Study of the Book of Hebrews Chapter 6 (APOSTASY) Bible Study

Bible Study for 10/4/2014

We will be Live on Skype This Saturday or Sunday at 1pm and would love to invite you all to join us, as we go through the Word of God. Times and dates subject to change, if you wish to join us and If you have me on Facebook? or use the Contact Us Feature here on the Blog Inbox me, We will have discussions about what we have read and any other questions, about God, the Bible, or questions about life issues, are all welcome. God is here for you and so are we. 

Study of the Book of Hebrews Chapter 6 (APOSTASY) Bible Study 

[Note to Blog Readers :Expositor’s Notes are in Bold Italic Font]

We are going to start Bible study a little different this week. We are going to start with the reading from the Word of God. Lets get started.

Hebrews 6:1-20 (KJV)
APOSTASY 

1 Therefore leaving the Principles of the Doctrine of Christ (speaks of the “first principles,” which refers to the Old Testament; Christ is the Centerpiece of the entirety of the Bible), let us go on unto perfection (speaks of the New Testament Sacrifice, the Lord Jesus, and the Testament He inaugurated with His Work on the Cross); not laying again the Foundation of Repentance from dead works (refers to these Jewish Christians going back to the Old Sacrificial System, etc.), and of Faith toward God (refers to Faith toward God in the realm of the Old Testament Way, which God will not accept now inasmuch as Jesus has fulfilled the Old Testament Law), 2 Of the Doctrine of Baptisms (should have been translated, “the Doctrine of Washings”; this concerned the many “washings” contained in the Old Testament Sacrificial System), and of laying on of hands (goes back to the Levitical Offerings of the Old Testament; when the person brought the animal for Sacrifice, he had to lay his hands on the head of the innocent victim, confessing his sins, thereby transferring them to the innocent animal which would be slain [Lev.16:21]), and of Resurrection of the dead (refers to Resurrection as taught in the Old Testament; there, this Doctrine was very incomplete, even as all Doctrine in the Old Testament was incomplete; the true meaning could not be given until after the Cross and the Resurrection of Christ, which the Lord gave to Paul [I Cor., Chpt. 15]), and of Eternal Judgment. (In the Old Testament, the Lord was looked at more so as a Judge than anything else. Since the Cross, He is looked at more as the Saviour.) 3 And this will we do (in other words, if we don’t do this [refers to going on to the perfection of Christ], the results will be disastrous), if God permit. (This refers to the fact that all dependence must be in Christ and the Cross. God will not allow any other type of Faith.) 4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened (refers to those who have accepted the Light of the Gospel, which means accepting Christ and His great Sacrifice), and have tasted of the Heavenly Gift (pertains to Christ and what He did at the Cross), and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit (which takes place when a person comes to Christ), 5 And have tasted the good Word of God (is not language that is used of an impenitent sinner, as some claim; the unsaved have no relish whatsoever for the Truth of God, and see no beauty in it), and the powers of the world to come (refers to the Work of the Holy Spirit within hearts and lives, which the unsaved cannot have or know), 6 If they shall fall away (should have been translated, “and having fallen away”), to renew them again unto Repentance (“again” states they had once repented, but have now turned their backs on Christ); seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh (means they no longer believe what Christ did at the Cross, actually concluding Him to be an imposter; the only way any person can truly repent is to place his Faith in Christ and the Cross; if that is denied, there is no Repentance), and put Him to an open shame (means to hold Christ up to public ridicule; Paul wrote this Epistle because some Christian Jews were going back into Judaism, or seriously contemplating doing so). 7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that comes oft upon it (presents the Apostle using natural things to represent spiritual realities, which is common throughout Scripture), and brings forth herbs (presents the natural result of ground that is properly cultivated and receives rain; there will be a harvest) meet for them by whom it is dressed (received by individuals who do the cultivating of the land, etc.), receives Blessing from God (presents the inevitable result of proper Faith): 8 But that which bears thorns and briers is rejected (this speaks of Believers who have turned their backs on Christ and the Cross, and now bring forth no proper fruit, but rather “thorns and briars”), and is nigh unto cursing (refers to judgment); whose end is to be burned. (This refers to the simple fact that if a person who was once a Believer remains in that state, he will lose his soul.) 9 But, Beloved (presents the fact that these Christian Jews were not only the object of God’s love, but also of Paul’s care and concern), we are persuaded better things of you (he is speaking specifically to those who were seriously contemplating turning their backs on Christ), and things that accompany Salvation (the Blessings which will come if the Believer properly anchors his Faith in Christ and the Cross), though we thus speak. (The Apostle is not speaking from guesswork, but from many years of experience.) 10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love (presents a glorious and wonderful Promise), which you have showed toward His Name (reflects that everything must be done in His Name), in that you have Ministered to the Saints, and do Minister. (The Apostle is telling these Christian Jews to not turn their backs on what they have previously done.) 11 And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end (don’t stop now!): 12 That you be not slothful (means to be sluggish and lazy toward the things of the Lord), but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the Promises (refers to the Faith worthies of the Old Testament). 

