Hebrews 6:4-12 - Appalling Apostasy

Introduction:

The word appalling refers to something that causes horror, shock, or dismay. Apostasy speaks of abandonment or renunciation of a religious belief.

There is nothing more horrific and shocking than when someone who claims Christ and then turns away.

The author of Hebrews has referred back to Israel many times already in this letter. He appears to continue this comparison in our Scripture today by using the illustration of the apostasy of Israel while they traversed the Wilderness.

The people of Israel were blessed to be partakers of the good gifts of God. They were fed by manna and quail from the hand of God. They were miraculously delivered time and time again from their enemies. They saw the Red Sea parted. They saw miracles. They even saw God’s presence among them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.

Yet, all of those who left during the Exodus of Egypt that were 20 years and older fell in the Wilderness besides Joshua and Caleb. Why? Because they did not truly trust in God.

Time and time again, they turned away from God and went their own way. They remained stiff-necked and stubborn. And because of their unbelief, they failed to enter the rest of the Lord. They failed to enter the Promised Land.

Brothers and sisters, there are those within our churches that fall into this category as well. There are those who have seen God miraculously save a lost sinner. They have seen the Lord make a way in times where it seemed impossible. They have seen the Lord change hearts. They have seen the power of the preached Word change lives. They have seen addicts made clean. They have seen prisoners set free from the chains of sin and death.

Yet, though they have been around all of these wonderful blessings, they have not truly repented of their own sins. They are not legitimate sons and daughters of God.

Join me as we read today’s difficult passage:

Read Full Scripture:

Hebrews 6:4–12 ESV

For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned. Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation. For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Prayer

Today’s Scripture has been misinterpreted by many throughout the ages. We must be reminded of the importance of good hermeneutics - or how we interpret the Scripture.

One key principle of interpretation is this - we must seek to understand difficult passages by those that are simpler and clearer.

When you come to a passage that doesn’t seem to make sense or is difficult to understand, it is important to seek to understand it within the framework of the entire Bible. Most false and heretical teachings come from those who take a small section of Scripture and take it out of the context of the whole Bible.

So with that in mind, let’s get into our study today as we see three aspects of true believers. The first is…

I. True Believers Will Remain Faithful (4-6)

Hebrews 6:4–6 ESV

For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.

This is a difficult sentence in English - it spans 3 verses and has 76 words in the ESV.

However, if we simplify it down into sections, we will be able to understand it more easily.

The overarching sentence without qualifiers says this:

For it is impossible to restore them again to repentance.

That seems like a much easier sentence to grasp!

The Greek word for impossible here means what it says. It is impossible. This is the same Greek word that is used later in this chapter (in Hebrews 6:18) which says that it is impossible for God lie. So as we move forward, we need to figure out what group of people that this grave warning applies to.

The remainder of these verses consists of qualifiers that help us understand who these people are. That will help aid us in the overarching interpretation of this passage. Let’s go through each of these qualifiers in detail.

1 - Once Been Enlightened

Just like the people of Israel who were able to see the pillar of fire, many within our churches have been enlightened to the Gospel. They have intellectually grasped it. They have even seen the effects of the Gospel within those around them. However, they have not truly been born again.

Next we see that they had…

2 - Tasted the Heavenly Gift

This likely foreshadows the manna that was eaten by all of Israel in the Wilderness. Although they all tasted of the manna, most of them were satisfied with tasting the heavenly gift without loving the giver of the gift. Like many of those who followed Jesus after He fed the 5,000 (Matthew 14:13-21), they followed for the wrong reason. They wanted to have their fill of bread. They did not recognize that Christ was the bread of life (John 6:35).

We have some false churches today that teach heretical doctrines that feed man’s fleshly lusts and attract apostates. Prosperity false teachers propagate such a desire within the hearts of false converts.

Next we see that these apostates have…

3 - Shared in the Holy Spirit

This is the only place in Scripture where we see this phrase. Some translations use the word partakers instead. The Scriptures are clear that those who are believers are filled with the Holy Spirit. They do not share in the Holy Spirit. They are indwelled by the Holy Spirit.

The difference between these two concepts is that some have associated with the Holy Spirit while true believers are possessed by the Holy Spirit.

This reminds us of Simon the Sorcerer in Acts 8:9-24. He was able to see the power of the Holy Spirit falling upon those who were saved. However, instead of being filled with the Holy Spirit, he desired to attempt to buy the ability to impart the Holy Spirit. He wanted association and not possession.

