`I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee' (Heb. 13:5).

Hebrews 1:14 speaks of an `inherited salvation'. What is meant by this term? In the same chapter Christ is said

to have obtained by inheritance a more excellent name than the angels, and this has a bearing on the subsequent use

of the term.

All who are saved receive salvation by faith, but some of the saved will, in addition, receive salvation by

inheritance. Christ suffered and learned obedience by His sufferings, was perfected, and became the Author of

aionian salvation to all them that obey Him. Christ is set before the Hebrews as the Author and Perfecter of faith,

`Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of

the throne of God' (12:2).

Those who `inherit' salvation suffer, endure, run the race set before them, and like Moses and Abraham, have

respect unto the recompence of the reward. To be an heir presupposes sonship: `If children, then heirs'; (Rom.

8:17), but before salvation no man is a child of God.

Does the word `salvation' in Hebrews point to something other than salvation from sin? Let us see. We shall

not be at all surprised to find that such a word occurs seven times, viz:

Inherited salvation (1:14).

Neglecting so great salvation (2:3).

The Captain of salvation (2:10).

The Author of aionian salvation (5:9).

Things that accompany salvation (6:9).

Without sin unto salvation (9:28).

Unto the salvation of his house (11:7).

Passing by for a moment the first reference, let us briefly notice the others. Hebrews 2:3. - -This salvation is

called the `so great' salvation, which title indeed, we gladly agree, justly describes the redemption of the sinner.

Those who were in danger of neglecting this so great salvation, however, are those who have had its testimony

confirmed to them, which hardly applies to unbelievers. Much also depends upon the meaning of the word

`neglect', which must be considered in its place. We hope to show that this salvation does not refer to salvation

from sin.

Hebrews 2:10. The underlying idea in this reference is contained in the words `bringing many sons to glory'.

This is accomplished by One called `The Captain', Who, like Joshua, leads on to the promised possession, unlike

Moses, who led out of the land of bondage.

Hebrews 5:9. This passage is almost parallel with 2:10, but gives fuller detail. It is concerned with obedience

and the perfecting effect of suffering.

We believe we shall be able to demonstrate that the aionian salvation of this passage, the so great salvation of

2:3, the inherited salvation of 1:14, and the glory of 2:10, all point to the one thing.

Hebrews 6:9. `Things that accompany salvation' certainly link us with our first deliverance from sin; yet

remembering the purifying and stimulating character of hope, we cannot exclude future salvation and inherited glory

from this passage. One has only to read on in the near context to hear of showing `full assurance of hope unto the

end', of `inheriting the promises', through `faith and patience', and of `the hope set before us'. These all have a

bearing upon the salvation of verse 9 and influence its interpretation.

Hebrews 9:28. This passage not only puts salvation into the future and speaks of believers waiting for it, but it

also definitely rules out the idea of salvation from sin, that having taken place once for all. This salvation is

connected, not with the first but with the Second Appearing of Christ, and is expressly spoken of as `apart from sin'