Impossible for God to Lie – Part 2

November 28, 2023November 21, 2023 ~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

Hebrews 6:16-20 …That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie…

‘Two immutable things in which it was impossible for God to lie.’ There are thirty limitations of God noted in Scripture (continues): He cannot tolerate hypocrisy (Isa. 1:13). He cannot spare Himself or Christ in the redemption of the human race from eternal hell (Matt. 27:42). He cannot turn down one soul that comes to Him according to His terms (John 6:37). He cannot judge the righteous with the wicked (Gen. 19:22; Rev. 20:5-6, 11-15). He cannot fail to answer prayer when unwavering faith is exercised (Matt. 17:20; 21:22; Mark 11:22-24; John 14:12-15; 15:7, 16; 16:23-26; Heb. 11:6; Jas. 1:5-8). He cannot forgive one unconfessed sin (Luke 13:1-5; 1Jn. 1:9). He cannot keep one saved who lives in sin (Rom. 8:12-13; Gal. 5:19-21; 6:7-8). He cannot automatically cancel the death penalty when people sin and incur that penalty (Ezek. 18:4; Rom. 16:1-27-23; 8:1-13). He cannot do away with free moral agency and moral responsibility (Rom. 6:16-23; 8:1-13; Gal. 5:19-21; 1Jn. 1:7). He cannot make one a slave to Himself so that he can never go back into sin if he chooses (Rom. 6:16-23; 8:1-13; Heb. 6:4-9; 10:26-29; 1Jn. 1:7). He cannot guarantee that every saved man will continue in Christ (John 15:1-8; Rom. 6:16-23; 8:12-13; 1Cor. 3:16-17; 6:19-20; 9:27; Gal. 1:6-8; 5:4; Ex. 32:32-33; Ezek. 33:12-20). He cannot make any man a son of God in the same sense Jesus is (John 1:18; 3:16; Rom. 8:14-16). He cannot look upon the sins of the saved as being unreal, or deal with them on a different basis from those of the unsaved (Rom. 6:16-23; 8:12-13; 1Cor. 6:9-11; Gal. 5:19-21; 6:7-8). He cannot cancel any reaping for what is sown (Rom. 8:12-13; Gal. 6:7-8). He cannot force a man to serve Him against his own will (John 3:16; 7:17; 8:34; 1Tim. 2:4; 2Pet. 3:9; 1Jn. 1:7; Rev. 22:17).

To be continued…

Impossible for God to Lie – Part 1

November 27, 2023November 21, 2023 ~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

Hebrews 6:16-20 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entered into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

‘Greater’ – One of great authority who can enforce the contract and punish for any failure to keep it.

‘Confirmation’ [Greek: bebaiosis] making fast or sure; establishing. It is a legal term for a guarantee.

‘The heirs of promise’ – The children of faith (Rom. 4:1-25).

‘The immutability of his counsel’ – The unchangeable purpose of calling the Gentiles to salvation by Jesus Christ and saving all who believe, of both Jews and Gentiles (Gal. 3:13-14; 1Cor. 12:13; Rom. 1:16).

‘Two immutable things in which it was impossible for God to lie.’ This refers either to God’s oath and promise (6:13) or to the two oaths of God confirming the promise to Abraham (6:13) and making Christ a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek (7:21). There are thirty limitations of God noted in Scripture: He cannot break His own laws (Ps. 119:89). He cannot lie (Heb. 6:17-19). He cannot deny Himself (2Tim. 2:13). He cannot have respect of persons (Rom. 2:11; Jas. 2:9-10). He cannot save one soul apart from grace and faith in Christ (Rom. 3:26; John 3:16). He cannot be unrighteous (Rom. 9:14). He cannot bless men apart from faith (Heb. 11:6; Jas. 1:5-8). He cannot curse men when they meet His terms (1Jn. 1:9). He cannot do away with or change His own eternal plan (Acts 15:18; Eph. 2:7; 3:11). He cannot save rebels who persist in rebellion, refusing to meet His terms (Pro. 1:22-33; 29:1; Matt. 18:3; John 3:3, 5). He cannot be tempted with evil (Jas. 1:13-15).

