Apostasy, dealing with personal

Individual believers can fall away from faith and be restored. Scripture gives examples of such falling away, and offers advice on how such people should be dealt with pastorally.

Warnings of the dangers of personal apostasy

2 Corinthians 11:2–3 See also Psalm 125:4–5; Luke 9:59–62; Galatians 3:1–3, Galatians 4:8–10 Those who return to strict observance of Jewish days and festivals have not understood the gospel.

I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. For I promised you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. I am afraid, however, that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may be led astray from your simple and pure devotion to Christ.

Warnings against leading others into apostasy

Matthew 18:6 See also Proverbs 28:10; Galatians 5:7–10

But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.

Encouragements to guard against personal apostasy

1 Corinthians 10:12–13; Hebrews 3:12–14 See also Psalm 85:8; Matthew 24:10–13, Matthew 24:24–25 parallel Mark 13:22–23; Colossians 1:21–23; 1 Timothy 6:20–21; Hebrews 10:35–39, Hebrews 12:1–8; 2 Peter 3:17–18; Revelation 13:5–10

So the one who thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall. No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it.

See to it, brothers, that none of you has a wicked heart of unbelief that turns away from the living God. But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly to the end the assurance we had at first.

Dealing with apostate believers

Galatians 6:1 See also 1 Corinthians 5:4–5; James 5:19–20; 1 John 5:16–17

Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.

Examples of those who were restored from apostasy

Samson: Judges 16:20, Judges 16:28–30; Psalm 51:1–17 David; Matthew 26:74 parallels Mark 14:72, Luke 22:61–62, John 18:27 for the account of Peter's reinstatement see John 21:15–17; Acts 15:37–38 for evidence of John Mark's recovery see 2 Timothy 4:11

The punishment of apostates

Isaiah 65:12–15; Ezekiel 3:20, Ezekiel 18:24–26; 2 Thessalonians 2:11–12; 2 Peter 2:17

Punishment through misfortune

Deuteronomy 28:63; Amos 2:4–6

Punishment through defeat

Numbers 14:43; Judges 2:12–15

Punishment through rejection

2 Chronicles 24:20; Hosea 4:6