Hebrews 10:26-29 explained

[roaringkitten]

"For if we sin wilfully AFTER that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, WHEREWITH HE WAS SANCTIFIED, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?" Hebrews 10:26-29

Many professing Christians misunderstand this passage. It does NOT talk about a saved person who lost his salvation! Read again the red highlighted portion of the Scripture above. Now look at this verse:

"Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth." 1st Timothy 2:4

Many people RECEIVE the knowledge of the truth(the gospel), but REJECT it. I can witness to someone the gospel, and their ears receive it, but they can refuse to OBEY the gospel which will be devastating:

"In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ" 2 Thessalonians 1:8

Those that COME unto the knowledge of the truth are those who obey the gospel, many wont COME because of not wanting their deeds to be reproved!

"For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved." John 3:20

"And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Revelation 22:17

So back to the passage in Hebrews where it speaks of "sin willfully"....Notice it says "sin willfully AFTER". After what? After they received the knowledge of the truth!(gospel) This infers a specific sin.....What is this sin? The sin of UNBELIEF.(see my thread on "Biblical repentance" and "there is ONLY one saving gospel" which completely explains this) That is the sin that will keep someone from being saved! The last part of that passage in Hebrews essentially says those who reject Jesus Christ have considered the "blood of the covenant" an "unholy thing". We know as Christians that the blood of Jesus washed our sins away!

"And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood" Revelation 1:5

Its just bewildering how many professing Christians do not understand the FREE gift of God and what Jesus accomplished on the cross. They search the Scriptures diligently to try and find passages that read their good works have a part in salvation(by declaring bad works will get a Christian lost). When the Word clearly says otherwise. They think they can work their way into heaven by their human efforts.

“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.” Romans 4:5-8

“And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But IF IT BE OF WORKS, THEN IT IS NO MORE GRACE: otherwise work is no more work.” Romans 11:6

It is NOT partly works and partly grace(Christ and works). It is either completely grace or completely by works....The Word says it is completely by GRACE. It is not of yourselves, it is not of works!

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

I know that sometimes parts of the Word can be hard to understand and may at times look as if it were contradicting itself. We know the Word CANNOT contradict itself. Hebrews and James can be misunderstood, taken out of context, etc.....Be careful as to not wrestle it to your own destruction.

"As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction." 2 Peter 3:16

Because believing a counterfeit gospel will cost you eternity in the lake of fire(Galatians 1:6-9).

We were saved by the merits of Christ, NOT ourselves! It is the work of God that we are saved by believing in Christ!

"Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." John 6:28-29



The reason why I continue to make threads about this topic is because I am getting increasingly concerned for folks here on CC and other places who think they have a part in saving themselves. I am doing this to warn everyone of the truth because I love you!!!

 

[MahogonySnail]

But we can't look at Hebrews 10 before looking at Hebrews 6, which seems to be referring to saved believers to me. Note, "back to repentance".

Hebrews 6:4-6


4For it is impossible [to restore and bring again to repentance] those who have been once for all enlightened, who have consciously tasted the heavenly gift and have become sharers of the Holy Spirit,
5And have felt how good the Word of God is and the mighty powers of the age and world to come, 6If they then deviate from the faith and turn away from their allegiance--[it is impossible] to bring them back to repentance, for (because, while, as long as) they nail upon the cross the Son of God afresh [as far as they are concerned] and are holding [Him] up to contempt and shame and public disgrace.

 

[Rosinsky]

RoaringKitten,

You cannot, and I repeat, you cannot explain a scripture or passage by quoting a bunch of other scriptures to say because these scriptures say "this or that" then this passage cannot mean what it is saying. Then you conclude that because these other passages say this or that, then this passage is saying the same thing because the Word of God cannot contradict itself. The other side can easily do the same thing by quoting scriptures to show you that it is saying what it says. Doing this is a very bad and misleading way to interpret the scriptures.

I.E. - Look at Maho's response.

To explain a scripture, you ought to go into the background text and see what the original author was saying, what was the condition, to whom was he addressing his message, what was the purpose, and what did the people heard from what he was saying to them.

