Crucify Afresh

Hebrews 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

Some have asked if this text is talking about backsliding; it is not. If it were, it would be "impossible" (verse 4) for them ever to get right again. In verse 6, the writer revealed the condition he was dealing with when he spoke of "fall away." The Greek word is parapipto, and it means "to apostatize."

This question must be answered in view of the context. He was speaking of those who had fallen away. It is "impossible" to "renew them" (verse 6) because they are under a deception. They think they are all right; they think they are still new. Therefore, you cannot "renew them." The life they live with a profession and not a possession is what crucifies Christ and puts Him "to an open shame." 

Initially, Christ was crucified because of unbelief and rejection backed by a religious spirit, and that is the same thing apostates do yet today! Babylon continues to crucify the Lord afresh daily when they teach one can live in iniquity and still be a Christian. Second Timothy 2:19 reads, "Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity." Any experience that leaves you in wickedness or spiritual bondage while under the deception that you are spiritually fine (a new creature), crucifies "the Son of God afresh" because He came to set men and women free.

Earl R. Borders

From the May 2026 issue of The Gospel Trumpeter