This passage in Hebrews has led to some debate over this issue:
For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. (Hebrews 6:4-6)
Some believe the author of Hebrews is telling us that we can lose our salvation. However, that would conflict with many other passages in Scripture that are easier to understand. I believe the best answer is that this passage is not about individuals, but rather, it’s about the first-century Jews. Consider the context in the verses that follow, “For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.” (Hebrews 6:7-8).
First, the land and the crop fit the biblical theme of the vineyard (Isaiah 5:1-7; 27:2-6; Jeremiah 2:20-21; 45:4; Ezekiel 19:10-14; Matthew 21:33-41). Second, the blessings and curses fit the Mosaic covenant (Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28). Third, the burning of the land fits with the Jewish-Roman war from 66-70 AD and Jesus’ parable, “The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.” (Matthew 22:7).
So, the context supports this passage being applied to the apostate Jews. To further flush this out, let’s look at the elements of verses 4-6:
- Once been enlightened – It was to the Jews that the Law was given
- Tasted the heavenly gift – Manna from heaven, and other miracles
- Shared in the Holy Spirit – Select individuals only but no other nation shared in this gift (cf. Numbers 27:18; 1 Samuel 16:12-14)
- Tasted the word of God – The prophets
- Tasted the powers of the age to come – The Messianic prophecies
- Fallen away – Many Jews, especially scribes and Pharisees, rejected Jesus
Can you lose your salvation? I don’t believe we can. Nonetheless, this debate will continue. However, my friend who believes we can lose our salvation agrees with me that this passage should not be used as proof that salvation can be lost. Too often, we attempt apply a passage to ourselves that wasn’t meant to be taken that way. The Bible is for us but it’s not always about us. It’s first and foremost about Jesus. That is something that I believe we can all get behind.