Does Hebrews 6 Support The Belief That Believers Can Lose Their Salvation?

Every time the issue of the security of the believer, using Southern Baptist lingo, comes up, the one passage of scripture that seems to always be mentioned is Hebrews 6. Many denominations have used this passage saying that salvation can be lost so it is part of our doctrine. Methodists, Free Will Baptists, Assembly of God, Foursquare, and Pentecostals are believe that salvation can be lost. Is this a false teaching or a misinterpretation of scripture?

Lets take a look at those controversial passages:

For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt (Hebrews6:4-6, ESV).

The following is a study note on Hebrews 6:4-8 from The ESV Study Bible:

Heb. 6:4–8 This passage has been much debated. The central issue is whether vv. 4–5 describes people who were once true Christians. (1) Some argue that the passage does describe true Christians, meaning that Christians can “fall away” and lose their salvation. Most who hold this view think that those who fall away can still return to Christian faith, so this limits vv. 4–6 to people who refuse to return. (2) Most argue, however, that although these people have participated fully in the Christian community, the fact that they “fall away” shows that they are not true Christians. (3) Another view is that the warnings are addressed to true believers, and that although they will never completely fall away, the warnings are still the means God uses to challenge them to persevere in their faith. (4) Finally, some believe that the falling away has to do with a loss of heavenly rewards. In any case, though the author recognizes that there may be a few in the congregation who fit the description of vv. 4–8, in general he does not think it to be true as a whole of the congregation, for he says, “yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation” (v. 9).

Let me give you some practical application about why a believer cannot lose their salvation. First, if salvation is not based on our works but by grace through faith, why would our sin forfeit that salvation? To paraphrase something Tim Keller said, If are salvation is not earned by grace, what makes us think we can unearn it? Second, if salvation can be lost then God is a liar and Christianity is a scam. Jesus told us that no one can remove us from the Father's hand (see John 10:27-30). Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ (see Romans 8:38-39), which also includes our sin, guilt, and even doubt. Ephesians 1:13-14 says the Holy Spirit is our seal guaranteeing our inhertance. Finally, if salvation can be lost, based on what we do, then salvation is no longer based on grace which is God's unmerited favor. God's grace would be based on our work and being good then by what God has done through the Person of Christ.

Here a couple of resources that I recommend:

Dave Jenkins has a great article called, Assurance and Perseverance in Hebrews 6:1-8

Also, Tullian Tchividjian has been preaching on the doctrine of grace during his church's midweek Bible Study. Last week he touched on Hebrews 6:

Midweek | The Doctrines of Grace: Part 11 | Pastor Tullian | November 9, 2011 from Coral Ridge on Vimeo.