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n approaching the fifth and final warn- Heb 10:14,17). (2) The life imparted to the
ing, we again discover challenging believer is eternal, which is neither created
Ilanguage. Such language compels us nor perishable (Joh 3:16; 1Pe 1:23; 1Jn 5:11-
to consider afresh what the spiritual posi- 13,20), and is spiritual, which is beyond
tion and prospects are of those to whom the realm and influence of the flesh (Joh
the warning is addressed. 1:12-13; 3:6; Rom 8:33-39; Gal 3:3). (3) God
Does the writer deem those who “refuse promises all who have eternal life (by faith
Him who speaks” (12:25 NKJV) as false in Christ) deliverance from eternal death
professors who face the prospect of eternal and security from perishing in the lake of
fire and destruction (v29; cf. 2Th 1:8; 2Pe fire (Joh 3:16,36; 5:24; 6:40; 11:25-26). The
3:7)? Does he consider the Hebrews as promise of Christ is clear and plain: “I give
Christians who may lose their salvation unto them eternal life and they shall never
if they “turn away from him that speak- perish” (Joh 10:28).
eth from heaven” (12:25)? Or does the So that no one who reads the letter
1
writer regard them as saved, secure from to the Hebrews will have any reason to
eternal perishing, and sure of “receiving a doubt God’s promises, the writer cites
kingdom which cannot be moved” (12:28)? in Chapter 6 (vv13-20) the experience of
Anyone wavering on this issue will inevi- Abraham (Gen 22:16-17), to whom God
tably question the meaning and relevance confirmed His promise with an oath.
of the warning, whether for the Hebrews With two, not one, “unchangeable things”
or present-day Christians. If the writer is (i.e., the promise and the oath) in which
addressing genuine converts, how should it is “impossible for God to lie,” God
we interpret the warning? has demonstrated beyond measure “the
Firstly, we must reject any form of teach- unchangeable character of his purpose”
ing that suggests a born-again believer can (vv17-18 ESV). We thus can be absolutely
lose their salvation. The eternal security of sure of “the hope set before us, which we
the child of God is affirmed consistently have as an anchor of the soul, both secure
throughout the New Testament. Three and firm” (vv18-19 JND). Like Abraham,
facts are evident: (1) Eternal life is a free
gift bestowed via the principle of grace. we ought to be “fully persuaded” that
Therefore, it is not conditional upon the God is able to do what He has promised
character or conduct of the recipient sub- (7:25; Rom 4:19-20; 2Ti 1:12), and He will
sequent to its having been granted and keep and preserve those He has saved
received (Rom 5:15-18; 6:23; Eph 2:8-9; (Eph 1:14; 4:30; 1Pe 1:5; Jud 1; cf. Isa
46:11). With this in mind, we regard the
1 Bible quotations in this article are from the KJV expressions “eternal salvation” (5:9) and
unless otherwise noted. “eternal redemption” (9:12) as implying
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