Explore the Bible Adult Leader Commentary

Explore the Bible Adult Leader Commentary Session 6

Don’t Walk Away

Hebrews 6:1-8

Context: Hebrews 5:11–6:12; 10:26-31

Memory Verse: Hebrews 6:10

Main Idea: Rejecting Christ leads to hopelessness.

PREPARE TO LEAD GROUP BIBLE STUDY

READ Hebrews 5:11-6:12; 10:26-31, First Thoughts, and Understand the Context. STUDY Hebrews 6:1-8 using the commentary provided. To gain a richer understanding of Hebrews 6:4-8 study the following: Numbers 14 and other Scriptures teaching about salvation in Jesus: John 10:27-29; Romans 8:1,38-39; Ephesians 1:13-14; Philippians 1:6; and 1 Peter 1:5. Consult the Explore the Bible Adult Commentary (available in both print and digital format from LifeWay.com). PLAN the group time using the ideas under Lead Group Bible Study, More Ideas, ideas included in QuickSource, and ideas included on Lifeway.com/ExploreTheBible. DEVELOP yourself using the free helps found at MinistryGrid.com/web/ExploreTheBible.

GATHER THE FOLLOWING ITEMS: Personal Study Guides (PSG). Write this sentence on a board: Don’t you walk away from me. Display Pack Item 2 (Outline: Hebrews).

FIRST THOUGHTS Hope doesn’t come easily, and it doesn’t last long if it’s based solely on circumstances. That’s because when things are going well in our lives, hope bubbles up and lingers. But when tough times come, our sense of hope fades away and sometimes disappears. The biblical idea of hope is different. In Scripture, hope is something that endures. It endures because it’s based on the eternal, Living Lord and not on our circumstances. Believers affirm that true hope doesn’t depend on whether things go our way or don’t go our way. Hope that lasts for eternity is found in a relationship with Christ the Savior. No matter how the ups and downs of life go for us as believers, we have a hope that is secure. However, our awareness and experience of hope can grow. It grows as our faith in Christ matures. Therefore, growing toward spiritual maturity should matter to us in our walk with Him. Christians who take hope seriously have learned that growing in Christ involves obeying Him.

(From PSG, p. 63) How much does growing in your walk with Christ matter to you? In your life, what’s the connection between obeying Him and learning how to stand firm in Him?

The theme of moving constantly toward spiritual maturity in Christ takes center stage in the Book of Hebrews. If we as believers press on toward maturity in Christ, we’ll rejoice in the way He strengthens us. Those who fall away from devotion to Christ because of life’s difficulties or because of opposition to the faith prove one of two realities. One: they show that they are spiritually immature and thus are easily drawn into disobedience; they need to grow in their faith. Or two: they show by walking away from Christ that they never have truly received salvation in Him; they need to be saved.

UNDERSTAND THE CONTEXT Hebrews 6:1-8 presents a challenge for all who desire to rightly understand and apply God’s Word. Christians throughout church history have loved the Lord and one another while at the same time have arrived at different understandings of this passage, especially verses 4-8. One thing we know for sure: God inspired these words for His people to study, learn from, and obey. Therefore, we need to dig into them and to ask the Holy Spirit to give us wisdom and understanding. The passage is a real warning for believers. Yet it should not be interpreted to mean that genuine Christians can lose their salvation. Scripture has a divinely inspired unity in its message, and the context of Scripture as a whole teaches that God will not lose one soul whom Christ has saved (see Jer. 31:34; John 10:28-29; Phil. 1:6; Heb. 7:25). Keep in mind also that Hebrews was addressed originally to a specific congregation in the first-century. It was written to exhort, encourage, and warn the members of the church to endure in the “race” of following Christ as Savior and Lord. At least some of the members gave evidence of wanting to drift back into their former beliefs and practices—that is, into Judaism. They seemed ready to abandon their confession of Christ, because that confession had led to their becoming targets of hostility and hardship.

