1. A Christian can fall away Can one who falls away return? Can one who falls away return? Yes! Yes! There are numerous examples in the Old and New Testaments of this happening There are numerous examples in the Old and New Testaments of this happening When interpreting any Bible subject what must be done to get to the truth? When interpreting any Bible subject what must be done to get to the truth?

2. How do we reconcile Hebrews chapters 6 and 10? 6:4-6, 10:26-27 6:4-6, 10:26-27 These Scriptures seem to say one who falls away cannot return These Scriptures seem to say one who falls away cannot return Remember…the strongest evidences we have are those who fell away and were restored Remember…the strongest evidences we have are those who fell away and were restored To understand these passages in Hebrews look upon them with first century eyes To understand these passages in Hebrews look upon them with first century eyes

3. The audience for the Book of Hebrews Written primarily to Jewish Christians Written primarily to Jewish Christians –Many references to the Law and to the O/T –Many verses on the high priesthood and animal sacrifices Date written Date written –Before the fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.  8:4, 9:6-7  Probably around 65 A.D.

4. The Purpose for the Book of Hebrews Written to warn the Jewish Christians against apostasy because of their attachment to the law and it’s ability to entice them Written to warn the Jewish Christians against apostasy because of their attachment to the law and it’s ability to entice them –They wanted to go back to the Law…2:1-4, 3:3-6 –Romans and Galatians written to combat this same problem Theme of Hebrews Theme of Hebrews –The superiority of Christ compared to the Mosaic Law –1:1-3, 2:16-17, 3:1-3, 4:14, 5:9-10, 6:19-20, 7:26-27, 8:6, 9:11-12, 10:11-12, 11:1, 39-40, 12:1-2, 13:12-13 The writer concerned their level of maturity was limited and their need for growth was great The writer concerned their level of maturity was limited and their need for growth was great –5:12

5. Word Study 5:12…principles 5:12…principles –To put or go in a row, one of a series, an element. An element or rudiment of any intellectual or religious system 6:1…elementary (principles) 6:1…elementary (principles) –A beginning, origin 6:1…maturity 6:1…maturity –One who accomplishes perfection. It can be defined as goal, maturity, perfection. –The word is used twice in N/T  Col. 3:14

6. Word Study 6:1…laying again 6:1…laying again –Laying…to cast down, to throw to the ground –Again…renewal or repetition –These word express continuous action –i.e. the foundation for their faith has been laid 6:2…washings (baptisms) 6:2…washings (baptisms) –Purification effected by means of water –Used 3 times –Each refers to O/T washings…Mk. 7:4; Heb. 9:10

7. Word Study 6:4…enlightened 6:4…enlightened –To bring to light, to see or understand 6:6…fallen away 6:6…fallen away –To fall down, to fall beside, to fall away –Active voice represents the subject as the doer –The subject fell away and they continue to fall 6:6…renew 6:6…renew –New in nature, restored –As long as they remain in open rebellion to God it is impossible for them to be restored –The only time this word appears

8. Hebrews 5:11-6:8 Who was Hebrews written to? Who was Hebrews written to? Its purpose? Its purpose? 5:12-14…the writer urges them on to spiritual maturity. They ought to be teachers yet they need to be taught the elementary truths of God all over again 5:12-14…the writer urges them on to spiritual maturity. They ought to be teachers yet they need to be taught the elementary truths of God all over again Elementary principles Elementary principles –Basic teachings of the church Solid food is to be digested by the mature Solid food is to be digested by the mature 6:1…Therefore 6:1…Therefore –Connecting word between the previous verses and the ones following

9. A command 6:1…leave the O/T teachings about the Christ (Messiah) and go on to maturity, which is the N/T 6:1…leave the O/T teachings about the Christ (Messiah) and go on to maturity, which is the N/T Elementary teaching refers to the beginning (original) teachings about Christ which they learned from the O/T Elementary teaching refers to the beginning (original) teachings about Christ which they learned from the O/T Press on to maturity Press on to maturity –Press on to perfection –Perfection not achieved under the Law, Heb. 7:19