Not everyone is as overtly seeking to take advantage of the Holy Spirit like Simon was. Some even do it unconsciously.

Some people within certain homes and within the church sense the presence of the Holy Spirit outwardly. Although they are not personally filled with the Holy Spirit, they experience peace in their relationships with those who do have the Holy Spirit. This is most clearly seen with those who have unbelieving spouses.

1 Corinthians 7:14 states:

1 Corinthians 7:14 ESV

For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.

Though the unbelieving spouse is not saved, they experience the blessing of having a saved spouse.

To the children here with believing parents - be sure that you don’t fall into this category as well. You may have parents who love the Lord. You may enjoy the fruit of the Spirit within your home because of your parents and find peace in that. But make sure that your faith is your own. You must repent of your own sins, trust in Christ as your personal Savior, and submit to His Lordship.

Next we see that apostates have…

4 - Tasted the Goodness of the Word of God

There are some who see the Bible as a self-help book. They view it as a book of principles that will help you be more successful in life. There is a grave danger in religious moralism. Though the Bible certainly has great life principles, though it does contain wonderful moral teachings that prevent the consequences of grievous sins - tasting of the goodness of the Word of God is not enough to find salvation.

Those who are truly saved must submit wholly to the Word of God - including to the Lordship of Jesus Christ for salvation.

Moving forward we see that they have…

5 - Tasted of the Powers of the Age to Come

Going back to the Israelites in the Wilderness, they saw the power of God displayed mightily. Yet, they lacked faith even though they saw this wonderous power.

Many today, see the power of God. They see the Lord chose to heal someone with terminal cancer. They see a premature baby live outside of the womb despite the doctors saying it was impossible. They see someone go from living in complete darkness to walking in marvelous light.

However, just seeing the power of God does not necessarily change anyone.

The Pharisees saw Jesus perform miracles and still refused to believe.

No one was more obviously apostate despite seeing the power of God than Judas Iscariot.

My friends - your experience and enlightenment does not mean you are regenerate. You cannot solely intellectually attain to faith. You cannot rely solely on experience to attain faith. Faith is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9) to one who is drawn by Him (John 6:44) and to one who humbles one’s self before Him in repentance and trust.

And the final qualifier we see is those who have…

6 - Fallen Away

This speaks of those who have understood all of the previous qualifiers and yet refused to truly trust in Christ.

They have been enlightened, tasted of the heavenly gift, shared in the Holy Spirit, and tasted the goodness of the Word of God and the powers of the age to come. They have seen God at work. However, they have decided that they do not want to submit to God’s way.

This letter was written to the church in Rome that had a lot of Jewish converts. Many theologians believe that this warning was to those Jewish converts who were being tempted to fall away back into Judaism. This makes sense in light of verse 6…

Hebrews 6:6 ESV

and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.

What would the author mean by crucifying once again the Son of God and holding Him up to contempt?

This would likely refer to those who were going back to the old Jewish sacrificial system. Instead of trusting in Christ alone for salvation, they were being tempted to go back to religious works.

Thus it is impossible for them to be saved because they refuse to believe in the all-sufficient work of Christ on the cross.

We will see later in this letter that it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins (Hebrews 10:4).

Hebrews 10:10 also speaks on the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice:

Hebrews 10:10 ESV

And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

In other words, the author is saying that it is impossible to find salvation anywhere else other than Jesus Christ.

Those who choose to reject the atoning sacrifice of Christ and seek salvation elsewhere cannot be saved.

We know that there is only one unforgiveable sin the Bible - and that is dying without having placed one’s faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Those who are still alive and breathing have a chance to repent still. However, for those who refuse to humble themselves before Christ, they will experience eternity in hell.

And for those who fall into this group of apostates - who know the right way and refuse to respond - Jesus reminds us that their hell will be even worse than if they had never tasted of the Word.

Luke 10:13–15 ESV

“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more bearable in the judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades.

This same concept is also stated by Peter in 2 Peter 2:21

2 Peter 2:21 ESV

For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them.

Friends, for everyone sitting here today, I pray that you know Christ as your Savior. I pray that you have repented of your sins and placed your faith and trust in Jesus Christ who took on human flesh, lived a sinless life, died on the cross for our sins, and then rose three days later. There is nothing more important that this decision.

Because for those who might be here and not be saved, there awaits a great judgment in eternity. You have heard the Gospel preached clearly.

I don’t say that to encourage you to come to Christ out of fear. I say it in truth. But we should come to Christ because of His wonderful kindness. He has died in our place so that we may be made right with God. There is no greater love than one who would lay his life down for his friend. And what a friend we have in Jesus!

