A Call to Maturity

1Wherefore omitting the discourse about the first principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us proceed to perfection: not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, 2and of faith in God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and laying on of hands, and of the resurrection from the dead, and of eternal judgement: (tho' we will do this also, if God permit:) 3for it is impossible that those, 4who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the holy Spirit, 5and of the good word of God, 6and the powers of the gospel-age, and yet fall away, should be renewed again to repentance: since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God, and make an open example of Him. 7For as the earth, which imbibeth the rain that is frequently coming upon it, and produceth herbs fit for those by whom it is cultivated, receiveth a blessing from God: 8but that which bringeth forth thorns and briars, is rejected and near to a curse, (whose end is burning) so are they.

9But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak for your caution. 10For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have shewn to his name, by having ministred to the saints, and yet ministring. 11And we desire that every one of you would shew the same diligence to acquire the full assurance of hope even unto the end: 12that ye would not be sluggish, but imitators of them who through faith and patience are inheriting the promises.

God’s Unchangeable Promise

13For when God made the promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no greater, He sware by Himself, saying, 14"Verily blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee." 15And thus waiting patiently he obtained the promise. 16For men swear by a greater Being, and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all controversy. 17Wherefore God being willing more abundantly to manifest unto the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it with an oath: 18that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to fail, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before us; 19which we have as an anchor of the soul safe and stedfast, and which entereth within the veil. 20Whither Jesus our fore-runner is entered for us, being made an high-priest for ever, after the order of Melchisedec.