Apostasy, what exactly does this Word mean. Well, from the Wikipedia, it means this; 

 Apostasy in Christianity refers to the rejection of Christianity by someone who formerly was a Christian. The term apostasy comes from the Greek word apostasia ("ἀποστασία") meaning defection, departure, revolt or rebellion. It has been described as "a willful falling away from, or rebellion against, Christianity. Apostasy is the rejection of Christ by one who has been a Christian...."[2] "Apostasy is a theological category describing those who have voluntarily and consciously abandoned their faith in the God of the covenant, who manifests himself most completely in Jesus Christ."[3] "Apostasy is the antonym of conversion; it is deconversion."[1]

According to B. J. Oropeza, the warning passages in the New Testament describe at least three dangers which could lead a Christian to commit apostasy:[4]

Temptations: Christians were tempted to engage in various vices that were a part of their lives before they became Christians (idolatry, sexual immorality, covetousness, etc.).

Deceptions: Christians encountered various heresies and false teachings spread by false teachers and prophets that threatened to seduce them away from their pure devotion to Christ.

Persecutions: Christians were persecuted by the governing powers of the day for their allegiance to Christ. Many Christians were threatened with certain death if they would not deny Christ.

Persecution is highlighted in the Epistle to the Hebrews and the First Epistle of Peter. The issue of false teachers/teachings are found in Johannine and Pauline epistles, and in the Second Epistle of Peter and the Epistle of Jude. A number of sections in the writings of Paul and James focus on vices and virtues. "These and other early texts helped to shape the trajectory of Christian response to the phenomenon of defection in the post-apostolic era. The Christians were to persevere through various types of opposition, standing firm against temptation, false doctrine, hardships and persecution.

Those who chooses to follow and listen to false doctrine, reject Jesus Christ and the Cross, which puts a person’s soul, in a lost state and as we just read in the first part of this study, it makes the individuals to loose their souls to hell, due to rejecting Jesus Christ and the Cross. This not only goes for those have rejected Jesus Christ and the Cross, this also go to those who have never accepted Jesus Christ and the Cross. I am talking about the sinners who refuses to get Saved and the Christians that has turned their backs to God, as well. There is no Salvation in Heaven for any of them. Homosexuals, gays, lesbians, the drunkards, even if its just 1 beer a day, whine as well. The murderers, the cussing souls and any thing else that is not of God, will be rejected, due to the fact that all false things and false activities belong to Satan and of the world and by taking part in those things, rejects Jesus Christ, the Cross and Him Crucified. That brings in Apostasy. If this offends you, great, that means that you have to do some changing in your life, so you can be Saved by God. That is done by Accepting Jesus Christ, the Cross, by Belief and by Faith in God, through Jesus Christ and the Cross, Glory to God. What we have just read in scriptures and with what I have just said, should not be taken lightly. God has placed everything I have said and what is next to come, God placed everything in my heart that God, wants you to know. If you reject me, you then have rejected Jesus Christ, the Cross and Him Crucified, because Jesus Christ, whom is God, resides in me.  Lets move on with GOD’S PROMISE.

GOD’S PROMISE 

13 For when God made Promise to Abraham (presents the Patriarch as the most illustrious example of those who “inherit the Promises” [Jn.8:58]), because He (God) could swear by no greater (refers to the solemnity and power of this Promise), He swore by Himself (a guarantee with resources of Heaven behind it that the Promise will be kept), 14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless you (refers to “Justification by Faith,” and is taken from Gen. 22:17), and multiplying I will multiply you. (This refers to his seed becoming a nation, and more importantly, every Believer being a “Child of Promise” [Gal. 4:28].) 15 And so, after he had patiently endured (there’s always a distance between the Promise and the Possession, and that distance is never uneventful), he obtained the Promise. (The immediate meaning was the birth of Isaac. However, the eternal meaning was Justification by Faith, which would come about from Isaac’s seed, Who is Christ [Gal. 3:16].) 16 For men verily swear by the greater (men never swear by one who is inferior to themselves): and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. (In our modern terminology, this means a contract has been agreed upon and signed by all parties, which ends all strife.) 17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of Promise (refers to the Lord working in accordance with this universal custom) the immutability (refers to the fact that God will not change His Position as to His Promise) of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath (refers to the guarantee of the Pledge or Promise): 18 That by two immutable things (they are the Promise to Abraham of the coming Redeemer, and the Oath given as it regards Christ being a Priest forever after the Order of Melchisedec), in which it was impossible for God to lie (refers to the moral impossibility of such), we might have a strong consolation (refers to assurance), who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us (carries the idea of the sinner fleeing to one of the Cities of Refuge in Israel; in effect, he was fleeing to the High Priest who has offered Atonement for him and his sin [Deut. 4:42]; using that as a type, we are to flee as well to our High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ): 19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast (presents the Apostle changing the illusion from safety in the Cities of Refuge to a ship reaching harbor after a tempestuous voyage, knowing that her anchor is sure and steadfast), and which enters into that within the Veil (refers to the Holy of Holies, which Jesus has entered on our behalf); 20 Whither the Forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus (presents the imagery of the Great Day of Atonement, when the High Priest entered the most Holy Place on behalf of the people; all of that was a Type of Christ, Who has entered the Holiest for us), made an High Priest forever after the order of Melchisedec. (This presents Christ as not in the line of Aaron, but another Order altogether. The old Levitical Order had an ending. This Order has no ending. Christ is an Eternal High Priest.)

