You must examine “who” Hebrews Ch 6: verses 1-7 is referring to, it isn’t just a Christian, it’s those who are SPIRIT FILLED...and yes, Christians are, but not as ministers who operate in the laying on of hands and operating in the gifts of the Spirit.
Learn the place where Gifts of the Spirit and laying on of hands are used, then you will understand Hebrews Chapter 6: 1-7. The first verse is clear about elementary teachings and maturity, which confuses some, however, this chapter of Hebrews is trying to let people know there is more that you can have here on earth but it comes at a price/risk.
Salvation is for you, Baptism of Holy Spirit is for others....read ACTS Chapter One...Jesus explained it to his disciples (Comforter) that it would come after he arose into heaven, and it is still available until he returns again....that hasn’t happened yet.
This acknowledgement does not jeapordize the SALVATION of those not operating in that arena...so those who argue this is not truth are just not understanding what Hebrews Ch six is really about.
This Chapter is about a specific type of Christian, and it does not lessen the importance of other Christians, who don’t operate this way or are of different denomination etc because Denominations are man’s invention not God’s....and it isn’t just one failure or sin that causes this loss of Salvation, it’s a determined decision that involves the leaving of the fold and returning to the world and denouncing Christ permanently.
Sins can be forgiven through repentance even in the Baptism of the Holy Spirit filled as humans are not perfect. (Note that I am speaking of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues and operating in the nine gifts of the spirit.)
Everyone gets Christ and the measure of the Holy Spirit that comes with that, when they accept Christ. Water Baptism is for all. However, this is a whole separate experience explained by Paul in Corinthians. There is a scripture that says ‘there is only one unforgivable sin and that is blasphemy against the Holy Ghost”...cursing God and I’m not talking about the word people use regularly, it’s a permanent denial after he has given one all there is to give here on earth....and he is rejected.
Those people who are spirit filled exist in almost every denomination that claims Jesus is the son of God and Savior, including Catholicism, and you can research that in Notre Dame history where 3000 where baptised in the Holy Ghost about forty years ago publicly, while assembled at the college. It was a Day of Pentecost here in America that started a huge revival in all denominations. That movement spread for years with Worhip, Praise and Miracles.
One other huge ACTS event was at the turn of the twentieth century in San Francisco, Amy McPherson and other evangelist s came out of that movement. Kathryn Kuhlman, and even Oral Roberts were influenced by the Haight Asbury revival.
A scripture “The gifts and calling of God are without repentence” means that anyone for example who has a talent for singing can use it for God or use it for the world, etc. It will not be taken away, it was a gift. The same is true about the ministry...some fleece the sheep, no doubt. However those gifts were intended to be used to save souls. All those teaching others will be judged by God eventually.
Hope this helps.
There is a lot of info online you can read about what I am saying. There is a book by an Episciple Priest named Bennett (30+ years ago) called ‘Nine O Clock in the Morning”..simple and it might help you understand, if it is still in print.
Many of us received our Salvation during this huge movement of the Spirit....
I have suspected something like that for a long time. The evidence of every day life is convincing enough: we haven't seen anyone move any mountains lately. But the internal evidence from the scriptures: that the early Christians possessed powers not seen since those days, is a clear indicator that there are (or were) two "types," if you will, of Christians. I place them in the category of the "elect" vs the "non-elect." I'll explain . . .
Joel indicated there were two ways to salvation: 1) be called by the Lord; and 2) call upon the name of the Lord:
"And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call." (Joel 2:32 KJV)
I believe the remnant that Joel mentioned--at least those whom the Lord called--were the elect. Isaiah wrote along similar lines:
"Thus saith the Lord, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servants' sakes, that I may not destroy them all. And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains: and mine elect shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there." (Isa 65:8-9 KJV)
Note that the Lord said he would not destroy all of Israel, but would leave an inheritor (a single seed, Christ,) and his elect. Paul also wrote along similar lines, but he called those who were saved the "remnant," rather than the "elect:"
"Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth. And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha." (Rom 9:27-29 KJV)
Paul indicated later that the remnant and the elect are the same:
"But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace." (Rom 11:4-5 KJV)
The single seed--the inheritor, as aforementioned, was Christ:
"Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ." (Gal 3:16 KJV)
Paul explained, in general terms, the salvation and purpose of the elect, (of which he was one,) as follows:
"According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will," (Eph 1:4-5 KJV)
And he explained the salvation of the non-elect in this manner:
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" (Rom 10:13-15 KJV)
We know that at least some of the elect (maybe all) received the miracle powers of the Holy Ghost on or shortly after the Day of Pentecost. Those were also the ones who were called by Christ to established, or help establish, the early church. Those who came afterward, Jews and Gentiles alike, called upon the name of the Lord in order to be saved.
Those who came first--the elect--received special powers, and therefore much more was expected of them. Thus, Hebrews 6:4-6
Philip