appostasy

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Permalink Reply by Sarah Gardener on October 28, 2010 at 6:04pm

Emmanuel,

It is my personal belief that one can apostate. Have a read of this article if you get time:

http://www.africanaquatics.co.za/_christian/_articles/Apostasy.htm

God Bless
Linda Ruth

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Permalink Reply by David Velasquez on October 29, 2010 at 2:42am

Emmanuel,

Hebrews 10 Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins. 27 There is only the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies. 28 For anyone who refused to obey the law of Moses was put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Just think how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to us. 30 For we know the one who said, “I will take revenge. I will pay them back.” He also said, “The Lord will judge his own people.” 31 It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 32 Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. 33 Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. 34 You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever. 35 So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! 36 Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. 37 “For in just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay. 38 And my righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.” 39 But we are not like those who turn away from God to their own destruction. We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved.

These verses deal with the sin of Apostasy. Apostates are people who get close to the things pertaining to God and salvation, but intentionally fall away, they understand the Gospel, but rebel and walk away. Not all the Hebrews would respond to the gentle invitation of vv.19-25. The writer excludes himself and genuine believers from those who turn back (v.39). Sin willfully – the sin is rejecting Christ deliberately. Knowledge – the Greek term denotes specific knowledge, not general spiritual knoladge(6:4, 1Tim. 2:4). Judas is a good example of a disciple who had no lack of knowledge, but lack faith and became the arch-apostate. No longer – the apostate is beyond salvation

For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect--if that were possible. Mark 13:22

It is impossible to deceive the elect to the point of apostasy We became a new creation spiritually and we are sealed by the Holy Spirit.

>>does God accepts apostates when they come back to him?

In some cases and I suspect the majority of them, if and when they truly Repent with a contrite heart regenerated by the Spirit, God will receive them.

In other cases God may pass judgement while they are still living and let them be. Romans 1:31 they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 3 2Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

This is a secondary issue, an important one, but secondary. We can have differences in such issues and still be one in the household of OUr LOrd, Hallelujah - Much love to you!

Keep researching and asking and sharing....

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Permalink Reply by RoyW on October 29, 2010 at 4:17pm

Brother Emmanuel,

Is your question in general or are you concerned with you own personal salvation? If so, I would say that the person worried about apostasy is not an apostate. The Spirit is drawing you away from the world. I am not sure how long you have been saved but the Spirit will sanctify you and cleanse you from all sin. You can have full faith and trust in Him to do so.

However, if this is a theological question, it is a very good one. I believe it is one that needs to be discussed. We are told that before our Lord returns, there must first be the rebellion or a falling away. Some believe we are in the last days and that we are actually seeing the first fruits of this rebellion. Paul warned Timothy:

2 Ti 4:3-5 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. NIV

I would guess that it would be possible for an apostate to return but my thinking is that he will not. However, there is a difference between the one that drifts or falls into sin from the one that departs from the faith. That is the one that is very difficult to explain.

Anyway, may the Lord continue to be with you and prosper your journey in Him.

Your brother,
Roy

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Permalink Reply by Michael Vernon McEntire on December 12, 2010 at 7:19am

I'm afraid that Veronika's reply may be exegetically correct, but much too complicated for the believer who has lapsed in his faith and is worried that the LORD may not accept his penitence.  The answer is, "Of course you can come back if you want to."  You wouldn't want to come back to Christ and His Church unless you believed that they were true.  Jesus keeps no record of wrongs that have been done against Him.  If you trust Christ for your Salvation, you can be saved no matter what you have done.  Christ has said that He will not despise anyone who comes to Him.  He saves us by Faith, not according to what we have done.  If you believe that Christ is the only Door to Paradise, then enter and rejoice in the banquet of Love.

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