Hebrews 6:1-8

We’re in the 3rd of 5 Warning Passages in the Book of Hebrews

This Warning Passage Spans From Hebrews 5:11-6:12

The Author is Warning Against Spiritual Laziness and Immaturity

They Ought to Be Teachers By this Point…

But They Still Need to Be Retaught the Basics of Christianity

They are Like Infants Who Only Drink Milk Instead of Eating Solid Food

Hebrews 6:1–8 (NLT)

So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. You don’t need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding.

For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened—those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come—and who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing him to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame.

When the ground soaks up the falling rain and bears a good crop for the farmer, it has God’s blessing. But if a field bears thorns and thistles, it is useless. The farmer will soon condemn that field and burn it.

Hebrews 6:1 (NASB95)

Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,

In Order to Press On to Maturity…

We Must Leave the Basics and Stop Laying the Foundations Over and Over

This is What it Takes to Become Mature and Be Capable Discerning Right From Wrong

These 6 Doctrines of Christianity are Foundational Teachings

They are Things a Person Needs to Know in Order to Become a Christian

This is Not Exhaustive List, But it Covers a Lot of Bases

The 1st Mentioned Elementary/Foundational Teaching of the Gospel is…

Repentance From Dead Works

One Greek Dictionary Described Repentance Like This:

“a change of self (heart and mind) that abandons former dispositions and results in a new self, new behavior, and regret over former behavior and dispositions.”

Hebrews 6:1 (NASB95)

Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,

The 2nd Mentioned Elementary/Foundational Teaching of the Gospel is…

Faith Toward God

Repentance is From Dead Works

Faith is Toward God

Faith Toward God is Fully Trusting and Obeying Him

Hebrews 6:2 (NASB95)

of instruction about washings and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment.

The 3rd Mentioned Elementary/Foundational Teaching of the Gospel is…

Teaching About Washings/Baptisms

Washings/Baptisms is Plural Here

That Makes This a Little More Difficult to Interpret than if it Were Singular

Maybe the Key to Understanding What is Meant By “Baptisms”…

Lies with Remembering Who the Audience is

The Audience are Christians, But They Come From a Jewish Background

Jewish People Had Various Purity Washings They Would Take Part in

Converts to the Jewish Religion Would Be Baptized as a Part of Their Conversion

John had His Own Baptism of Repentance that the Earliest Converts to Christ Would Submit to

And Those Who Place Their Faith in Christ After His Resurrection are Baptized into Christ…

Joining Jesus in His Death, Burial, and Resurrection…

And Becoming a Citizen in His Kingdom

Any or All of These Could Be Included in the Foundational Teachings that They Were Continuing to Lay Down

But I Believe Baptism into Christ is at the Forefront of What the Author is Referring to

Just Like Repentance and Faith, Baptism was a Foundational/Elementary Teaching of the Gospel

It Needs to Be Built Upon

If a Community of Christians Talk About Baptism Every Time They Assemble…

That’s a Community of Christians Who are Continuing to Lay Down the Foundation

Baptism is Not the Roof of the House, it’s the Foundation

Part of the Modern Church’s Discipleship and Immaturity Problem…

Is Viewing Baptism as the Finish Line Instead of the Start of the Race

The 4th Mentioned Elementary/Foundational Teaching of the Gospel is…

Laying On of Hands

The Laying On of Hands Had 3 Purposes in the New Testament:

1.) To Give Authority to Another

When Choosing the 7 Ministers to Take Care of the Hellenistic Widows

Acts 6:1–6 (NASB95)

Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food.

So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them.

Also When Paul and Barnabas Were Sent On Their First Missionary Journey

Acts 13:2–3 (NASB95)

While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

2.) To Miraculously Heal People

Jesus and His Apostles Laid Their Hands On Many People, Resulting in Their Healing

3.) To Miraculously Pass a Gift of the Holy Spirit From an Apostle to Another Christian After Their Baptism

This is Probably What is Being Referred to Here…

Since it was Listed After Baptism in this List

This is a Foundational/Elementary Teaching of the Gospel

Gifts From the Holy Spirit are Not Passed On to Us Today After Baptism

But We Still Receive the Holy Spirit Upon Being Baptized

Understanding the Purpose of Receiving the Holy Spirit is Elementary

On Sunday Mornings, We are About to Start Discussing the Holy Spirit in Bible Class

If You are Interested in that, Be Here for Bible Class on Sunday Mornings

Hebrews 6:2 (NASB95)

of instruction about washings and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment.

