Connecting Point: Two Question Test

Debate among Christians can be healthy and useful. Of course, staying within the fundamental structure of core Christian doctrine is essential, including the deity of Jesus Christ, the fall of mankind, salvation through repentance and grace, and biblical authority. In addition, I recognize

flexibility with practices and teachings that do not compromise core truths: views regarding the return of Christ, methods of water baptism, and physical healing, to list a few.

The Letter to Hebrews is not only a rich study of Old Testament law and practice but a description and definition of Jesus Christ. Furthermore, the author provides multiple warnings for recipients to stay true to their faith in Jesus, and to not fall away. Allow me to expand on Hebrews 6:4-6: 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 and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss, they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.

Can a believer lose his or her salvation? Answering this question, as in most other things, the Bible is primarily simple and direct. In this case, let me clarify the point with two rhetorical questions.

Question number one: Has the person tasted salvation? In verse 4 there are multiple merits discussed, one being those “…who have tasted the heavenly gift.” What is this heavenly gift? The author is referring to salvation in Jesus Christ. Hebrew Christians recognized Jesus fully for who he was, the one and only Messiah whom we really on for salvation. “Tasted” is past tense. These individuals were born again. 1 Peter 2:2-3 echoes this thought as well. “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.”

Question number two: Does the Holy Spirit live in every person? No. As humans, we are God’s unique creation, made in his likeness. However, only those who come to salvation in Jesus become “children of God.” The Holy Spirit resides in every person upon salvation. Again, we see in Hebrews 6 another merit in the past tense, those “…who have shared in the Holy Spirit.” This spiritual distinction, from one is lost in their sin to one being redeemed with their sins being covered by Christ. Jesus himself described the spiritual new birth: “No one can enter the kingdom of heaven unless he is born of water and the spirit,” (John 3). In another instance, speaking to the Corinthians, Paul said, “Don’t you know

that you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit lives in you?”

According to Hebrews, there is clear evidence that a believer can lose their salvation. Otherwise, the warnings, are they to be disregarded? On the contrary, these warnings are humble reminders to face the hard questions.