Many scholars, studying the whole of Scripture, recognize that Hebrews warning passages are NOT to believers ...
The term
believers is not even found in the KJV (the
authorized Protestant translation in English for centuries); one is not saved by believing one is saved. One must have faith and endure unto the end to be saved; thus one can fall away. The Messiah warned disciples over and over again to watch (their behavior, which is based on believing and obeying). The Apostle to the Gentiles also taught that the Gentiles who were grafted into the good olive tree, would be cut off if they did not continue in God's goodness.
- 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,
- And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
- 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.
- For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:
- But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.
- But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
- For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
- And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:
- That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
...
- For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
- Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them wh
Hebrews, Catholic chapter six, Protestant verses four to twelve,
Romans, Catholic chapter eleven, Protestant verses twenty one to twenty two,
as authorized, but not authored, by King James
underlines mine
Those Hebrews passages - again - do not refer to salvation. Matters not if the TERM is not in Scripture. It’s clear from the passages and AFTER that the author is NOT referencing those who are saved/redeemed (if you prefer). We cannot keep ourselves. Yes, we have a responsibility to follow Him. Just like we are commanded to “Repent and Believe”, although Scripture makes it clear that salvation is of the Lord and NO ONE seeks after God, no not one (Romans 3),
Philippians 1:6 shows who keeps us, as does John 6 (v. 39) and John 10:28-29 (and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29 [a]My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.). Romans 5 - “....having now been justified” (eternity past). Josh Harris is not more powerful than the Savior who keeps us, God be praised.
1 John 2:19 “They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that [d]it would be shown that they all are not of us.”