True believers will remain faithful.

Are you faithful to Christ?

Next we see that…

Scripture References: Hebrews 6:18, Matthew 14:13-21, John 6:35, Acts 8:9-24, 1 Corinthians 7:14, Ephesians 2:8-9, John 6:44, Hebrews 10:4, Hebrews 10:10, Luke 10:13-15, 2 Peter 2:21

II. True Believers Will Bear Fruit in Keeping with Repentance (7-8)

Hebrews 6:7–8 ESV

For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.

Now the author spends some time illustrating the difference between false converts - those who are apostate - and true converts.

When the rain falls everything grows. However, you can recognize what is good and what is evil by the fruit that is born. For those who are saved, good fruits abound. But for false converts, thorns and thistles are seen - namely sin abounds.

This is paralleled nicely in the Parable of the Sower that Jesus taught in Matthew 13:18-23

Matthew 13:18–20 ESV

“Hear then the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy,

Matthew 13:21–23 ESV

yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

Jesus teaches here that there are those who have been thrown seed on the soil of their hearts - namely the Gospel preached to them - and have initially received it with joy but are not true converts. This is a terrifying reality.

I preached through this parable as we went through Luke 8:4-15. I would highly suggest going back and listening to that sermon which goes right along with these two verses in Hebrews.

Only the final soil - namely the good soil - represents those who are truly saved.

Only those who bear fruit in keeping with repentance have eternal life. The others find the Gospel snatched away by Satan, burnt up by persecution, or choked out by the cares of the world.

This isn’t a works-based salvation. But as James reminds us - faith without deeds is dead and worthless (James 2:17). True saving faith is accompanied by God working in and through us as we see in Ephesians 2:10.

So the big question that the author is wanting you to consider in this section is this:

Are you a true believer?

True believers are not dull of hearing. True believers continue to mature. They are sanctified more day by day. And true believers bear fruit.

Take a few moments and really ask yourself - Do I identify more with an apostate false convert or more with a true convert?

Am I growing in sanctification?

Am I maturing as a believer?

Do I want to have a relationship with my Savior through prayer and regularly reading His Word?

If any of these answers are no - I would love to discuss with you how to move forward.

The author has warned us that our works will not save us. Christ died once for all. There is no further payment for your sins. Salvation belongs to the Lord.

But if you would hear with your ears - if you would see with your eyes - if you would open your heart - if only you would repent of your sins and trust in Christ - all of which requires humility - then you can be saved.

We can only be found once we humbly acknowledge that we are lost.

Unfortunately, a lot of people are wandering through this life acting like they know where they are and that they know where they are going. Satan has blinded them to the dangerous road that they traverse. They think they know the right way. They have their life planned out. Yet, they are lost and on a road headed to destruction. Their minds are blinded by the enemy of their souls so that they cannot see the signs of danger that lurk ahead - not knowing that at the end of their wide road lies the pit of hell.

Friends, the author of Hebrews has clearly laid out two outcomes for everyone.

Hebrews 6:7–8 ESV

For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.

We all have an eternity ahead. Some to eternal life with Christ in heaven and some to eternal hell.

May today be the day of salvation for you if you are not in Christ Jesus. May today be the day that you leave the wide road of destruction and begin on the narrow road that leads to eternal life.

If you are already saved, may today be the day that you start sharing this Gospel truth with others more. We are to be scattering seed in our world. We are to be planting seeds - preaching the Gospel. We cannot determine the soil type - whether it is rocky, shallow, crowded, or good soil. But we are to scatter the seed nonetheless. God does the saving. But we are to allow Him to work in and through us to accomplish His purposes.

May we be believers who bear fruit in keeping with repentance.

An lastly…

Scripture References: Matthew 13:18-23, Luke 8:4-15, James 2:17, Ephesians 2:10

III. True Believers Can Be Assured of Their Heavenly Reward (9-12)

This Scripture thus far has been very difficult. The author has really brought a warning to the church. He has described the sin of apostasy in great detail and warned against it. He has reminded them of the outcome of such apostasy and rejection of the Gospel.

But now he is going to turn his tone from issuing a dire warning to a pastoral and loving tone. He will give a last loving exhortation as he is assured that the members of the church he is writing to in Rome do not fall into the apostasy camp. Let’s move into our final verses for today…

Hebrews 6:9 ESV

Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation.

After giving a strong warning to this church, the author now turns the conversation positive.

