Hebrews Chapter 10

[Biblereader]

I have read this section of holy Scripture, many times, and have wondered if I am right, in my conclusions.
I won't say what those are, because I don't want to sway anyone, but I would like to hear your thoughts on this.
22: Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
23: Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
24: And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
26: For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27: But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
28: He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
30: For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
31: It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

 

[follower of Christ]

Apparently, given all of the relevant data, the Hebrew church was losing some of its members because of persecution. They were forsaking the faith and returning to Judaism to avoid persecution from the Jews, which is where the Hebrews writers admonition to keep on trucking comes into play, and also the warning about falling away from the faith.

 

[Ret]

I have read this section of holy Scripture, many times, and have wondered if I am right, in my conclusions.
I won't say what those are, because I don't want to sway anyone, but I would like to hear your thoughts on this.
22: Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
23: Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

Often we are admonished to DO what we are spiritually UNABLE to DO because of our own unbelief. Recognizing one's own need for divine help is primary and foremost in understanding Hebrews 10.

So, Biblereader, what are your conclusions.....? At least of these two verses?

What does it mean to have one's heart sprinkled from an evil conscience?
What does it mean to have one's body washed with pure water?

 

[nmwings]

The book of Hebrews was written expressly for Hebrews... aka Jews. The entire subject of this book is the changing of the Law of Sacrifices for Sin. No longer are they to sacrifice bulls and goats for their sins, but to rely on the all-powerful covering blood of the Ultimate Passover Lamb.... Yeshua (Jesus.) Most likely, these people were being hounded relentlessly by Temple Priests (and likely their non-believing friends and families) because they refused to offer bulls and goats, having the "faith" that Yeshua (Jesus) had already scrubbed them clean.

.
26: For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27: But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

Since...

28: He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

,

Then if they allow themselves to be persuaded into using the blood of bulls and goats after they had accepted Yeshua's blood,

29: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

Aside from that, they remained in their "Judaism" as you so eloquently put it. They continued in everything that they had observed and performed in the past, including the Elevation Offerings and the Peace Offerings. Hebrews 11:4 is a perfect example of this.. "By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain BY WHICH HE OBTAINED WITNESS THAT HE WAS RIGHTEOUS..." The author clearly states that this sacrifice Abel made bore witness of his righteousness. And that was BEFORE God gave the laws of sacrifice! What sacrifice was he offering? Most likely the feast-peace offering.

Aside from the Sin Offerings and the change of priesthood (Yeshua in place of mere men), NOTHING HAD CHANGED. And so they didn't change. They did not suddenly start ordering pork chops and lobster tails. They certainly did not start coloring Easter eggs or decorating Christmas trees, nor did they forsake the Sabbath (Saturday) to worship on Sundays. But don't take my word for it... take the author's, for in Hebrews 13:9 he says, "Be not carried about with different and strange doctrines..."

30: For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
31: It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. [/b]

God will still judge His people according to their deeds. He will take vengeance on those who continue in their sin. And how do we know what sin is? Through His Torah.... His Commandments.

 

[Biblereader]

26: For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,


I thought this meant that we could lose our salvation.

 

[follower of Christ]

The book of Hebrews was written expressly for Hebrews... aka Jews.

it was written to Jewish BELIEVERS.
So while it was addressing a HEBREW problem its words are applicable in the church where they apply.

It is dealing with Hebrew apostasy from the faith and encouraging those who remain to not fall away as some were.

 

[follower of Christ]

26: For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,


I thought this meant that we could lose our salvation.

Not 'lose' but 'willfully reject'.

 

[nmwings]

It seems that you did not grasp my point. What was this "faith" they were falling away from? My post above explains very clearly that the "faith" is that Yeshua's blood is better than that of any bull or goat. The "falling away" they are speaking of is the act of bringing the Sin Offering to the Temple AFTER they had accepted Yeshua's blood (that is the entire principle of being a "believer").... Please read my post again.