish, above, since Jesus IS salvation, (even His name Yeshua means salvation in Hebrew) you are arguing about nothing.
2006-12-05 16:14:05 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yeah. The heavenly gift is Salvation, not Jesus Christ. Get your facts straight before you preach.
"You said Salvation is a gift from God not a person so the word "dorea" cannot refer to it."
The noted John Wesley, John Fletcher, and Adam Clarke disagree with you as well as myself. Where do you get your information, or did you make it up yourself?
2006-12-05 16:08:37 · answer #4 · answered by Fish <>< 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Tasted of the heavenly gift is Gods Grace and anointing of the Holy Spirit. Tasting isn't eating either. So, I think that it means that person never quite confessed Jesus Christ Lord of persons life. Though was in it.
Example is a serial killer or a child molester who had attended a truly Christian church, and saw the power of God, etc., but never truly believed in their heart in Jesus saving power or the resurrection. It was presented to them clearly though. So, went out and did wicked things like be a serial murderer or molester.
Or it could be a born again Christian, who never knew who he was in Christ and fell away. Person already is born again, so when re spiritually awakened out of it, can't be born again, again, because already is born again. So, does need to repent the Christian repentance, but will have to go through a difficult time that will be the conscequences of falling away.
I believe once born of God, always born of God, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. Nothing we do or not do will take Christ righteousness away from us. If we do fall away, though, we do unrighteous that is contrare to the Holy Spirit and not repent. It will catch up to person (God disciplines His Children.), or person may go to heavens home early.
2006-12-05 16:25:53 · answer #5 · answered by t_a_m_i_l 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I never believed once saved always saved.
However I believe that verse is referring to Salvation, which is gained through Jesus Christ and Romans 3:23 states Salvation is a free gift. Also the Holy Spirit was referred to as a gift as well.
I believe in this context it is talking about salvation.
2006-12-05 16:13:18 · answer #6 · answered by Abbasangel 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Plato thought precisely that. existence on earth became into the soul's imprisonment interior the ever-changing, ever-decaying physique. The soul got here from heaven and to heaven it may return. Christianity, on a similar time as heavily stimulated with the aid of Platonism, remains fairly an offshoot of Judaism, which perspectives God as energetic and modern interior the creation and interior the affairs of historic previous. Even there, you get the cynical lines of interest or Ecclesiastes: "it could have been greater efficient if I had on no account been born." that's troublesome to justify the belief of existence as a modern interior the face of suffering. All i will furnish is my own thought: existence on earth is corresponding to existence interior the womb. we are right here to be nurtured and grow to be some thing thoroughly diverse, some thing divine. The womb is a dismal and particularly often turbulent place; in spite of the incontrovertible fact that it relatively is the necesary prerequisite for start, and then for existence. devoid of all of the discomfort of being pregnant and exertions, there is not any existence that is relatively noted as 'human'. further, devoid of all of the trials of this earthly existence, there will be no existence which could be relatively noted as 'divine.' Peace to you.
2016-10-04 22:44:59 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't agree with the statement of once saved............ I might be a believer today and after some time turn to satan. Just because I was once saved that should mean that even if I have worked for the devil and at the time of my death I was still working for him, I should still go to heaven. I think not. May God Bless
2006-12-05 16:13:51 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hebrews 6 :1 Therefor leaving the principles of the doctine of Christ,let us go unto perfection;not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God. This is about believers and the teacher here is telling them to become deeper in the word .Not to be childish and continually back sliding, and repenting,not growing or getting any deeper in the word.
2006-12-05 16:27:36 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Proverbs 24:16 (Whole Chapter)
For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.
2006-12-05 16:18:15 · answer #10 · answered by Ms. Chayel 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