The 5th Mentioned Elementary/Foundational Teaching of the Gospel is…

The Resurrection From the Dead

“Dead” is Plural

This Tells Us that He is Not Just Referring to Jesus’ Resurrection

He is Referring to the Resurrection of All the Dead When Jesus Returns

Our Resurrection From the Dead at the End of the Age…

Is a Foundational/Elementary Teaching of the Gospel

As I’ve Said Many Times, Resurrection Has Been a Terribly Neglected and Misunderstood Topic in My Experience

But in the First Century, it was a Foundational Doctrine

Throughout the New Testament, We Find that it was the Primary Hope of the Early Church

The 6th Mentioned Elementary/Foundational Teaching of the Gospel is…

Eternal Judgment

Along with the Resurrection Will Come Judgment From King Jesus

“Eternal” Stresses How the Results are Final and Will Last Forever

All of These 6 Teachings are Foundational and Elementary to Christianity

Repentance, Faith, Baptism, Laying On of Hands, Resurrection, and Judgment

The Author Wasn’t Trying to Discourage Believing These Teachings

He Wasn’t Trying to Tell Them to Stop Studying and Talking About These Topics

He was Telling Them to Dig Deeper

These are Just the Foundations of the Gospel of Christ

Build Upon Them and Grow

Don’t Just Stop with the ABCs, But Move Beyond Them

Hebrews 6:3 (NASB95)

And this we will do, if God permits.

What Will We Do if God Permits?

Move On to Maturity, Leaving the ABCs, Not Continuing to Lay Down the Foundational Teachings

The Main Point of the Book of Hebrews was to…

Strengthen These Hebrew Christians’ Faith in Jesus

That’s What this Warning Passage is All About

They Have Become Lazy and Dull in Their Hearing of the Gospel

They Have No Desire to Grow and Mature

They Only Desire to Hold On to the Foundational/Elementary Teachings

But These Teachings are Nothing if They are Disconnected From Jesus

They Were Fixated On the Teachings of Repentance, Faith, Baptism, Laying of Hands, Resurrection, and Judgment…

But in a Way that was Completely Unrelated to Jesus

All of These Teachings Had Their Place in Judaism

But What the Hebrew Christians Were Missing was…

All of These Teachings Found Their Fulfillment in Jesus

It’s All About Jesus

And These Elementary Teachings are Meant to Be Our Launching Point…

To Deeper Understanding, Love, and Commitment to Jesus

Hebrews 6:4–6 (NASB95)

For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.

Many Consider this the Most Difficult Passage to Interpret in the Entire Book of Hebrews

There are Also Many Who Consider it the Most Difficult in the Entire NT

F.F. Bruce Said, “This warning has both been unduly minimized and unduly exaggerated”

Some Minimize this Passage Because They Believe it is Impossible for a Person to Be Lost After Being Saved

And Some Exaggerate this Passage to the Point of Saying that No Sin of a Christian Can Be Repented of

That’s a Terrifying Interpretation, Because We Have All Sinned Since Becoming Christians

Let’s Break This Passage Down and See if We Can Figure it Out

1st, Who is the Author Talking About?

Hebrews 6:4–6 (NASB95)

For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.

“Enlightened” = To Shine or Give Light to Something; To Understand Something On a Deep Level

This is More or Less the Same Way We Use the Word Today

To Be Enlightened About Something is to Come to the Knowledge and Understanding of that Thing

The Author Uses this Word Again in Chapter 10 to Refer to Becoming a Christian:

Hebrews 10:32–34 (NASB95)

But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, partly by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, and partly by becoming sharers with those who were so treated. For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and a lasting one.

Those Who Were Enlightened Were Those Who Endured Great Sufferings…

Because They Knew They Something Better and Lasting to Come

Hebrews 6:4–6 (NASB95)

For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.

“Tasted” = To Experience Something

Earlier in Hebrews, the Author Used this Word to Refer to How Jesus Experienced Death

Hebrews 2:9 (NASB95)

But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.

If There’s Anything the Hebrews Author Wants Us to Know Up to this Point…

It’s that Jesus Experienced Humanity and Death to the Fullest Extent

Hebrews 6:4–6 (NASB95)

For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.

