Question Corner

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 8, 1903

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 29, No. 14.

1341.—Ps. 106:37, 38. Human Sacrifices.

The two verses referred to above tell the literal truth: “Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto demons, and shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan; and the land was polluted with blood.” For other references to this horrible custom see Deut. 12:30, 31; 2 Kings 3:27; 17:17; Eze. 16:20, 21. Offering human sacrifices has been common among all idolatrous nations in the past, and but very recently in India. It has been generally connected with sun-worship in grossest forms, and even breaks out every now and then among fanatics calling themselves Christian. When Israel of old went into idolatry, they did as the idolaters did.

1342.—Heb. 6:4-6. Fallen Away.

Dear Editor: I would like to have you explain Heb. 6:4-6. Do not those of whom it speaks of falling away entirely reject the truth and God’s mercy, and go clear back to the world? I suppose these have reached a higher degree of attainment than the ones brought to view in Hosea 14:4, have they not? Can any be spoken of as falling away as long as they have a desire to do what is right, and have not rejected God’s mercy? A. C. L.

The text reads as follows:—

“For as touching those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and tasted the good Word of God, and the powers of the age to come, and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put Him to an open shame.”

1. All who “fall away” beyond hope of salvation reject the means of salvation.

2. Those who have received the wonderful blessings mentioned above, but who fail to advance, fail to go on to fuller growth and larger life and usefulness, who, rather, fall away, must expect to die. They will not receive what God has to give.

3. Note that God wishes and endeavors to bring them back, but finds it impossible to renew them unto repentance. It is God who gives repentance. (Acts 5:31; 11:18), but such will not receive it. They have turned backward, crucifying to themselves the Son of God afresh, and by their life, putting Him to an open shame.

4. And this is the force of the illustration used in the next two verses. Picture a land drinking in of the rain of heaven, and bringing forth fruit useful and desirable. So it ought to be with the Christian receiving blessing from God. But the land which continually brings forth thorns and thistles, is rejected.

5. The question is not so much a matter of attainment on the part of the man as it is the received blessing, light, and opportunity bestowed of God. Every converted soul receives of every blessing named; but he must go on to full growth. That sin is unpardonable which is unrepentable, and it is unrepentable because the heart is not open to receive the repentance which God is waiting to give.