He affectionately refers to the church as beloved. You can hear the kind and personal attention given to the church in Rome. This term beloved finds its root in agape - meaning the highest kind of love. It is used some 60 times in the NT and the first 9 times that it is used, it is used by God the Father speaking of Christ, His beloved Son.

Regarding this church, he is sure of better things - things that belong to salvation.

He desires to reassure them and encourage them. He does not want to discourage them. As we discussed before, this church was likely about to undergo significant persecution. He wanted to warn them of the need to confirm their dedication Christ. Before things ramp up further, the church needs to take a good look in the mirror and be sure they are true believers.

However, now he desires to comfort them and remind them of the goodness of God.

Friends, that is part of what preaching is all about.

One of the most important tasks for preachers is to remove the comfort of the complacent and to give strength to the steadfast.

Although I pray it isn’t so, it is possible that someone here falls into the complacent category - meaning one who is marked by satisfaction despite the dangers and deficiencies that exist. Maybe one here even falls into the outright apostate category. You may not be as overt about it, but deep down, you know you aren’t saved. The Word of God is to be a burden for lost souls. It to weigh you down and break you so that you repent and turn to Christ.

I am so thankful for the powerful Word of God breaking me as a young person. There is no more healing thing in this world than being broken by God and then remade by Him.

He is a God Who makes beauty from ashes (Isaiah 61:3).

Allow Him to make you new. He promises to make you a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).

But for those who are in Christ, God’s Word will certainly discipline and convict, but it will also encourage and strengthen. Listen to the encouragement in verse 10.

Hebrews 6:10 ESV

For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.

Now we see the author turn to what the church has done on behalf of Christ.

God is not unjust. He sees all that those believers have done in Rome. He sees their persecution. He sees the struggle at hand.

And He sees what you have done for Him as well. Nothing that we give up for Christ will be missed. God sees it all. His reward in heaven is far greater than anything we could ever think or imagine.

I find it interesting that God feels very strongly about our trust in Him rewarding us in the life to come. We will cover this in the weeks to come, but listen to Hebrews 11:6:

Hebrews 11:6 ESV

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

If we want to please God we must have faith. But in this we must not only believe that He exists, we must not only understand and believe the Gospel, but we must also believe that He rewards those who seek Him.

Believer, you may be weary and tired. But be encouraged. God hears you. God sees you. And God loves you. Rest in Him.

And in our last two verses, the author gives his final section of exhortation…

Hebrews 6:11–12 ESV

And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

The writer desires the church to show earnestness. This word earnestness means to have an eagerness or haste. It is something that is pressing. And they are to have that intense diligence regarding their full assurance of hope until the end.

Where does their hope come from? Christ alone.

And what does it mean until the end? There is a day coming where hope will no longer be needed. Hope looks forward to what is to come. Once Christ has come, there will be no need for hope! All will be made right. We will be with Christ in heaven forever.

As the church awaits the blessing of eternity with Christ, the author gives a final warning and admonition.

1 - Do Not Be Sluggish

The author uses the same word for sluggish here as he did for dull of hearing in Hebrews 5:11. Believers should continue with faithful zeal throughout their life. They should live each day as if Christ is coming any moment. Because He is!

May we be found faithful when He returns!

Instead of sluggish, may we…

2 - Instead, Be Imitators of True Believers

Children model what we do. For parents, we know this all too well. Sometimes their imitation is adorable. And sometimes it is not. It depends on what they are imitating! This is why we must take strong precautions regarding what our children watch, who they are around, what they are exposed to.

But it doesn’t just stop with children. What are you exposing yourself to? Are you seeking out a godly mentor? Are you seeking to imitate Christ first and foremost and also those who are following after Him faithfully?

We imitate Christ and His true followers by remaining patient, diligent, add full of hope.

Friends, be diligent in your walk with Christ. Remain faithful to Him. And look forward to the rewards that await.

Scripture References: Isaiah 61:3, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Hebrews 5:11

Conclusion:

As we come to a close we have been reminded that true believers always remain faithful, they bear fruit in keeping with repentance, and they can be assured of their heavenly reward.

I pray that today’s message has been convicting for those who are not in Christ. May you come to Him in humility. Repent and follow Him. If you need to make this decision which is of the utmost of importance today, talk with me after the service. I’d love to talk about what it means to be a true follower of Christ.

However, for those who are in Christ. May today’s message be an encouragement to you. May you continue along in the faith. Don’t become sluggish. Don’t back down. Keep serving in the strength that the Lord provides. And hold fast to the hope that He offers.