10. 6 things they must leave 1. Repentance from dead works 1. Repentance from dead works –The Law…Heb. 9:14, Rom. 3:27-28, Gal. 2:15-16, 3:10-13 2. Faith toward God 2. Faith toward God –Heb. 11 speaks of O/T men and women of faith –Heb. 11:39-40…what was promised…see Heb. 10:36-39, Gal. 2:20 3. Instruction about washings 3. Instruction about washings –O/T washings…Mark 7:4, Heb. 9:9b-10 4. Laying on of hands 4. Laying on of hands –Lev. 1:4 –Blessings were also given by the laying on of hands 5. Resurrection of the dead 5. Resurrection of the dead –John 5:28-29, Matt. 22:23, Acts 23:8 6. Eternal judgment 6. Eternal judgment –Psalm 9:7-8 Leave O/T teachings about the Christ (Messiah) and go on to the N/T teachings about Christ. Put them away and go on to perfection found only in the N/T. Leave O/T teachings about the Christ (Messiah) and go on to the N/T teachings about Christ. Put them away and go on to perfection found only in the N/T.

11. God will permit the Hebrew Christians to go on to maturity Vs. 3…future tense Vs. 3…future tense God will permit…II Peter 3:9 God will permit…II Peter 3:9 God wants all men to come to repentance God wants all men to come to repentance

12. Impossible to restore those who have fallen away When one is separated from Christ who causes the separation? When one is separated from Christ who causes the separation? 5 reasons for the impossibility 5 reasons for the impossibility 1. enlightened…they have known 1. enlightened…they have known 2. tasted of the heavenly gift…they have eaten, experienced Christ 2. tasted of the heavenly gift…they have eaten, experienced Christ 3. partakers with the Holy Spirit…God has indwelt them 3. partakers with the Holy Spirit…God has indwelt them 4. tasted the good Word of God…they know how delicious it is 4. tasted the good Word of God…they know how delicious it is 5. tasted the powers of the age to come…the truth has been revealed about what is to come 5. tasted the powers of the age to come…the truth has been revealed about what is to come These 5 reasons speak of those who were Christians These 5 reasons speak of those who were Christians

13. Fallen away To slip aside, to fall beside a person or thing, to deviate from the right path To slip aside, to fall beside a person or thing, to deviate from the right path Only place in N/T this word is found Only place in N/T this word is found –Used in Sept. Ezek. 14:13, 15:8 Renew…an infinitive of result Renew…an infinitive of result –Refers to continuous or repeated action –The result of their continued apostasy makes is impossible to be renewed –As long as repentance is absent renewal is impossible To return to the Law means to crucify Jesus again To return to the Law means to crucify Jesus again

14. Hyperbole An exaggeration An exaggeration Vs. 4…change of pronoun to those and them Vs. 4…change of pronoun to those and them These persons are different from the original readers These persons are different from the original readers The Hebrews Christians find themselves in this exact situation The Hebrews Christians find themselves in this exact situation They have tasted the heavenly gift They have tasted the heavenly gift They accepted the terms of the N/T They accepted the terms of the N/T If they return to the O/T doctrines they make the N/T invalid If they return to the O/T doctrines they make the N/T invalid This is a hypothetical case warning the Hebrew Christians to not make this a reality This is a hypothetical case warning the Hebrew Christians to not make this a reality

15. Conclusion The writer warns Hebrew Christians that immaturity leads to apostasy The writer warns Hebrew Christians that immaturity leads to apostasy The immature Hebrew Christians were like babes seeking to hang on to the Law while trying to embrace Christianity The immature Hebrew Christians were like babes seeking to hang on to the Law while trying to embrace Christianity It is impossible for one who remains in their apostasy to be saved It is impossible for one who remains in their apostasy to be saved The impossibility lies in their lack of repentance…not in God’s willingness to forgive The impossibility lies in their lack of repentance…not in God’s willingness to forgive This is a hypothetical case to warn Hebrew Christians about making such a thing a reality This is a hypothetical case to warn Hebrew Christians about making such a thing a reality