Falling Away?

[FaithfulPilgrim]

Warning: Get ready for a wall of text.

I was reading through Hebrews when a verse caught my attention. "It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting Him to public disgrace." -Hebrews 6:4 (NIV)

This verse greatly concerns me. I grew up a Christian and always believed in God. I had always believed that Jesus was my Lord and Savior, but in the 10th grade I was questioning my faith (I was studying Deism and found it appealing. I wondered why I was a Christian and decided that I was just blindly following my parents and so I converted to Deism.

It lasted about an hour until I felt guilty and went back to Christianity. I do not know if that counted as falling away as it was only an hour and I was a teenager, so I was probably just being silly and indecisive.

By switching to Deism, I had fallen away, but I knew it was wrong. Despite calling myself a Deist, I knew Christianity was true, I just liked the idea of Deism. Deists reject that Jesus is the Son of God, even though I called myself one, I do not think I actually rejected him, my brain was like "He might be and He might not be" while in my heart I knew that He is.

The reason I found Deism appealing is that I am a very analytical person and I liked how the Deists portrayed God. At this time I was a Christian by beliefs, but I did not care if I did good works and tried to fit God into a Deistic perspective while still be Christian (believing that Jesus as the Son of God.) I was cold and apathetic and liked the Deistic God as a passive and neutral observer.

However, about a month ago, I do not know what stirred me to, but I started to study the bible more and living like a Christian (or at least trying to.) I do struggle with one sin that is an on and off thing for me. (I will not say what it is as it is kind of embarrassing and has negative connotations. He keep praying to God to help me overcome it and I might prevail for a day or two before I do it again. I want to overcome it but it is hard.

In either of these two cases, have I fallen away? If so, is it too late to go back to God, or am I doom to condemnation in hell?

 

[Avid]

... In either of these two cases, have I fallen away? If so, is it too late to go back to God, or am I doom to condemnation in hell?

You may get an answer from a knowledgeable person who wrote a book on that subject!!! I'll tell you where you can read it.

It is important to realize that, if you are concerned, to seek the LORD. If you have actually fallen away in the terms of Hebrews 6 or Hebrews 10, you would not likely be very concerned.

Try, as you say you have, to seek the LORD to help you understand. There was a time I had similar concerns, but it was because of the conviction of God trying to bring me back. He needed to show me things that would make me afraid to go away any farther. That may be what you are dealing with. Do not take it lightly. Here is a book that would do you good.

I had bought and read a number of small books like this one, and that helped greatly. You may do that much easier than I did. Most of them are available on the website where this one is. Notice the full title of the following book. It had a deep spiritual impact upon me those many years ago...

T H E
BARREN FIG-TREE;
OR,
THE DOOM AND DOWNFALL OF THE FRUITLESS PROFESSOR:
SHOWING, THAT THE DAY OF GRACE MAY BE PAST WITH HIM
LONG BEFORE HIS LIFE IS ENDED;
THE SIGNS ALSO BY WHICH SUCH MISERABLE MORTALS MAY BE KNOWN.

BY JOHN BUNYAN
London, 1688.
​

http://www.achristianspirit.com/BarrenFig.html

Read this short book written over 325 years ago. Very powerful, and very helpful with what you are asking.

 

[BrokenWarrior]

Hello Brother,

I've had similar issues in the past as well, and came upon this passage like yourself, and was terrified.

Well in my study of it (if I remember correctly) I found that it meant:"Those who accept Christ, then reject Him, turning to something else for Salvation(such as the Law of Moses), are condemned".

So it comes down to if you rejected Christ and believed in something else. Did you in your heart reject Christ?

I agree with Avid, beings you are even concerned, sounds like you didn't truly reject Him in your heart.

I suggest a ton of meditation, seeking The Lord with a trembling body, and pray He will show you the way.

I hope this helped you. If you have ANY questions whatsoever during your searching, feel free without hesitation to pm me. And I will give you the most Scripturaly based answer that God will reveal to me.

