This Hebrews 6:4-6 interpretation pretty much embodies the general problem in most of these imo: it is invalid and ignores key scriptures; In this case "and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost". What does "saved" mean if the unsaved can partake in the Holy Spirit?
In regards to
partakers of the Holy Spirit, the word translated “partaker” can certainly refer to a saving partaking in Christ, as we read in Hebrews 3:14, yet it can also refer to a less than saving association or participation. See Luke 5:7 and Hebrews 1:9 - "comrades, companions," which describes one who shares with someone else as an associate in an undertaking. These Hebrews who fell away had obviously in some aspect shared in the ministry of the Holy Spirit, but in what way? There are other ministries of the Holy Spirit which precede receiving the indwelling and sealing of the Holy Spirit, which only genuine believers receive..
Those who fall away absolutely could have been affiliated closely with the fellowship of the church. Such people certainly may have experienced sorrow for sin, heard and understood the gospel and have given some assent to it and have become associated with the work of the Holy Spirit while around believers and have tasted the heavenly gift and the powers of the age to come. They may have been exposed to the true preaching of the word of God, yet have
simply tasted and stopped there.
In regards to
tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, they may have tasted in such a way as to give them a distinct impression of the quality of what was tasted, yet they still fell away. Inherent in the idea of tasting is the fact that one
might or might not decide to accept what is tasted. For example, the same Greek word (geuomai) is used in Matthew 27:34 to say that those crucifying Jesus "offered him wine to drink, mingled with gall;
but when he tasted it, he would not drink it." Do we merely "taste" into one Spirit or
drink into one Spirit? (1 Corinthians 12:13)
People who have experienced these positive factors may be genuine Christians, yet these factors alone are not enough to give conclusive evidence that the beginning stages of the Christian life (repentance unto life, regeneration, salvation, justification, adoption etc..) have taken place for those who fell away. The experiences in Hebrews 6:4-6 are all preliminary to those decisive beginning stages of becoming a Christian,
yet some draw back to perdition after receiving the 'knowledge' of the truth and do not believe to the saving of the soul, as we see in (Hebrews 10:39).
These certain individuals who fall short of obtaining salvation certainly may have become partakers of the Holy Spirit in his pre-salvation ministry, convicting of sin and righteousness and judgment to come by tasting the good word of God and temporarily responded to His drawing power which is intended to ultimately lead sinners to Christ, yet the writer of Hebrews does not use conclusive terms that these individuals were "indwelled by the Holy Spirit" or "sealed by the Holy Spirit" or have "received the Spirit's pledge which is the guarantee of future inheritance." Genuine believers who have truly believed the gospel are
sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession/unto the day of redemption. (Ephesians 1:13,14; 4:30)
Anywhere in which Jesus is referring to this event:
John 5:28-29
Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice and come out—those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.
Should be read with the assumption of what was just made plain there. If His Sheep will receive eternal life, then it is because they will have (in bold)
We must not confuse 'descriptive' passages of scripture with 'prescriptive' passages of scripture. The end result culminates in putting the cart before the horse and teaching salvation by works. The good deeds of the redeemed (those who have done good) are
not the basis of obtaining salvation but the evidence of it. A person's conduct, whether good or evil, reveals the condition of his heart.
Doing good flows from a heart that is saved and doing evil flows from a heart that is unsaved. Notice that
ALL who come forth unto the resurrection of life (believers - vs. 24) are
described as those who have done good (a good tree bears good fruit) and
ALL that come forth unto the resurrection of damnation (unbelievers) are
described as those who have done evil. (but a bad tree bears bad fruit)
To those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life.
Again, notice that
ALL who receive eternal life are
described as such,
everyone who does good (vs. 10). Good deeds flow from a heart that is saved and evil deeds flow from a heart that is unsaved.
Verse 8 - but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness--indignation and wrath. This is
descriptive of unbelievers. Notice that
ALL who do not receive eternal life are
described as such,
everyone who does evil (vs. 9).
What those passages convey is that though our deeds are judged by God, it's not the good deeds themselves which are the basis or means by which we obtained salvation, but the type of deeds produced expose whether our heart was saved, or not. These deeds done out of faith are the fruit, not the root of salvation. If Paul wanted to teach that we are saved by works, then he would have clearly stated that we are saved through faith
and works in Ephesians 2:8,9 and that we are justified by faith
and works in Romans 5:1, but that is clearly NOT what Paul said. Also see (Romans 4:2-6; Titus 3:5; 2 Timothy 1:9).
Furthermore, who does Paul warn that they will not inherit the kingdom of God if they practice the sins in Galatians 5:19-21?
Galatians 5:21
and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Key word. Those who
practice the sins in Galatians 5:19-21.
1 John 3:9 -
No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Paul gives a similar list of sins (in which practicing such sins is implied) describes such people as the
unrighteous IN CONTRAST with those who truly are saved in verse 11 - Such
were some of you; but you were
washed, but you were
sanctified, but you were
justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.
Meaning certain Galatians. Did those same Galatians have faith in Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit?
Those who
practice such sins are not born of God, as we read in 1 John 3:9.
Are you so foolish? After starting in the Spirit, are you now finishing in the flesh? Have you suffered so much for nothing, if it really was for nothing? Does God lavish His Spirit on you and work miracles among you because you practice the law, or because you hear and believe?
Galatians 3:26
You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:3 reads: Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? The middle voice implies "making yourselves perfect" by means of self effort. The present tense indicates that the
action is in progress and that there is still time to correct the error.
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