God’s promise has been maid for those who have not rejected Jesus Christ and the Cross, as their main focus in their hearts and lives. The promise of God, is not for those who have rejected Him, as we have seen earlier, with the false teachers and preachers, they have already have Apostasy against God, yes, this includes everything I mentioned earlier, and worlds favorite false gospel, tbn. This study will hurt a lot of souls, because they are in the wrong and do not want to hear the Truth, from God’s Word, because of their rejection of Christ and the Cross, which is the Only means of Salvation. No Faith in Jesus Christ and the Cross, equals no Salvation and no Heaven, their only eternal place will be in hell. Once again, the Promises of God, is only for those who are Born Again, means they are Saved by Faith, which equals God’s Grace of Salvation in heaven. Those who are Born Again, are Saved and Baptized by the Holy Ghost, which makes the Contract, between the True Believer, and God, a Promise and is Guaranteed a Life in Heaven and will no longer have to deal with any type of strife. Now, for the Corresponding Scriptures.

Leviticus 16:21 (KJV)
21 And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the Children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat (inasmuch as the blood of bulls and goats could not take away sins [Heb. 10:4], the conscience of the people of Israel was not eased; there was still a nagging knowledge, so to speak, that the sins remained [Heb. 9:9]; this being the case, something else was needed, something visible, which could portray their sins being removed; that which filled this void was the scapegoat), and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness (this “fit man” was one who had been appointed for the occasion):

John 8:58 (KJV)
58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am (in essence He said, “Before Abraham was brought into being, I was eternally existent”; He also said, “Abraham was,” “I am”).

Genesis 22:17 (KJV)
17 That in blessing I will bless you (blessing always refers to increase), and in multiplying I will multiply your seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore (this includes the Church as well, and for all time); and your seed shall possess the gate of his enemies (this speaks of Jesus Christ defeating Satan, and doing so by removing Satan’s legal right to hold man in bondage, which legal right is sin; Jesus did it at the Cross; there the gates of Hell were torn down [Mat. 16:18]);

Matthew 16:18 (KJV)
18 And I say also unto you, That you are Peter (the Lord changed his name from Simon to Peter, which means “a fragment of a rock”), and upon this rock (immovable mass; Jesus is the Living Rock on which the Redeemed as living stones are built; for other foundation can no man lay [I Cor. 3:11]) I will build My Church (the Church belongs to Christ, and He is the Head [Col. 1:18]); and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it (the power of death caused by sin, shall not prevail against it, which victory was won at the Cross [Vss. 21, 24]).

1 Corinthians 3:11 (KJV)
11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid (anything other than the Cross is another foundation and, therefore, unacceptable to the Lord), which is Jesus Christ (Who He is, God manifest in the flesh, and What He did, Redemption through the Cross).

Colossians 1:18 (KJV)
18 And He is the Head of the Body, the Church (the Creator of the world is also Head of the Church): Who is the Beginning (refers to Christ as the Origin or Beginning of the Church), the firstborn from the dead (does not refer to Jesus being Born-Again as some teach, but rather that He was the first to be raised from the dead as it regards the Resurrection, never to die again); that in all things He might have the preeminence. (He is the First and Foremost as it relates to the Church.)

Galatians 4:28 (KJV)
28 Now we (Believers), Brethren, as Isaac was, are the Children of Promise. (The Promise is a picture of the Messiah, Who came through the lineage of Isaac to grant deliverance to people bound in sin.)

Galatians 3:16 (KJV)
16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the Promises made (to all those who are brought into Salvation by Faith in Christ). He said not, And to Seeds, as of many; but as of One, And to your Seed, which is Christ. (Abraham’s Seed was Christ, and Christ is both God and Man. Therefore, the Covenant cannot be broken.)

Deuteronomy 4:42 (KJV)
42 That the slayer might flee thither, which should kill his neighbour unawares, and hated him not in times past; and that fleeing unto one of these cities he might live (not for murderers, but for those who would kill accidentally):

Lets close in Prayer.