God Bless Brother!
-The Current Lowest Servant

 

[1watchman]

Concerning the verses in Hebrews 6, it is speaking of religious thoughts, but not in fullness of faith and trust in the Savior, and is rejecting Him ---saying: "...it is impossible for those who were once enlightened (made aware of the truth of salvation), and have tasted (fully known) of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers (understood the power) of the Holy Spirit; and have tasted the good Word of God (promises of God), and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away (refuse), to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put Him to an open shame."

There is much profession in the world without reality of faith and trust of God's Word --misapplying Scripture, and reasoning about things for personal preferences. Salvation is a relationship with the Savior (see 1 Jn. 5: 10-12).

 

[4x4toy]

Warning: Get ready for a wall of text.

I was reading through Hebrews when a verse caught my attention. "It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting Him to public disgrace." -Hebrews 6:4 (NIV)

This verse greatly concerns me. I grew up a Christian and always believed in God. I had always believed that Jesus was my Lord and Savior, but in the 10th grade I was questioning my faith (I was studying Deism and found it appealing. I wondered why I was a Christian and decided that I was just blindly following my parents and so I converted to Deism.

It lasted about an hour until I felt guilty and went back to Christianity. I do not know if that counted as falling away as it was only an hour and I was a teenager, so I was probably just being silly and indecisive.

By switching to Deism, I had fallen away, but I knew it was wrong. Despite calling myself a Deist, I knew Christianity was true, I just liked the idea of Deism. Deists reject that Jesus is the Son of God, even though I called myself one, I do not think I actually rejected him, my brain was like "He might be and He might not be" while in my heart I knew that He is.

The reason I found Deism appealing is that I am a very analytical person and I liked how the Deists portrayed God. At this time I was a Christian by beliefs, but I did not care if I did good works and tried to fit God into a Deistic perspective while still be Christian (believing that Jesus as the Son of God.) I was cold and apathetic and liked the Deistic God as a passive and neutral observer.

However, about a month ago, I do not know what stirred me to, but I started to study the bible more and living like a Christian (or at least trying to.) I do struggle with one sin that is an on and off thing for me. (I will not say what it is as it is kind of embarrassing and has negative connotations. He keep praying to God to help me overcome it and I might prevail for a day or two before I do it again. I want to overcome it but it is hard.

In either of these two cases, have I fallen away? If so, is it too late to go back to God, or am I doom to condemnation in hell?

God loves you the same , there is nothing you can or cannot do for him to love you more or less .. Keep seeking your salvation with fear and trembling , stay humble and repentant .. You will be tried and tested until you get victory

 

[4x4toy]

I had been told that Hebrews 6 was pertaining to Christian Jews who had went back to relying on the law instead of continuing on with faith in "Jesus only" for salvation .. Thoughts ?

 

[JLR1300]

I had been told that Hebrews 6 was pertaining to Christian Jews who had went back to relying on the law instead of continuing on with faith in "Jesus only" for salvation .. Thoughts ?

Yes, that is the situation. Hebrews was written to Hebrew people (Jews) who had changed their minds about Judaism ("repented") and left the synagogues and had joined the Christian movement. They claimed to be saved... but a few among them were considering returning to Judaism to keep from being persecuted for being known as Christians. So the writer of Hebrews warns them that if their faith is so phoney as to allow them to abandon Christianity and renounce the faith then they most definitely will have cut themselves off from their only hope of salvation and that there will be no way to renew them to repent of Judaism again and bring them back to Christianity again.

Of course we have no reason to think that most of these Christians ever really returned to Judaism but only that some of them were tempted to do so. There may have been a few among them who were never really saved and so they did leave the Christian movement and go back to Judaism. But that doesn't mean they truly lost their salvation... you cannot do that.

Now in the case of the original poster.. thinking for an hour that you are a deist is not at all what the Hebrews may have done. They were thinking about literally denouncing the faith and publicly returning to Judaism. It was really serious because in those days they had seen the Apostles perform miracles by the power of the Holy Spirit. So to see all of that and be enlightened to that degree and yet to still turn away from Christianity put them in a position in which they would become so spiritually cold that they would never have a desire to truly come to Jesus Christ for salvation.

The original poster most definitely didn't do that.

