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He, the Beloved Son of God, cried out from the cross for our sakes "My God, My
God, Why hast Thou forsaken Me?", but He has promised:
"I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Heb. 13: 5).
Heb. 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
pre-supposes 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.:
Soteria (salvation)
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.
Heb. 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.
Heb. 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.