Hebrews 5:12 - 6:8
5:12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
6:1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this we will[a] do if God permits.
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away,[b] to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.
7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; 8 but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.
Question: Is it impossible for a Christian who falls away to come back to God?
My Answer: No.
Why would someone try to fight for an answer that seems to contradict the simple point of the verse?
Because it goes against a belief that is already founded in scripture. The Bible cannot contradict itself.
The conflicting belief known as "eternal security": I know that a believer has an eternal security in salvation and will be saved forever (Eph. 1:13-14 "...you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession...") & (John 10:27-29; 1 Peter 1:4-5).
Notes:
*Ch.5 finishes talking about the differences b/w immature and mature believers. 6:1 is a transition verse. It's saying that instead of talking about all of these elementary things over and over (foundation of repentance, doctrine of baptism, laying on of hands, rsrxn of dead, eternal judgment), let's talk about "perfection"/things that are not elementary. -> The author is very ready to move on. In the upcoming verses, he will most likely begin a new topic or have a harsh ending to an old one.
*The book is addressed to believers, and the end of chapter 5 and the beginning of chapter 6 both have been talking about believers.
*These people are Hebrews, and they have a hard time grasping salvation by faith (rather than salvation by works).
*The author has been reminding them (esp. in Ch2) about how precious the gift of salvation is.
*The people in question have been enlightened and have tasted the heavenly gift (salvation) and are partakers of the Spirit, and have tasted the word of God (not the Bible).
*The situation is an 'If-then'-situation.
My 'theory':
The writer of Hebrews is setting up a hypothetical statement: “IF a Christian were to fall away . . .” The point being made is that it would be impossible (IF a Christian falls away) to renew salvation. That’s because Christ died once for sin (Hebrews 9:28), and if His sacrifice is insufficient, then there’s no hope at all.
The passage, therefore, presents an argument based on a false premise (that a true Christian can fall away) and follows it to its senseless conclusion (that Jesus would have to be sacrificed again and again). The absurdity of the conclusion points to the impossibility of the original assumption. [http://www.gotquestions.org/Hebrews-6.html - Second Interpretation (1st one is no good imo)]
Conclusions:
The passage talks about believers.
Based on the theory, Christians can not fall away/fall out of salvation.
The whole purpose behind pointing out that the Hebrews struggled with the idea of salvation as a gift is that the only reason they believe they could lose salvation is if they believe they can do something themselves to lose it. They believe that there is someway that THEY are supposed to maintain it. But it's a gift and man can do nothing to earn it.
Salvation was not an agreement where God said 'be perfect and i'll let you live', it was a gift that said plainly, 'i will let you live'.
&&: Also notice that v.8 says the final result of a thorny branch is to be burned. This burning is in contrast with blessing. This leads us to believe that the burning is NOT talking about Hell.