 

[4x4toy]

Yes, that is the situation. Hebrews was written to Hebrew people (Jews) who had changed their minds about Judaism ("repented") and left the synagogues and had joined the Christian movement. They claimed to be saved... but a few among them were considering returning to Judaism to keep from being persecuted for being known as Christians. So the writer of Hebrews warns them that if their faith is so phoney as to allow them to abandon Christianity and renounce the faith then they most definitely will have cut themselves off from their only hope of salvation and that there will be no way to renew them to repent of Judaism again and bring them back to Christianity again.

Of course we have no reason to think that most of these Christians ever really returned to Judaism but only that some of them were tempted to do so. There may have been a few among them who were never really saved and so they did leave the Christian movement and go back to Judaism. But that doesn't mean they truly lost their salvation... you cannot do that.

Now in the case of the original poster.. thinking for an hour that you are a deist is not at all what the Hebrews may have done. They were thinking about literally denouncing the faith and publicly returning to Judaism. It was really serious because in those days they had seen the Apostles perform miracles by the power of the Holy Spirit. So to see all of that and be enlightened to that degree and yet to still turn away from Christianity put them in a position in which they would become so spiritually cold that they would never have a desire to truly come to Jesus Christ for salvation.

The original poster most definitely didn't do that.

Very nice explanation , also the plan of the devil always back fires on him in this .. Many , many Christians who suffer when thinking they have commited the ultimate sin actually wakes them up to true fear of God , then suddenly seek that straight and narrow path we were called to .. Glory to God !!!

 

[lismore]

Yes, that is the situation. Hebrews was written to Hebrew people (Jews) who had changed their minds about Judaism ("repented") and left the synagogues and had joined the Christian movement. They claimed to be saved... but a few among them were considering returning to Judaism to keep from being persecuted for being known as Christians. So the writer of Hebrews warns them that if their faith is so phoney as to allow them to abandon Christianity and renounce the faith then they most definitely will have cut themselves off from their only hope of salvation and that there will be no way to renew them to repent of Judaism again and bring them back to Christianity again.

Of course we have no reason to think that most of these Christians ever really returned to Judaism but only that some of them were tempted to do so. There may have been a few among them who were never really saved and so they did leave the Christian movement and go back to Judaism. But that doesn't mean they truly lost their salvation... you cannot do that.

Now in the case of the original poster.. thinking for an hour that you are a deist is not at all what the Hebrews may have done. They were thinking about literally denouncing the faith and publicly returning to Judaism. It was really serious because in those days they had seen the Apostles perform miracles by the power of the Holy Spirit. So to see all of that and be enlightened to that degree and yet to still turn away from Christianity put them in a position in which they would become so spiritually cold that they would never have a desire to truly come to Jesus Christ for salvation.

The original poster most definitely didn't do that.

Hello Friend

Yes I believe that is what the passage in Hebrews is referring to. Jewish background believers tempted to go back into Judaism, going back to animal sacrifice for their salvation.

In the earlier chapters of Hebrews it addresses this in progression: The son superior to angels, Jesus greater than Moses, Jesus the Great High Priest etc.

Hebrews 6 warns that following Jesus is the only way to go.

Amen, God Bless You

 

[Avid]

I had been told that Hebrews 6 was pertaining to Christian Jews who had went back to relying on the law instead of continuing on with faith in "Jesus only" for salvation .. Thoughts ?

If any of us were Jewish, and did this as described in the above replies, that would be what they could expect. Do not imagine that is does not apply if you aren't Jewish. Whatever sin or sinful existence you return to after you say you left it for the love and salvation of Jesus Christ, would be the same situation before the LORD.

Ezekiel 33
18 When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby.
19 But if the wicked turn from his wickedness, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall live thereby.

II Peter 2
20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
21 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.
22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
​

This principle is mentioned and expounded by others in the scriptures - New and Old Testament. I had suggested a good book that deals with this principle. Anyone concerned about how God sees their life should read that book, and heed the warnings. No one but YOU must be called to account for your life. The same is true for me.

 

[JLR1300]

Well of course you are right that if anyone, whether Jewish or not, is enlightened enough and gains enough knowledge about Christianity that they join a Christian church and temporarily reform their behavior ... but then subsequently they become offended and leave the Christian movement and return to a wicked lifestyle permanently... it may very well happen that the Holy Spirit never convicts them or enlightens them again and so they are in a hopeless condition.

