May 1927
293
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K i n g ’ s
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PA SSAGES THAT PERPLEX "It is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly
being “made partakers of the divine nature,” and it brings with it solemn responsibilities. One who has often felt the first movings of the Spirit has passed over a line, and cannot go back to what he was with real peace of mind. He can be often a partaker of the Holy Ghost in His convicting work and still not be “born of the Spirit.” “The good word” (v. 5) should be translated, “that the Word of God is good.” One may enjoy the consola tions of Scripture, and have his hopes excited by the promises, yet remain a Christian in profession only. The word “age” should be used in verse 5 rather than “world.” The Hebrews were then looking into the Chris tian dispensation, which was being inaugurated with spe cial miraculous manifestations. The sign gifts were not intended to be continuous throughout the age. “A t the first” the Gospel was “confirmed * * * God bearing wit ness with signs and wonders and with divers miracles and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to His own will” (2:3-4). The Jews who had always “required signs” (1 Cor. 1 :22) were specially privileged during the oeriod when the Gospel was being given its send-off, and before it had been committed td a written revelation. To renounce Christianity and return to Judaism in that peculiar period of persecution could mean nothing but deliberate apostasy. Supposing such a case, the apostle shows that the door of repentance must be closed against such a person; in fact, one so hardened would have no desire to repent. Our Lord’s crucifixion was the seal of the Jews’ rejec tion of Him as Messiah. To return to this crowd under such circumstances would be to join those who actually crucified Him, and would be openly declaring their belief that, in spite of the signs from heaven, Christ was an impostor and suffered justly as a criminal. It would be forming a league with the priests who hated Christ, and the scoffing soldiers who killed Him. We are surely aware that Scripture never closes the door of forgiveness upon any truly repentant backslider. “Let him return unto the Lord and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly par don” (Isa. 55:7). On the other hand, we still have triflers and tasters with us. If they are lost, it is because they have no vital union with the vine, regardless of outward appearances. Every Christian must see to it that he builds upon a sure foundation. It is the “power of God” (Rom. 1 :16) which saves, not the “form of godliness” (2 Tim. 3:5). There are still those who,- Judas-like, sell the Master, and so go “to their own place” (Acts 1 :25). But of those who have been truly born of God, “we are persuaded better things.” ate ate The Worst Calam ity “ rT 'H E very worst calamity,” said Charles Kingsley, JL “which could befall any human being would be this -—to have his own way from his cradle to his grave; to have everything he liked for the asking, or even for the buying; never forced to say: ‘I should like that, but I can’t afford i t ; I should like this, but I must not do it.’ Never to deny himself, never to exert himself, never to work, and never to want. That man’s soul would be in as great danger as if he were committing great crimes.”
gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, I f they shall fall dwayMto renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to them selves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.” (Heb. 6:4-6). The H ypothetica l Case of Heb. 6: 4-6 S OME would fear to blunt the edge of this passage, feeling that even in its removal from its context, it might be used of God to arouse some indolent Christian. However, we see no ray of hope in it for a back slidden child of God, for it states emphatically that the class referred to are absolutely beyond the reach of the cross, “having crucified to themselves the Son of God afresh.” A misinterpreted passage of Scripture cannot prove good counsel in the long run. These statements should certainly be viewed in con nection with the special circumstances of the Hebrews, to whom they are specifically addressed, who, after hearing the full Gospel and witnessing the miraculous credentials with which it was introduced into the world, had professed to receive it and to enter into the sphere of new covenant manifestation. Could one wilfully abandon that ground? The apostle intimated that it might be possible, and that to do so would be to relapse into the very phase of Juda ism, which crucified Christ. It should be noted, however, that he adds: “But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation; though we thus speak” (v. 9), His anxiety for these specially privileged Hebrews, who seemed at times td be slipping into apostasy, is revealed throughout the Epistle. The effort to fit- this passage to a truly born-again person who has become a backslider, or doubter, has cre ated many difficulties. It does not say: “I t is difficult to be renewed” but IMPOSSIBLE. It proves too much for those who believe in “falling out of grace,” for it leaves absolutely no way of return. The careful student will certainly note the fact that this is a Hebrew epistle, written from a special viewpoint, describing a special case—a hypothetical one at that (v. 9). It is assumed for the moment that Hebrews, who had come in closest contact with the powers of the world to come, at a time when special signs and wonders had been witnessed, turned their backs upon all and allied them selves again with Christ—rejecting Jews who branded our Lord as a blasphemer, possessed of devils. It would be difficult to make a Gentile application of such an illus tration. The wording should be carefully noted. The original for the word “enlightened” means “instructed,” and does not imply illumination. One who has even been instructed in the way of salvation comes under a new responsibility, even though he does not permit the Spirit of God to illu mine his heart. The word “tasted” (twice used) also seems to have been carefully chosen. There are far too many tasters and samplers still about our churches. To taste of the good things of heaven and God’s Word is different from
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