© 2014 LifeWay. Reproduction or redistribution is prohibited without the express written consent of LifeWay Christian Resources, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 27234. The congregation was being weakened by members’ spiritual dullness. This weak condition hadn’t always been the case. In a previous time, the congregation was so devoted to Christ that members had endured great suffering and public reproach for the faith (see Heb. 10:32-33). Some members had endured prison and had suffered their possessions being seized (see 10:34). They had endured this harsh treatment joyfully. Over time, however, some members’ devotion to Christ waned, and their spiritual growth wilted (see 5:11-14). How did the writer of Hebrews address this situation? First, he reminded them of the truth about who Jesus is and what He has done. God “spoke” in His Son. What did He say? In Christ’s atoning death on the cross, we hear (and see) God’s declaration of His love for the world, the awfulness of sin, the requirement of sin’s penalty, the holiness of God, His perfect righteousness, and the fulfillment of His promises to redeem His people. We hear (and see) the truth of Jesus’ full humanity and full Deity, the humility of the Son to take on flesh and to suffer, and the full meaning of Jesus’ obedience to the Father’s will (see Heb 5:7-8; Luke 22:42). Further, at the resurrection and ascension of Christ to sit at the right hand of the Father (see Heb. 1:3-4), we hear (and see) God’s announcement that Satan has lost, sin has been defeated, and Jesus lives forever, reigning as the honored Ruler of all things. Hallelujah! Second, the writer wove throughout these rich theological sections a series of exhortations and warnings, urging his readers to persevere in faith. To abandon one’s confession of Christ prompts a comparison with the rebellious generation of Israelites in Old Testament times. The lesson to be learned from that generation’s example was the certainty of God’s punishment for unbelief. To drift from one’s confession of Christ was to abandon God’s ultimate Word spoken through the Son; it would bring disastrous results! Thus Hebrews 6:1-8 is a sober warning to a congregation. Salvation in Christ is a transformation from death to life, a transformation that the Spirit of God brings about in believers when they put their faith in Christ. The progress of new life is to grow in faith, producing the fruit of the Spirit and holding to one’s devotion to Jesus whatever comes. It is possible for congregations to consist of not only genuine believers but also of some who give lip service to Christ yet do not have genuine faith. The writer of Hebrews warned his readers that abandoning Christ was clear evidence of unbelief. Genuine believers would heed his warnings; pretenders would not. True believers would live with assurance of salvation on the one hand and a godly, biblical fear of God on the other. They would display a Spirit-powered, gospel-driven, faith-fueled life in Christ.

BIBLICAL ILLUSTRATOR ARTICLES For additional context, read “The Laying on of Hands” in the Fall 2014 issue of Biblical Illustrator. Available at lifeway.com/biblicalillustrator.

EXPLORE THE TEXT

GROW IN FAITH (HEB. 6:1-3)

1 Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2 instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting, we will do so.

VERSE 1a The word therefore points back to the immediate context of 5:11-14 and to the biblical writer’s heartbreak concerning his readers’ lack of maturity. They were dull in heart and calloused to spiritual things. He had much to say, but they didn’t appear to be listening. Their attention span was short. They were still acting like spiritual infants when they should’ve been mature enough by this time to teach others about the gospel and faithful Christian living. If you’ve ever tried to talk with someone who seemed distracted or unwilling to listen, you can appreciate the writer’s dilemma. He needed to get his readers’ attention. They needed to understand the urgency and seriousness of their situation before disaster overtook them. Thus we can well describe this verse as a spiritual and pastoral “shout,” a jarring declaration designed to awaken spiritual slackers from their lazy lethargy. It was time—past time!—for the readers to leave the nursery and go on to spiritual maturity. This journey involved moving beyond the elementary doctrines of the faith to a full and mature practice of trusting Christ. Let us be careful here not to misunderstand what is meant by leaving, or moving beyond, the basics of the faith. The writer did not mean for Christians to abandon, or cast aside, those teachings. On the contrary, the writer clearly believed that thorough, biblical, doctrinal, and theological teaching was exactly what immature, wavering members needed to hear. He had great confidence in the Word of God. No human gimmicks could ever enliven a dull heart. What the readers needed in their day was God’s Word to be taught clearly and in the power of the Holy Spirit. We need that today as well! At the start of physical life, a human baby receives nourishment from milk. As the child grows, however, solid food becomes necessary for ongoing physical and mental development. Just as a baby moves on from milk to solid food, so also do we as believers need to build on the foundation of God’s Word a structure of solid spiritual growth. In future chapters, the writer of Hebrews will serve up much solid spiritual food: Melchizedek, priesthood, the new covenant, and Jesus’ atoning sacrifice. The readers needed to lay aside any spiritual dullness and press on to spiritual maturity.

