Ya just might wanna know.
Hebrews 6:4-6
6:4 For it is impossible in the case of those who have once been enlightened and tasted the heavenly gift and shared in the holy Spirit.
(6:4 Enlightened and tasted the heavenly gift: this may refer to baptism and the Eucharist, respectively, but more probably means the neophytes' enlightenment by faith and their experience of salvation.)
How about it means all three and a bunch more? Answered prayers, Mystical experiences, however anyone has ever experienced the divine would seem to me to be covered by tasted the heavenly gift.
6:5 and tasted of high the good word of God and the powers of the age to come,
(6:5 "Tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come": the proclamation of the word of God was accompanied by signs of the Spirit's power ( 1 Thes 1:5 1 Cor 2:4).
This is where I think it gives it away what it's really talking about, or at least in certain instances because not all have, or will, meet all of the criteria that's listed, Lets review.
Not ALL believers have:
1) Been enlightened.
2) Tasted the heavenly gift (in whatever form).
3) Shared in the spirit (You might want to be able explain how exactly you did this)
3) Tasted the good word of God. (Those who live on it taste it to a different degree than those who just like to nibble around the edges occasionally.)
4)Not only: "Tasted the good word of God" but in addition to that ( The and in that verse.) The powers of the age to come.
I'm gonna go with supernatural and mystical powers that will be present for those who earnestly believe in them and honestly believe that the holy spirt will pour those powers out on those who wish to experience them as Christ starts to announce (Through others) his eminent return.
That is five different criteria (listed in bold above) and I just don't think all believers meet everyone of them. To those that do? There is a very stern warning in verse six:
6:6 "and then have fallen away, to bring them to repentance again, since they are recrucifying the Son of God for themselves and holding him up to contempt.
(6:6 They are recrucifying the Son of God for themselves: a colorful description of the malice of apostasy, (Open rebellion of previously held believes) which is portrayed as again crucifying and deriding the Son of God...)
Like a lot of other things? It's specific instances as well as all who have come to believe :-).
Christianity isn't some kind of revolving door, come and go as you please kinda thing. You don't get to accept and deny over and over, once you know? You know. Once you walk away in open rebellion? (your choice not God's) That's it. He died once, we don't get to accept it then deny it, then accept it, then deny it over and over. Not how it works.
And a lil more background from "The New American Bible", (the red one) that was pictured above;
The central section of Hebrews (Hebrews 5:11-10:39) opens with a reprimand and an appeal. Those to whom the author directs his teaching about Jesus' priesthood, which is difficult to explain, have become sluggish in hearing and forgetful of even the basic elements ( Hebrews 5:12). But rather than treating of basic teachings, the author apparently believes that the challenge of more advanced ones may shake them out of their inertia (therefore, Hebrews 6:1 ). The six examples of basic teaching in Hebrews 6:1-3 are probably derived from a traditional catechetical list. No effort is made to address apostates, for their very hostility to the Christian message cuts them off completely from Christ (Hebrews 6:4-8). This harsh statement seems to rule out repentance after apostasy, but perhaps the author deliberately uses hyperbole in order to stress the seriousness of abandoning Christ. With Hebrews 6:9 a milder tone is introduced, and the criticism of the community ( Hebrews 6:1-3,9) is now balanced by an expression of confidence that its members are living truly Christian lives, and that God will justly reward their efforts ( Hebrews 6:10 )
"This harsh statement seems to rule out repentance after apostasy, but perhaps the author deliberately uses hyperbole in order to stress the seriousness of abandoning Christ."
I differ greatly with this assertion and I'll back up my position with scripture and let the reader decide for themselves. In fact? The only reason I'm writing this piece is because I read that particular line above and completely disagree and here's why:
Matthew 7:14
But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
2 Peter 2:21
For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
The first one speaks for itself. The second one is directed at false prophets. What could be more false than coming and going willy nilly as you like would be my question. What that says to others is they can do the same.
NOPE!
Oddly enough neither of these two Bibles Reference 2 Peter 2:21 with any of the verses in Hebrews 6:4-6. Kinda interesting. For some of us anyway :-).
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