No Repentance

Heb 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

Although most Christians are familiar with the unpardonable sin—blasphemy against the Holy Ghost—few students of the Bible have undertaken a study into these, most ominous, verses; and while we have shown that the unpardonable sin can only be committed by unbelievers, such is not the case with our present topic. In fact, we will endeavor to show that these verses have nothing at all to do with the lost—Jews or Gentiles.

Let us, first of all, examine what kind of sin is committed by those of whom these verses are referring to—it is the sin of falling away; but what does that mean? Falling away is to turn away from faith in God and Christ; it is to give up believing in those truths that we once held dear; it is to quit striving to live a holy life and instead give in to sinful pleasures. But what would cause a child of God to come to the place in their lives where spiritual things become meaningless?— “the deceitfulness of sin.” When the temptation to sin comes into our lives, we, as believers, must make a choice. Will we resist what we know to be evil and instead seek to honor God; or will we give into temptation and turn our backs on what we know to be right. Now, these choices are not always so clearly distinguished, neither is the temptation of sin always so livid. We do not one day decide to turn our backs upon God and return to a life of sin; but sin encroaches upon our lives little by little until our hearts are hardened toward the things of God. Neither is it a case of sometimes falling to temptation and committing sin; but it is the attitude of our hearts towards sin and God that distinguish falling away. If we fall into sin and are stricken by guilt, we can confess what we have done and find forgiveness with God; but if we continue to do those things which we know in our hearts to be evil, we become hardened and are in danger of falling away.

Luke 8:13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.

2 Thess 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

Heb 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

Prov 24:16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

However, believers do not always fall away by choosing a life of sin. Many times the most devoted believers are turned from having a real faith unto that which is superficial. The book of Galatians deals with legalism in the Christian life. Those believers were being tempted to “fall from grace” by adding the Law of Moses and other ceremonial rituals to the Christian faith. They were not turning from Christ; but their faith was being made ineffective by diluting it with the works of the law. Christendom is filled with Churches who profess Christ but whose followers are spiritually dead. While they and the world may call them Christians, they are far removed from living by faith and having the reality of Christ in their lives.

Gal 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

Gal 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

Gal 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

The deeper spiritual aspect of falling away however, and the one of which the book of Hebrews deals with in particular, is to turn from the faith of Christ back unto a false worship of God. Because persecution, temptation, and discouragement began to batter away at the faith of many of these early believers, some were choosing to go back to their former beliefs. Many Hebrew Christians were going back to Judaism and renouncing their newfound faith; but, many Gentile converts were also turning away from Christ for the same reasons. It may seem incredulous that anyone who experiences the reality of God’s salvation could fall away to that degree, but Paul’s teaching is that such a possibility exists.

1 Tim 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

Heb 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

Heb 6:9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.

Heb 10:38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

What then, is the curse of those of whom these verses refer to, who fall away?— “For it is impossible… to renew them again unto repentance.” Repentance, we know, is a turning, a change of direction or course in our life. When we came into this world as part of Adam’s race, we were born sinners; and as sinners we all traveled down the broad road to destruction. We were traveling away from God and heaven to eternal death and hell. It was upon that broad road that God interceded in our life; showed to us our sin and the destruction that lay ahead; caused us to see Christ as our sin bearer; and then set us upon a narrow path that leads to eternal life. Thus, both repentance and faith were given to us by God; and we rejoiced in His salvation. Without repentance there can be no salvation, and without faith there can be no repentance. Both are inseparable from one another and vital to salvation. God is not going to save unrepentant sinners and allow them into His eternal kingdom; neither can sinners repent unless their sins are forgiven and a new life is given to them—there must be something they can repent towards.

Rom 5:19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

Psa 51:5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

Matt 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Luke 13:1 There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?
3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Acts 20:21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Tim 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Matt 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Now, considering the importance of repentance; and all who are truly saved do repent; and it is God who brings us to repentance; why is it “impossible… to renew them (those who fall away) again unto repentance?” It is clear from the Scriptures that Christians continue to repent all of their lives. As we grow in Christ and God continues to reveal the deeper aspects of sin in our lives, we turn again and again from those things unto a fuller relationship with Christ—this is all a part of normal Christian maturity.[1] Furthermore, believers have periods in their lives when they become disheartened, discouraged, and disillusioned about the things of Christ; and they fall back or backslide. None of us live on the mountaintop of victorious living all of the time. In fact, God designs for us to go down into the valleys again and again that we may grow in Christ. Therefore, these normal aspects of the Christian experience are not what Paul is referring to. The warning of these verses is directed toward some believers who have reached a certain plateau in the Christian life.

