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Hebrews Chapter Six

 
The Peril Of Not Progressing (6:1-8)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. The normal Christian life is to be one of spiritual growth and 
 progression...
 a. Starting as "babes in Christ", we feed on the "milk" of the Word
 b. As our spiritual senses are exercised to discern good and evil, 
 we are then able to progress to "solid food" (meat)
 -- In this way we are to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our 
 Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." - 2 Pe 3:18
 
2. But as we saw in a previous lesson ("Marks Of Spiritual
 Immaturity"), not all grow as they should, and some of the 
 indications of immaturity are:
 a. Dullness of hearing
 b. Inability to teach others
 c. Diet of "milk" only
 d. Inability to discern good and evil - cf. He 5:11-14
 
3. But if we don't grow spiritually as we should, so what?
 a. Is spiritual growth really that essential?
 b. Is there a "danger" involved in not progressing spiritually?
 
[In the text before us (He 6:1-8), we find that indeed there is "The
Peril Of Not Progressing"; that it is possible for Christians to find
themselves in a very precarious situation. 
 
As we examine this passage, we note first...]
 
I. THE DUTY OF PRESSING ON TO PERFECTION (1-3)
 
 A. THE PERFECTION WE SEEK IS TWO-FOLD...
 1. Maturity in religious knowledge, as a MEANS - 1 Pe 2:2; Ja 
 1:21
 a. We need the Word of God, that we may grow thereby
 b. By receiving the Word with humility into our hearts, it can
 save our souls
 2. Full development of spiritual life, as an ENDS - 2 Pe 1:5-8
 a. To faith and knowledge, we must add the qualities of godly
  character
 b. As we develop this godly character, we truly come to know
 the Lord
 
 B. FOR THIS WE NEED "THE ELEMENTARY PRINCIPLES OF CHRIST"...
 1. Our text reveals that this involves teaching on such subjects
  as:
 a. "Repentance from dead works"
 1) I.e., turning from works which produce spiritual death,
 not life
 2) Paul describes such works in Ep 2:1-3; Ro 6:21
 b. "Faith toward God"
 1) I.e., that trusting conviction in God and His promises
 that is essential to pleasing Him - cf. He 11:6
 2) This faith is produced by the Word of God itself - cf. 
 Ro 10:17; Jn 20:30-31
 c. "The doctrine of baptisms"
 1) In the first century A.D., there were many ritual 
 washings practiced by various sects of the pagans and
 Jews
 a) Such practices needed to be carefully distinguished 
 from Christian baptism
 b) Just as John's baptism was distinguished from baptism
 into Christ - cf. Ac 19:1-5
 2) Today, it is important to understand the different kinds
 of baptisms practiced...
  a) Nearly all "Christian" religions practice some sort 
 of baptism
 b) But most do not baptize for the reasons stated in the
 Scriptures - cf. Ac 2:38; 22:16; Ro 6:1-6
 d. "Laying on of hands"
  1) In the early church, this was done for various reasons:
 a) By Jesus, and others with the gift of healing, to 
 heal the sick - Lk 4:40; Mk 16:18; Ac 28:8
 b) By Jesus, to bestow special blessings upon others 
 - Mk 10:16; Mt 19:13-15
 c) By the apostles, to impart the Spirit in a miraculous
 measure - Ac 8:14-25; 19:1-7; 2 Ti 1:6
 d) By church leaders, to appoint different ones for 
  service - Ac 6:1-6; 13:1-3; 1 Ti 4:14; 5:22
 2) Note that the laying on of hands was often accompanied 
 with prayer; perhaps the imposition of hands being the
 outward symbol of the prayer (Lightfoot)
  e. "Resurrection of the dead"
 1) A central theme of apostolic preaching was the 
 resurrection of Jesus - Ac 2:31-32; 10:40; 13:33
 2) They also preached in Jesus our own resurrection, which
 is our precious hope! - Ac 4:2; 24:15; 1 Co 15:12-23
 f. "Eternal judgment"
 1) Another theme of apostolic preaching - cf. Ac 17:30-31;
 24:24-25
 2) Also stressed in their epistles - cf. Ro 2:16; 14:10-12;
  2 Co 5:10
 2. Understanding these concepts serves as the "beginning" of 
 spiritual growth!
 a. Sadly, some who have been Christians for years still "need 
 someone to teach you again the first principles of the 
  oracles of God;"
 b. Such people are still "babes" who "need milk and not solid
 food." - He 5:12
 