Have you ever felt spiritually dull and prone to drift from your devotion to Christ? What brought you back? Are you drifting now?

© 2014 LifeWay. Reproduction or redistribution is prohibited without the express written consent of LifeWay Christian Resources, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 27234. VERSES 1b-2 In verses 1b-2, the writer listed six principles, or truths, that encompass the Christian’s life. The first pair of truths is repentance and faith (v. 1b). These two terms refer to the first steps in the Christian life—turning from sin (repentance) and turning to God in faith. The second pair of principles is cleansing rites and the laying on of hands. The first term could but probably doesn’t refer to Christian baptism. Notice that the term is plural. Thus it likely refers to the various cleansing rituals in Judaism that only foreshadowed the true cleansing accomplished by the Holy Spirit (see Ezek. 36:25-27). The cleansing of the heart is at the center of the new covenant (see Heb. 8:8-12). The second term of this pair refers to the confirmation of the gift of the Spirit to believers and the Spirit’s anointing for ministry (see Acts 6:6; 8:17; 13:3; 28:8; 2 Tim. 1:6). The third pair of truths is resurrection and eternal judgment. These truths ultimately point to the end time. We will all stand before our Righteous Maker in judgment at the end of time. Those who are in Christ will be raised to be with Him (and with one another!) for eternity. Since God is holy and just, unbelievers will stand condemned to everlasting punishment in hell. On the one hand God delights in His justice, but on the other He takes no delight in the death of the wicked (see Ezek. 33:11).

(From PSG, p. 66) How would you explain repentance and faith to an unsaved friend?

VERSE 3 The writer’s exhortation for his readers to go on to maturity—that is, to complete the journey of faith—is couched in the reality of a loving God who works in His people to energize their spiritual growth (see Phil. 1:6; 2:12-13). Hebrews 6:3 affirms that God is in absolute control of all things. Genuine believers can have great confidence in pressing on, because they are sure of God’s faithful and sovereign nature. This truth also should spur us to constantly tell others about this great gospel.

With whom can you share these six basics of the faith this week? Whose salvation are you diligently praying for?

LEST YOU WALK AWAY (HEB. 6:4-8)

4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age 6 and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. 7 Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. 8 But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.

VERSES 4-6 These verses are among the most challenging to interpret in the Book of Hebrews, if not the entire Bible. Equally sincere, conservative Bible scholars differ in their views about whether these verses describe persons who profess to be believers but prove not to be, or who are genuine believers but in a dangerously backslidden (disobedient) condition, or whether the passage is a hypothetical example of apostasy (falling away from the faith) and what the consequences of such would be if it were possible. Many conservative, evangelical Bible scholars hold that it is not possible for genuine believers to lose their salvation. They base their conviction on Scripture passages that teach salvation is the work of our sovereign, gracious Redeemer from start to finish (see John 10:27-30; Phil. 1:6; Heb. 7:25). The writer of Hebrews on numerous occasions addressed his overall audience as believers (see 3:1,12; 4:14; 6:10; 10:19,32; 12:7- 8,28; 13:22-25), because they professed to be believers. Yet, as already indicated, some of the readers may well have been Christians in name only. They professed to have faith, but their dullness and lack of spiritual growth raised serious questions about the genuineness of their faith. Only God can say with certainty who is or is not truly saved. In this regard, Jesus taught that there would be some who claim to follow Him as Lord but in reality do not belong to Him (see Matt. 7:21-23). Perseverance is the ultimate test of genuine faith.

What to you is evidence of saving faith in a church member’s life? What are some biblically based ways that you as a believer can bolster the faith of a faltering brother or sister in Christ?