2 Cor 7:9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

Heb 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

The first thing we must discern is what kind of person these Scriptures are referring to; and, once again, we find that the author qualifies those to whom the warnings are directed. We can plainly see that these people are not the lost—either Jews or Gentiles—because they have never repented in the first place. If God had brought them to genuine repentance they would be saved. When God purposes to bring a sinner to Christ, He does not bring them half-way and then give up on them. If God failed to bring any of His chosen ones to Christ, He would not be almighty or able to perform His purposes. Secondly, these are not normal Christians who are always in a state of repentance because they are always growing in Christ. These believers, to whom the warning is directed, are those who have experienced the fullness of the Christian life. They are not baby Christians but mature believers in spiritual understanding and experience. Paul gives us five spiritual dimensions that quantify whose these believers are.    

Heb 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

1. those who were once enlightened

Who are those who have been “enlightened”? Certainly they are all those who have been brought out of the darkness of sin and into the light of the Gospel. However, and I speak from mine own experience, there comes a time in our Christian experience when God turns on a spiritual light in our lives; and then we see very clearly the reality of Christ and spiritual things. We come to know in our hearts that God is very real and we have been brought into a special relationship with Him. We come to see the world system for what it is, and the spiritual warfare that is going on. We come to realize that this world is not all there is, but that eternity, heaven, and hell, are very real entities. Again, speaking from mine own point of reference, I have known many genuine believers whose spiritual illumination is dim and their perception of spiritual concepts is very shallow. I have also spoken to and heard many men and women of faith whose experience, knowledge, and wisdom goes far beyond the ordinary. Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians church, prayed that God would give those saints “the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him”; and that “the eyes of (their understanding would be) enlightened.” Those believers—who were already “children of light”—had not yet received the full illumination that God has for His children. However, those whose spiritual sight is 20/20 also have certain obligations to walk in that light and not in the darkness of this world. With privilege also comes responsibility; and with responsibility also comes accountability. It is to those saints that Paul directs this passage.

2 Cor 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Col 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Eph 1:15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

Eph 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

1 Thess 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

Luke 12:47 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

2. have tasted of the heavenly gift

Here again, we must discern to whom Paul is speaking. All Christians, of whatever maturity level they may have attained, have the same general gifts. God does not show favoritism toward any of His children. All believers have the “unspeakable gift” of God’s Son; they have the gift of “eternal life”; all believers have the “gift of the Holy Ghost”; the “faith” by which we are saved and by which we live the Christian life “is the gift of God”; all believers have the “gift of righteousness”—being accounted righteous in Christ and the power to live righteously; “unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ”; and every Christian has one or more “spiritual gifts” as part of the body of Christ—we all have a purpose and a ministry to perform to one another and the God-given ability to do so.

2 Cor 2:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Rom 5:17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)

1 Cor 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

Eph 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Although we could make an application for each of these gifts as concerning our present topic—mature saints have tasted more of Christ, more of His life, more of His Spirit, more of faith, more of His righteousness, more of grace—I believe that Paul is more directly referring to the gifts of the Holy Spirit that are bestowed upon the body of Christ. As we have already said, all believers have been given some kind of gift or gifts to minister and to edify the Church; but all Christian have not activated their gifts in the service of Christ. Some believers deny having any gifts or are ignorant of what they may be. Many saints have “hid (their) talent in the earth”—they have used their gifts and abilities for their own benefit in worldly pursuits. Service for Christ demands dedication and self-sacrifice, and many saints do not want to pay the price in order for God to use their gifts. However, for those believers who have yielded themselves to God, dedicated themselves to Christ, and sacrificed their lives in His service, their gifts are manifested and come to fruition; and they can see and taste the effectiveness of their gifts and what God is doing through them. However, the required dedication and the blessings of using these gifts are not to be taken lightly. Paul said of himself—“woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel.” There are serious consequences to those who break their holy vows to God and cease to serve Him—remember Jonah. It is to these saints that Paul’s warning is directed.

Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

Rom 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

Matt 25:24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

Eph 3:7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

1 Cor 9:16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.

3. were made partakers of the Holy Ghost

All believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit and “if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” However, in this case also, Paul is talking about more than what all Christians experience. We understand from the Scriptures that in many instances some believers were filled with the Holy Spirit. We see in the book of Acts how that the early church was filled again and again for the purpose of proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Although this doctrine is greatly distorted by many who misunderstand why believers are given this special anointing, we must not disregard the plain teaching of the Bible. Paul exhorted the Ephesian church—who had already been indwelt by the Holy Spirit—to “be filled with the Spirit.” Even our Lord was “full of the Holy Ghost” when He began His ministry. We also have the testimony of many saints down through the ages who tell of their experience in being Spirit-filled. I myself have experienced what it means and have heard the powerful testimony of others who bore witness to this filling. This filling is not for self-gratification or for a fleshly display; but for the purpose that our ministry might be effective through the Holy Spirits power. It is the power of the Holy Spirit that makes the Word effectual in those that hear it; it is the power of the Holy Spirit that gives us boldness to witness; and it is the power of the Holy Spirit that gives us victory in our battles with the world, the flesh, and the devil. However, in receiving this heaven sent gift, those who experience this power have a greater responsibility to live dedicated and sanctified lives. We must not become careless in our attitude or worldly in our lifestyle; in doing so we “grieve…the Holy Spirit of God.” Again, it is to those saints that have been “made partakers” of this special outpouring that these Scriptures are directed.

