Hebrews 6:1-8

 The writer lists a few of the things he considers to be "elementary teachings". TNIV has "instructions about cleansing rites", other versions translate this as "instructions about baptisms". The TNIV has used this translation in order to clear up confusion about "baptisms", and is probably accurate. When we hear the word baptism, we normally think of baptism as the initiation into the church. However, at the time various religions had ceremonial washings of various types, and the teaching referred to here is probably about the different between Christian baptism and

Verses 4-6, and similar passages, cause some people problems because they ask "can people fall away?". Well the clear answer from the Bible is yes. From beginning to end it is full of people falling away. Adam and Eve fell. King Saul fell away, Judas fell away. Paul's letters refer to people who fell away. Bible passages on the last days talk about people falling away.

Does this mean that we should live in a state of constant uncertainty, wondering if we will manage to make it to the end? Absolutely not. That demonstrates a lack of faith. I can be absolutely sure that God will complete the work He has started in me. I need to continue in faith, but I will not succeed because I try, but I try because I have faith. The success depends upon Christ.

So people can and do fall away. The next problem is where the writer says it is impossible for them to be brought back to repentance. Does this mean that once someone has fallen away that is it, they are lost forever? Well we have to say no. For just as the Bible is full of examples of people falling away, it is even more full of examples of people coming back. Jesus Himself spoke about lost sheep. However, verses 4-6 make it clear that the writer is talking about people who have had a full experience of God. Some people who fall away, never really knew God in the first place.

The purpose of the writer here, as in the whole book, is to stress the importance of taking God seriously, and to warn against a fast and loose attitude. It matters how we live, it matters how we respond to the gospel.