To be continued…

God made Promise to Abraham Part 2

November 24, 2023November 1, 2023 ~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

Hebrews 6:13-15 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he swore by himself, Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

‘Obtained the promise.’ The promise referred to in this verse is the supernatural birth of Isaac, but forty-eight promises were given to Abraham (continues): I will multiply you exceedingly (Gen. 17:2; 22:17). You will be the father of many nations (Gen. 17:5-6). I will make you exceedingly fruitful (Gen. 17:6). Kings shall come from you. I will make a covenant with your seed eternally (Gen. 17:7). I will be a God to you and your seed (Gen. 17:7-8). I will bless your wife (Gen. 17:16). I will give you a son from her (Gen. 17:16-19). She shall be a mother of many nations (Gen. 17:16). Kings shall come of her. I will establish My everlasting covenant with Isaac and his seed (Gen. 17:19-21). I will bless Ishmael (Gen. 17:20). I will make him fruitful. I will multiply him abundantly. He shall beget twelve princes. I will make him a great nation. Sarah shall have a son next year (Gen. 17:21; 18:10, 14). I will not destroy Sodom if I find fifty righteous people (Gen. 18:26). I will not destroy the city if I find forty-five righteous people (Gen. 18:28). I will not destroy it if I find forty righteous people (Gen. 18:29). I will not destroy it if I find thirty righteous people (Gen. 18:30). I will not destroy it if I find twenty righteous people (Gen. 18:31). I will not destroy it if I find ten righteous people (Gen. 18:32). In Isaac shall your seed be called (Gen. 21:12). I will multiply your seed as the sand in number (Gen. 22:17). Your seed shall be the victor over their enemies. In your seed shall all nations be blessed (Came through the Gospel and Jesus Christ).

The Full Assurance of Hope Unto the End

November 22, 2023November 1, 2023 ~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

Hebrews 6:9-12 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which you have showed toward his name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That you be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

‘We are persuaded better things of you.’ We are persuaded that you will not apostatize and not neglect your salvation to reap the judgment of God (2:2-3), as some of your brethren have done (6:4-8).

‘For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love.’ God’s promises are His debts to man. His righteousness and justice require Him to keep them, so you will be rewarded.

‘Ministered to the saints.’ This refers to contributions to the poor saints in Judea, as in 2Corinthians 8-9.

‘We desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end.’ Paul comes back to his often repeated subject to the Hebrews here – that of warning them they must continue in full assurance of the hope of eternal life even to the end, and that by so doing they will finally inherit the blessings of the promises (6:11-12; cp. 2:3; 3:6, 12-14; 4:1-2, 6, 11; 6:1-8). Slothfulness will deprive them of both hope and faith.

‘Followers’ [Greek: mimetes] imitators. He gives Abraham as an outstanding example of faith (6:12-15), then gives a whole list of faith-worthies of the Old Testament whom we can imitate in faith (Hebrews 11:1 – 12:3).

Put Him to an Open Shame

November 21, 2023November 1, 2023 ~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

Hebrews 6:6-8 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. For the earth which drinks in the rain that comes oft upon it, and brings forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receives blessing from God: But that which bears thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

‘If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance.’ Fourfold apostasy and the end of apostates: [1] If they shall fall away (6:6). “Fall away” is from the Greek: parapipto, to fall aside; apostatize; fall away. It means to throw overboard all faith in the experiences of the gospel and to deny them. People are here warned that such is possible. How could they fall away from the experiences of Hebrews 6:4-5 if they never had them? The language is past tense and factual so it cannot be denied that the ones referred to did at one time have experiences. [2] To renew them again to repentance is impossible. The reason given is that they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put Him to open shame. This is the final act of apostasy. They publicly judge Him as an imposter and worthy of death. That is, they do not believe in Him or His atonement any longer. Since such faith is the only thing that could renew them again to repentance, it then becomes impossible. How could they be renewed again to repentance if they had not experienced repentance before? The word “again” means once more; another time; anew; and this requires repentance once before. [3] As that which bears thorns and briers, they are rejected (6:8). The Greek: adokimos means reprobate (Rom. 1:28; 2Cor. 13:5-7; 2Tim. 3:8; Tit. 1:16); rejected (6:8); and castaway (1Cor. 9:27). It means to become Christless and literally rejected. [4] The end of apostates (6:8). Just like that which bears thorns and briers is burned, so apostates are to be punished in eternal hell (Isa. 66:22-24; Matt. 25:46; Mark 9:43-49; Rev. 14:9-11; 20:10-15).

It Is Impossible

November 20, 2023November 1, 2023 ~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

Hebrews 6:4-5 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

‘For it is impossible …’ Two outstanding facts: Christians can backslide, tearing down the foundation of repentance that is already laid. Should they ever again be admitted into Christ, they will have to build again the foundation of repentance and do their first works again (6:1-2; 2:1-4; Rev. 2:5). Christians can fully apostatize from Christ, completely rejecting Him and His atoning work, so that it is impossible to renew them again to repentance (6:4-9; 10:26-29; 2Pet. 2:20-22).

