I was listening to John MacArthur a few days ago and he had a sermon called fake Christians. While I understand being born again is as simple as learning how to move a single pawn; growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ is much like learning the rest of the game of chess. John MacArthur quoted Hebrews 10:26 as being about a false convert if you listen closely to the short excerpt from his sermon. However, I interpret it as being about a true believer if I read it in context. Paul (or perhaps some other author) begins v.26 by saying if We sin willfully.
1. I do not believe a new testament writer would be referring to a false convert as "We", since he was writing to believers.
2. I do not believe someone who rejects Christ has ever been sanctified by the blood of the covenant Hebrews 10:29. (This would especially be true considering the Limited atonement.)
3. Hebrews 10:30 states that vengeance belongs to God and it is God that shall judge His people. Remember if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ he is none of His. This verse is a reference back to Hebrews 10:27, stating that if a believer sins willfully he should expect a fiery judgement from God.
4. Hebrews 10:22-25 addresses believers to draw near with a true heart, Hold fast the profession of our faith, Provoke eachother to love, And not forsake the assembling of ourselves together.
5. Because Hebrews 10:22-25 is addressed to believers common sense also tells us verse 26 is addressed to believers. I am somewhat disappointed that someone as intelligent and as biblically based as Pastor John MacArthur could just glance over such important attention to detail to scripture. Please do remember someone who has never been born again has never been sanctified by the blood of the covenent.
I believe it is important to understand that Hebrews 10:26 is meant to us as believers, and not the unsaved. It is a warning towards us; to not sin willfully against God. "My people perish for lack of knowledge" Hosea 4:6.
I was listening to John MacArthur a few days ago and he had a sermon called fake Christians. While I understand being born again is as simple as learning how to move a single pawn; growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ is much like learning the rest of the game of chess. John MacArthur quoted Hebrews 10:26 as being about a false convert if you listen closely to the short excerpt from his sermon. However, I interpret it as being about a true believer if I read it in context. Paul (or perhaps some other author) begins v.26 by saying if We sin willfully.
1. I do not believe a new testament writer would be referring to a false convert as "We", since he was writing to believers.
2. I do not believe someone who rejects Christ has ever been sanctified by the blood of the covenant Hebrews 10:29. (This would especially be true considering the Limited atonement.)
3. Hebrews 10:30 states that vengeance belongs to God and it is God that shall judge His people. Remember if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ he is none of His. This verse is a reference back to Hebrews 10:27, stating that if a believer sins willfully he should expect a fiery judgement from God.
4. Hebrews 10:22-25 addresses believers to draw near with a true heart, Hold fast the profession of our faith, Provoke eachother to love, And not forsake the assembling of ourselves together.
5. Because Hebrews 10:22-25 is addressed to believers common sense also tells us verse 26 is addressed to believers. I am somewhat disappointed that someone as intelligent and as biblically based as Pastor John MacArthur could just glance over such important attention to detail to scripture. Please do remember someone who has never been born again has never been sanctified by the blood of the covenent.
I believe it is important to understand that Hebrews 10:26 is meant to us as believers, and not the unsaved. It is a warning towards us; to not sin willfully against God. "My people perish for lack of knowledge" Hosea 4:6.