 C. BUT WE ALSO NEED TO "GO ON TO PERFECTION"...
 1. Once we have laid the foundation, we need to build on it
 2. With an understanding of the doctrines previously described,
 we are ready to receive more difficult knowledge
 a. Such as the high priesthood of Christ - cf. He 5:9-11
 b. We might also add the work of Christ as our "King of kings
  and Lord of lords", as depicted in the book of Revelation
 3. By comprehending the "meatier" parts of the Word of God, we 
 are more likely to remain steadfast in our faith
 -- And so we need the attitude of striving toward perfection as
 described by Paul - Ph 3:7-15
 
[Is this our attitude? It should be, for as we continue to read in our
text, there is...]
 
II. THE DANGER OF IRREVERSIBLE APOSTASY (4-8)
 
 A. NOTE THE PRIVILEGES SOME APOSTATES HAD ENJOYED...
 1. They "were once enlightened"
 a. This likely refers to their conversion - cf. He 10:32
 b. By the second century, the word "enlightenment" was used as
 a synonym for baptism (Justin, Apology, 1.61.65)
 c. The Peshitta Syriac translates the verse, "who have once
 descended to baptism" (Lightfoot)
 2. They "have tasted of the heavenly gift"
 a. The word "taste" suggests a deep personal experience - cf.
 1 Pe 2:3; Ps 34:8
 b. Their tasting the "heavenly gift" refers back to the past
 experience of salvation...
 1) In which they experienced the forgiveness of sins
 2) In which they began to receive the spiritual blessings
 of being in Christ
  c. The clause "describes vividly the reality of personal
 experiences of salvation enjoyed by Christians at
 conversion (baptism)." (Behm, TDNT, I, 676)
 3. They "have become partakers of the Holy Spirit"
 a. This also refers back to their conversion - Ac 2:38; 5:32
 b. The word "partakers" (metochous) is significant...
 1) Christians are "partakers (metochoi) of the heavenly 
 calling" - He 3:1
 2) They are "partakers (metochoi) of Christ" - He 3:14
 -- So they are also partakers in the Holy Spirit! 
 (Lightfoot)
 4. They "have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the
 age to come"
 a. Again the word "tasted" suggests personal experience
 b. They had experienced the good things the word of God 
 promises
 c. They had experienced "the powers of the age to come"
 1) The "age to come" is likely the Messianic age, ushered
 in with the first coming of Christ, and consummated with
 His second coming (Lightfoot)
 2) The "powers of the age" they had experienced...
 a) Certainly included the "power" experienced by all 
 Christians - cf. Ep 1:19; 3:20; 6:10
 b) But perhaps even "signs and wonders, with various 
 miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit" - cf. He 2:4
 -- Can these be anyone other than true Christians who had once 
 believed in Jesus?
 
 B. NOTE HOW FAR THEY HAD FALLEN...
 1. It was now "impossible...to renew them again to repentance"
 a. It is apparent that Christians can "fall away"
 1) Paul warned that one can become "estranged from Christ" 
  and "fall from grace" - Ga 5:4
 2) Peter described those once saved whose "latter end is 
 worse than the beginning" - 2 Pe 2:20-22
 b. Here we learn that some can fall away to the point they are
 beyond rescue!
 1) We cannot say when a person reaches that point
 2) But there is a point where renewal becomes impossible!
 2. In such a state "they crucify again for themselves the Son of
 God and put Him to an open shame."
 a. This is not a Christian who sins out of weakness or 
 ignorance
 b. This is one who knowingly and openly rejects Christ 
 publicly!
 1) It is one whose heart has been so hardened by sin that 
  in unbelief they have departed from the living God - cf.
 He 3:12-13
 2) It is one who despises Jesus, His blood, and the Spirit
 of grace - cf. He 10:29
 c. It is one thing to "yield" to sin contrary to the new life
 in Christ, it is another thing to "abandon" that new life 
 altogether! (Lightfoot)
 -- But such can happen if we are not careful to "go on to 
 perfection"!
 
