Near to the Heart of GodNear to the Heart of GodA Study of the Book of HebrewsA Study of the Book of Hebrews

Lesson 14Lesson 14Hebrews 6:1 – 12 Hebrews 6:1 – 12

Who Are Those Who Fall Away?Who Are Those Who Fall Away?

I.I. IntIntroductionroduction A.A. Last week’s message was a “curve ball.”Last week’s message was a “curve ball.”B.B. The goal of last week’s message.The goal of last week’s message.C.C. Prerequisites for understanding our textPrerequisites for understanding our text

1.1.Distinguishing Hebrews 6:4-8 from Hebrews 10:26-31Distinguishing Hebrews 6:4-8 from Hebrews 10:26-312.2.Grasping the corrupting influence of an unbeliever on Grasping the corrupting influence of an unbeliever on

the people of Godthe people of God3.3.Recognizing the strong influence which the Judaisers Recognizing the strong influence which the Judaisers

exercised over the church, even the apostles.exercised over the church, even the apostles.

D.D. Expectations – my requirements for accepting any Expectations – my requirements for accepting any interpretation of our text:interpretation of our text:

1.1.The interpretation must fit the flow of the argument .The interpretation must fit the flow of the argument .2.2.It must make sense of the passage.It must make sense of the passage.3.3.It must be consistent with the rest of Hebrews.It must be consistent with the rest of Hebrews.4.4.It must be consistent with other Scripture.It must be consistent with other Scripture.5.5.It must explain the key transition words “therefore” It must explain the key transition words “therefore”

and “for.”and “for.”6.6.It must explain why unbelievers are dealt with in a It must explain why unbelievers are dealt with in a

passage addressed to believers.passage addressed to believers.7.7.It must instill confidence & encourage saints.It must instill confidence & encourage saints.

II.II. Distinguishing Hebrews 6 from Hebrews 10Distinguishing Hebrews 6 from Hebrews 10

Hebrews 6:4-8Hebrews 6:4-8 Hebrews 10:26-31Hebrews 10:26-31

“ “Those,” “them,” “they”Those,” “them,” “they” “We” “We”

“ “Fall away” Fall away” “Go on sinning”“Go on sinning”

Rejecting ChristRejecting Christ Presuming on gracePresuming on grace

Can’t be renewed toCan’t be renewed to Terrifying judgmentTerrifying judgment repentancerepentance

Fall “from God” (3:12)Fall “from God” (3:12) Falling “into God’s Falling “into God’s hands” hands” (10:31)(10:31)

III.III. Recognizing the negative impact an Recognizing the negative impact an unbeliever can have upon the saintsunbeliever can have upon the saints

A.A.Judas in John 12:1-8; Matthew 26:6-13Judas in John 12:1-8; Matthew 26:6-13B.B.Deuteronomy 13:1-18 and 18:9-14Deuteronomy 13:1-18 and 18:9-14C.C.1 & 2 Corinthians1 & 2 Corinthians

IV.IV. Recognizing the strong influence the Recognizing the strong influence the Judaisers had upon the churchJudaisers had upon the church

A.A.Acts 11:1-3; 15:1-6Acts 11:1-3; 15:1-6B.B.Galatians 2:11-13Galatians 2:11-13

V.V. Following the flow of the argument and Following the flow of the argument and explaining transition wordsexplaining transition words

A.A.The sufficiency of Christ – chaps. 1 & 2The sufficiency of Christ – chaps. 1 & 2B.B.The deficiency of man – chaps. 3 & 4The deficiency of man – chaps. 3 & 41.1. Warning (3:12-14)Warning (3:12-14)2.2. Exhortation (4:11-16)Exhortation (4:11-16)

C.C.The greater high priestly ministry of Christ (5:1-10)The greater high priestly ministry of Christ (5:1-10)D.D.The problem of dullness (5:11-14)The problem of dullness (5:11-14)1.1. They They have becomehave become dull of hearing dull of hearing2.2. They should have progressedThey should have progressed3.3. But instead they have regressedBut instead they have regressed4.4. They need “someone” to re-teachThey need “someone” to re-teach

5.5. ThereforeTherefore, leaving this elementary teaching we press , leaving this elementary teaching we press on to maturity (6:1). Why “therefore?”on to maturity (6:1). Why “therefore?”

a.a. 1 Cor. 3:1: “I could not speak to you as spiritual men. . .”1 Cor. 3:1: “I could not speak to you as spiritual men. . .”b.b. Here: someone else is teaching ABC’s, but the author can Here: someone else is teaching ABC’s, but the author can

and will teach them meat. Because they were not taught and will teach them meat. Because they were not taught what they needed, “therefore” the author will teach it.what they needed, “therefore” the author will teach it.

6.6. Who are these teachers? They are apostates. Verses Who are these teachers? They are apostates. Verses 4-8 describe them: “For. . .”4-8 describe them: “For. . .”

VI.VI. Showing consistency with all of Hebrews and Showing consistency with all of Hebrews and other biblical textsother biblical textsA. Hebrews 12:15-17B. Hebrews 13:1-17C. 1 Timothy 1:3-11D. 1 Timothy 4:1-7E. 2 Timothy 2:14-19F. 2 Timothy 3:1-9G. Titus 1:10-16

VII.VII. How does this interpretation affirm and How does this interpretation affirm and encourage the faith of believers?encourage the faith of believers?A. A clear distinction is made between believers

and unbelievers (6:4-12).B. It holds believers corporately responsible for one

another, and for discerning unbelief, apostasy, and false teaching. (Note how corporate responsibility is safer than single leader rule.)

C. Safeguarding can only be accomplished as the saints are knowledgeable in the Word of God.

VIII.VIII. ApplicationApplicationA. About the title of this messageB. The value of confidence.

1. Personal (2 Timothy 1:12)2. Corporate (Philippians 1:6)

C. We should know “His voice” and follow Him, not others (John 10:3-5)

D. Choosing leaders you can followE. Value of N. T. EcclesiologyF. Apostasy

1. Root it out of the church.2. Get out of apostate church.

Copyright © 2008 by Robert L. Deffinbaugh. This is the edited PowerPointCopyright © 2008 by Robert L. Deffinbaugh. This is the edited PowerPointpresentation of Lesson 14 in the series, presentation of Lesson 14 in the series, Near to the Heart of God, A Study ofNear to the Heart of God, A Study ofthe Book of Hebrews the Book of Hebrews prepared by Robert L. Deffinbaugh for October 12, 2008.prepared by Robert L. Deffinbaugh for October 12, 2008.Anyone is at liberty to use this lesson for educational purposes only, with orAnyone is at liberty to use this lesson for educational purposes only, with orwithout credit.without credit.