Hebrews 10:29—“… the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified …”

Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? (Heb. 10:29).

COMMON GRACE ARGUMENT:

One proponent of common grace and the well-meant offer comments:

“This verse speaks of one who apostatizes from the church and is demonstrated to be a reprobate. Yet, this reprobate was sanctified (set apart in a special manner) by the Covenant of Grace, which blessings were purchased by the shedding of Christ’s blood on the cross. He apostatizes, despite all the gracious influences that he had received as a reprobate from the Spirit of grace.”

(I)

George C. Lubbers

[Source: “Appendix III,” in The Glory of the True Tabernacle: Jubilee Exposition of Hebrews (Self-Published, 1984), pp. 671-672]

The Greek has here “en hoi eegisthee.”  This verb is Aorist, indicative, passive.  This points to a fact accomplished upon a man, who once was with the church, gathered with them, but who has now ceased to gather with the saints.  He has returned to the shadows and types, and thereby denies the accomplished work of the Son of God in the flesh, as well as the outpouring of the Spirit of Christ on Pentecost.  Such deny the New Testament in Christ’s blood!  They deny the blood which sanctified them.  No, they have never arrived at the permanent state of being sanctified in the central and abiding purification of their conscience from dead works to serve the living God.  There is here not taught a falling away of the elect from the grace of election.  The fact is that according to Hebrews 6:4-6 it appears that such once “were enlightened,” they had tasted the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost to enlighten them, and to testify to them of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8-11).  The seed of the Word fell into their hearts, but was not fruitful unto life and good works (Matt. 13:18-23).  Yes, they had a thorough knowledge of the truth in Jesus (epignoosin tees aleetheias) but not a saving knowledge; they never confessed their sins at the foot of the Cross.  What they thought to possess is taken from them (Matt. 13:11-14).  Their hearts are fat.  They could not really understand because of what Isaiah said in chapter 6.  (See John 12:37-41).

That the Bible here speaks of these as having been “sanctified” in the blood of the Covenant means that that is what was their professed position once.  They had a very accurate knowledge of this, and even for a “time” rejoiced in it.  They tasted in a sense the power of the coming age, and the good word of God.  But when once they sin wilfully, when they sin the sin of “falling away from the living God” in doctrine and life, then there is no more offering for their sin.  They really never were sanctified in their hearts, serving the Lord in spirit and in truth!

They are not of the brethren who are with Christ all out of one.  They never belonged to those many sons who are brought to glory through Christ’s suffering of death.

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(II)

More to come! (DV)