John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

Rom 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 4:8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,

Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

Eph 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

Luke 4:1 And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,

Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

4. have tasted the good word of God

All believers, have to some degree, “tasted the good word of God.” It is by the Word of God that we are given faith to trust in Christ. It is by the Word of God that we are born again. It is by the Word of God that we “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” However, many believers never discover the riches that are contained in God’s word. The Bible is likened to honey; it is spiritual food for the believer; we need to be nourished from God’s word to grow as Christians; but most believers never get beyond the stage of being bottle feed by their pastors and teachers. Many believers never get to the place where they are getting “strong meat” by their own personal study of the Bible. Many find that the Scriptures are boring and they struggle to read the Bible through in one year—but why is that so? Many believers simply do not “hunger and thirst after righteousness”; they do not “ask … seek … and … knock” for Heavens Bread; they do not “search for (God’s truth) with all (their) heart.” Furthermore, God is not going to give spiritual treasures to believers who are not dedicated to Him; but, are instead, worldly minded. However, to those believers who have dedicated themselves to the service of Christ, they will find God’s word to be “sweeter … than honey and the honeycomb”; they will be feed the “living bread”; and the Holy Ghost will teach them “all things” “comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” These devoted believers who read, study, meditate, and memorize the Word of God, will find riches beyond what this world can offer; but again, great care must be exercised not to fall away to temptation.

Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

1 Pet 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

1 Thess 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

2 Pet 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Psa 19:9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Psa 119:103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Matt 4:1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

Heb 5:11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.
12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

John 6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

1 Cor 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

Matt 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Matt 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Jer 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.
13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Dan 9:1 In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans;
2 In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.
3 And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplication, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:

Dan 9:20 And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God;
21 Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.
22 And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.
23 At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

5. and have tasted … the powers of the world to come

All believers have tasted “the power of God unto salvation”; all believers are “kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation”; and all believers will one day be resurrected by the power of God. Therefore, in what way do some believers have a foretaste of “the powers of the world to come”? What exactly are these powers and what world is Paul speaking about? There are two explanations for “the world to come.” The first is the millennial reign of Christ upon this earth; the second is the new heavens and earth that God will one day create. In both of these worlds to come God’s power will be manifested against the forces of evil and to bring blessings to His people. In Christ’s millennial reign, sin and rebellion will be dealt with severely; the curse will be lifted; and peace, prosperity, and longevity will be returned to man. In the new heavens and earth “there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

1 Pet 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

1 Cor 6:14 And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.

Luke 21:27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

Rev 2:26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Isa 11:1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;
3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:
4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.
5 And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.
6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.
7 And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
8 And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den.
9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

Isa 65:17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.
18 But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.
19 And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.
20 There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed.
21 And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.
22 They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.
23 They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them.
24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.
25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.

Rev 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

We understand from Scripture how the power of God was manifested in the life of Jesus; how Jesus gave unto the twelve disciples “power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease”; and how the power of God was manifested in the early church. Now, while God can still perform miracles, many of those early manifestations of His power were done to authenticate the Gospel message and the ministry of the early church leaders. However, many believers today have witnessed God’s power in their lives in other ways than miraculous healing. Anytime we experience or see the hand of God in our lives we “have tasted … the powers of the world to come.” Many have experienced God’s hand of protection, divine intervention, extraordinary provision, and other manifestations of God’s power. Many have experienced great revivals and awakenings, God’s blessings of peace and prosperity upon His people, and advances in science and technology that have led to health and longevity. For many of God’s people these acts of God’s power are unmistakable. When prayers are answered, addictions are broken, homes and marriages are saved, satanic obstacles are removed, loved ones are brought to Christ, and needs are miraculously met, these saints have “have tasted … the powers of the world to come.” However, the danger is to forget or become complacent about all that God has done and lose our devotion to God. The nation of Israel, in spite seeing all the miracles that God performed on their behalf, still turned to false gods and idols; and as believers, we can do the same.

