Morning: We continued in the series, Jesus Our Great High Priest. The sermon was entitled "Before We Move On, Pt. 2." and it centered around Hebrews 6:4-12. The main idea of the passage was that we are to imitate those who by faith and patience inherit the promises.
This sermon began with the author's stark warning: "For it is impossible to restore again to repentance 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, if they then fall away" (Heb 6:4, ESV). Through this warning the author is compelling us to imagine the dire consequences of walking away. He wants his audience to consider the full impact of drifting away from Christ. He warns that if one were to fall away there is no coming back. Verse 6 goes farther explaining why there would be no more second chances. He states, "since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt" (Heb 6:6). These verses mean to encourage us to faithfulness. They call on us to dread the "fall", and thus avoid it, because such a fall would dishonor the great sacrifice of Jesus.
The author illustrates his point with a farming metaphor. The one professing to believe in Christ is compared to a field. If , after they have been cultivated with the gospel and watered by the Spirit they produce a crop, then they are blessed of God. If, however, they fail to yield a crop they will be cursed.
Yet the author does not leave the burden of his heavy words on us. He lightens the mood with these sweet words, "Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things--things that belong to salvation" (Heb 6:9, ESV). That is to say, the author believes he has seen evidence of salvation in the life of his congregation. He reminds us that God will remember our deeds and reward us. And he compels us to continue to follow the example of "those who through faith and patience inherit the promises"(Heb. 6:12, ESV).
Night: I attempted to review five common ways people attempt to interpret the warning passages in the Bible (passages like Heb. 2:1-4; 3:7-4:13; 5:11-6:12; 10:19-39; 12:1-29). I fear, however, that I muddied the water. These views are not all Baptist, nor are they all equal. They are the approaches various individuals take in trying to interpret the warning passages in the Scriptures. Here is a recap of the five views as laid out by Thomas R. Schreiner and Ardel B. Caneday in their work, The Race Set Before Us: A Biblical Theology of Perseverance and Assurance (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2001).
Loss-of-Salvation View: This view understands the warning passages to be addressing believers. From this they conclude that it is possible, even if highly unlikely, that a believer can fall away from the faith (apostasy). They often use the warning passages to interpret the promises of perseverance in the Bible, suggesting that only if a person remains in the faith can they receive the promises.
Loss-of-Rewards View: Those who hold this view see the warnings as addressing believers, also. However, they believe that the warnings are addressing the loss of heavenly rewards, not eternal life. This view is often tied with the a radical understanding of eternal security that separates biblical discipleship and conversion. That is to say, they believe a person can have Jesus as their Savior and not as the Lord. Those who believe in Jesus, but continue in sinful rebellion, will lose out on rewards not salvation.
Test-of-Genuineness View: Those that hold this view believe that the warnings actually reveal the hypocrite within the church. They believe the warnings speak to the false believer and encourages them to really get saved. Those who hold this view believe that biblical conversion and discipleship go hand-in-hand (often called Lordship Salvation). They believe a true convert is a disciple, and a disciple is a convert. They often qualify the warnings with the promises of Scripture.
Hypothetical-Loss-of-Salvation View: Those that hold to this view believe the warnings are meant to correct believers misunderstanding of the danger of apostasy. Falling away from the faith is serious business, but a true believer can never fall away. This can often lead to apathy, so the warnings are their to keep people spiritually engaged.
God's-Means-of-Saving-His-People: This view understands the warnings as being crucial means that God uses to protect his people from falling away. Whereas the other four views seek to answer the question, "Can a true believer lose their salvation?", this view seeks to answer the question, "What is the function of the warnings?". Those that hold this view answer the question by say that the warning elicit belief that perseveres in faithfulness to God's heavenly calling on us. The warnings exist to compel us to faithfulness.
I have been working through these concepts for nearly two years and I am still struggling to come to the best conclusions. I realize that these matters are meaty and that such a brief and hurried introduction was probably not the best route to take. My prayer is that I have not totally confused someone. I encourage you to get the book, The Race Set Before Us, and work through the material. If anyone needs a point of clarification please let me know.
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