“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame” Heb. 6:4-6.

“For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherein he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?” Heb. 10:26-29.

Are they similar? Let’s lay them along side each other and see.

For these things are we given an example and are shown the contrasts and the end results in the verses immediately following Hebrews 6:4-6.

“For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned” Heb. 6:7-8.

“. . .for He maketh his sun to shine on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust” Matt. 5:45. In light of this verse we may rightly view Hebrews chapter 6, and verses 7-8 thusly:

O.K. Let’s carry our comparison one step further:

“But that which beareth thorns and briars is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned” Heb. 6:8

"a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries” Heb. 10:27

In close proximity to these scriptures is the parable of the sower and the seed. In the three gospels where it is found, there are “thorns” that “choke the word.” Also the seed is received into “good ground.” There is a progression to be found as we compare the scriptures: “he that heareth the word, and understandeth it” Matt. 13:23, “such as hear the word, and receiveth it” Mark 4:20. Luke 8:15 sums it up: “But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

“Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the household came and said unto him, Sir, didst thou not sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let them both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn” Matt. 13:24-30.

“TARES, Zisanion: . . .growing in the grain fields, as tall as wheat and barley, and resembling wheat in appearance. It was credited among the Jews as being degenerate wheat. The seeds are poisonous to man and herbivorous animals, producing sleeplessness, nausea, convulsions, and even death.”

          Vines Expository Dictionary, page 1133.

“but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil” Matt. 13:38b,39a.

In the epistle of Jude we are given a graphic picture of the tares. “For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. . .These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds are they without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withered, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; raging waves of the sea, foaming out of their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. . .These be they who separate themselves, sensual, not having the Spirit” Jude 4,12,13,19.

In I John chapter 2 these “tares,” apostates, are further identified. “They went out from us, but they were not of us: for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.” Here’s the contrast; the true believer: “But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. I have not written unto you because you know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.” “Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist that denieth the Father and the Son.” He is a tare; “the tares are the children of the wicked one.” Having obtained the knowledge of the truth, he blatantly denies it: he is an apostate. In denying Jesus to be Christ he is deemed an antichrist; which is all the more reason that it should be “impossible. . .to renew [him] again unto repentance, seeing that [he has] trodden under foot the Son of God.” These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.” The true believer is identified as to the working of the Spirit in his life. “But the anointing which ye have received of Him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him” I John 2:26,27. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of discernment. The abiding of His anointing Person is there to continually teach us that we may be learning to “rightly divide” the scriptures. We must needs “put on the whole armour of God,” to have our “loins girt about with truth,” also “taking the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Not that we should refrain from listening to and reading after preachers and teachers: the Holy Spirit is unto us a safe-guard against those who would mislead us.

“That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;” Eph. 4:14. Be not deceived - there are tares among the wheat!

The two-fold work of Satan? First, “Those by the way side are they that hear, then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved” Luke 8:12. Secondly the “tares,” and “the enemy that sowed them,” “the devil.” He is a thief of the greatest magnitude. Not only does he steal away the good seed that leads to salvation, but implants a poisonous weed that brings about utter destruction to those who “taste” and “eat” of its fruit. He substitutes the Lie in the place of the Truth.

Fallen man is in a real dilemma. Not only is he faced with the good seed being blown away or choked by thorns and briars, not to speak also of his stony heart, but he is seized by a further crisis: that Satan is likewise a sower of seed. And the receiving of that seed will bring about his ruin, even his death. Case in point - Judas Iscariot.

“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come. . .”

Enlightened? Jesus is the Light of the world. The “heavenly gift?” Christ, the incarnate Son of God? Made partaker of the Holy Ghost? Beholding the manifestations of the Spirit working in and through the Lord Jesus? The good word of God? “The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.” The powers of the world to come? Were they not greatly evidenced in the person and work of Christ? And Judas was witness to it all. He stood as it were at the very threshold of salvation, and then trod underfoot the Son of God; accounted the blood of the covenant. . .an unholy thing. . .done despite to the Spirit of grace.

