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NOVEMBER 10
Proverbs 28:17–18
A man burdened with bloodshed
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will flee into a pit;
Let no one help him. 6:4 enlightened. They had received instruction
in biblical truth which was accompanied by
18 Whoever walks blamelessly will be intellectual perception. Understanding the
saved, gospel is not the equivalent of regeneration
But he who is perverse in his ways (10:26,32). In John 1:9, it is clear that enlighten-
will suddenly fall. ing is not the equivalent of salvation.tasted the
Hebrews 6:1–20 heavenly gift. Tasting in the figurative sense in
the New Testament refers to consciously experi-
Therefore, leaving the discussion of the ele- encing something (2:9). The experience might
6 mentary principles of Christ, let us go on to be momentary or continuing.Christ’s “tasting”of
perfection, not laying again the foundation of death (2:9) was obviously momentary and not
repentance from dead works and of faith continuing or permanent. All men experience
toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of the goodness of God, but that does not mean
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laying on of hands, of resurrection of the they are all saved (Matt. 5:45; Acts 17:25). Many
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dead, and of eternal judgment. And this we Jews, during the Lord’s earthly ministry experi-
will do if God permits. enced the blessings from heaven He brought—
in healings and deliverance from demons, as
well as eating the food He created miraculously
(John 6). Whether the gift refers to Christ (John
6:51; 2 Cor. 9:15) or to the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38;
6:1 leaving. This “leaving” does not mean to 1Pet.1:12),experiencing either one was not the
despise or abandon the basic doctrines.They equivalent of salvation (John 16:8;Acts 7:51).
are the place to start, not stop. They are the
gate of entrance on the road to salvation in
Christ. elementary principles of Christ. As
9 But, beloved, we are confident of better
“the oracles of God” in 5:12 refers to the Old
Testament, so does this phrase. The writer is things concerning you, yes, things that
referring to basic Old Testament teaching accompany salvation, though we speak in this
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that prepared the way for Messiah—the manner. For God is not unjust to forget your
beginning teaching about Christ. These Old work and labor of love which you have shown
Testament “principles” include the 6 features toward His name, in that you have ministered
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listed in vv. 1,2. go on to perfection. Sal- to the saints, and do minister. And we desire
vation by faith in Messiah Jesus. The verb is that each one of you show the same diligence
passive, so as to indicate “let us be carried to to the full assurance of hope until the end,
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salvation.” That is not a matter of learners that you do not become sluggish, but imitate
being carried by teachers,but both being car- those who through faith and patience inherit
ried forward by God. The writer warns his the promises.
Jewish readers that there is no value in stop- 13 For when God made a promise to Abraham,
ping with the Old Testament basics and because He could swear by no one greater, He
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repeating (“laying again”) what was only swore by Himself, saying, “Surely blessing I
intended to be foundational. will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply
you.” And so, after he had patiently endured, he
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obtained the promise. For men indeed swear
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For it is impossible for those who were by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for
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once enlightened, and have tasted the heaven- them an end of all dispute. Thus God, deter-
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ly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy mining to show more abundantly to the heirs of
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Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God promise the immutability of His counsel, con-
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and the powers of the age to come, if they fall firmed it by an oath, that by two immutable
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away, to renew them again to repentance, since things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we
they crucify again for themselves the Son of might have strong consolation, who have fled for
God, and put Him to an open shame. refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.
7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that 19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul,
often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful both sure and steadfast, and which enters the
for those by whom it is cultivated, receives Presence behind the veil, where the forerun-
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blessing from God; but if it bears thorns and ner has entered for us, even Jesus, having
briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, become High Priest forever according to the
whose end is to be burned. order of Melchizedek.
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