The Greatest Heresy

Good morning Arundel Baptist Church, my home church. It is a great pleasure that I have been extended the opportunity to open the Word of the Lord this morning and share with you the good news of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And if you are a visitor with us here this morning, welcome! We are glad that you are here to worship the Lord with us here this morning. Please open your Bibles to Hebrews 10:19–25.

As I was praying and reading Scripture to see what to speak on this morning, I stumbled across a Ligonier article from 2004 written by Dr. Sinclair Ferguson. The article was titled “The Greatest of All Protestant Heresies.”

In it, Ferguson cites Cardinal Roberto Bellarmino, personal theologian to Pope Clement VIII, who once declared that the greatest of all Protestant heresies was assurance — the belief that a Christian can truly know he is saved. During the Counter-Reformation, what did the Roman Church consider to be the most dangerous Protestant teaching? Was it justification by grace through faith alone? Or perhaps another of the five solas of the Reformation?

No, according to Cardinal Bellarmino, the greatest of all Protestant heresies was assurance — the belief that a Christian can truly know he is saved. He called it heresy because assurance undermines any system of works-righteousness. If salvation can be known, it cannot be earned. But we know, as revealed by Scripture, a believer can know, by the promises of Scripture and witness of the Holy Spirit, that he is right with God.

When the Epistle to the Hebrews was written, Christians in Judea were tempted, culturally pressured, and persecuted to turn back into practicing the observances for those under the old covenant — observances that could never give them assurance of their salvation.

The author of this Epistle, inspired by the Holy Spirit, recognized this crisis of assurance by pointing those wayward Hebrew Christians, and points us, to the only solution: the supreme, finished work of Christ, our Lord and Savior.

For the preceding nine chapters the author has been painting a portrait to show that Christ was supreme to the prophets who spoke for God, greater than Moses who led the Hebrews out of bondage, greater than Aaron who offered sacrifices on behalf of the people. Christ is the One who mediated the new covenant, the one that He Himself sealed with His own precious blood.

The first word of this passage, “therefore,” hinges upon those truths. Now with that in mind, let us now read from Hebrews 10:19–25:

“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:19–25, ESV)

The Blood of Christ (vv. 19–20)

Now, again, the types and shadows of the old covenant were fulfilled in and by Christ, and so therefore, what does that mean? We have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that He opened for us through the curtain, that is, through His flesh.

What do we mean by the “blood of Christ”? We are referring to the justification accomplished by His atoning death. When we speak of justification, we are talking about a legal declaration of righteousness — what theologians refer to as forensic justification. The Father looks upon sinners who have repented of their sins and placed their faith in the finished work of Christ, and He imputes to them the righteousness of His Son.

But this raises the question: How can God declare the guilty righteous? We all have stood guilty before God. Every one of us in here today has broken at least one of the laws of God and therefore is guilty of breaking them all. Some here today may still stand guilty before Him, as I do not know the heart of any man in here today.

We know that God cannot simply declare the guilty to be innocent of their crimes without punishment, for that would contradict His own law. We know that God cannot contradict Himself, so the debt of sin must be paid. The curse of the law demands a penalty for transgressions. God’s holy character requires it. Even natural law shows this: men instinctively know that the guilty must be punished, that justice demands satisfaction. The judge must mete out judgment.

So how can sinners be forgiven without violating God’s divine justice?

Only through Christ — our propitiation.

What that means is this: when Christ was hanging on the cross, the Father poured out upon the Son the full measure of His wrath reserved for sinful men.

The Father crushed the Son (Isaiah 53:10), not because the Son was sinful, but because He bore our sin in our place.

He endured that punishment out of perfect love for His people, satisfying the justice of God so that mercy could flow freely to all who believe. This is how God can be both the just and the justifier.

And it is the Holy Spirit who applies the cleansing power of Christ’s blood to the hearts of believers — awakening faith, granting repentance, and sealing them for the day of redemption.

This is why we can enter the holy places. This is how He opened for us through the curtain. O believer, since the Spirit has applied the blood of Christ to your heart, you stand forgiven, cleansed, and accepted — not merely tolerated, but welcomed into God’s presence. The Lord who died for you will keep you until the very end.

