A Severe Warning
A SEVERE WARNING
Heb. 6:4-8
Introduction: In the prior lesson, which centered on the verses immediately preceding our present text (5:11-6:3), the writer, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, admonished the Hebrew Christians to grow, after having scolded them for their immaturity. Now, as a further warning to spur them toward spiritual growth, he describes a most severe situation that may occur, and which these very people were in danger of experiencing.
Notice the following three things that may be learned:
I. Five Descriptions of a Christian
A. “Enlightened” (v. 4)
1. John 8:12 - “I am the light of the world...”
2. John 1:4-9
3. Eph. 5:8 - “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord.”
4. Col. 1:12,13 - “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the Inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the Kingdom of his dear Son...”
B. “...tasted of the heavenly gift...” (v. 4)
1. “Taste’ means “to partake of; to experience.”
2. The “gift” is the “newness of life” (Rom. 6:3, 4); the being made a “new creature” in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17); the assurance that our sins are washed away (Acts 22:16; Rev. 7:14); all made possible by the blood of Christ (2 Cor. 9:15 - “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.”
C. “...partakers of the Holy Ghost...” (v. 4)
1. In the first century, miraculous gifts were bestowed upon some of the Christians.
2. The “indwelling of the Spirit” was given to all Christians (Acts 2:38; 5:32).
3. The fact that the Spirit of God indwells the Christian should make us careful about what we do, how we act, and should make us remember not only who we are, but also whose we are! (1 Cor. 6:19, 20).
D. “...tasted the good word of God...” (v.5)
1. Ps. 119:103 - “How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth.”
2. Ezekiel 3:1-3 Ezekiel was given a roll to eat, then commissioned to go and speak to the house of Israel - “...and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness” (see also Rev. 10:9-11).
E. “...and (tasted) the powers of the world to come...” (v. 5)
1. We have a confident hope as we look for “the end of our faith, even the salvation of our souls.” (1 Pet. 1:9; Rom. 6:22).
2. God gives us a “foretaste of glory to come” (song: “Blessed Assurance.”) See Rev. 21:22.
F. From these descriptions, it is quite evident that the writer is describing one who has been truly converted, one who is genuinely a Christian.
1. This does not, as the Calvinists assert, refer to one who only “appears” to be a Christian.
2. This does not afford any comfort to those who teach “once saved, always saved.”
II. “Falling Away”
A. The Greek word is from parapipto, which means “to fall away.”
1. Not used very often.
2. In the LXX, it is used in Ezek. 14:13 and 15:8, to describe the turning away from the worship of Jehovah to idols.
3. In the New Testament, it is used only here, and apparently describes the condition of one who turns from Christ back to Judaism!
B. For a parallel to this passage, see Heb. 10:26-29.
C. “Impossible” to renew again to repentance...” (vv. 4, 6)
1. A very solemn statement.
2. A real warning, hence it contemplates a real danger.
3. Clearly, there is a “point of no return;” a place where one can become past feeling (Eph. 4:19, applied to Gentiles who, because of “vanity, a darkened understanding”, and “ignorance that is in them”, give themselves to lasciviousness, etc.); “having a conscience seared with a hot iron” (1 Tim. 4:2).
4. We cannot afford to take this warning too lightly; and while it is not wise to speculate on whether a particular one has so crossed that point, the lesson to be learned is to be aware that such a state can be reached, and we must avoid it!
Conclusion: The cause:
1. Goes back to immaturity, failure to grow, unwillingness to advance in knowledge.
2. “What you don’t know can’t hurt you” is a saying from the devil.
3. God’s word says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge!” (Hosea 4:6).