Christians: What do you think of this Hebrews quote and do you follow it?

Question

"For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they then commit apostasy, since they crucify the Son of God on their own account and hold him up to contempt.. For if we sin deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful prospect of judgment, and a fury of fire which will consume the adversaries." (Heb 6:4-6;10:26-27 RSV).

Do you believe this quote or is it customary to turn a blind eye to it, since it doesn't fit with what one is taught openly in church? And sinning deliberately means for you to do it, there is no excuse, even if it is in your nature, you had a choice not to. This saying seems to convey that those who are followers of Y'Shua are enlightened enough to have evolved their lower nature.

So do you believe there is no more repentance if you sin again and infact you invoke an even worst thing? In (John 5:13-14), "Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee."

It pretty clearly says deliberate sin, there is no such thing as little stumbles. James said if you offend one part you offend the whole (law). Little stumbles is things you willingly do, because God gives you the capacity to not do them. But please keep the perspectives coming. They are appreciated.

Frenzy there has been many scholars who studied Paul's Epistles and note that many people wrote in his name, this was customary in their time. Paul's writings tend to have a downward spiral, they seem to become more dumbed down as the pages go. For instance, Corinthians, the first 4 chapters, completely brilliant, then it starts to become different. Roman's too.

The same with many of them, Hebrews however stays the same throughout. There is debate as to who wrote Hebrews, but it is the best of Paul's letters imo.

Answer 1

I thought the key to this was repentence. Anyone who repents no matter how many times is forgiven, but what about the person who no longer repents? Maybe he is saying that it is easier to bring someone to repentence who has never known God because then they are enlightened. But if you have already been enlightened then repenting is a willful choice you either make or choose not to make.

If you continue to sin in that way then you are clearly not repenting and nothing I can say would make you stop because you already know what I have to say.

I think this might be what started the 'last rites' of the Catholic Church. If you repent the second before you die it is nearly impossible to sin before death, but this is not what it is saying.

Do I continue to depend on Jesus for salvation? Or do I turn my back on that and hold him up to contempt? My continual repentence or lack of it will tell the story.

Answer 2

When I read this, it comes across to me as the belief in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, not a falling back into the sinful nature. As long as you know that Christ is redeemer, then you have not lost enlightenment...I also think it is very difficult to do so...that is to actually believe, and then not.

Either Christ finished the work on the cross or He didn't. For me, there is no in between.

There is also a specific period in time that we are talking about, and this is when Jews were becoming Christians. The writer could mean reverting back to the old Judaism (sp?). If Paul is indeed the writer of Hebrews, as is widely believed, this is exactly the kind of thing he would say.

Yes, Passerby, I agree that Hebrews is Paul's, and that he may have had a short time of peace there. You are right about Paul. He is wordy.

Answer 3

I John 2:1 says that even though we sin, Jesus is our mediator between us and God to interceed for us.
It does not give us guarantee to sin more. We are human beings and we do sins knowingly and unknowingly. But still when we repent really, Jesus will forgive us.
Hebrew chapter says about sinning more intentionally or with all our heart, even Though holyspirit reminded us again and again. Doing sins with all the knowledge that it is agains God's will is really wrong. It means, that you are sinning against the Holy Spirit. It is unexcusable.
So as Paul says, it is always better to obey the Holy Spirit and then the flesh will not triumph.

Answer 4

I just cited Romans 6:15-7:25 in an answer to another question, which says something quite similar to this. And this passage was preached on in my church within the last year.

When this passage talks about deliberate sin, it is not referring to the occasional stumbles that we will all have. It is more about a person who professes to be a believer but does nothing to change their behavior to something more after God's design.

Answer 5

I wish someone could explain away that verse.???
I personally think all sin is willful.And we know Christians sin and are forgiven every day.
Maybe it's saying WE can't restore repentance in someone. But surely God must be able to.

Answer 6

Matthew 3:7-9 (King James Version)
King James Version (KJV)
Public Domain



7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

8Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

9And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.


I'm very big on Abraham. He made mistakes and was redeemed and forgiven by sacrifices, prayers, confessions and regret at God's alter and he would have done anything to please God. He set the example.

Answer 7

LOL Glad I'm not an Israelite or 'enlightened'. That God's kinda mean.

Answer 8

Do you realize what it is that you are asking? Do we live it? Like everytime we commit apostasy? Yeah, I guess so! Every single time I commit apostasy, I live it.

Sheesh!