Apostasy – Hebrews 6:4-6

Apostasy 

Hebrews 6:4-6

Mickey Cohen

R.C. Sproul: “Apostasy is the old, vigorous word to describe this abandonment of Christ.”

Subtle warnings of apostasy: Judas – Demes – Disciples in John 6 – Joshua Harris 

Can one lose their salvation? 

Two truths: 

A. Perseverance of the saints

B. Apostasy

Hebrews 6:1-6 

“One of the most terrifying warnings in the New Testaments” 

The purpose of Hebrews is to show that Christ is

The book of Hebrews was written to a primarily audience 

“Therefore” 

Leave immaturity in favor of in the Christian faith

There is a connection between immaturity in the Christian faith and  

Elementary Teaching: 

a. Instruction on repentance from acts that lead to

b. instruction on turning from dependence on to Christ in faith

c. instruction on

d. Instruction on laying on of hands

e. The resurrection of the

f. Instruction on judgment 

Even an excellent start to the Christian faith does not mean one will

Some remained in the same place and others went backward — they slid back into their old dependence on works to save them.

For the Jew, salvation is through law-.  For the Christian, it is faith in the law .

“Where there is life there is “

Three ways to understand verses 4-6:

A. Hypothetical — a situation that — used to stir Christian growth

B. Actual – -The ones in view are believers

C. Apparent  — the ones in view are apparent believers 

Several reasons to adopt the “apparent” position:

A. Those who died in disbelief in the wilderness in the Old Testament parallel this text. 

B. The Parable of the

C. The doctrine of Perseverance of the Saints is taught in Scripture

D. The spiritual experiences listed in these verses are within the of an unbeliever  

It is impossible if they fall away to be brought back to repentance…. Why impossible? 

Matthew 12:32? 

The author has “immature professors” in mind (Chapter 5)

How are these falling away? 

Hebrews 6:1 – “dead works”

These are turning Christ as the object of our faith to a system of dead works

Romans 3:28

Galatians 3:10

Galatians 5:4

There are those who profess Christianity today that misunderstand the Law:

A. They fail to understand its purpose 

B. They conflate the law with the gospel (mix justification and sanctification)