Let me make a couple of observation:
First, I believe it was written to true believers who thought that it was okay to remain as babies. The phrases used are used for believers and not seekers.
Second, it is not talking about back sliding but a deliberate denying the faith after coming to a knowledge of the saving grace of Lord Jesus.
Third, it is impossible, it is not just humanly impossible but it is impossible to restore them. We should note that we do not know who these people are so we should not be quick to write anyone off.
It is a warning to us that we need to guard ourselves and grow in the faith. We have no fear of falling into this condition if we desire after knowing more and more about Christ and the great salvation.
Finally, let me say that Christ was crucified once and for all. We cannot tread upon the crucifixion and not expect judgment.
4 comments:
Are you able to explain what it means to "re-crucify the Son of God", and how this type of 'repentance' would bring Him to open shame? I simply do not get it.
I think this is why it is impossible to restore one who denies the faith. Christ died once. To deny the faith is not the same as backsliding or falling into sin it is a deliberate renouncing on the work of Christ. I don't understand it either but it is an important warning to us that we need to continue to grow in the faith.
I've understood "re-crucifying the Son of God" to mean that these people most likely:
a) saw Christ as crucified for their sins,
b) joined in fellowship with the believers of the crucified (and resurrected) Savior, but then
c) returned to a form of legalism (law-keeping) for the purpose of their justification.
Then, as these folks recognize their incapability of keeping the law perfectly, they are in need of an additional savior.
Since they have preached that Jesus' initial sacrifice was insufficient to pay the price for their sins, in order to pay for the rest of their sins they'd need an additional, crucified Messiah... hence, "re-crucifying the Son of God."
I believe that the author is saying that this is a disgrace to the message of complete, instantaneous, eternal forgiveness that is offered in Jesus upon initial repentance and faith. The one-time-yet-forever act of justification.
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