Hebrews 6:4-6 and Losing One’s Salvation
A couple of weeks ago when I was helping with a prison Bible study, one of the inmates asked me to explain 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, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.”). This is a passage that confuses many people. In talking with him, I discovered that his main question was whether one can lose one’s salvation.
I didn’t have any Bible texts to give him off the top of my head, so I promised to bring the texts the following week. Unfortunately, circumstances beyond my control prevented me from returning the following week, and I knew I was also going to have to miss the week after, as well. So I decided to write a response that could be mailed to him if the powers that be would permit it. I’ve posted that response on my website. You can read it here.
Comment by Michael
November 3, 2008 @ 4:42 pm
Whenever I am asked this question I go to John 10:27-30.
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.
This provides a sort of short and direct answer: No, you cannot lose your salvation. I did not really read your response, except to see if you used this passage. It looked long and detailed, so I hope you covered the nuances of back sliding and having never been rooted in your faith. But this passage really paints a clear, reassuring and secure picture.