So What was it that this Audience Came to the Understanding of and Experienced Fully?

Hebrews 6:4–6 (NASB95)

For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.

In My Opinion, This Could Refer to the Spiritual Gifts Christians Enjoy in Jesus

Or it Could Be Referring to What the Author Mentions Next

Hebrews 6:4–6 (NASB95)

For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.

It Could Refer to the Gift of the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit that All Christians are Partakers/Sharers of

So Let’s Ask Our Question Again:

Who is the Author Talking About?

Those Who Have Come to an Understanding of the Heavenly Gift

Those Who Have Experienced the Heavenly Gift

Those Who Share in the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit

So Far, I Think We Can Agree…

This Can Only Refer to Christians

Let’s Keep Going

Hebrews 6:4–6 (NASB95)

For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.

Again, We See the Word “Tasted/Experienced”

This Time, They Experienced the Goodness/Blessings of Hearing God’s Spoken Word/Message

Hebrews 6:4–6 (NASB95)

For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.

They Experienced Also the Powers of the Coming Age that Accompanied the Preaching of the Gospel

They Saw/Experienced the Wonders and Signs

We are Looking at People Who Have Heard and Experienced the Gospel

Taking Everything We Know So Far…

The Author is Talking About Christians

Let’s Paraphrase the Passage to Make it Easier to Comprehend

“For in the Case of Those Who Became Christians, and Then Have Fallen Away, It is Impossible to Renew Them Again to Repentance”

So Our Next Question Has to Be:

What Does the Author Mean By “Fallen Away”?

Hebrews 6:4–6 (NASB95)

For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.

This is the Only Time in the NT this Word is Used

“Fallen Away” = To Fail to Follow Through on a Commitment

When a Person Becomes a Christian, They Make a Commitment to God

They Join Him in a Covenant Relationship

To “Fall Away” is to Not Follow Through with that Commitment

It is to Reject Jesus and His Gospel

Let’s Update Our Paraphrase of the Passage:

“For in the Case of Those Who Became Christians, and Then Abandon Their Commitment to Jesus, It is Impossible to Renew Them Again to Repentance”

Our Next Question Will Be:

What Does the Author Mean By “Impossible”?

Hebrews 6:4–6 (NASB95)

For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.

He Means Exactly What We Think He Means

“Not Possible”

He Uses this Word 3 Other Times in this Book

By Looking at the Other Ways He Uses this Word…

It Becomes Clear Exactly What He Means When He Says it is Impossible

Hebrews 6:18 (NASB95)

so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us.

Hebrews 10:4 (NASB95)

For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

Hebrews 11:6 (NASB95)

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

It’s Absolutely Impossible for God to Lie

It’s Absolutely Impossible for Animal Blood to Take Away Sins

It’s Absolutely Impossible to Please God Without Faith

And it’s Absolutely Impossible for Those Who Abandon Their Commitment to Christ…

To Be Renewed Again to/in Repentance

Here’s Our Final Question in Seeking to Understand this Passage:

What Does the Author Mean By “Renew Them Again to Repentance”?

Hebrews 6:4–6 (NASB95)

For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.

Invitation

The Context of James Chapter 1 So Far has Been Focused On Trials

Christians are to “Consider it all joy” When We Experience Trials

Because Enduring Faithfully Through Trials Makes Us Stronger and More Like Jesus

And God Helps Us in Our Trials When We Ask for it

James 1:9–11 (NASB95)

But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position; and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away.

In Christ, the Poor/Humble are Given a High Position…

And the Rich are Humiliated/Brought to a Humble Position

In Christ, Both the Poor and the Rich Experience a Drastic Change in Circumstances

The Low are Lifted High and the High are Brought Low

Both of These are Good Things

The Poor are Not to Complain About Their Constant State of Trials

Because Jesus has Lifted Them Up and Made Them Royal Children of Almighty God

The Rich are Not to Trust in Their Riches

Because Jesus has Called Them to a Life of Selflessness, Humility, and Generosity

Riches Will No More Save the Rich than a Flower Can Be Saved By the Scorching Sun

Jesus Brings Radical Change to Our Lives

Do We Complain and Despise that Change?

Or Do We Glory in How Jesus Changes Our Lives?