 C. NOTE THE FEARFUL DESTRUCTION RESERVED FOR THEM...
 1. Like unproductive branches, they are "rejected...whose end is
 to be burned"
 a. Having received blessings from God, they should have 
 produced good fruit
 b. But instead they are like thorns and briars, taking 
 nourishment but not producing useful fruit in return - He
 6:7-8
 2. With a similar illustration, Jesus warned His disciples! - Jn
 15:1-8
 a. By abiding in Him, we are able to bear fruit to God's glory
 b. But if we do not bear fruit, we will be cut off and
 "burned"!
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. From this stern passage, we learn some sobering truths...
 a. Receiving wonderful blessings from God does not preclude the 
 impossibility of apostasy
 b. For those who fall away to the point of casting off their faith,
 destruction awaits!
 
2. In view of such truths...
 a. "The Peril Of Not Progressing" is very real!
 b. We need to heed the exhortation: "let us go on to perfection"
 1) We cannot be content with spiritual immaturity
 2) We must be diligent to "press on" in our spiritual growth
 
Does this mean we must live our Christian lives with insecurity 
regarding our salvation? No, for as we will see in our next lesson
("The Basis For Spiritual Security"), there are things upon which we
can base our hope and trust for the future. But the warnings in this
passage should be heeded!
 
Brethren, what are you doing with the blessings you have received in 
Christ...?

The Basis For Spiritual Security (6:9-20)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. We have seen the author of "The Epistle To The Hebrews" express his
 concern for the initial recipients of this epistle...
 a. He makes mention of their spiritual immaturity - He 5:11-14
 b. He warns them of the peril of not progressing - He 6:1-8
 
2. While he writes in this way, he has great confidence for their 
 ultimate salvation...
 a. Though others had indeed fallen to the point where it was 
 "impossible...to renew them again to repentance..." - He 6:4-6
 b. Yet he could say of them, "we are confident of better things
 concerning you, yes, things which accompany salvation..." - He
 6:9
 
3. What was it that gave the author confidence regarding his readers' 
 salvation?
 a. I.e., what was the basis for their spiritual security, when the 
 danger of apostasy had just been described in vivid detail?
 b. What can we glean from this passage that may help us understand
 the basis for our own spiritual security?
 
[There are three things mentioned in this section of scripture (He 6:
9-20), that gave the author his confidence. The first of which is the
fact...]
 
I. GOD DOES NOT FORGET OUR WORK AND LABOR OF LOVE (9-10)
 
 A. GOD IS A JUST GOD, ONE WHO DOES NOT FORGET...
 1. He is very much aware of our service in the PAST ("in that you
 have ministered")
 a. Service that has been shown toward Him ("toward His name")
 b. Service that has been shown toward His servants ("to the 
  saints")
 2. He is very much aware of our service in the PRESENT ("and do 
 minister")
 
 B. KNOWING THIS CAN BE A SOURCE OF GREAT COMFORT...
 1. In contrast to every sin which is "blotted out" and 
 "remembered no more" (cf. He 8:12), service rendered in love
 to God is not forgotten!
 2. We need not fear that God will not see or remember our efforts
 to be pleasing to Him
 a. God seeks to show Himself strong to those who are loyal to
 Him - cf. 2 Chr 16:9
 b. If He took note of Cornelius' desire to please Him in his 
 unsaved state, how much more will He take note of His 
 children's effort to serve Him! - cf. Ac 10:1-6
 -- Thus when we stumble, but repent of our sins, our labor of 
 love is remembered and our sins forgotten!
 
[Knowing that God sees and does not forget our service of love, both 
past and present, should help us feel spiritually secure. But note that
what He does not forget is our "work and labor of love", which implies
the need for...]
 
II. DILIGENCE, FAITH, AND PATIENCE ON OUR PART (11-12)
 
 A. NOTE THE AUTHOR'S DESIRE...
 1. That his readers' show the same diligence (earnestness) they
 had shown in the past
  a. Diligent regarding their assurance of hope
 b. Diligent until the end - cf. He 3:6,14
 2. That they do not become sluggish
 a. The word "sluggish" is from a Greek word meaning "dull"
 b. The same word as used in "dull of hearing" - cf. He 5:11
 -- They were already dull of hearing; his desire is they not
 become dull in conduct!
 3. That they have faith and patience
 a. Imitating "those who through faith and patience inherit the
 promises"
 b. Such as Abraham, who is given as an example later - He 6:15
 
 B. THESE QUALITIES ARE NECESSARY FOR SPIRITUAL SECURITY...
 1. Peter describes the need for diligence to "make your calling
 and election sure" - 2 Pe 1:5,10-11
 2. Jesus called upon His disciples to remain faithful if they 
 wished to "receive the crown of life" - Re 2:10
 3. Paul wrote that eternal life is for those "who by patient 
 continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor and 
 immortality" - Ro 2:7; cf. also He 10:36
 
[Only by developing such virtues as diligence, faith, and patience can
we rightfully have an assurance that we will one day "inherit the
promises". Without them, we become sluggish, and as such expose 
ourselves to the danger of apostasy.
 
