I was reading Hebrews 6:4 . it said that apostates cannot come back to Jesus after for repentence, true?

Answer 1

There is one unforgivable sin, and once a person commits that sin it is impossible to return to God.

This sin has nothing to do with saying "Jesus is bad", or jumping up and down on a cross shaped hunk of wood. The one unforgiveable sin is false witness against the Holy Ghost.

Matthew 12:30

He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

31Wherefore 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.

32And 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, neither in the world to come.

blasfhmia,n {blas-fay-me'-ah}
1) slander, detraction, speech injurious, to another's good name 2) impious and reproachful speech injurious to divine majesty

Only God can judge what speech is injurious to the Holy Ghost. People cannot Judge since they do not have the wisdom or understanding.

It is literally impossible for one who is saved to blasphemy against the Holy Ghost since the Holy Ghost now directs their lives.

Answer 2

Heb 6:4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age 6 and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.

This does not say it is impossible to come back, but there is no other way to come back except the way they trampled the first time around. To come back, they must accept the things they trampled the first time. The person that comes back must believe what he refused to continue believing the first time.

Answer 3

WOW...I read some of these answers so far and they are all WAY OFF. In order to understand ANY BOOK OF THE BIBLE you have to understand to whom the book (letter) was written to and why was the document written. The letter of Hebrews was written specifically to the Jewish believers in Jesus Christ. The pressure was on them by the non-Christian Jews and also the Roman empire to turn away from their faith and get back to the practices of the Laws and rituals of Judaism. Then there were those of the Christian Jewish crowd that wanted to believe in Christ (were enlightened) and continue to practicing keeping the rituals of Judaism. As we see in this passage Hebrews 6:4, that is not possible. The law does not save is the central theme now. When a "so-called" beleiver of Jesus Christ abandons the Grace of God given to them and turn to rituals of the Law they are making a mockery of the crucifixian of Christ.

Answer 4

Read chapter five before chapter six of Hebrews.Its saying that we are to be teachers and learn more of the word and have more understanding getting deeper into Gods plan for us not just continually repeating over and over again the beginings of salvation.Not understanding the word as a child who needs milk and not strong meat.In other words we are to grow in our understanding to be teachers and grow strong in our faith.Not be wishy washy, changing with the wind ,one day claiming salvation and the next forgetting who we serve.

Answer 5

That is why they are called "apostates". They have trampled the cross underfoot.

Heb 10:29
Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?

Each of us are given a portion of revelation upon which we can either believe or reject. If the Holy Spirit imparts to you the Gospel of Grace and you reject it and do not come to repentance, then you have trampled God's grace underfoot, and there will be more punishment for you than with those who have not heard.

However, those who respond with repentance are saved and no one will be able to snatch them out of the Father's hand, as Jesus promised.

Those who say they "used to be a Christian" are like goats who say they "used to be a sheep". God knows which is which, and will judge accordingly.

Answer 6

Hello,

It looks that way from what I can see. I part, It says... it is impossible to bring them back to repentence again.... since they are recrucifing the son of God for themselves and holding him in contempt.

Thats the way I read it too.

I know there will be all sorts of debate here on its meaning but anyway it does discourage me from converting to Islam Bhuddism etc. since I accepted Christ's slavation and know better.

Cheers,

Michael

Answer 7

An Apostate is One that has walked away from Revield Truth,They have no desire to come back;
I am not talking about a Believer that has sinned;
and is under conviction to Resist the thing that is trying to come between Him and God;

Answer 8

scripture taken out of context is often misinterpreted and also it has to go back to the Hebrew translation and the culture of the time.My daughter has a college degree in Biblical studies and she told me this . I think it says in this that THEY ARE SPEAKING OF THOSE WHO GIVE LIP SERVICE TO GOD BUT NOT THEIR HEARTSI have put here the commentary on this hope it helps : The faith and hope of the church encouraged from this.

Every part of the truth and will of God should be set before all who profess the gospel, and be urged on their hearts and consciences. We should not be always speaking about outward things; these have their places and use, but often take up too much attention and time, which might be better employed. The humbled sinner who pleads guilty, and cries for mercy, can have no ground from this passage to be discouraged, whatever his conscience may accuse him of. Nor does it prove that any

one who is made a new creature in Christ, ever becomes a final apostate from him. The apostle is not speaking of the falling away of mere professors, never convinced or influenced by the gospel. Such have nothing to fall away from, but an empty name, or hypocritical profession. Neither is he speaking of partial declinings or backslidings. Nor are such sins meant, as Christians fall into through the strength of temptations, or the power of some worldly or fleshly lust. But the falling away here

mentioned, is an open and avowed renouncing of Christ, from enmity of heart against him, his cause, and people, by men approving in their minds the deeds of his murderers, and all this after they have received the knowledge of the truth, and tasted some of its comforts. Of these it is said, that it is impossible to renew them again unto repentance. Not because the blood of Christ is not sufficient to obtain pardon for this sin; but this sin, in its very nature, is opposite to repentance and

every thing that leads to it. If those who through mistaken views of this passage, as well as of their own case, fear that there is no mercy for them, would attend to the account given of the nature of this sin, that it is a total and a willing renouncing of Christ, and his cause, and joining with his enemies, it would relieve them from wrong fears. We should ourselves beware, and caution others, of every approach near to a gulf so awful as apostacy; yet in doing this we should keep close to

the word of God, and be careful not to wound and terrify the weak, or discourage the fallen and penitent. Believers not only taste of the word of God, but they drink it in. And this fruitful field or garden receives the blessing. But the merely nominal Christian, continuing unfruitful under the means of grace, or producing nothing but deceit and selfishness, was near the awful state above described; and everlasting misery was the end reserved for him. Let us watch with humble caution and prayer

as to ourselves. Heb 6

Answer 9

In view of what is stated at Hebrews 10:26, 27, will dedicated and baptized Christians with hopes of earthly life have a resurrection if they fall away from true worship and die before Armageddon?

