The problem is the deceitfulness of sin, not the forsaking of a theological position. These Christian Jews were drifting back into sin! They were neglecting to press into the rest of God.

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (Hebrews 12:1)

Notice the emphasis on behaviorùlet us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us. Again we are referring to the deceitfulness of sin. Sin is the issue. Should the Jewish believers go back into sin, falling away from Christ, or should they press forward to the promise?

Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. (Hebrews 12:4)

Place the above verse against the pap we are hearing today. The true Christian life is one of striving against sin. It is one long fight of faith in which we press forward through the wilderness to the land of promise. The Holy Spirit assists and guides us every step of the way.

It seems to me this goes along with the idea that if the believer turns back to Egypt, so to speak, there is a danger he or she will never be able to turn around and start again toward the land of promise.

Notice the following:

For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment delivered to them. (II Peter 2:21)

Notice that it is the "way of righteousness." It is not the way of belief but the way of righteous behavior. To turn back into sin is to turn away from the "holy commandment."

The preceding verse, in II Peter, makes it clear he is not referring to a belief system but to entanglement in the sins of the world.

For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. (II Peter (II Peter 2:20)

II Peter 2:20 seems to me to come close to Hebrews 6:6. How do you feel about this?

Continuing in Hebrews:

Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? (Hebrews 12:9)

I would say from the above verse that the Jewish Christians were drawing back because of troubles they were having as a Christian. The writer is pointing out that these troubles are the chastening of the Lord, administered to us that we might be holy sons of God.

Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; (Hebrews 12:15)

Notice the expression "fail of the grace of God." Isn't that unusual? To fail of or come short of the grace of God is referring back to Hebrews 4:1, "any of you should seem to come short of it." So the primary theme of the Book of Hebrews continues throughout.

To be continued.