‘Those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost.’ The fivefold former state of apostates: [1] Were once enlightened, but not now enlightened (6:4). Thayer’s Greek Lexicon says this refers to “those who have been made Christians.” Paul uses the same term for saved individuals elsewhere (Eph. 1:18; Heb. 10:32; cp. Ps. 19:7-8; Luke 11:34-36). Only saints are called “children of light” (Eph. 5:8; Col. 1:12; 1Thess. 5:5), and only saved people are spoken of as being in the light (Matt. 5:14-15; Luke 16:8; John 3:20-21; 8:12; 12:36; Rom. 13:12; Eph. 5:14; Col. 1:12; 1Jn. 1:7; 2:9-10). Only people who have not been saved as spoken of as being darkened from gospel light (2Cor. 4:4; Eph. 4:18; 5:8; Col. 1:13; 1Thess. 5:5; 1Pet. 2:9; 1Jn. 1:6; 2:8-11). [2] Have tasted of the heavenly gift (6:4). The Greek: geuomai means to have experience of. Translated as “to eat” (Acts 10:10; 20:11; 23:14) and “to taste” (6:4, 5; 2:9; Matt. 16:28; 27:34; Mark 9:1; Luke 9:27; 14:24; John 2:9; 8:52; Col. 2:21; 1Pet. 2:3). How could one taste of death, taste the Lord, taste the heavenly gift, and other things of these passages without experiencing them? [3] Were made partakers of the Holy Spirit (6:4). The Greek: metochos means partner and fellow with (3:1). No sinner is a partaker of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:9-16). It is almost blasphemy to accuse the Holy Spirit of being a partner, sharer, and associate with the ungodly. Jesus said that sinners cannot receive the Holy Spirit (John 14:17). Jude confirmed the same truth (Jude 1:19). [4] Have tasted the good Word of God (6:5). To taste the Word of God is to be saved, as proved in Matthew 13:20-23; Luke 8:13-15; John 15:3; Acts 2:41; 4:4; 8:14; 11:1; 17:11; Romans 10:9-10; Ephesians 5:26; James 1:18-25 and 1Peter 1:18-23. No man receives the Word and remains unsaved. [5] Have tasted the powers of the world to come (6:5). To taste these powers means to experience eternal life. Every time such a statement is found it refers to eternal life (Matt. 10:30; Luke 18:30; 20:35).

Go On Unto Perfection Part 11

November 8, 2023November 1, 2023 ~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

Hebrews 6:1-3 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit.

‘Of repentance’ Six first principles of Christianity (continues): [3] Baptisms – there are seven baptisms in Scripture (continues): To summarize, there are three baptisms for believers in Christ, they are the Christian water baptism, the baptism into Christ and His body and the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Note the following facts concerning the three baptisms: The three agents who administer the three baptisms are: the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, and the minister. The three elements are Christ, the Holy Spirit, and water. The candidates in all three baptisms are the believers of the gospel.

The Holy Spirit is the agent that baptizes the believer “into Christ” and “into one body,” (1Cor. 12:13). This is called being baptized “into Christ,” not into water or into the Holy Spirit, and refers to the saving of the soul by the Spirit and the Word of God and of making one a member of Christ and His Body (Rom. 6:4; Gal. 3:27; Col. 2:12). This is the “one baptism” of Ephesians 4:5 for it is the only one of the three baptisms for believers that saves the soul and brings us into the one body of Christ that Paul is speaking of in Ephesians 4. This baptism “into Christ” by the Spirit is the only one essential to the salvation of the soul. A person must obtain this baptism before he is a fit candidate for the other two baptisms, the baptism into the Spirit and the baptism into water. This baptism is solely a work of God by the Spirit and by the water of the Word of God, and not of man. It is the same as the new birth of John 3:5.

Christ is the agent that baptizes the believer into the Holy Spirit who is the element (Matt. 3:11; John 1:31-34). Ministers are the agents who baptize believers into water (Matt. 28:19). This kind of baptism is solely a work of man, and not of God.

The purpose of the baptism into Christ and the body of Christ is to save the soul. It is the only baptism essential to salvation. The purpose of baptism into water is to witness the reality of salvation and is essential only to obedience and testimony after one is truly saved. The sole purpose of the Spirit baptism is to endue men fully with power to do the works of Christ, and even greater works than He did (John 14:12; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8).