Sometimes you can’t. Judas was “one of the twelve.” He had walked, eaten, slept, and yes, probably even prayed with Jesus and the other disciples. When our Lord announced that one of them was to betray him, they had neither clue nor hint that it was Judas. Even after Jesus identified him as the betrayer, saying, “He it is to whom I shall give a sop. . .he gave it to Judas Iscariot. And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then Jesus said unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.” The scripture declares: “Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him. For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or that he should give something to the poor” John 13. Judas Iscariot: surely a more wicked apostate could not be found. Yet the disciples were unable to discern it! “Jesus answered them, Have I not chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? He spoke of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve” John 6:70-71. “but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil” Matt. 13:38,39. Judas is a “tare,” a child of Satan, yet the Lord “called” him, allowed him to grow up undetected unto maturity, in the midst of Himself and the eleven. Then came the “fruit,” the outward display of his apostasy in that he betrayed the innocent blood.

After spending much time in searching good commentaries and reading their many words in identifying apostasy, it seemed in order that an example drawn from the scriptures might be more readily understandable. Will all not admit that the Bible is a picture-book, full of types and shadows and parables and illustrations, to aid in our understanding and discernment of the things of God?

We will be looking at the events following the “feeding of the five thousand” as found in John chapters five and six. “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him” John 6:66. John 6:66? Isn’t that rather ironic! Especially linked to a verse that plainly deals with Apostasy! Here we have a group of followers, “disciples” who had walked with Jesus, had witnessed his miracles, had heard his teaching; now it is said that they went back, never again to walk with him. I do not know of another occurrence in all the Bible that could better illustrate our texts.

“It is scarcely accurate to designate as “mere professors” those described in vv.4,5. They were a class who had enjoyed great privileges, beyond any such as now accompany the preaching of the gospel. . .Yet were they not true Christians. This is evident from what is not said. Observe, they were not spoken of as God’s elect, as those for whom Christ died, as those who were born of the Spirit. They are not said to be justified, forgiven, accepted in the Beloved. Nor is anything said of their faith, love or obedience. Yet these are the very things which distinguish a real child of God.”

Exposition of Hebrews, A. W. Pink, page 290.

“Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?” That is, will you turn from the revealed truth and the evidence of the miracles to which you have been witnesses; are you twelve going to turn and follow the broad road of apostasy that leads to destruction? “Judas! Why do you remain with the eleven? Well, it’s because he’s a devil. And he can’t leave. He has an appointment to betray the Lord Jesus.

“Will ye also go away?” “Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.” Hey! No apostasy here! Go away? No! He’s found the “way;” it’s the narrow way, not the broad way. He’s found the truth and the life: Thou hast the [true] words of eternal life. “Simon, will you also go away?” No, but a time would come that the scriptures must declare, “And Peter followed him afar off” 22:54. He had said, “we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.” But now? “He denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not.” Again, “Then began he to curse and swear, saying, I know not the man” Matt. 26:74. No wonder our Lord had told him, “Simon, Simon, behold Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not” Luke 22:32. How dangerously close would Satan attempt to draw Peter to the edge of the precipice of Apostasy! But true Faith does not fail! And neither does “the anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast.”

But what of these who went back and walked with Him no more? Let’s look back and trace the steps leading to their apostasy, the scriptures being our guide.

Multitudes were following Jesus wherever he went; but He would make known their condition: “For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them” Matt. 13:15. “The people followed him on foot out of the cities. And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick” Matt. 14:13b,14. Notice the progression: “And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased” John 6:2. “Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world” John 6:14. If they truly believed Him to be “that prophet,” then why is it that they “went back and followed him no more?”

“When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king . . .” vs. 14. Take Him by force to make Him a king? But they had no desire that He reign over them. They wanted neither Savior nor Lord. The truth be known, they would have ruled over Him; used Him for their own selfish desires. “they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus“ A great zeal these people had; they would see Jesus. They searched until they found him. “Rabbi, when camest thou?” “ Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled” John 6:26. So it remains to this day. Many have an “appetite:” but they appear to want the blessing more than the Blesser; the provision more than the Provider; the supply more than the Supplier. They talk more of the “mansion” than they do the Master; and of the “place” more than the Person. Yes, they “want” the Lord, but is it for who He is, or for what He can do for them? There are some who are so presumptuous as to think that God is at their beckoning call; that He can be manipulated into doing whatever they desire. They would have meat that perishes, but Jesus has better to offer: “meat which endureth unto everlasting life.” The gift of eternal life? Oh no! “What shall we do that we may work the works of God?” “Believe?” Then give us a sign.

