Read or listen The Epistle to the Hebrews chapter 6 online (ESV, Bible Gateway)

The Foundations of Faith – Hebrews 6:1-3

The things listed in verses 1-3 are not trivial matters - things that need not be discussed. Rather, they are the foundation of everything - things that every Christian must know without a doubt. If the foundation is not in order, one cannot proceed to explore the mysteries of the faith (compare Matt 7:24-27).

The author mentions six foundations of faith:

1. Repentance from dead works. It is about turning away from the practices of pagan religions, which do not lead to heaven but to perdition - eternal death.

2. Faith toward (one) God. The mention of this suggests that the recipients were former pagans, for Christians of Jewish background faith in one God was self-evident.

3. Instruction about washings. This should probably be interpreted as a question of distinguishing Christian baptism (in the singular) from the purification rites of other religions.
   (Compare Matt 15:10-20 and John 3:25: "Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over purification. And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.”)

4. Various heresies sought to deny the resurrection of the dead very early on, as Paul himself had to fight against such errors (1 Cor 15:12-34).

5. Eternal judgment has throughout the history of the Church raised objections such as: "A loving God cannot condemn anyone to eternal damnation." However, it is not a matter of what we humans consider to be right or righteous, but of what God has revealed to us (cf. Matt. 25:31-46).

There can be no Christian faith where these fundamental truths are not accepted or believed. And one cannot grow as a Christian if one wants to deny them.

The author believes that the recipients will believe these basic truths, so it is possible to move forward in the study of faith, but even that ultimately depends on God's grace (verse 3, compare James 4:15).

Do not give up your faith! – Hebrews 6:4-12

For a long time, the Western Church had a dismissive attitude towards the Epistle to the Hebrews, because some of its passages – such as these verses – seem to teach that those who have abandoned Christianity have no chance of returning. In the 100th century, when Christians were persecuted by the Roman state, there were also apostates, some of whom later wanted to return to the church. At that time, it had to be decided whether they could return. Permission to return was given.

Eventually, the Western Church accepted the Epistle to the Hebrews into the New Testament canon. But Luther still shows a certain aversion to certain ideas in the book:

"Up to now we have been dealing with the authentic, certain books of the New Testament, but the four that remain had a different value in ancient times...Moreover, there is a strong knot in the letter: 6:4 and 10:26 forbid and deny sinners the possibility of repentance after baptism, and 12:17 says: Esau has sought repentance and has not found it. This is against all the Gospels and the Epistles of St. Paul. And even if an explanation could be given for it, the words are so clear that I do not know whether they would satisfy. It seems to me that this letter is compiled from many pieces, and does not treat the same subject in the right order."
(Luther: Selected Works II, pp. 37-38)

Although Luther was skeptical about the possibility of matching the teaching of the Epistle to the Hebrews with the teachings of the rest of the New Testament, the following are a few attempts at interpretation.

1. It is worth noting that this passage does not speak of those who have apostatized not being allowed to return, but of their not being able to return. Perhaps the issue is the same as in the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:31-32): forgiveness would be available, but because of final hardening it is no longer of interest and worth; there is no longer a desire to be saved. Apostasy can bring a person so firmly under Satan's power that there is no return.

2. It is a warning. The writer does not believe that the readers were in such a bad situation (verses 9-12). Yet it is clear that the original readers of the letter were not particularly successful in their faith. So it is not a question of falling away but of apostasy.

3. Only God can make the impossible possible (Mark 10:23-27). Man cannot find God alone, even for the first time.

4. In verse 6, the Greek words "are crucifying" and "holding him up to contempt" are in the present tense, which indicates continuous action. Conversion is not possible until one abandons mocking and unbelief of Christ.

5. It is a question of arrogance and rejection of God. One should not try to play with God, matters of faith must be taken seriously.

Practice has shown that the warning of the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews has been in place: the apostates have often become the fiercest opponents of the church. Once they have been "vaccinated" against the faith, it has been very difficult for them to submit to conversion.

But for the sake of balance, it must be emphasized that the central teaching of the New Testament has a different focus: apostates are allowed to return, just as Peter, who denied his Lord, was allowed to return (John 21:15-19).

Man cannot know when apostasy has become too deep. Therefore, sin should not be committed knowingly. Excessive commitment to Satan may lead to a permanent loss of connection with God (compare Romans 6:16).

God does not lie – Hebrews 6:13-20

People swear so that their word will be trusted (Matt. 23:16-22). God cannot lie, so he would not need to swear any kind of oath. God’s promises need no other guarantee, it is enough to know that they are given by God. But to show people the unshakableness of his promise, God was willing to swear (verse 17, compare Genesis 22:15-18).

The passage once again emphasizes endurance. Abraham had to wait 25 years for God's promise to be fulfilled (Genesis 12:3-4, 21:5). We too must trust God, he will fulfill his promises in his own time.

The author skillfully leads his readers back to the priesthood of Christ. The Jewish high priest was allowed to enter the Most Holy Place of the temple only once a year, on the great Day of Atonement (Lev. 16:2), and even then alone. When Jesus entered the Most Holy, he opened permanent access for all beyond the veil. As a sign of this, the veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom when Jesus died on the cross of Calvary (Matthew 27:51). Faith is not based on what we are, but on what Jesus has done.

The anchor (verse 19) became a symbol of Christian hope. Our faith is not "anchored" in our own merits but in the atoning work of Christ.