To encourage us further, we note that another reason we can have
spiritual security is because...]
 
III. GOD KEEPS HIS PROMISES (13-20)
 
 A. THE EXAMPLE OF GOD'S PROMISE TO ABRAHAM...
 1. God made a promise to Abraham - He 6:13-15
 a. In which He swore by Himself (because He could not swear by
 anyone higher)
 b. A promise which Abraham obtained after patient endurance 
 - cf. v.15 with v.12
 2. God confirmed His promise with an oath - He 6:16-18a
 a. For men, an oath confirms what they say, ending all dispute
 b. To assure us of the unchangeableness of His promise, God 
 also swore an oath
 c. This provided a double assurance that He would keep His 
 promise:
 1) One, because it impossible for God to lie anyway - cf. 
 Ti 1:2
 2) Two, because of the oath by which He confirmed it
 -- How does this relate to our spiritual security? Read on...
 
 B. GOD'S FAITHFULNESS IS OUR ASSURANCE!
 1. It gives us "strong consolation" - He 6:18b-19b
 a. We who are seeking refuge
 b. We who need "an anchor of the soul, both sure and 
 steadfast"
 2. This is especially true regarding our "hope", which is Jesus!
 - He 6:19b-20
 a. I understand Jesus to be the "hope" in this passage...
 1) For He is "our hope", to whom we can flee as a refuge 
 - cf. 1 Ti 1:1
 2) As such, He is our "anchor of the soul, both sure and
 steadfast"
 b. As a forerunner, He has entered "the Presence behind the
 veil" (i.e., heaven)
 c. He has become "High Priest forever according to the order
  of Melchizedek"
 1) Even as God swore He would do - cf. Psa 110:4
 2) God not only promised, but He swore an oath, just like 
 He did for Abraham
 -- So He has kept His promise, providing us a superior High 
  Priest!
 3. Upon such an example of God's faithfulness, we can have an 
 assurance of our salvation as long as we continue to lay hold
 of the "hope" (Jesus) set before us
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. With a finely crafted argument, the author has returned his readers
 back to his original subject, which is Jesus as "a priest forever 
 according to the order of Melchizedek"
 a. Our spiritual security is first based upon the character of 
 God...
 1) Who is not unjust to forget our work and labor of love
 2) Who keeps His promises
 b. God has promised and swore with an oath concerning the priesthood
 of the Messiah
 c. This priesthood Jesus now has in heaven, and as such is the basis
 of our "hope"
 -- For which reason we should seek to learn what we can about the 
 priesthood of Jesus
 
2. Yet as wonderful are the character and promises of God, we are not 
 to take them for granted...
 a. We must be careful not to become sluggish
 b. We must be careful to be diligent, imitating the faith and
 patience of those like Abraham who obtained God's promise for
 them
 -- Together with God's character and promises, this is "The Basis
 For Spiritual Security"
 
Have you fled to Jesus for refuge? Is He your "hope", your "anchor of
the soul, both sure and steadfast"? Is He your "High Priest"? If so,
then let these words sink deep into your heart:
 
 "And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to 
 the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become
 sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit
 the promises." (He 6:11-12)
 
If you have not yet fled to Jesus for refuge, then please consider His
tender invitation:
 
 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will 
 give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am
 gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Mt 11:28-30)

－－《Executable Outlines》

An anchor for the soul

Pursue with all efforts

Go on to maturity

I. Leave the elementary teachings

1. Repentance and faith

2. Baptisms and the laying on of hands

3. Resurrection and judgment

II. danger of non-progress

1. on the verge of salvation

2. In danger of being cursed

3. Don’t be lazy

III. Take hold of the hope

1. One model

2. Two confirmations

3. Three parables

－－ Chih-Hsin Chang《An Outline of The New Testament》