But brothers, we do not stop there! Christ conquered death on behalf of His people, and now we have a great Priest over the house of God — the greatest High Priest.

What do we mean by “High Priest”? We are not under the old covenant, so the meaning may be lost without a brief refreshing on that sacred office.

Under the old covenant, the high priest was the one who stood between God and His people. Once a year, the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle — and later in the temple of the Lord — to offer blood on behalf of the sins of the people.

Every year the high priest would do this. He would sprinkle the blood of a bull on the east side of the mercy seat — that is, the top of the ark of the covenant — seven times. He would do this for the sins of his family, and then he would repeat the ritual with the blood of a goat for the sins of the people. But he had to do this year after year, since the blood of animals could never take away the sins of the people.

But under the new covenant we have a greater High Priest — One who did not enter an earthly Holy of Holies, a type and shadow of the true sanctuary, but who entered the Most Holy Place, heaven itself, the very presence of God.

He did not bring with Him the blood of bulls or goats, but He brought the sacrifice of His own perfect blood — the final atoning sacrifice. By that blood He satisfied God’s justice, removed the guilt of His people, and opened the way into the Most Holy Place.

That sacrifice was once for all. When Christ, hanging on that old tree outside Jerusalem, cried out, “It is finished!” it was not a cry of defeat or relief; it was a declaration of victory! The veil that stood between man and God was torn in two, the debt was paid, and the way was opened to all who are in Christ.

Our great High Priest did not stand before the ark; He is seated, enthroned at the right hand of the Father. He has made all His enemies His footstool and even now intercedes on behalf of His people.

Now it says we have a great Priest — not “we had,” not “we will have,” but “we have” a great Priest. “Have” is in the present tense. His priesthood did not cease at the cross but continues to this day. He intercedes on behalf of His people, not by repeated pleading, but by the perpetual power of His finished work on Calvary.

The final portion of Hebrews 7:25 tells us that “He always lives to make intercession for them.” not by repeated petition, but by the perpetual power of His finished work

O believer, every moment of your Christian life is sustained by that intercession. When you sin, Christ pleads for you with His blood. When you suffer, the Mediator comforts you with His love. When you pray, it is through Him that the Father hears your pleas.

This exposes one of the great errors of Romanism: Mary is not an intercessor. The long-dead saints, as great as many of them were in the faith, do nothing on your behalf; they cannot, for all of them were sinners. As it is written, “for all have sinned” (Romans 3:23).

“For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5)

The blood of Christ, and Christ alone, opened the door — but it is His priesthood that continually keeps that door open.

And who is this High Priest over? He is the High Priest over the house of God.

And what does the author mean by “the house of God”? Is he referring to a temple built by hands? Is he referring to the building we are currently in?

No — the author is not referring to a physical place, a house made of wood and mortar. Nor is he speaking of a beautiful cathedral built by the hands of men. He is speaking of His house — His covenant community of believers, both Jew and Gentile — the ones He purchased with His blood, the ones who are indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

And what relation does our High Priest have to His house? He is not merely another member — no, He presides over it. Christ is the Head. Christ governs His body, not by earthly institutions or human mediators. Christ alone is the supreme authority of His house. No quorum, pope, or pastor stands above Him. Christ alone is the supreme authority of His house.

If Christ reigns supreme over His house, be thankful that the safety of that house depends not on you or me. Christ is both the foundation and the Lord Protector of His church. We know that He is the rock upon which the church is built. He has conquered hell and death; hell is powerless to prevail against Him and His people.

We should rejoice that we are a members of something indestructible. You are not a guest at the Lord’s table but a child of the ultimate King.

As children of the King we are called not to stand afar, but to “draw near.” This is the great privilege we have as children of God, as Christians. We are no longer under the yoke of the old covenant, standing across the veil, far from our Lord and Savior. Under the bondage of the old covenant, God’s people could only approach Him by priest, sacrifice, and ceremony. But now, the veil has been rent and we may approach God’s throne with confidence. We may draw near boldly.

So what does it mean to draw near? It means to come to God with sincerity — not perfection, but with a heart made new by grace. There is no need to fear. You are as a child approaching your loving Father, respectful, yes, but with a loving sincerity.