However, I would say a thing or two about these types of persons...

1. People like this were never really saved in the first place. They had been convicted and enlightened to some degree. They knew quite a bit intellectually about the Christian faith. They decided to reform their behavior. Unfortunately, however, they never understood that Christianity isn't just about being good morally and attempting to live like Jesus would live. Unless a person trusts the blood of Jesus to justify him before God apart from works... he is not saved and thus will probably eventually fall away from his apparent love of Christ and his attachment to the Christian movement. The apostle John had experience with people just like this and he said that People who join up with the Christians and then later become offended and leave were never really saved in the first place.

He says..."they went out from us, but they were not of us, for if they had been of us they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest that none of them were of us" 1st John 2:19

Also John says that "whoever is born of God overcomes the world" 1st John 5:4

So the ones who leave the way of Christ and fail to overcome were never actually of us and never born of God in the first place.

2. No one today has been enlightened to the same extent as those Hebrew people. They had witnessed miracles performed by Apostles. So they were much more without excuse than people today who have seen no such things and have not been enlightened to that degree. As long as you desire to really believe in Jesus you may.

In the verse you quoted from Peter it says that some people escape the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of Christ but later return to them and are worse off than before. That often happens. People need more than just knowledge. Many times a non-elect person gains enough knowledge about Christ to realize that he should live a godly life. So he reforms his behavior. Unfortunately, it takes more than knowledge to be saved. We must also trust in the work of Christ at the cross to deliver us from the wrath of God. If we do not trust Jesus to save us by His blood and not our works we are not saved. Having enough knowledge to temporarily reform your behavior is not salvation and it will not last.

In Ezekiel when it says ... if the righteous turns from his righteousness he shall die and if the wicked turns from his wickedness he shall live... What is the context?

The context is that God was going to send foreign armies (Babylonians) to attack Judah for their sins and many Jews would be slaughtered. If an individual turned from his sin God would spare him and he would live. If he didn't he would die. This is talking about reforming your lifestyle so that God wouldn't punish you with physical death. These passages have nothing whatsoever to do with the question of how to obtain eternal life.

 

[4x4toy]

If any of us were Jewish, and did this as described in the above replies, that would be what they could expect. Do not imagine that is does not apply if you aren't Jewish. Whatever sin or sinful existence you return to after you say you left it for the love and salvation of Jesus Christ, would be the same situation before the LORD.

Ezekiel 33
18 When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby.
19 But if the wicked turn from his wickedness, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall live thereby.

II Peter 2
20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
21 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.
22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
​

This principle is mentioned and expounded by others in the scriptures - New and Old Testament. I had suggested a good book that deals with this principle. Anyone concerned about how God sees their life should read that book, and heed the warnings. No one but YOU must be called to account for your life. The same is true for me.

All you say is true but also needs saying is ..
If you are saved , you will still sin .. Proof of salvation is conviction of sin through the Word .. A man who refuses correction is a bastard and has no father .. Through testing and trials we receive report cards during our walk , we pass , we fail , we continue seeking perfection through the Spirit .. If a demon goes out of a man then returns to find his heart clean swept and empty , that demon will enter in and take7 more demons and the last state of that man will be worse than before .. We must fill our hearts with the Living Word .. My people perish for lack of knowledge .. The Publican stands on the corner and says God , look at me , ain't I great ? The sinner wouldn't even look up and says God , have mercy on me , I am a sinner.. The Father says to his wayward son .. My son was lost, now he is found , put a ring on his finger and get a robe and put on him , kill the fatted calf because we celebrate his return today..

 

[iLove]

Hebrews 6:4-6 KJV means you can't sin your salvation away, however you can renounce it. You can reject your faith. God had made it so difficult to do unless you meet the five qualifications mentioned in this scripture as a mature Christian and ignorance does not count. So it is possible but God has made it extremely difficult.

The Lord’s Grace to Paul

"12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus." 1 Timothy 1:12-14


Jesus Grace tops sin. All Christians are Holy, sanctified, and righteous by what Jesus did, not by what we do. Being Holy, sanctified, and righteous is not based on your behavior. If you believe in Jesus and believe what the blood has done you are Holy, sanctified, righteous, and redeemed. Your spirit has been sealed with Jesus so the good can't get out, and the bad can't get in. Hebrews 10:10 says, "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."The question is do you believe it?