“Tasted of the heavenly gift?” “Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.” O.K. Don’t stop there! What else is written? “But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, and hearkened not to thy commandments, and refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage” Neh. 9:16,17. Like father like son; these would turn from Christ, refusing to obey. They would “return to their bondage;” they would “follow him no more.”

“Tasted of the heavenly gift?” Their fathers ate heavenly manna in the wilderness. These had eaten of the heavenly gift, of the bread and fishes that were miraculously multiplied by our Lord. But now the true test comes. The Father will give them the true bread from heaven. “I AM the bread of life.” “and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” “Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.” “Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?” The chickens come home to roost. “But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon [at once] with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: but when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended” Matt. 13:20,21. Exit these “disciples.” “From that time many of his disciples went back and followed him no more.” They were greatly privileged. They had been taught of Christ Himself, they had tasted of the heavenly gift, made partakers of the external benefits provided of the Holy Spirit; had a “taste” of the powers to come. . .but no inward change has been wrought of the Spirit. They have fallen away; they have sinned willfully in that they have rejected the truth. They shall return to the offering of the blood of animals for sin. The blood of the everlasting covenant is rejected as an “unholy thing;” the invitation of the Spirit despised. These apostates may well have been found at the cross: “Crucify him, crucify him! Let his blood be on our hands!”

“Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the old ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein” Jer. 6:16. We need not look far to identify the “good way:” “Come unto Me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I AM meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matt. 11:28-29. But history has proven that the multitudes replied and continue to give the same reply as those of Jeremiah’s day: “But they said, We will not walk therein.” No, the rest part they don’t mind; it’s that “take my yoke upon you” they don’t want. Why, to do that would make Jesus Master - and Lord! “And learn of Me?” Then one just might be expected to follow Him; to follow His Word; to be His “disciple!

But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off . . .the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts. . .and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and holiness” Eph. 4:20-23,24. As is the case with many passages, the result or conclusion is given first, being traced back to the root. Lets turn it around. “The truth is in Jesus. . .and have been taught by Him. . .that ye have heard him. . .learned Christ.”

Learn, Manthano. to learn (akin to mathetes, a disciple), said of learning Christ, Eph. 4:20, not simply the doctrine of Christ, but Christ Himself, a process not merely of getting to know the Person but so applying the knowledge as to walk differently from the rest of the Gentiles. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, page 664.

“Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” Heb. 5:8,9. Again, from Paul the apostle: “for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need” Phil. 4:11,12. What is said of Christ can be applied to Paul - to every believer. “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.” Knowing this truth, Paul penned these familiar words in the previous chapter: “That I may know Him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings. . .” Phil. 3:10. The first act of obedience in the life of a true believer is that of casting himself upon Christ as his only refuge. And it is a time of suffering, as he realizes that he is destitute, that he has been a life-long rebel against God, and he is not worthy that any mercy be shown him at all. But that single act of obedience is only the beginning. Our Lord begins a work in us, to conform us to Christ. And though we are sons, yet we are to learn to be obedient children, and that, by the things which we suffer. “Why do Christians suffer?” Well, one of the reasons is that it is the means by which we are able to learn obedience. Have doubts? Then study the life of Abraham and discover the sufferings that brought about his acclaimed faith and ultimate obedience whereby he withheld not his only son, Isaac!

But the apostate never “learns” Christ. Though faced with the truth, though One may teach him, yet he will not “hear.” Thus he will not obey the command to repent and believe. And though he “follow” for a time, yet will he “turn and follow Him no more.”