We are commanded to draw near through prayer, through the reading of His Word, through worship of Him, and through fellowship with other believers. This is not a one-time act but a continual stance of your heart. O believe, draw near to your God. Pray daily that you may draw nearer to our Lord.

We are not simply called to draw near, but to draw near “with a true heart.” This does not mean a flawless heart, brothers and sisters, but a heart that is genuine.

Now, this is not the natural disposition of man to God. By nature — to quote the prophet — “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick” (Jeremiah 17:9). That is the heart of all of those in Adam. But a true heart is the heart of one that has been regenerated. A heart of one that is in Christ. The heirs of the covenant blessing are these: the ones whose heart of stone the Lord has replaced with a heart of flesh. Only such a heart can truly approach God in faith.

A true heart is a heart that is reliable. It is a heart that is aligned with the truth of God. It is not swayed by emotions nor deceit. It is a heart that has faith, which is not a blind leap, but a Spirit-given gift to see the truths of God. This heart believes the Word of God when the world mocks and tempts. This heart trusts the Lord and His promises in times of despair. It clings to Christ when all else crumbles to dust.

The heart of stone desires to flee God; the heart of flesh wants to seek Him more and more continually. This is the mark of a new heart, a heart that does not draw near because it must but because it cannot bear to stand away. The psalmist wrote, “As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” (Psalm 42:1–2) This is a mark of true belief. Our desire cannot be a mere robotic action but must come from a deep love of the Lord and desire to be near Him.

O believer, the “true heart” is both a gift and a calling. It is given by God in regeneration, and exercised by you in worship. This true heart is to draw near in full assurance of faith.

Earlier in this Epistle the author wrote, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)

This is not arrogance; this is a humble confidence of faith resting on God’s promises. It is the heart resting on Christ, not on its own ability. This is a calling not to believe half-heartedly, but to be fully persuaded that the blood of Christ is sufficient and has done all God required it to do.

While the ground of assurance comes from the blood of Christ, the Holy Spirit is the One who brings the witness of assurance. It is the Spirit who applies the blood of Christ to the believer’s heart. It is the Spirit who strengthens our faith: “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” (Romans 8:16)

When doubts may arise, O Christian, remember that even the strongest heroes of faith have had moments of weakness. For example, even Peter denied his Lord and wept bitterly because of it. Although faith may be shaken, it cannot be destroyed. Assurance does not mean the absence of weakness, but the presence of a faithful Savior. A weak faith resting in a strong Christ is far better than a strong faith resting in a weak foundation.

Here we move from faith’s assurance to the fruit of that assurance — the inward cleansing that flows from the blood of Christ and the applying work of the Holy Spirit. The author continues, “with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience.” (Hebrews 10:22)

This imagery comes straight from old covenant imagery, as the high priest was to sprinkle the mercy seat on the ark of the covenant. That image was given to the people to point to something much greater. The shadow now has been cast into the light. In Christ, His perfect blood has been sprinkled not upon a symbol, but it has been applied to the thing signified — the hearts of His people — to cleanse their conscience.

Clean from an evil conscience: The evil conscience is a guilty one; it is a heart that has broken the law of God and stands condemned before the Judge. But the Lord has not just covered the guilt of those that have faith. He has cleansed them. The cleansing is applied by the Holy Spirit so that His people may stand in full communion with Him.

The Lord does not cleanse our conscience so we may live freely in sin as the antinomians may suggest. We are cleansed so that we may serve the Lord freely. We may now approach the Lord as a child.

Beloved, if the blood of Christ has sprinkled our hearts clean and freed our conscience from guilt, then that inward cleansing must also be reflected outwardly in a consecrated life. The author of Hebrews continues, “and our bodies washed with pure water.” (Hebrews 10:22)

Under the old covenant, the priests would wash themselves before entering the presence of God. That outward act was to show the purity required to stand before a holy God. But now, under the new covenant, the washing with water is not about an external ritual but about the inward cleansing that produces an outward holiness. Every believer, every child of God, has been washed, not simply with water from a basin, but with the cleansing power of the Holy Spirit who now indwells them.

And while this verse is ultimately speaking of the inward cleansing, the imagery cannot be separated from baptism, the God-ordained sign of this inward reality. We know that baptism could never wash away sin — only the blood of Christ applied can do that. But baptism does declare boldly and publicly that a person has been united with Christ in His death, in His burial, and in His resurrection.

