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Themes in Hebrews: Apostasy

Warnings Against Apostasy

I. The Warning Passages

  • Heb 2:1-3 - “lest we drift away”
  • Heb 3:12-14 - “leading you to fall away”
  • Heb 4:1,11 - “so that no one may fall”
  • Heb 6:4-6 - “and then have fallen away”
  • Heb 10:26-31, 35 - “there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins”
  • Heb 12:15-17, 25-29 - “See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God”

II. Why Do They Make Us Uncomfortable?

  1. The Right Reason
    They Are Warnings

    • Mat 24:9-13 “… And then many will fall away…”

       

  2. But There Is Another Reason
    They seem to be in conflict with passages that teach us that we are secure in Christ.

    • Php 1:6 “… He … will bring it to completion …”

    • Eph 1:13 “… you … were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit …”

    • Rom 8:28-30 “… whom He justified he also glorified …”

    • Jhn 17:11 “… Holy Father, keep them in Your name …”

    • Jhn 10:28 “… no one will snatch them out of My hand …”

 

III. Focus Passage: Hebrews 6:4-6

What Are Some Options?

  1. This was written to genuine Christians who may lose their salvation.
  2. This was written to people who were not genuine Christians, but appeared to be.
    1 Jhn 2:19
  3. This was hypothetical, referring to what would happen if a genuine Christian fell away.
  4. This was written to genuine Christians who will not lose their salvation.

IV. What Are We To Make Of This?

  1. The Wrong Question
    • “Can a Christian lose his salvation?”
  2. The Right Question
    • “Will a Christian lose his salvation?”
    • NO
    • Then why does Hebrews have all these warnings against falling away?
    • God uses the warnings and our fear as a means for our perseverance.

     

     

V. Conclusion

  • Perseverance is synergistic. God works with us.

    Eph 2:8-10

    Php 2:12-13

  • Hebrews promotes a holy, righteous fear as an aid to perseverance.

  • Hebrews also promotes hope and promise.

    • Heb 6:9-12
      • v10 Their faithfulness was manifested in their work.
      • v11 Their earnestness, diligence, and faithfulness will give them confidence.

  • Hebrews tells us to persevere because …

  • Jesus is Worth It.