For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins, = Unbelief, you do not believe Jesus is the finial sacrifice for your sins. Which means there are no more sacrifices.

 

[JLR1300]

I believe that anyone who renounces the Christian faith and never returns to it for the rest of his life was never really saved in the first place. It has been said that "a faith that falters had a flaw from the first!"

Now some true believers like Peter can deny Christ for a short time ...but Christ has prayed for them that their faith will not fail and so they will be brought back to God. Since John says that "whoever is born of God overcomes the world"... we know that if a person really is born of God they will ultimately overcome. They won't deny the faith permanently. A saved person cannot do that without being sorry and returning to his faith in Christ.

 

[Avid]

All you say is true but also needs saying is ..
If you are saved , you will still sin...

It does seem this fellow needs our encouragement to keep sinning!

 

[4x4toy]

It does seem this fellow needs our encouragement to keep sinning!

1 John 1:7-9

 

[Avid]

1 John 1:7-9

This same Apostle wrote in this same letter:

I John 3
4 ¶ Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
​

Now either he did not know exactly what he was talking about or your point is not valid.

 

[Avid]

... For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins, = Unbelief, you do not believe Jesus is the finial sacrifice for your sins. Which means there are no more sacrifices.

Whether the person was ever a Christian, or was never a Christian is for God to determine. What you have stated is very close, as the word of God states that it is impossible for someone, who has done what he states here, to be redeemed, seeing it would require Jesus to be sacrificed afresh, which will not happen. There may be people in religions that think they do this CONTINUALLY, but scripture said Jesus' sacrifice was ONCE for ALL. (Heb.10:10)

 

[4x4toy]

This same Apostle wrote in this same letter:

I John 3
4 ¶ Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
​

Now either he did not know exactly what he was talking about or your point is not valid.

Once again you are right , and I whole heartedly agree with all you've posted .. I have street witnessed , visited hospitals , nursing homes , door to door , went in crack houses to snatch backslidden Christians out , went in outlaws motorcycle club house to preach Jesus and saw the leader get saved , laid hands on the sick ,led hitchhikers to Jesus , service stations , over the phone at 2 in the morning , just about my whole family, witnessed to most everyone I have ever worked with , seen many miracles and answered prayer , persecuted , backslid and redeemed , wrestled with sin , tempted , won victories , been slandered , experienced just about every gift of the Spirit , visions , dreams , just to name a few .. And like the OP talked to many who are over taken in doubt or fear of which I've talked to many who I think need love and acceptance .. A smoldering fire He will not extinguish and a bruised reed He will not break , and all things are important but not all things are expedient .. I think both our posts are important and blend perfect but I'll take the back seat .. Scripture is never wrong and I admire you and your stance .. I have nothing to brag about but Jesus .. Love and Peace Brother

 

[OzSpen]

Warning: Get ready for a wall of text.

I was reading through Hebrews when a verse caught my attention. "It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting Him to public disgrace." -Hebrews 6:4 (NIV)

This verse greatly concerns me. I grew up a Christian and always believed in God. I had always believed that Jesus was my Lord and Savior, but in the 10th grade I was questioning my faith (I was studying Deism and found it appealing. I wondered why I was a Christian and decided that I was just blindly following my parents and so I converted to Deism.

It lasted about an hour until I felt guilty and went back to Christianity. I do not know if that counted as falling away as it was only an hour and I was a teenager, so I was probably just being silly and indecisive.

By switching to Deism, I had fallen away, but I knew it was wrong. Despite calling myself a Deist, I knew Christianity was true, I just liked the idea of Deism. Deists reject that Jesus is the Son of God, even though I called myself one, I do not think I actually rejected him, my brain was like "He might be and He might not be" while in my heart I knew that He is.

The reason I found Deism appealing is that I am a very analytical person and I liked how the Deists portrayed God. At this time I was a Christian by beliefs, but I did not care if I did good works and tried to fit God into a Deistic perspective while still be Christian (believing that Jesus as the Son of God.) I was cold and apathetic and liked the Deistic God as a passive and neutral observer.