Baptism and the washing of regeneration were never meant to end in mere symbolism. The pure water that signifies cleansing also calls us to live as those who have been cleansed. The one who has been united with Christ in death and raised with Him in newness of life must now walk in that newness.

The believer who has had their heart sprinkled and their body washed is called to live as one totally devoted to God. This does not mean that we will not stumble, but the one who has been cleansed must live as one who is clean — not to earn merit nor favor, but because the cleansing work has already been done on his behalf.

The Christian life does not end at the altar of assurance. The same faith that draws near must also hold fast. The one who has been brought close by grace must now cling to that grace through every trial.

And so the author of Hebrews continues, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23)

Here, on the heels of our command to draw near, comes the next command: to hold fast. These two commands go well together. Faith draws near to God in worship, and faith holds fast to God in perseverance.

The phrase “hold fast” is akin to that of a sailor during a stormy sea grasping a rope so as not to be thrown overboard; although flung about by the storm, he clings to his security. It is not a command to hang on half-heartedly but a steadfast, living grip of faith. We are not called to a Christian life in which we may skirt by on the coattails of Christ with some “get out of hell free” card, but commanded to hold fast.

Thankfully, the same God who calls us to endurance grants us the grace to fulfill it. When God calls His people to “hold fast,” He also holds them fast.

We know that we are told, “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12–13) O Christian, you do not cling to Christ in your own strength. Your perseverance is not a testimony to your resolve but to His reliability. When the storms arise and you are tossed about by this world, when you are hated for His sake, when your heart wavers, God strengthens that trembling hand of faith. And even when your fingers slip, Christ’s hands do not.

Are we commanded to hold fast to our good works? To our emotions and circumstances? No! We are commanded to hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering. Our confession of our hope is our ultimate confession — the good news of Jesus Christ as revealed by Scripture.

That Jesus Christ lived a perfect life of obedience to the law on behalf of His people. That Jesus Christ died as a sacrifice to satisfy the demands of divine justice. That Jesus Christ was buried and arose, conquering sin, death, and the grave. That Jesus Christ ascended to heaven where He reigns supreme and intercedes on behalf of His people. This is our confession. This is our hope.

It is our hope not because it is something that we merely wish for. It is confidence that is based in the promises of God. Our hope rests on the One who promised, not upon the one that believes.

First, our confession is public.

The Christian life begins not in secrecy but in proclamation. To confess Christ is to declare before the watching world that Jesus is Lord and that our hope is in Him alone. Faith may be born in the heart, but it cannot remain hidden there. As Paul writes, “For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” (Romans 10:10) Confession, then, is not mere speech — it is a visible allegiance to the crucified and risen Christ. We do not hide our faith out of fear, nor do we boast in ourselves; we testify to the grace of God that has redeemed us.

Second, our confession is costly.

To confess Christ is to take up the cross. Though many of us live in relative comfort, our brothers and sisters across the world face imprisonment, exile, and death for bearing His name. And even in peaceable lands, a true confession will still cost us the favor of the world. Jesus told His disciples, “If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” (John 15:20) The cost may come through mockery, isolation, or loss of status, yet the believer endures joyfully, knowing that “the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18) The costliness of confession reminds us that faith is not ornamental — it identifies us with the Man of Sorrows.

Third, our confession is continuous.

Confession is not confined to the moment of conversion or baptism; it is the pattern of an entire life. Every day the believer renews his declaration that Jesus is Lord — not merely in words, but in thought, affection, and deed. True confession is sustained by the Spirit, who conforms us daily to Christ. It is not a striving for merit but a walking in gratitude. The Reformed faith insists that the same grace which justifies also sanctifies; the one who has been saved by grace will live by grace. Our confession, therefore, is a lifelong response of obedience, not a payment to God, but an echo of His mercy.

And fourth, our confession is unwavering.

When trials come, when faith is tested, and when the world would silence the church, we hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering — “for he who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23) Perseverance is not the achievement of the strong but the assurance of the kept. The Lord who called us will also sustain us, and though our faith may falter, He will not let us fall away. We stand firm because Christ stands for us.

For we know He who promised is faithful.

