HEBREWS 6 & 7 IF THEY SHALL FALL AWAY

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Hebrews 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

6:2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

6:3 And this will we do, if God permit.

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,

6:5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

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.

The writer of Hebrews is speaking to Jews who have believed. They would fall away by casting away their confidence in Christ Jesus and not remaining steadfast until the end (Hebrews 3:6 Hebrews 3:14).

They would crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame by reverting back to the Levitical priesthood and the sacrifices. To escape persecution they would knowingly turn away from the profession of faith in Christ Jesus (Hebrews 4:14 Hebrews 10:23).

The Hebrews were being urged to go onto perfection in verse 1. Perfection could not be found in the Levitical priesthood according to Hebrews 7:11.

They could not be renewed again to repentance just as Esau, who gave up his birthright for temporal reward, found no place of repentance that would be able to restore his blessing of inheritance (Hebrews 12:16-17).

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:

6:8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

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

Entrance into the kingdom on earth was conditional. Entrance required faithfulness (Matthew 25:21), fruitfulness(John 15:2), and righteousness (Matthew 5:20). Israel had to be fruitful or be burned in the fire and denied the kingdom ((Hebrews 6:8 Matthew 7:19 Matthew 13:49-50). The unfaithful, unprofitable believer would be denied the kingdom and thrown into outer darkness (Matthew 8:11-12 Matthew 22:13 Matthew 25:30).

6:11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:

6:12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

The Hebrews had to be faithful in order to inherit their promises. In this dispensation of grace we have full assurance of our salvation (2 Corinthians 1:20 Galatians 3:22 1 Corinthians 1:8 Ephesians 1:13).

6:13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,

6:14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.

6:15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

6:18 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:

The two immutable things are found in the oath "Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee."

Israel had full assurance of their promises by the immutable oath of God if they remained faithful and steadfast to endure until the end.

7:1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;

7:2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;

7:3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.

Melchisedec was not the Son of God, but was made like unto the Son of God (Hebrews 7:15).

7:11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

Israel was to be perfect (Deuteronomy 18:13 Matthew 5:48). Neither the Levitical priesthood, nor the law, could make the believers perfect.

7:12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

The law had to be changed by necessity in order to accommodate the change of priesthood. The law was only changed in respect to the priesthood.

7:28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.

The word of the oath has established an anchor of hope which can never fail the believer. The word of the oath has forever made Christ Jesus, the Son of God, a priest after the order of Melchisedec.