Now let’s unpack five important phrases in verses 4-6 that point to the recipients of the writer’s warning. First, they have been enlightened. This term means to make known something in reference to the inner life. God is the One who gives this light; we cannot enlighten ourselves. In many biblical contexts, this term is a reference to conversion. The writer of Hebrews used the term only one other time in his epistle—in 10:32—where it almost certainly refers to genuine believers. Second, they have tasted the heavenly gift. The idea of the word tasted is to experience fully, not just to sample. The same word is found in 2:9, where the writer spoke of Jesus’ tasting death. Christ didn’t merely sample physical death; He fully experienced it. The heavenly gift that believers have tasted probably refers to all the spiritual blessings God gives His people in Christ (see Eph. 1:3), including the gift of the Spirit’s indwelling presence and power (see Heb. 2:4). Third, they have shared in the Holy Spirit. God gives the Spirit. Believers receive the Spirit (see Acts 19:2). © 2014 LifeWay. Reproduction or redistribution is prohibited without the express written consent of LifeWay Christian Resources, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 27234. Fourth, they have tasted (experienced fully) the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age. The word is God’s revelation in spoken and written form. It could refer specifically to the gospel. God’s word is good in both its character and effect (see Ps. 119:103; Heb. 4:12). The term powers refers to the signs and miracles that accompanied the preaching of the gospel (see Heb. 2:4). The presence and power of the Holy Spirit are proof that the coming age has already dawned. As believers, we long for its full consummation when Christ returns. Fifth, they have fallen away. This is the most challenging of the five phrases to understand, and it has prompted discussion and debate among readers of the Scriptures throughout church history. Interpretations vary as to the meaning of the phrase “to fall away” as well as to the meaning of the impossibility of being renewed, or brought back, to repentance. We can better understand this fifth descriptor by relating it to Hebrews 3:12-14. In my view, the idea of falling away refers to a sustained rejection of Christ. Others hold that it can refer to a believer’s falling into disobedience. In any event, the first four phrases present the appearance of real repentance and faith. Yet the fifth phrase reveals that for some—those who fall away—repentance and faith were not real. They were in danger of abandoning the race altogether, of walking away from Christ. In such a state they would never consider genuine repentance and faith, because they had disregarded the Son of God and the only hope for salvation. They were in danger of hell. Falling away is what apostasy looks like from our perspective. From God’s all-knowing perspective, such a person never truly belonged to Him (see 3:14). The emphasis of the passage was to warn all of the readers of Hebrews (and us!) to persevere in faith. If Christ is rejected, then repentance is impossible; faith in anything else is futile. In my view, to abandon the faith means that saving faith was never there. For those who do so, it is as though they are crucifying Christ again and putting Him to public shame. Other Bible students view falling away as the stubborn waywardness of a believer. They understand the warning to be that such persistent disobedience will result in a loss of blessings that come to the mature, obedient Christian and to a loss of eternal rewards— but not to a loss of salvation (see 1 Cor. 3:15). The warning is to keep pressing on to maturity.

VERSES 7-8 These verses offer an example from agriculture to illustrate and reinforce the warning in verses 4-6. (Jesus used a similar example in Matthew 7:17-20.) The writer of Hebrews described a plot of land that on the one hand produces useful vegetation. Consequently, the land receives a blessing from God. Then the writer described land that brought forth only weeds and briers. Consequently, it was about to be cursed and burned off. In both cases, the “fruit” of the land revealed it as either useful or worthless. Thus we are warned not to be like those who profess Christ for a season and later walk away from Him. We are urged to cling to Christ and to persevere in faith.

How do you respond to warnings in general? How do you respond to the warning in this passage?

KEY DOCTRINE Security in Jesus All true believers endure to the end. Those whom God has accepted in Christ will never fall away from the state of grace, but shall persevere to the end. (see PSG, p. 67)

BIBLE SKILL Use multiple Scripture passages to understand a major doctrine. The question of whether a genuine believer can lose his or her salvation goes to the heart of the doctrine of salvation. Read the following Bible passages and take note of what they teach about salvation in Jesus: John 10:27-29; Romans 8:1,38-39; Ephesians 1:13-14; Philippians 1:6; 1 Peter 1:5. How can you relate these passages to Hebrews 6:4-6? (see PSG, p. 69)