To be continued…

Go On Unto Perfection Part 8

November 3, 2023October 3, 2023 ~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

‘Of repentance’ Six first principles of Christianity (continues): [3] Baptisms – there are seven baptisms in Scripture (continues): (6) Baptism into Christ and His body (Rom. 6:3-7; 1Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:27; Eph. 4:5; Col. 2:12). These Scriptures have been taken to refer to water baptism but not one of them mentions water as the element the believer is baptized into. If they referred to water baptism it would read “buried with him by baptism into water” but they plainly say “baptism into Christ,” “baptized into one body,” and “baptized into Christ.” In Colossians 2:12, Paul says men are saved by being “buried with him in baptism, wherein also you are risen with Him through faith of the operation of God” and not through water administered by man. Whatever baptism this passage refers to, it is one by “the operation of God” and not through the operation of man. It, therefore, could not possibly refer to water baptism by man.

If these Scriptures speak of being “baptized into Christ” and “into one body” the body of Christ, then the element the believer is baptized into is not water but Christ and His body. If we take these passages to refer to water baptism we make Christ and His body mere water. Is Christ water? Is His body water? If not, then Christ and His body are the elements believers are baptized into and not water. We must not insert a meaning into any Scripture that is not there, to teach something contrary to what is plainly written. Water baptism does not bring one into Christ or His body. Man has nothing to do with this operation. It is solely an operation of God by the Holy Spirit. On the other hand, water baptism is not by God, Christ, or the Holy Spirit, but solely by man.

To be continued…

Go On Unto Perfection Part 7

November 2, 2023October 3, 2023 ~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

‘Of repentance’ Six first principles of Christianity (continues): [3] Baptisms – there are seven baptisms in Scripture (continues): (5) Christian baptism in water (Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38-41; 8:12-16, 36-38; 9:18; 10:47-48; 16:15, 33; 18:8; 19:5; 22:16; 1Cor. 1:13-17; 1Pet. 3:21). These 15 passages are all the Scriptures teaching water baptism. The element used is water and the administrator is man. Candidates are supposed to be already saved and disciples of Christ (Matt. 28:19). Water baptism testifies outwardly of an inward work and is merely a “figure” (1Pet. 3:21) and a “witness” of the change previously made in the life of a candidate through faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1Jn. 5:6-10).

Water baptism does not remit sins. This is a work of God and a gift through faith (Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 15:8-9). It is faith in the blood of Christ that remits sins, not water administered by man (Rom. 3:24-25; Eph. 1:7; 1 Pet. 1:18-23; 1Jn. 1:7; Rev. 1:5).

Men have been and will yet be saved before and without water baptism. All Old Testament saints before John the Baptist were saved before and without water baptism. Many were saved from sin during the ministry of Christ before and without water baptism (Matt. 9:1-8; Luke 7:36-50; 18:9-14; 19:1-9; 23:43; John 4:49-53).

The “water” of the new birth of John 3:5 does not refer to literal water, but to spiritual water of the Word, as proven in John 16:3; 17:17; Ephesians 5:26; 1Peter 1:18-23; Romans 1:16 and James 1:18. These passages state that the new birth is by the Spirit and the Word of God. Water is used in a spiritual sense in John 4:14; 7:37-39, etc. Since it is used in a spiritual sense and since Jesus was speaking to Nicodemus of a spiritual birth and of “heavenly things” it is very clear that the water of John 3:5 could not refer to literal water.

To be continued…

Go On Unto Perfection Part 6

November 1, 2023October 3, 2023 ~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

‘Of repentance’ Six first principles of Christianity (continues): [3] Baptisms – there are seven baptisms in Scripture (continues): (3) Baptism in suffering (Luke 12:50; 24:26; Act 3:18; 1Pet. 3:18) – this refers to Christ’s sufferings for mankind on the cross so we can live our lives without sin, not in it! Many separate passages reveal the sufferings of the Messiah (Isa. 50:4-7; 52:14; Dan. 9:26; Zech. 13:6-7). All the types [they were examples of future things] of sacrifices and offerings from Abel, picture these sufferings; so beginning with Moses and all the prophets He made it clear why these events had to take place before the coming of glory and the kingdom (Luke 24:25-27). (4) Baptism in the cloud and the sea (1Cor. 10:2). This refers to the crossing of the Red Sea when Israel was hidden from Pharaoh in the sea on both sides and the cloud in front and back and all over them to protect them from the Egyptians. They were completely covered by the clouds and went through the sea. This was a true baptism in the cloud and in the sea. Cloud and water are the elements used in this baptism.

To be continued…