Lesson 9 –

Hebrews 6:1-8 – No copy provided this week. Use the version you like best.

As you may know, I copy the verses to be studied from Biblegateway each time. In order to do so, I have to pick from among numerous versions. Generally, I go with NIV or New King James or sometimes King James. Today I thought I would go older. I’ll start with the Geneva 1599 version and then revise for anything fun in the Wycliffe version (1382-1395).

First Impression?

I have almost no idea what the Geneva Bible is trying to say. Not only is the topic complex, but the language is also foreign to me. This age of English is almost a different language. The King James version is only 51 years newer, but it has held usefulness due to its shear authoritative nature these past 400 years or so. (The footnotes are even worse, or at least upon first reading them.)

Betwixt is the only thing I got out of Wycliffe. It seemed easier to read but meant even less. On to the real lesson.

 First (Second) Impression?

 My main question was whether this flew in the face of once saved always saved. I was not sure.

Verses 1 and 2 – I believe he is listing the first principles. Repentance, Faith, Baptism, Laying on of Hands, Resurrection, Eternal Judgement. Does laying on of hands seem as important as the others?

It did not to me. One of the group members discussed how in Jewish times and culture, the laying on of hands was not what we Christians first think of in laying on of hands to heal, but of laying on of hands to transfer sin to the sacrificial lamb to be slaughtered or the goat to be released into the wilderness. It symbolized the forgiveness of sins rather than the healing of the sick. Therefore, I think it does land on the list where I did not before.

Verse 3 – Every portion of a second of our lives follows this. How would you discuss the ability to believe in Christ with the potential to not understand the power of God?

“If God permits.” I hear in this an acceptable rendering of “Allah willing” that seems to come out of the mouth of every terrorist in the entertainment industry. Nothing can be done if God is not willing to let it happen. Some people do not like this as they cannot understand how a just God would let some of the evil acts of man occur to others. Evil is pretty much the definition of against God, so allowing us free will allows us to act out the evil intent of our sinful natures.

 

Warning, it gets harder from here.

Verse 4-6 – I pulled out my comparative study bible with NIV, New American Standard, Amplified, and King James to work on this one.  (Who picked Hebrews anyway?) Does this verse say that you cannot be saved if you have already been saved and fall away? Does it mean you cannot fall away? Or is it trying you say you can only be saved once, but you can lose it once as well? I have read 6 or 7 versions and I am still confused.

I know who suggested it and we all agreed, and it has been great no matter how hard. I do not believe this is about being saved. I think this is about being active in a local church. I believe that it says that once you have been active in a local church and seen the truth of salvation and the truth of love, that it is possible for you to reject Christ and never get another opportunity to be saved. Others disagree and believe it is always possible for someone to be saved, but I do not believe that is consistent with other parts of the Bible. This is not a study of the detail, so I will not belabor the point, but it is okay if we do not all agree on everything. I believe that as a saved Christian that we can fall away in not supporting God here on earth, but we cannot lose salvation once it is accepted. I know others may disagree that that too, but…

Verse 7 and 8 – Good land is blessed; bad land is rejected. Does this help us understand 4-6?

The Bible is trying to put it into terms we can understand. It tells me that if we take in provisions from God and do something with them, we are blessed and if saved, we will be blessed eternally. If we do nothing good with them and are not saved, we would burn in hell.

I pause here. I am not sure I understand 1-8 at all.

I believe once saved always saved. I think this section is: 1&2 Basics, 3 More Basic, 4-6 Warning that you have to cross the line to be saved. 7&8 Comparison of outcome for those who cross the line and those who hold back. Does this fit the “you may not always get a second chance theory: sometimes there is a last chance”, and is this theory true based on this passage?

I think I answered this before getting back to this question, but I believe the whole point here is to urge anyone who has not been saved to accept Christ right now and enjoy the blessing of doing so the rest of your natural life, and eternally.