And because the God who keeps us has not only called us to Himself but joined us to one another, the writer continues. True perseverance is never solitary; faith that endures always produces love that serves. “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another.” (Hebrews 10:24–25)

We are given yet another command: to consider one another. We are called as God’s people to more than polite greetings on a Sunday morning.

We are not isolated Christians, but one body, joined to Christ and to each other.

The perseverance of your brothers and sisters in Christ is your concern. We here this morning are of one assembly. When you gather with the saints, you are not just attending a service; you are participating in the very means God uses to strengthen and encourage His people.

We are to stir one another up in love. We are to provoke one another to holiness. Love and good works are the fruits of a regenerated heart. Every gathering strengthens the faith of God’s people.

Now, do not misunderstand me, I am not preaching a salvation that is based on works. I am preaching works that are based in salvation. Faith alone justifies, yet the faith that justifies is never alone.

“Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some.”

The Lord’s Day assembly is not a matter of preference but of perseverance.

It is the very means God uses to nourish your faith, to renew your mind, and to reorient your heart toward heaven.

When we gather, we do not do so because we like the music or we come to hear a little talk and then go about our business as if nothing of importance happened, but as a weekly reminder that we belong to Christ and that we are members of His Body.

To forsake that is not just to miss a meeting but to willingly stand away from the Lord and His means of grace.

So, Christian, do not neglect the assembly. Not because attendance earns merit, but because our communion sustains faith. God uses the means of corporate worship to keep your heart steadfast in a world that constantly tries to pull it away.

And yet there is another reason we gather; another motive that strengthens our perseverance.

Every prayer, every song, every sermon, every act of love is done in anticipation of something greater still: the Day that is drawing near. The church does not meet merely to remember what Christ has done, but to look forward to what He will do.

“And all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:25)

The Day is coming. The writer does not say it might come, or that it could come, but that it is drawing near. Every tick of the clock, every rising of the sun, brings us closer to that appointed hour when the heavens will part, and the King of Glory will return.

This is not a poetic hope; it is a divine certainty. The same Lord who came once in humility will return in majesty. The same Jesus who was crowned with thorns will come crowned with many crowns. The same voice that cried “It is finished!” (John 19:30) will one day thunder from heaven, declaring that history itself is finished.

But that same Day which brings joy to the believer will bring terror to the unbeliever. The sky will burn, the graves will open, and every hidden thing will be brought to light. The Judge of all the earth will do what is right, and all who have rejected the gospel will face the full weight of divine justice. “For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” (Revelation 6:17)

But for the believer, that same Day will be one of unspeakable joy. “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16) The redeemed will see their Savior face to face — no longer through a glass darkly, but in unveiled glory. “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Revelation 21:4) Every sorrow will cease. Every tear will be wiped away by the very hand of God.

O believer, what a Day that will be! The Day when faith becomes sight, when the fight is finished, when the church militant becomes the church triumphant. The Day when the saints will gather around the throne, clothed in white, crying out with one voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain!” (Revelation 5:12)

The author of Hebrews says that we are to live “all the more” in light of that coming Day. Not with fear, but with faith; not with dread, but with devotion. Every act of obedience, every gathering of the saints, every prayer whispered in the dark is preparation for that bright morning.

So, beloved, let this hope stir your soul. Let it shape how you live, how you love, how you worship. The end is not uncertain — it is secured. The King is not delayed — He is patient, calling all His people home.

Our hope should only burn brighter, for the dawn is near. The same Christ who bought you with His blood will soon come for you in glory. “And behold, I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.” (Revelation 3:11)

So cling to Him, Live ready, worship faithfully, love deeply, and persevere joyfully, for the Day is drawing near — and when it comes, it will never end.

But perhaps you sit here this morning, and you cannot claim this hope as your own. The Day is drawing near, and every moment brings you closer to the judgment seat of Christ. When that trumpet sounds, every tongue will confess, and every knee will bow; some in terror, others in triumph. I plead with you, do not stand among those who shrink back in shame. Today the Savior stretches out His pierced hands and bids you come. He has opened the way by His blood; enter while the door of mercy still stands open. Trust not in yourself, but rest wholly upon the finished work of Christ. Come to Him now, for the Day of the Lord is coming, and it will not delay.