“Try Jesus!” Now we know and emphatically declare that true Christianity is not a religion! But multitudes have taken on the name of “Christian” who have no inkling concerning the depravity of their hearts, neither of the Sovereign God who has provided so great salvation for those who will to come to Christ in repentance and faith. Looking for a religion? “Try Jesus!” Really? Would one dare to “try Jesus,” to enter into some sort of common law marriage? Hey, let’s live together - no permanent contract or covenant. If it doesn’t work out, we’ll just part company; no cause to be needlessly bound to one another! Such wickedness must surely dishonor, shame, and trod underfoot the Son of God, counting the blood of the everlasting covenant and unholy thing, doing despite unto the Spirit of grace. But our Lord will tolerate no live-ins: either we enter into Holy wedlock with him as His bride - or be cast away.

“And have tasted of the heavenly gift. . .and have tasted the good word of God” I once saw a documentary of sorts dealing with the “art” of wine-tasting. The judges who compare various wines have a certain ritual to follow. In order to fairly distinguish the “taste” of the wines (and not become somewhat inebriated) the wine is swished about in the mouth for the purpose of tasting, then spit out. The mouth is then rinsed with water before “tasting” the next wine. The wine is not swallowed. The judge only wants to exercise his sense of taste. Like the wine taster, he who gets a “taste” of the things of God may hold them, swish them in his mouth, only to eventually “spit them out.” One may say, Oh I don’t want to eat any of that ( ), I just want a “taste.” If no other reason than curiosity one may aspire to get just a “taste” of Christianity; perhaps just to “experience” what it’s like. Hey! Just give it a try!

I wonder how many people enter the doors of a church-house on Sunday, who may have seen the hand of God at work and heard the truth of the gospel; yet are still in the “taste” mode?

And then shall that Wicked be revealed. . .and with all deceivableness of unright-eousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. II Thes. 2:8a,10.

Renew, anakainizo. Used in Heb. 6:6, of the impossibility of renewing to repentance those Jews who professedly adhered to the Christian faith, if, after their experiences of it (not actual possession of its regenerating effects), apostatized into their former Judaism.

        Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, page 960

Remember the account of the “rich man and Lazarus?” And just how difficult would it be for a Pharisee to be saved after hearing the truth and apostatizing? If “Father Abraham” would send Lazarus from the dead to witness to his five brethren they would repent. And Abraham said, “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one [One] rose from the dead” Luke 16:31.

And just what did Moses and the prophets preach? The Old Testament is full of Jesus! There remains no other way, no other truth than that which they already have heard and refused to accept. Of what benefit, to restore them to the same threshold of truth again? They will only continue to reject, to apostatize.

Remaineth (no more) apoleipo. to leave behind; by impl. to forsake; leave. Solemn and sobering is the warning given here. If, after “receiving” the knowledge of the truth, one be found to willfully reject that truth (and in so doing, the shed blood of Christ for sin), and turn away from the only way that God has provided for his salvation; then he is to be considered an apostate. Unless Jehovah in His Sovereignty should choose to further extend His mercies, he is now forsaken of God; left behind.  “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we mustbe saved” Acts 4:12.

“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” “And this is the father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day” John 6:37,39.

If one true believer should (or could) turn away from and forsake the Christ of his salvation and be lost again, then he would make a liar out of the Lord Jesus. “Slide back?” May be. But turn back? NEVER!

Then he would “crucify to [himself] the Son of God afresh.” “crucify. . .the Son of God afresh and put him to an open [public] shame.”

“We add that the Greek word here for “crucify” is a stronger one than is generally used: it means to “crucify up”. Attention is thus directed to the erection of the cross on which the Saviour was held up to public scorn.

          Hebrews, page 296, A. W. Pink

Could a true Christian apostatize? Then he must look upon the cross as a scam. He must desire to see Christ crucified again so he might watch; that he might join himself to others in shouting, Crucify him! He would be the one to pluck His beard, to spit in His face, to beat Him with the scourge. He would be him that would stand before the counsel and declare Jesus as a fraud. He would declare Him guilty and deserving of death. He would find satisfaction in driving the nails into His hands and feet. He would glory in trodding under foot the Son of God, accounting the blood of the covenant an unholy thing. He may as well in his contempt and rebellion, stand at the foot of the cross and stomp and grind the precious blood into the ground. Could a true believer, having known the forgiveness and grace of God, having been a partaker [not just a taster] of the bread of life - could he apostatize?

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