 

[MahogonySnail]

If the passage refers to the unsaved, not to believers, why does it say it is impossible to renew them to repentance? Does this mean unsaved people only get one chance at hearing the Gospel and if they don't say yes the first time they have no further chances to be saved?

For if we sin wilfully AFTER that we have received the knowledge of the truth

Why would the apostle use the word "we" there if he wasn't referring to believers? ,himself included.

If it was referring only to the unsaved wouldn't it say, "For if they sin wilfully after that they have received ...etc"


Note verse 29 it says was sanctified , past tense.
Is it possible for an unsaved person to be sanctified? I can only think that this must refer to saved people.


29Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

Also take a look at verse 30 which indicates God judging His people, not judging outsiders.

30For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.

To me all these things indicate these passages are referring to believers.

 

[roaringkitten]

Mahogony that passage Hebrews 6:4-6 speaks about the hypothetical situation, that IF a believer could lose his salvation(by doing bad works) he could never be saved again...What does that sound like to those who believe one can lose their salvation? Sounds like if you EVER commited a sin after you were supposedly saved you are doomed to hellfire wiithout hope....This passage refers to those who mock the sacrifice of Jesus who deny that he COMPLETELY saves(which is why the hypothetical situation was brought up)...Because He paid a sacrifice IN FULL once....

"For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God." Romans 6:10

We were saved by the ONE TIME payement on Calvary. If Christians can be unsaved it would REQUIRE Jesus to die on the cross again. Which is IMPOSSIBLE for Him to die again! This is what this passage is all about....I suggest you study Hebrews a bit more to put things into context......

 

[roaringkitten]

RoaringKitten,
You cannot, and I repeat, you cannot explain a scripture or passage by quoting a bunch of other scriptures to say because these scriptures say "this or that" then this passage cannot mean what it is saying.

Rosk, you have not come here to clarify Hebrews, you came here to criticize me based upon you not approving of how I do things.....I use the Word as a WHOLE. You cannot come here and declare I cannot use such and such Scripture because it validates what I am saying! Perhaps you would be as so kind to interpret all of Hebrews if you think you can be of help.

I find it very insulting that people say that Jesus cannot completely save.......Islam teaches you to do your best and hope Allah saves you....All other religions speak of man having a part in saving himself but you DEGRADE Christianity by saying Jesus cannot completely save and can LOSE people. That is mockery of my Savior and those who teach such heresy will be accountable to God for leading people into a works gospel...How about interpreting what Hebrews means in conjunction to verses that speak of what Jesus said about BELIEVING in Him and that NO works will save anyone(numerous passages)????

 

[MahogonySnail]

Given that in Hebrews 3 the author contrasts the situation with the Israelites coming out of Egypt and falling in the desert, never coming to the promised land.
Do you also believe that the Israelites only hypothetically fell in the desert? But all made it to the promised land anyway?

I don't see any indication in those passages that they are hypotheticals.
Does this mean Hebrews 10 is hypothetical also? And if not, how can you tell the difference between what is hypothetical and what isn't?

What does that sound like to those who believe one can lose their salvation? Sounds like if you EVER commited a sin after you were supposedly saved you are doomed to hellfire wiithout hope

Well no, it doesn't really sound like that to me, it is talking about falling away, a complete falling away which is not talking about sins committed in weakness.

 

[Rosinsky]

[/I]Rosk, you have not come here to clarify Hebrews, you came here to criticize me based upon you not approving of how I do things.....I use the Word as a WHOLE. You cannot come here and declare I cannot use such and such Scripture because it validates what I am saying! Perhaps you would be as so kind to interpret all of Hebrews if you think you can be of help.

RoaringKitten,

I am not telling you this to criticize you. I am telling it to you because it is wrong and very misleading (for you), and when you do that you are not interpreting the text. You are simply enforcing what you already believe. The interpretation you gave did not come from the text. I have gone down that path before until it was revealed to me how wrong it was to do such things. You should use the bible as a whole to teach that one cannot lose his/her salvation. However, this is for a specific text - you have to explain this text from what the text says. I told you this and I am telling it to you out of love

I also totally agree with you that you cannot lose your salvation, so I believe you are on the right path. You just need to dig a little deeper. I am actually meditating on this scripture, have been for the past few hours, because someone had already asked me about it even before you posted this thread.

