Kenneth W. Yates

  • Excerpt from Hebrews: Partners with Christ

    by Kenneth W. Yates

    [Kenneth Yates and the Grace Evangelical Society permittedTTVF Journal to reprint this introduction to Yate’s commentary, Hebrews: Partners with Christ (Denton, TX: Grace Evangelical Society, 2019).]

    Introduction

    I have been involved in Christian ministry for thirty years. During that time I have preached that salvation is by faith apart from works and that believers are eternally secure at the moment of faith. Believers cannot lose eternal life and go to hell. Consequently, the question that I have been asked more than any other is: “How do you explain the warning passages in the Book of Hebrews?”

    There are several warnings in Hebrews, but two in particular come
    to mind: Hebrews 6 and 10.

    Even a quick glance at these verses raises critical issues.

  • Hebrews: Partners with Christ

    HEBREWS CHAPTER 6

    By Ken W. Yates

    [Editor’s Note: Few books in the New Testament create as much tension for believers as the book of Hebrews. Yates, himself, openly acknowledges: “It is ironic that the book I once dreaded and avoided has become a source of comfort and motivation. Hebrews does not threaten the Christian with the loss of salvation. Instead, it greatly encourages believers to remain faithful to the Lord in the midst of this fallen world in which we live. Grace will do that… If you are now looking for the strength and motivation to serve the Lord and please Him, the Book of Hebrews is for you. We will be His partners forever, if we persevere.” (Ken Yates, Hebrews: Partners with Christ (Denton, TX: Grace Evangelical Society, 2019), 9-10.)]

    The Third Warning Passage

    As previously mentioned, 5:11-14 introduces the third warning passage in the Book of Hebrews. In those verses the author specifically says that the readers have failed in their Christian living because they have not gone on to maturity. Here in Chap. 6 the author tells them to press on to such maturity (6:1-3), what will happen if they fall back (6:4-8), and then gives them another call to hold fast to their hope (6:9-12). At the end of the chapter, he concludes this warning.

    Go on to Maturity (6:1-3)