Matt 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Matt 10:1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Acts 6:8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

2 Cor 12:12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

1 Cor 2:4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

1 Cor 4:19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.
20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.

2 Cor 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Eph 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

Eph 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Psa 103:1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

1 John 5:21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

The question that must now be put forth is—why is it “impossible … if they—those who have experienced these blessings—shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance”? It is because “they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.” When God reveals to a person, through these means of grace, the reality of knowing Him through Jesus Christ, and they “fall away” from what they have known to be true, there is nothing left to draw them back to Christ. They have, in effect, crucified “to themselves the Son of God afresh.” The Jewish people, who lived when Christ walked this earth, despite seeing all the signs and miracles that Jesus performed, still refused to believe in Him—and there was nothing more that God was going to do to convince them. They rejected Him as their Messiah and had Him crucified as an imposter. He was treated as a vile criminal, shamefully beaten, and then humiliated by public crucifixion. Those who “fall away” do the same thing. In their hearts and minds they come to reject Christ as their Saviour; by unbelief they put Him to death in their lives; and by their testimony and lifestyle they “put him to an open shame.” Those saints who once were a mighty witness for Christ now bring great hurt to the cause of Christ. Many become so bitter that they openly curse and revile Him, despite all that they once believed and experienced.

Heb 6:6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

John 12:37 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:

Matt 26:63 But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.
64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
65 Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.
66 What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.
67 Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,
68 Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?

John 19:5 Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!
6 When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.
7 The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.

John 19:14 And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!
15 But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priest answered, We have no king but Caesar.
16 Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.
17 And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:
18 Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.
19 And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.
20 This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin.
21 Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews.

Heb 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;

Now, there may be many who would deny such a possibility for this scenario, but Paul’s warning would be pointless if such were the case. Indeed, the meaning of the book of Hebrews has been so narrowly interpreted as to deny the plain teachings set forth. As we have already said—unbelieving Jews or Gentiles are not the “beloved.” Neither is Paul trying to convince those who have been almost persuaded but are turning back. “All that the Father giveth (to Christ) shall come to (Christ)” The Father will not fail to draw those to Christ whom He has chosen to come; and the Son will not lose any whom the Father has given to Him. While it may seem incredulous that anyone could turn from Christ back to non-repentance and unbelief —we have only to look at the sad evidence of the nation of Israel. Israel, in the Old Testament, is in many ways a picture of the Church; and much of what they experienced naturally, is what believers experience spiritually. This chosen nation, to whom God showed Himself in such miraculous ways, became a sinful and idolatrous people. However, although God severely judged Israel for their sin and idolatry, He has never completely cast them away; but He still has a future plan for their restoration. In like manner, God’s children can never be lost eternally; but the result of their falling away can be devastating to themselves and to others. God’s grace is intended to bring forth fruit in the lives of those to whom it is given; but those who harden their hearts to God’s chastening and resist all efforts to turn them again to Christ are “nigh unto cursing.” Those who persist in their rebellion against God will live miserable lives; many will be struck with sickness, accidents, financial problems, and family problems; and many will have their lives cut short. Finally, at the judgment seat of Christ, they will stand before Him with nothing, because all of their works have been lost.

Heb 6:7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:
8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.
9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.

John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

2 Chr 36:14 Moreover all the chief of the priests, and the people, transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen; and polluted the house of the LORD which he had hallowed in Jerusalem.
15 And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place:
16 But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy.

1 Cor 10:1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

1 Cor 11:27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

2 John 1:8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

Paul’s warning, in these verses, is not to be taken lightly. The greatest danger to mature saints is to think that they cannot fall away. Spiritual headiness causes many a believer to be liberal towards sin. Those who believe that they are safe in Christ, many times wander too close to the flames of temptation. As believers, we have a great freedom in Christ, but Paul also warns us to “use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh.” Many saints have accomplished great things for Christ and “God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name”; but we must not yield to temptations and fall asleep to the dangers that surround us. God makes “a way to escape” temptation; but at the same time we must “flee from idolatry.” As believers, we must show “diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end.” We must not be “slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”

Heb 6:9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:
12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Gal 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

1 Cor 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

God has given to His children all that is necessary for them to endure this dark world of sin. Although the pathway to glory is eternally secured for the chosen seed, it is not an easy road. We must “patiently endure” the temptations, trials, and evils of this life if we are to finish our course victoriously. We “have a strong consolation” in the promises of God and a great hope in what He has in store for us. Jesus was faithful in enduring all the evil and suffering He went through on our behalf; and He now stands as our High Priest—praying for us, encouraging us, and waiting to receive us. Let us also be faithful to Him so that we are not “ashamed before him at his coming.”

Heb 6:13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,
14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.
15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
16 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.
17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:
18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

1 John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.