So I will contribute to this thread as soon as I am ready.

May God bless you and keep up the good work!

 

[Baptistrw]

For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins [Heb. 10:26].

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God! Simon Peter said, “For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them” (2 Pet. 2:21). The warning is to the Hebrew believers because many of them were continuing to go to the temple and some were actually offering sacrifices there. They were keeping up a front, pretending that they were still under the Mosaic Law. In so doing they also were making it clear that the sacrifice of Christ was meaningless to them. Since the animal sacrifices prefigured Christ’s sacrifice, now that Christ had died on the cross, all of that was fulfilled. Therefore, what before had been done in obedience to God’s command, now has become willful sin. To continue to offer blood sacrifices which had been fulfilled by Christ was a frightful, terrible thing. They were acting as if the temple sacrifices were going on forever. The writer to the Hebrews is telling them that they cannot look to the temple any more, because there is no longer a sacrifice for sin. If a person rejects the truth of Christ’s death for sin, there is no other sacrifice for sin available, and there is no other way to come to God. They are to look to Christ now rather than to the temple. If they refuse to do this, there is nothing left for them but judgment. The Word of God is very expressive in this connection.
“If we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth.” This means to go on sinning willfully by offering the sacrifices. It is an attitude toward the Word of God which God calls willful rebellion. There is no more sacrifice in the Old Testament or the New Testament for presumptuous sins.
McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible with J. Vernon McGee

 

[Baptistrw]

But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries [Heb. 10:27].

If the death of Christ over nineteen hundred years ago was not adequate, then nothing is adequate. God is not going to do something else to redeem us. Christ is not going to die again—and, of course, it is not necessary for Him to do so. It becomes willful disobedience on the part of those who “have received the knowledge of the truth” to continue with the temple ritual and offering of sacrifices.
Now he will make a comparison.


He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses [Heb. 10:28].

Now note the comparison—


Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? [Heb. 10:29].

This is probably the most solemn statement in the Word of God.
“Wherewith he was sanctified” refers to Christ, the Son of God. They crucified “to themselves the Son of God afresh” (Heb. 6:6). To act as if the death of Christ is inadequate to settle the sin question, and to go on as if He had not died, is to treat the blood of Christ as something you despise. Knowledge creates responsibility. If, after you have heard the gospel, you turn your back on Jesus Christ—my friend, someone ought to tell you that you are going to hell! This is not what I say; it is what God says.
McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible with J. Vernon McGee, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers) 2000, c1981.

 

[Abing]

oh my gosh. this has totally gone bad...

 

[carpetmanswife]

abing abing abing* hands on hips* shakes head* did u really expect anything different ..??

 

[roaringkitten]

I also totally agree with you that you cannot lose your salvation, so I believe you are on the right path. You just need to dig a little deeper. I am actually meditating on this scripture, have been for the past few hours, because someone had already asked me about it even before you posted this thread.

Rosk, thank you for the encouragement.........I do admit that Hebrews is sometimes very difficult to understand(said by many Christians in fact), and that sometimes you will get different interpretations.....I think Baptistrw nailed it right on the head.....I am not well versed in parts of the Old Testament, as much as I should(in terms of the mosaic traditions, etc)......But I find myself battling professing Christians that completely misunderstand what the work of Christ did on the cross!!!That is what offends me. I'm sure you meant well, I will try and study Hebrews more and more, but we can both agree that the Word never contradicts itself....So if Jesus says he COMPLETELY saves, then He most definately will! And to look at passages and think that might seem to say Christians can lose their salvation must mean we misinterpreted the passage.....

