Doesn't matter what either of us say, it only matters what Scripture states.
Do we grow in sanctification as long as we are in Christ.
I agree, in progressive sanctification, we grow from ignorant babies to mature believers.
That doesn't change the fact that His death sanctifies us once for all. That is positional sanctification, and if you confuse the two you are going to end up teaching error.
Let's take a look at some ignorant babies that is part of the context of Hebrews 6:4-6 (which you attribute to referring to born-again believers:
Hebrews 5:10-6:6 King James Version
10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.
12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
His charge is that they are ignorant of the first principles of the Word of God. Keep in mind that this is spoken to Hebrew People in regards to the Hebrew Scriptures, the Old Testament.
The first (
archē) principles
(stoicheion) of the Word of God is something they are ignorant of, right? They need to be taught the ABCs of the first principles, right? Keep that in mind as we go.
Now, look at the link for "of full age." It translates the word
teleios. That word means complete. Brought to its end. Not lacking anything to further complete it.
Now look at the command to these ignorant babes:
Hebrews 6:1-6 King James Version
1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
Therefore leaving the "first" (
archē) let us go on unto perfection (
teleiotēs).
So a few things to consider:
1. He is rebuking those who do not even understand the first principles of the Hebrew Scriptures, hence to make them people who understand that which is complete in regards to the Doctrine of Christ is a mistake. They are in need of being taught the ABCs of Christ found in the Old Testament. Your teaching makes them knowledgable about Christ Himself.
2. They are told not to lay again the first principles, and he lists them. The point is that he is calling his Jewish brethren to progress from the ABCs and to live according to that which is complete in Christ, as opposed to their traditional heritage that in under Law.
3. If they are ignorant of what the Old Testament taught about Christ, how can you impose an understanding of the Gospel in them? The Writer doesn't, but charges them with not even knowing the ABCs, lol.
Now, where in this...
3 And this will we do, if God permit.
...do we see men deciding they are going to progress to perfection?
We don't. Salvation is according to God's will, not man's (John 1:13).
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
These are characteristics of those who have been ministered to and through by God. The filling of the Spirit for ministries such as Prophet, Priest, King, and Warrior are seen throughout the Old Testament.
Furthermore, it is the very giving of the First Principles of the Doctrine of Christ to the Hebrew People through the Hebrew Scriptures that we see that men were enlightened, tasted of the Heavenly Gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost.
Why would you think this would be exclusive to born-again believers?
Did not those who fell under Christ's ministry taste of the Good Word of God? Taste of the world/age to come? Was not the Kingdom upon them as it is now?
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
Now, how exactly could one "crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh?
By offering up Christ in the figure of animal sacrifice, or in other words, by not progressing to perfection. By laying again the foundation of worship that is not complete.
Nothing in this about Christians, and it is in fact impossible for Christians to crucify unto themselves Christ again, because they are not going to offer up animal sacrifice.
I don't expect you to accept this, but I do challenge you to consider it.
7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:
8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.
9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
In view is the provision of God, just as it is in John 15 in the True Vine, and Romans 11 (the Tree). All of the earth receives rain, and it is how that provision is received that determines the outcome. In view is not good Christian bad Christian, lol, but believer and unbeliever.
It is the unbeliever that falls away. It is the fruit that determines that.
The Writer is confident his brethren will respond unto salvation, rather than being burned up.
This passage deserves quite a bit more time, but this may be my last day for a while, so I wanted to present at least a brief intro to the fuller context. Again, it is pretty obvious when anyone tries to use these passages in Hebrews to teach loss of salvation that they are woefully unfamiliar with the Book as a whole. The theme of perfection runs through the entire book, and the fact is that our faith is not dependent solely on us. He is the Author and Perfecter (Finisher) of our faith, not we ourselves.
Hebrews 10:14, when understood in its fuller context (that of the Chapter and that of the Book) is the clearest and most irrefutable statement of Eternal Security found in all of Scripture.
Continued...