That scripture reads: “If we practice sin willfully after having received the accurate knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice for sins left, but there is a certain fearful expectation of judgment and there is a fiery jealousy that is going to consume those in opposition.” An examination of the context shows that the apostle Paul was writing this to Christians who were in the new covenant, had been “sanctified” and so were in line to rule with Christ in heaven. (Heb. 10:15-18, 29; Rom. 8:16, 17) Earlier in the same letter he wrote: “It is impossible as regards those who have once for all been enlightened, and who have tasted the heavenly free gift, and who have become partakers of holy spirit, and who have tasted the fine word of God and powers of the coming system of things, but who have fallen away, to revive them again to repentance, because they impale the Son of God afresh for themselves and expose him to public shame.”

While, in Hebrews chapters six and ten, Paul the apostle was discussing anointed Christians with heavenly hopes who “sin willfully” and refuse to repent, it is reasonable to conclude that the same principle would apply to those of the “great crowd” of “other sheep” with earthly hopes.

The apostle Paul writes in similar vein: “It is impossible as regards those who have once for all been enlightened and who have tasted the heavenly free gift and who have become partakers of holy spirit and who have tasted the right word of God and powers of the coming system of things, but who have fallen away, to revive them again to repentance, because they impale the Son of God afresh for themselves and expose him to public shame.” (Heb. 6:4-6, NW) These here mentioned who did fall away with no possibility for recovery had had the benefits of the ransom applied to them, had been bought by Jesus’ blood. If not, they could have availed themselves of it for salvation. However, they had already used the benefits of the sacrifice and thereafter fallen away. Now they themselves deliberately impale Christ afresh in personal rejection of him, attaching no more value to his sacrifice than the death of a criminal. Christ died for them once; he will not come to earth to die for them again. “This he did once for all time.” “Neither is it in order that he should offer himself often, as indeed the high priest enters into the holy place from year to year with blood not his own. Otherwise, he would have to suffer often from the world’s foundation. But now he has manifested himself once for all time at the consummation of the systems of things to put sin away through the sacrifice of himself.”

Answer 10

Hebrews 6:4-6 states, “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.” This is one of the Bible’s most difficult passages to interpret, but one thing is clear—it does not teach that we can lose our salvation. There are two valid ways of looking at these verses:

One interpretation holds that this passage is written not about Christians but about unbelievers who are convinced of the basic truths of the gospel but who have not placed their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior. They are intellectually persuaded but spiritually uncommitted.

According to this interpretation, the phrase “once enlightened” (verse 4) refers to some level of instruction in biblical truth. However, understanding the words of scripture is not the same as being regenerated by the Holy Spirit. For example, John 1:9 describes Jesus, the “true Light,” giving light “to every man”; but this cannot mean the light of salvation, because not every man is saved. Through God’s sovereign power, every man has enough light to be held responsible. This light either leads to the complete acceptance of Jesus Christ or produces condemnation in those who reject such light. The people described in Hebrews 6:4-6 are of the latter group—unbelievers who have been exposed to God’s redemptive truth and perhaps have made a profession of faith, but have not exercised genuine saving faith.

This interpretation also sees the phrase “tasted the heavenly gift” (Hebrews 6:9) as referring to a momentary experience, akin to Jesus’ “tasting” death (Hebrews 2:9). This brief experience with the heavenly gift is not seen as equivalent to salvation; rather, it is likened to the second and third soils in Jesus’ parable (Matthew 13:3-23), which describes people who receive the truth of the gospel but are not truly saved.

Finally, this interpretation sees the “falling away” (Hebrews 6:6) as a reference to those who have tasted the truth but, not having come all the way to faith, fall away from even the revelation they have been given. The tasting of truth is not enough to keep them from falling away from it. They must come all the way to Christ in complete repentance and faith; otherwise, they in effect re-crucify Christ and treat Him contemptuously. Those who sin against Christ in such a way have no hope of restoration or forgiveness because they reject Him with full knowledge and conscious experience. They have concluded that Jesus should have been crucified, and they stand with His enemies. It is impossible to renew such to repentance.

The other interpretation holds that this passage is written about Christians, and that the phrases “partakers of the Holy Ghost,” “enlightened,” and “tasted of the heavenly gift” are all descriptions of true believers.

According to this interpretation, the key word in the passage is if (verse 6). The writer of Hebrews is setting up a hypothetical statement: “IF a Christian were to fall away . . .” The point being made is that it would be impossible (IF a Christian falls away) to renew salvation. That’s because Christ died once for sin (Hebrews 9:28), and if His sacrifice is insufficient, then there’s no hope at all.

The passage, therefore, presents an argument based on a false premise (that a true Christian can fall away) and follows it to its senseless conclusion (that Jesus would have to be sacrificed again and again). The absurdity of the conclusion points up the impossibility of the original assumption. This reasoning is called reductio ad absurdum, in which a premise is disproved by showing that it logically leads to an absurdity.

Both of these interpretations support the security of the believer in Christ. The first interpretation presents unbelievers rejecting Christ and thereby losing their chance of salvation; the second interpretation presents the very idea of believers losing salvation as impossible. Many scriptures make it abundantly clear that salvation is eternal (John 10:27-29; Romans 8:35, 38-39; Philippians 1:6; 1 Peter 1:4-5), and Hebrews 6:4-6 confirms that doctrine.

Recommended Resource: Eternal Security by Charles Stanley.