Question about Hebrews 6:4-6

[Not David]

I have heard in CF that those verses teach that Apostates can't comeback to the faith. Even I heard about a group called Novatianism. Could you explain me what's it about?

 

[ArmyMatt]

I think it's the apostates who persist in their apostasy. so like Arius, the ordained priest, who tried to come back into communion with the rest of the Church, but still rejecting Nicaea.

 

[Not David]

I think it's the apostates who persist in their apostasy. so like Arius, the ordained priest, who tried to come back into communion with the rest of the Church, but still rejecting Nicaea.

Why do the verses make it sound Apostasy is such a grave offense by saying "it's impossible to be back in repentance"?

 

[ArmyMatt]

Why do the verses make it sound Apostasy is such a grave offense by saying "it's impossible to be back in repentance"?

because it is grave. even though the Church does admit apostates back into communion (and some are saints), it's often with a lot of penance.

 

[eleos1954]

I have heard in CF that those verses teach that Apostates can't comeback to the faith. Even I heard about a group called Novatianism. Could you explain me what's it about?

Hebrews 10:26
If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains,

Anyone in a constant non-repentant state. Then it is blasphemy ... continual refusal of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that makes us aware of our sins and the Holy Spirit works in/on everyone.

Matthew 12:32
Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the one to come.

If the person dies (earthly death) in a non-repentant state then they are lost.
When Jesus returns those alive at that time, if found in a non-repentant state, they are lost.

So, as long as they are alive here on earth there is the possibility.

Revelation 2:4

4But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.5Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lamp stand from its place, unless you repent.

God Bless.

 

[buzuxi02]

This was a big deal in the Church of Carthage (North Africa). Originally the lapsed seeking to comeback were not re-admitted. They would get certificates of commendations from the confessors (those who never betrayed Christ and were imprisoned and even awaiting execution). There are many epistles from St. Cyprian of Carthage mentioning this practise. Finally church councils allowed the readmittance of the lapsed under heavy penance. Besides the Novations this lead to the Donatist schism. Donatists rejected clergy who were formerly of the lapsed.
This was not limited to apostasy. In the Shepherd of Hermas it only allows one foregiveness for a cheating spouse. If a spouse continues to cheat they fall under the admonishment of Hebrews 6:4-6 and the believing spouse is instructed not to take them back.