Apostasy and the Work of the Holy Spirit
The problem with the early Jewish Christians addressed in the Book of Hebrews was a dullness of hearing. They were unskilled in the Word of righteousness. They were unable to take in the meat of the Word (Heb 5:11–14). Therefore, the writer of Hebrews extends both a warning (Heb 6:4–8) and an encouragement (Heb 6:5–9) to exhort his readers/listeners. The careful reader of this passage of holy Scripture will note two pronoun groups: we/us and those/who.
There are clearly two different people groups in view in this Bible text. Many have erred by ascribing the attributes of the reprobate to the born again, using Hebrews 6:4–8. The result is false teaching, suggesting that a Christian can backslide even to the point of losing his or her salvation. To correct this, we must establish that salvation belongs to the Lord (Ps 3:8; Jon 2:9; Rev 19:1). It is entirely His prerogative (Rom 11:5–6; Eph 1:4–5; 2 Tim 2:19); and He is glorified in His work of saving His chosen people from their sins (Mt 1:21).
The apostate is one who is in close association with true things of the Holy Spirit. Just as there were many who followed Jesus, but who fell away (Jn 6), there are many who are enlightened, taste, and share in the Word and the Spirit. These are people, however, who go out from us because they are not of us (1 Jn 2:19).
Enlightenment is a common term for those who were in the dark in the matters of spirituality. They come close to the subject. They are exposed to that which they can now see. There is, however, true Light that illumines truth, as it is in Jesus (Jn 8:12; Eph 4:21); but there is also false light that illumines falsehood posing as truth. Hence, the need for a warning.
Tasting is experiential. The natural man can often be superstitious, religious — a worshiper of something or someone…apart from truth (Jn 4:23–24; 15:5). Most people do not typically shun spiritual things. Rather, they experience the allure of the supernatural. Clearly, they like it. There is no guarantee that their spiritual experiences are from God, however. This makes religion and spiritual experiences potential dangers to be heeded.
To experience and even understand some of the genuine works of the Holy Spirit is common. God is executing His providential care in all the matters of the earth. The Spirit of God and of Christ is busy at work in the world (Jn 16:8). When the Spirit transforms a sinner into a saint (Eph 2:5; Col 1:13; 2:13; 1 Pet 1:3), it can be very noticeable. The point is that whether God is working in the common matters of the earth and of people in general, He is revealing His handiwork for all to see, understand, and experience.
The exceptional works of God, that is, the grace of God unto salvation is also visible and witnessed by the reprobate. They may see, taste, and understand salvation, but it is God who must include a person in His kingdom…or not (Rom 9:15–16, 22–23).
The elect and the reprobate both participate in the world, by God’s design (Rom 9:22–23). Jesus’ parable of the soil (Mt 13:1–30; Lk 8:4–15) helps us to know there is a distinction between the two groups in view. Simply put, good soil receives rain from God and produces good fruit. Bad soil receives rain from God and produces bad fruit. You shall know them by their fruit (Mt 7:16, 20).
The apostate is the bad soil that produces bad fruit. He turns away from the living God (Heb 3:12). He is destroyed by his disobedience (Heb 4:11); and after being the recipient of truth, he willfully sins in defiance toward God. Matters of apostasy do relate to the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Just as the original crucifiers of our Lord despised and rejected Him (Is 53:3), so, today, many crucify again the Son of God, also despising and rejecting Him. In fact, they may be worse than the original persecutors because they put Jesus to open shame in an era of much fuller revelation.
When this gross dereliction is pointed out to the reprobate apostate, today, there is often contempt for those who are devoted followers Christ (Mt 5:10–12). The truth enrages the wicked. Cain killed Abel. Ishmael bullied Isaac. Esau threatened Jacob. Balaam cursed Israel. Saul pursued David. Herod killed the Bethlehemite boys.
Because the natural man cannot receive the Holy Spirit by his own decision or choice (Jn 14:17, 26; 15:16, 26; Rom 11:5–6), he does what comes naturally. The natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit (1 Cor 2:14); and therefore, he rejects the Lord Jesus. Dead to God in his trespasses and sins (Eph 2:1), he simply waits for death, judgment, and the fiery sentence of eternal punishment promised to those haters of God (Rom 1:30), haters of Christ (Jn 7:7), and haters of His church (Jn 15:18–25; Heb 10:27; 12:29).
There is no recovery for those, who to some degree, have known and experienced the things of the Spirit’s teaching and work. To fall away from the good and special things of God is only to prove oneself apostate and ultimately reprobate. The writer of Hebrews does not put His readers in that camp, however. This is an important distinction. He cautions and inspires them to see and understand the terrible plight of those non-recipients of God’s mercy and grace. Indeed, there is nothing in the reprobate apostate that seeks after God (Rom 3:10–12), loves God (Jn 5:42), or perseveres through many sufferings in service to God.
Today, many profess Christ, but they are betrayed by their hypocrisy. Being deceivers, they occupy church pews and pulpits with twisted motives. Like parasites to a host, they benefit by association with the blessed body of Christ. The benefits to them are merely temporal, however. Just as desert ground benefits from the flash flood for a short season before the scorching sun and heat, so does the apostate partake in the providences of God’s goodness in the temporal state. Self-love naturally leads to self-interest and the desire for happiness. Sometimes that is gleaned from Christ’s church but never for long.
The authentic knowledge of the truth and life in the Spirit can only be produced by the indwelling Spirit (Jn 14:17; Rom 8:9, 11). At the end of the day, the neighbor kids must be sent away, while the beloved children rest in the warmth and comfort of a loving family home. There is always this looming separation: wheat and chaff; sheep and goats; children of God and children of the devil (1 Jn 3:10).
May God grant you the Spirit of discernment to know that many experience the goodness of God; but there are few who turn to God in thanksgiving to God for His perfect, indescribable gift of Jesus Christ (Lk 17:11–21; 2 Cor 9:15). The true believer will be preserved and protected from this day forth and forever. May you be greatly stirred to live fully in light of who you are in Christ Jesus…if indeed that is who you are in truth.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
November 14, 2023
Hebrews 6:4–8
