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Today, many are being led astray into a doctrinal error that is why biblical discernment is very important. Discernment is defined as a sensitive judgment on whether something is true or not, whether someone is telling the truth or not, or in deciding to choose or reject something. And it is a gift from God. Paul provided a listing of the various manifestations and gifts of the Spirit for us, in 1 Corinthians 12:10. He tells us, "To another discerning of spirits." There is a spirit world that is just as real as the material world in which we live. And evil spirits do possess the man. So how do we know if a man has an evil spirit? Well, in some it is obvious, and in some, it is veiled, such as a false prophet who preaches a different gospel other than what is being taught in scripture. (2 Cor. 11:4)
Are there no false prophets in the house of the Lord? Have you read about Hymenaeus and Alexander, who Paul described as among those who had shipwrecked their faith by blaspheming? (1 Timothy 1:19,20) And we can add among them Philetus. (2 Timothy 2:16-18) According to Paul, their teachings wandered away from the truth that spreads like gangrene. Hence they were handed over to satan. Considering the prominence of false teachings today, In order not to be deceived, therefore, be like a Berean. (Acts 17:10-12) The Bereans showed qualities that marked their response to the gospel message. First and foremost, the Bereans were said to be “nobler” for being receptive to the Word of God. Moreover, aside from sound listening, they conducted further personal research by examining what they heard by comparing it to the Scriptures that led many to have faith in Jesus as the Messiah.
View video, Inductive Bible Study (click it)
A LITTLE BRIEF ON WHY THE BOOK OF HEBREWS The book was traditionally known to have been written in about 68 AD. The author addressed the converted Jewish congregation in Jerusalem, of whom most had to make an optimal decision on their future. Though they had been converted they still stuck to their traditional religion, causing problems for Paul in his ministry to the Gentiles. (See Acts 15:5; 21:20-21) The issue is either they stick to their traditional Judaism religion, or put it aside completely and lean toward the doctrine of Christianity. However, they ran the risk of being Christian converts, facing persecution, not only from their religious authorities but also from the ruling empire of Rome.
It will be recalled that during the reign of Emperor Nero, historical record has it that there was a great fire in Rome that occurred in 64 AD, where it was said that 71% of Rome had been destroyed. According to Tacitus and later Christian tradition, Emperor Nero blamed the devastation on the Christian community in the city, initiating the empire's first persecution against the Christians. This lasted until 313 AD when Roman emperor Constantine the Great ended all persecution and declared toleration for Christianity.
Hence, the book seems to have been designed to convince the Jewish converts of the truth and finality of Christianity; providing a compelling reason to choose Christianity instead of their traditional religion. Hence, it talks about Old Testament passages, developing the case for Christ as it touches on the issues of the current times.
TO THE QUESTION
Well, does Hebrews chapter 6 (click it) teach that you can lose your salvation? Sorry, but it does, here is why. In the previous chapter, Hebrews 5 starting in verse 7 (Bible Passage), the author was speaking about the days of Jesus Christ to Jews who know the gospel, and not to non-Christian Jews, Why? The author spoke of the life of Jesus on earth briefly, in this passage, mainly as a basis. Not so much detail as in introducing Jesus of the gospel to someone who knows nothing about it. Thus, it touches on spiritual maturity for the believers in the same token as Paul did in the church in Corinth. (1 Cor. 3:1-4; cf, Heb. 5:13-14). Unlike the previous chapters that cover Jesus’ being God in the heavens as the reason for them to commit to Christ, and the chapters thereafter on the essentials of the New Covenant vis-a-vis the Old Covenant. This leads us now to the passage in question; Hebrews 6.
First and foremost, traditionally, the very point of the letters/epistles of the apostles in the New Testament is for the nurturing of the faith. Hence, never was any letter addressed to non-believers or would-be believers, e.g. Rom., 1 & 2 Cor., Col., Eph., etc, and so with the book of Hebrews.
That being said, I say Heb. 6 is completely a warning to the Jewish believers to keep the Christian faith, otherwise, lose salvation. The passage addresses Jewish Christians. Notice in verse 1, how can a non-Christian Jew have any elementary/basic teachings about Christ, when they do not accept him as their messiah? Jesus is considered an enemy of Judaism (their religion) which is why they crucified him; talking about the unbelief of the Jews. Why would repentance be concerning faith in Christ when their religion provides for repetitious animal offerings as the atoning sacrifice for sins? Much more mention to them about baptism, the laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead {especially to the Sadducees}; these make no sense to them. Even today, in modern Israel, share with any rabbi or Jewish devotee about salvation through faith in Christ and see if they’ll accept it. The Jews are even planning to put up a third temple in Jerusalem wherein they can worship and make animal offerings to God based on the Mosaic Law. Judaism only adheres mainly to the first five books of the OT; in fact, they only accept the OT as Scripture and none of the NT writings. Hence they do not know anything about salvation through Christ, except for what they would consider as idle talk from people like us.
Living example, click===>here.
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