Apostasy, warnings against personal

It is possible for individuals to fall away from faith or turn against Jesus Christ. Scripture identifies this danger and warns against its negative consequences.

Personal apostasy described

Hebrews 6:4–8 See also Matthew 13:20–21 parallels Mark 4:16–17, Luke 8:13; Matthew 24:10–12; Galatians 1:6, Galatians 5:4; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; 2 Timothy 4:3–4; 1 Timothy 4:1; 1 John 2:19, 1 John 5:16

It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age — and then have fallen away — to be restored to repentance, because they themselves are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting Him to open shame. For land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is tended receives the blessing of God. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless, and its curse is imminent. In the end it will be burned.

Warnings against personal apostasy

Hebrews 10:26–31 See also Matthew 10:33 parallels Mark 8:38, Luke 12:9; John 15:6; 2 Timothy 2:12; Hebrews 3:12; 2 Peter 3:17

If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume all adversaries. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think one deserves to be punished who has trampled on the Son of God, profaned the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge His people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

OT examples of personal apostasy

Deuteronomy 13:1–11 an unfruitful prophet or relative; 1 Samuel 15:11, 1 Samuel 15:28, 1 Samuel 16:14; 2 Samuel 7:15; 2 Chronicles 26:16–21 King Uzziah; 2 Chronicles 28:19–27 King Ahaz

NT examples of personal apostasy

Matthew 26:14–16 parallels Mark 14:10–11, Luke 22:3–6 Judas; Luke 13:26–27; John 6:66; Acts 5:1–11 Ananias and Sapphira; 1 Timothy 1:19–20 Hymenaeus and Alexander; Titus 1:16; 2 Timothy 4:10 Demas; 2 Peter 2:1–3, 2 Peter 2:10–15, 2 Peter 2:20–22; Jude 1:4, Jude 1:8–16; Revelation 2:20–22 Jezebel