Month: September 2011

Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; (Hebrews 6:19)

The sixth chapter of Hebrews is one of the most controversial passages in the New Testament. Scholars have debated the meaning of the first six verses for centuries and still there is much disagreement. Controversy arises over the first two verses as to whether the writer is telling New Testament Jewish Christians to move beyond the types and shadows of the Old Testament, or whether he is referring to elementary New Testament doctrines that should have already been settled in their minds. The former meaning would teach that Old Testament ceremonies were merely illustrations of the greater work of Christ, while the latter emphasizes New Testament doctrines. Both interpretations encourage Christians to maturity in the deeper doctrines of the faith.

This controversy pales in comparison to the arguments over verses 4 through 6. Without exploring these verses in depth, we are sure that one popular interpretation cannot be right. This is the idea that one that has been regenerated by the Holy Spirit of God and has truly received Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord, could then totally and finally apostatize from the faith. There are too many other scriptures that convincingly refute this interpretation, and since the Bible never contradicts itself, this interpretation must be wrong.

We understand further that it must be wrong by the very meaning of salvation which is to be made safe, and by the work of the Trinity in securing eternal salvation. This includes the election of God’s people from the foundation of the world, the payment for the debt of their sins by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit through which He effectual calls the sinner to salvation. The intention of this great work is to conform the believer to the image of Christ. If any part of this fails, the Trinity fails and thus God cannot be God. Therefore, we are “kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:5).

The whole of scripture presents an unshakeable convincing argument for the impossibility of the redeemed ever losing their salvation. However, I do not find it necessary to move beyond this chapter to find such assurance. All we need do is read a little further to verses 13 through 20 in which the writer relies upon the faithfulness of God to always remain true to His promises. If we have fled to God for the refuge of our souls (v. 18), then we have the promise of God that our souls are anchored with Christ in heaven (v.19). This promise is made sure not just by God stating it, which is exceedingly more than enough since God cannot lie, but is also confirmed by God’s oath. He swore upon Himself because there is no higher authority to swear by.

The faith once placed in Christ is a sure faith. If in the beginning it is real, it will never falter because it is anchored in heaven in the holiest place where Jesus Christ has presented His own blood as the surety of our salvation. Today, it is with full confidence that I can say, “Trust Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord and you will be as sure for heaven as if you were already there!”

Pastor V. Mark Smith

Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; [9] And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; (Hebrews 5:8-9)

In surveying the New Testament, there are many passages that especially draw our attention and are amazing to our eyes as we read them. There are verses that lift us up to the heights of glory; that gladden our hearts and refresh us and remind us that we sit in heavenly places in Christ. The apostle Paul was prone to stop after writing words with Holy Spirit inspiration and offer doxologies of praise. One such place is 1 Timothy 1:17: “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

Hebrews is like reading a continuously long praise song to the mastery of Jesus Christ. We have seen previously in the first four chapters that Christ is superior to angels, to Moses, and to Joshua. In the fifth chapter, the intention is to show His superiority to the priesthood of Aaron. Although Christ was not descended from Aaron and thus not in the line of priesthood, yet He is superior because His appointment was directly from God. Christ did not enter the priesthood as a selfish intruder, but as one ordained by God to a new and better priesthood—a perfect priesthood that is not attainable by a mere mortal (5:5-6). The priesthood of Aaron and those descended from him was temporary by reason of death (7:23), but the priesthood of Christ is eternal because He is the ever living God.

The wonder of verses 8 and 9 is the unfathomable doctrine of the incarnation. Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son, became man. Verse 8 says “he learned obedience by the things which he suffered.” Christ did not have to learn anything as God, but He learned to obey as a man. In His active obedience, He obeyed the Father’s will which included subjecting Himself to God’s law and keeping every part of it perfectly. In His passive obedience, He allowed the humiliation of the cross and willingly offered Himself to die. He surpasses the Aaronic priesthood because He became qualified to be both the priest and the sacrifice. His earthly life allowed Him to be sympathetic to the frailties of humanity as a human priest would be, but His perfect life meant no sacrifice was needed for Him personally. Therefore, He could give up His own life as the sacrifice for our sins. He exchanged His perfect obedience for our miserable imperfection.

Jesus Christ became the author of eternal salvation. He was the author of salvation from the eternal covenant of God, but He became the author by fulfilling all of the requirements to complete our salvation. Jesus Christ is “made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” (1 Cor. 1:30). He is the superior High Priest because He lives forever to make intercession for us. “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them (Hebrews 7:25).

If you understand and believe what Christ so wondrously did, reading the words “he became the author of eternal salvation,” must surely open the depths of your heart to let out your words of praise. Somewhere there is a doxology in this passage. It must be from those that obey Christ by faith.

Pastor V. Mark Smith

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

One of the greatest tragedies of the modern church is the failure of both pulpit and people to honor God’s word. There are many that regard the Bible as a stuffy book that was written by ancient men who were overly superstitious and whose opinions are not really applicable to the modern world. If the Bible is read in church, it is a version that has been stripped of its original meaning and paraphrased so that it reads like the newspaper or a cheap novel.

Modern Bible translators are of the opinion that God is incapable of saying what He meant to say. It is therefore their task to put scripture into a more readable form so that anyone is capable of understanding it. In doing so, their eclectic translations interpret scripture rather than translate. Their actions deny a fundamental element of Bible comprehension, which is the power of the Holy Spirit to speak to the heart and mind to reveal truth. The Bible is not man’s book but rather as Hebrews 4:12 describes, it is the word of God.

The Bible has special characteristics that make it more than just an “ancient” book. It is “quick” which means it is alive. It does not die like an ancient language. It is as new and fresh to every generation as if it was spoken this morning. It is also “powerful,” which is a word from which we get “energy.” The Bible is constantly active so that it is able to awaken people that are dead in trespasses and sins and give them spiritual birth (1 Pet. 1:23).

The writer also says it is “sharper than any twoedged sword.” We should pay particular attention to this phrase because this speaks of God’s judgment. Those who do not listen to the word and heed its commands are going to be judged severely by it. It is able to reveal the “thoughts and intents of the heart.” Those that reject the message of the scripture, the way of eternal life through the gospel of Christ, will be held accountable in the Day of Judgment.

It is really not very hard to understand the reason so many churches have abandoned scripture. As churches desire an atmosphere that caters to an unregenerate crowd, the word of God becomes a terrible sore spot because of its exposing and condemning nature. The scripture says that people love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil. The word of God is a glaring spotlight on an evil generation, so trying to draw a worldly crowd by preaching the truth of the word is an exercise in futility.

At Berean, we are committed to reading and preaching the Bible and are content to let the Holy Spirit work on the hearts of the people. The Bible does expose sin, but the Holy Spirit is able to take the preached word and break down the resistance of the sinner. Clever tactics and manipulation are not our method. We depend solely on the work of the Holy Spirit as He uses the “quick” and “powerful” word to draw sinners to Christ.

Pastor V. Mark Smith