No Hope for Apostates

Open: “It is no security to wicked men for one moment, that there are no visible means of death at hand. It is no security to a natural man, that he is now in health, and that he does not see which way he should now immediately go out of the world by any accident, and that there is no visible danger in any respect in his circumstances . . . Unconverted men walk over the pit of hell on a rotten covering, and there are innumerable places in this covering so weak that they will not bear their weight, and these places are not seen” (Sinners in the hand of an Angry God, by Jonathan Edwards, paragraph #7)

Transition: Hell is not a popular topic in our modern times, but that does not make it any less real. The Bible is very clear in the fixed order of only two eternal destinations, so we should be just a clear on this subject. The writer of the book of Hebrews was very much aware of the awful reality of Hell and was careful in presenting the dangers of an unbelieving heart that would send individuals to the pit.

READ the Text: Hebrews 10:26-31

Context of the Warning against Apostasy

This warning is immediately preceded by the admonition to draw near to God, to hold fast to the confession of faith.  This warning is meant to get the attention of the audience.  Jesus has done all of these wonderful things – granting us real forgiveness, delivering us from the bondage of sin, giving us real community, securing for us an eternal inheritance. 

The writer is talking to believers. This is indicated by his use of the pronoun “we” (v. 26 & 30). He knows the pressures they face to renounce Jesus and to go back to something else. This warning shows the extreme consequences of a decision, and is meant to be an avenue to assist them in their perseverance and to grow in the grace of Christ.

Rejecting the truths of Christianity places a person outside the bounds of forgiveness (Hebrews 10:26)

Explanation: It is important to note how the writer frames this warning. He has been exhorting and encouraging them to grow in their faith through understanding how much Jesus has actually done for them. To embrace Christ in His fullness and to trust Him for all aspects of life is vital!

Why? Because IF one does turn his back on Jesus and rejects Him in a deliberate and spiteful manner, then that person is in a hopeless situation. The writer declares that those who continue to sin willfully after they are IN Christ place themselves outside the boundaries of being forgiven.

Argument: The writer is addressing the sin of Apostasy, the rejection of Christ Himself. An apostate is one who once claimed to follow the teachings of Christ, one who professed to be trusting in Christ, but has turned away. They may be members of a local church, but they are not members of Christ’s Universal Church.

The writer is NOT addressing genuine believers who, on occasion, commit sin. Being IN Christ elevates us to a higher plane of morality and we are NOT given a free pass to sin willfully (cf. Romans 6:1-2). Sin in the life of a believer is serious, but this is NOT the issue at hand in this passage.

The writer is making clear that whoever has knowledge of the Truth and then rejects that truth places himself outside the bounds of salvation. If a person rejects the ONLY means of Salvation (Jesus), then he or she cannot be forgiven!

That sounds harsh to us - why such a strong statement?

Rejecting the truth and person of Christ brings fearful judgment (Hebrews 10:27-29)

Explanation: The writer gives the reason for such a statement by giving a “less than to a greater” argument. He returns to the OC regulations and reminds them that anyone who “despised the law of Moses” was to be put to death - no discussion, no mercy. The context of the Deut. 17 passage this is pulled from deals with members of the covenant community who were guilty of worshiping false gods. They had rejected Yahweh and had gone after something else - they were Apostate.

Argument: the writer presents this OT quote as the lesser and then argues to the greater. If a member of the covenant community committed apostasy, he or she was to be executed. So then, if a member of the Christian community (superior in every way to the OT) commits apostasy, then the punishment should be greater.

Consider the actions for which an apostate is guilty:

trampled (walked on) the 2nd person of the Trinity

profaned the shed blood of Jesus

despised (outraged) the Holy Spirit

God will judge the Apostates (Hebrews 10:30)

Explanation: Given the severity and the deliberate nature of the sin of Apostasy, the writer assures his audience that God will deal with the Apostates. He makes clear that judgment on apostasy is in the realm of God, NOT in the realm of men.

We can observe behavior and we can listen to the words of those who have “deconstructed” and this leads us to placing them in the category of Apostate. But, and this is important, no person can truly know the heart of another. The all powerful and all knowing Creator God of the Universe has no limits in this area and is not deficient in His understanding. The Lord knows and He will bring His vengeance upon them.

This language as it deals with God is decidedly out of step with spiritual moderns. As a people, we like to focus on the Love of God while downplaying things like judgment and Hell and punishment. That is a deficient and stunted view of a Holy God. Viewing God as a sentimental old guy who is warm and fuzzy and so, so accepting of all things is not only sappy and shallow, it is an insult to a Holy God!

Because He is God, because He is righteous and Just, He will judge and punish those who reject His Son.

Acknowledge God for Who He is in reverent fear (Hebrews 10:31)

Explanation: The writer concludes this warning passage with a sobering statement: “it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God.” This statement is heavy with the weight of the Glory of God. God is transcendent and above and beyond our imagination. He is Holy, Holy, Holy and He is the Creator and Sustainer of all life! The very next breath we take is because He allows it. This is the God of justice that Apostates will face at the final judgment.

Illustration: Lawyers will lay cases over until it a favored judge can hear their case. They manipulate the system in an attempt to avoid certain judges. There will be NO avoiding the Judge who is the Living God!

How do we respond to this?

Perform Spiritual self-assessment

Repent where necessary (not IF necessary – all of us have sin issues)

Pray for those who seem to be sliding – encourage where possible

Do NOT stop praying for a person – only God knows the heart

Do NOT take matters in your own hands – leave it to God, He is qualified, you are not.

Take comfort that God WILL judge sin and rebellion – we do not have to!