 

[roaringkitten]

Abby and carpetsmanswife, you might as well contribute to the thread if you're going to say things that dont help us understand this part of Hebrews...If you cant its probably better to think those thoughts to yourself.....This is serious business....Nothing to be mocked.....If someone goes to hell because they believed partly in their works that is the most horrible thing anyone could ever do!

Read this verse again btw:

“And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But IF IT BE OF WORKS, THEN IT IS NO MORE GRACE: otherwise work is no more work.” Romans 11:6

It is NOT partly works and partly grace(Christ and works). It is either completely grace or completely by works....The Word says it is completely by GRACE. It is not of yourselves, it is not of works! If bad works could get us lost when it required no good works to begin with to get saved, how can that make sense to lose salvation on the basis of bad works? This makes me suspicious that you really believe a works gospel in disguise...

 

[NoahsDad]

But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries [Heb. 10:27].

If the death of Christ over nineteen hundred years ago was not adequate, then nothing is adequate. God is not going to do something else to redeem us. Christ is not going to die again—and, of course, it is not necessary for Him to do so. It becomes willful disobedience on the part of those who “have received the knowledge of the truth” to continue with the temple ritual and offering of sacrifices.
Now he will make a comparison.


He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses [Heb. 10:28].

Now note the comparison—


Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? [Heb. 10:29].

This is probably the most solemn statement in the Word of God.
“Wherewith he was sanctified” refers to Christ, the Son of God. They crucified “to themselves the Son of God afresh” (Heb. 6:6). To act as if the death of Christ is inadequate to settle the sin question, and to go on as if He had not died, is to treat the blood of Christ as something you despise. Knowledge creates responsibility. If, after you have heard the gospel, you turn your back on Jesus Christ—my friend, someone ought to tell you that you are going to hell! This is not what I say; it is what God says.
McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible with J. Vernon McGee, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers) 2000, c1981.

RW!!!!!!!!!!!Thats the First sensable thing
I've ever heard you say.......WAIT.....That was J.Vernon......no wonder it made so much sense...........AMEN to this interpretation..............And Roaring ...........get a clue!

 

[Baptistrw]

RW!!!!!!!!!!!Thats the First sensable thing
I've ever heard you say.......WAIT.....That was J.Vernon......no wonder it made so much sense...........AMEN to this interpretation..............And Roaring ...........get a clue!

McGee was a good expositor and interpreter in his day, he died about 20 years ago but his study lives on. He said it better than I could have

 

[NoahsDad]

Amen RW! I Love J.Vernon........Pastor McGee Had A big hand in teaching me how to study the bible.........and the Leading the Way radio show aswell. Theres another guy who I think you may find interesting......E.W.Bulinger.........you should look his books up on www.philologos.com
Free e.books got John Bunyun on there too.

 

[carpetmanswife]

Abby and carpetsmanswife, you might as well contribute to the thread if you're going to say things that dont help us understand this part of Hebrews...If you cant its probably better to think those thoughts to yourself.....This is serious business....Nothing to be mocked.....If someone goes to hell because they believed partly in their works that is the most horrible thing anyone could ever do!

Read this verse again btw:

“And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But IF IT BE OF WORKS, THEN IT IS NO MORE GRACE: otherwise work is no more work.” Romans 11:6

It is NOT partly works and partly grace(Christ and works). It is either completely grace or completely by works....The Word says it is completely by GRACE. It is not of yourselves, it is not of works! If bad works could get us lost when it required no good works to begin with to get saved, how can that make sense to lose salvation on the basis of bad works? This makes me suspicious that you really believe a works gospel in disguise...

my dear i wasnt mockin this thread at all..plz leave me out of this mess

 

[Baptistrw]

Amen RW! I Love J.Vernon........Pastor McGee Had A big hand in teaching me how to study the bible.........and the Leading the Way radio show aswell. Theres another guy who I think you may find interesting......E.W.Bulinger.........you should look his books up on www.philologos.com
Free e.books got John Bunyun on there too.

Ah Bulinger rings as a bell, I'll check that link out. One of our missionaries gave me McGee's electronic Bible study library last week and I've been using his Through the Bible commentary alot.

 

[NoahsMom]

I know thats right.