The Danger of Apostasy - Hebrews 6:1-12

By David Woods

This scripture inspires fear in the hearts of many Christians. Many are deathly afraid that somehow they will commit an unpardonable sin and be unable to receive Christ’s forgiveness and, ultimately, live in Heaven eternally with Christ. This scripture does not support the idea that in a singular moment a person can lose his or her salvation irretrievably. How can we be so sure? Let us first look at the definition of sin.

Discussion: What is sin?
(Answer: Sin is a willful transgression of a known law of God.)

Discussion: What is the one thing that separates us from God’s love?
(Answer: Committed sin.)

Discussion: What does the Bible say is the remedy for sins we commit?
(Answer: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, 1 John 1:9.)

Discussion: If God promises to forgive us of all our sins, can any sin a person commits cause him or her to be lost without hope of salvation if he or she genuinely repents? Why?
(Answer: No. If Hebrews 6 teaches that God will not forgive of all our sins no matter how “bad” they are, it contradicts the general tenor of scripture. Note: It is my opinion that the unpardonable sin of blaspheming the Holy Spirit is not unpardonable because of the words said, but because of the unrepentant attitude of the person.)

Hebrews 6:1-12 backs up this line of reasoning. Beacon Bible Commentary says the Greek words translated as “If they shall fall away” should be translated “having fallen away.” This commentary further says the Greek word used here “implies a separation between the thing or person and something else, a falling from. This is not a stumbling in the Christian way, but a departure from it. The word as here used can refer only to a deliberate rejection of Jesus Christ…. As long as men who once knew Christ are now shaming Him openly by their apostasy, renewal of genuine religious repentance is both a moral and a psychological impossibility.”

It is important for us to establish the correct understanding of this scripture so that we do not undermine the faith of sincere, but struggling, Christians. At the same time, we must not dilute the import of these words. The Hebrews writer is definitely saying that we can lose our salvation, and that for good if we continue in our reprobate state.

Discussion: Consider the terrible condition of those who lose their salvation? What blessings have they forfeited? What judgment will they face?

Discussion: Consider further the state of those who continue in their apostate condition.

Discussion: How could one-time Christians sink to such spiritual depths?

Now that we understand what this scripture is not saying, now let us consider what it is saying. The exhortation in verse one is that the Christians would no longer dawdle in elementary Christian doctrines, but would press on to “perfection.” This perfection does not refer to general Christian maturity; rather, it refers to obtaining the experience of Christian perfection, also known as entire sanctification.

Discussion: Why would people want to stay in Christian “first-grade”? (Reasons may include the following.)

1. The teaching is easier to understand and accept
2. Fear of the unknown, responsibility, and/or accountability before God and man
3. Lack of commitment

Verse twelve encourages us not to be slothful, but to follow or imitate those who have inherited the promises. This reference, together with Hebrews 3:7-19, seem to indicate that the Hebrews writer is drawing a parallel between the Israelites approaching Canaan and carnal Christians who are being challenged with the need for entire sanctification.

Discussion: Why did the Israelites fail to enter the Promised Land?
(Distrust that God would/could provide, fear of the unknown, incomplete submission to God’s will, etc.)

Discussion: Why do believers fail to seek entire sanctification?
(Often this failure is due to many of the same reasons - they want to be God’s children, but they do not really trust God with their lives. Furthermore, their consecration to God is incomplete. They want control over part of their lives. This problem can be exacerbated by the failure of churches to teach the necessity of entire sanctification or the denial that this work of grace is possible. This problem can also be made worse by family and friends who have “plans” for their children’s success in life which may or may not be in God’s will, but because of the parent’s pushing, the children are distracted from truly submitting themselves completely to God.)

Discussion: Why do seeking believers fail to receive entire sanctification?

Pianos are one of the most difficult objects to move. Somehow, when pianos need to be moved, they need to be moved to or through some of the most inaccessible places found on earth - up long flights of stairs, around tight corners, or through narrow doorways.

Let us suppose you are moving a piano and you need one more person to help your group. You could move it without another person, but it would be extreme difficult. Let us also suppose the only other available person is one who hates heavy work, complains constantly, and isn’t careful of walls, woodwork, or other furnishings when moving heavy stuff. Furthermore, this person will not truly lift his part of the load; instead he just places his hands in a supportive position of those who are truly carrying the weight.

Discussion: Would you choose to enlist this person’s help, or would you press on with the group you have assembled to help? Why?
(Opinions may vary, but I would suggest that it would be better to go without the help of a lazy whiner than to suffer the dissension and low morale resulting from his “help”.)

The Hebrews writer is teaching us that:

Big Idea:Spiritual laziness is kin to spiritual rebellion.

Discussion: How is a delayed obedience very similar to disobedience?

The Hebrews writer’s concern was not that somehow a Christian might momentarily fall into sin and be lost forever. Rather, he was concerned about carnal Christians who had been encouraged repeatedly to go on to entire sanctification, but were content dabbling on the edges of Christianity and were not willing to submit themselves totally to Christ’s control.

Reflection: Am I completely submitted to Christ’s control or am I trying to get to Heaven with a minimal commitment to Christ?

Reflection: Am I delaying obedience to Christ in certain areas of my life? If so, can I truly say Christ is my “Lord”?