THURSDAY October 30, 2025
Renewed Repentance
For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.
Hebrews 6:4-6
Bible scholars have different interpretations of Hebrews 6, which have caused much argument and debate. One suggests that these verses describe the sin of apostasy and that a Christian can lose their salvation. Another interpretation states these people were almost saved, but altogether fell away from trusting Christ. Yet another has said that what Paul taught only related to the Jews while they made ongoing sacrifices and offerings in theTemple.
This text is problematic for Calvinists establishing their doctrine of election. They believe only certain people can be saved, based on God’s election. Therefore, they also believe that the people Paul warned were never truly Christians. I disagree with that. Although these verses gave a warning to the Jewish believers, let us examine the text to establish whether or not they were true Christians. First, they are described as enlightened. They have been fully exposed to the Gospel message and had received the gift of the Holy Spirit. Second, they had tasted the heavenly gift––salvation. Third, once again, they were partakers of the Holy Spirit.
There has to be a balance with interpreting the Scriptures. God has made salvation available to everyone, not only certain people: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). God has created us with a will. We can choose salvation through Jesus Christ, or we can reject Him. We are not puppets on a string. In God’s foreknowledge, He already knows who will be saved.
Satan will twist the Scriptures to condemn a person. Listen, there is a time to warn and rebuke those who are straying from the truth, but God is open to receive and restore the backslidden Christian through true repentance.
“Return, you backsliding children, and I will heal your backsliding.”
~Jeremiah 3:22~
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