However, about a month ago, I do not know what stirred me to, but I started to study the bible more and living like a Christian (or at least trying to.) I do struggle with one sin that is an on and off thing for me. (I will not say what it is as it is kind of embarrassing and has negative connotations. He keep praying to God to help me overcome it and I might prevail for a day or two before I do it again. I want to overcome it but it is hard.

In either of these two cases, have I fallen away? If so, is it too late to go back to God, or am I doom to condemnation in hell?

Spock,


It's important to understand the meaning of 'falling away' in this important and serious text of Heb. 6:4-6. The nature of this apostasy (v. 6) is clarified by an examination of the exegetical considerations of the original language. It is the Greek, parapesontas, aorist participle of parapipto, which Arndt &Gingrich gives the meaning as “fall away, commit apostasy” (1957:626). This is affirmed by Thayer: “to fall away (from the true faith)” (1962:485). Henry Alford states that it is used in 6:6 in a similar sense to “sinning deliberately” in Heb. 10:26, or “falling away (committing apostasy) from the living God” (Heb. 3:12). See also Heb. 10:29 and 2:1, “as pointing out the sin of apostasy from Christ” (Alford, 1875/1976:110).

What is apostasy? It means a defiance of, rebellion against, abandonment of your Christian faith and belief in God. Technically, it is a defection from the Christian faith. It threatens the body of Christ today, just as it did in the first century. That's why the ministry of apologetics is so important to answer the questions and resistance from Christians and non-Christians alike.

While the other word for apostasy/unbelief (apostasia, apistia, aphistemi) is not used here, as it is in Heb. 3:12 (apistia), the lexical understanding of parapipto is that of committing apostasy and the aorist participle indicates a point action in time in the past that happened as fact. Some born-again Christians fell away from the faith and thus committed apostasy.
F. F. Bruce affirms the lexical conclusions:

People who commit this sin, he [the writer of Hebrews] says, cannot be brought back to repentance; by renouncing Christ they put themselves in the position of those who, deliberately refusing His claim to be the Son of God, had Him crucified and exposed to public shame. Those who repudiate the salvation procured by Christ will find none anywhere else (Bruce 1964:124).
​

We must be careful to note that this falling away is extremely tragic because these believers are not

Falling into some sin or error which is dangerous but not deadly; no denial like that of a Peter in a panic of fear, like that of weak Christians. . . ‘And fell away’ (literally ‘to the side,’ para) means to fall away utterly. They fell to such an extent that ‘it is impossible again to renew them unto repentance,’ i.e., again to produce repentance. . . It is the state into which they have fallen which makes renewal to repentance impossible” (Lenski 1966:185-186).
​

This is seen in two phrases in v. 6 that use present tense, continuous action participles. The apostate is:

• “Crucifying once again the Son of God” and
• “Holding him up to contempt”

“Since they are recrucifying for themselves the Son of God and exposing him to public ignominy” as a causal action,

As the tenses show, there is no cessation in this double act. The enormity of these acts is expressed by making ‘the Son of God’ the object of them. They are repeating the awful act of the Jewish Sanhedrin, who crucified Jesus because he said he was the Son of God (Matt. 26:63-66). They are doing this ‘for themselves’ (Lenski 1966:186).

​

The fact that you are here today discussing the time in your life when you left the faith to examine deistic religion and now you are back in this Christian atmosphere, seems to indicate to me that you are renewing your faith. However, I don't know you personally. I can only go on what you said.

The above explanation is taken from this poster's article, 'Once Saved, Always Saved or Once Saved, Lost Again?'

Oz


Works consulted
Alford, H 1875/1976, Alford’s Greek testament: An exegetical and critical commentary, vol. 4, Pt. 1, Guardian Press, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Arndt, W F & Gingrich, F W, 1957, A Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament, trans. & adapt. of Bauer, W, The University of Chicago Press (limited edition, Zondervan Publishing House), Chicago.

Bruce, F F 1964, The epistle to the Hebrews, series in Bruce FF (gen ed), The New International Commentary on the New Testament, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Lenski, R C H 1966, The interpretation of the epistle to the Hebrews and the epistle of James, Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis, Minnesota.