Unbelief Backsliding and Apostasy

BIBLE REVEALS THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE BELIEVER IS FREE AND CAN GIVE UP HIS FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST AND THUS GET LOST BY THE CHOICE OF HIS OWN FREEWILL. This fact is clear from the following passages. “...in the latter times some shall depart from the faith...” (1Tim 4:1). “But I keep under my body and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” (1Cor 9:27). Other relevant passages include : Ex 32:33; 1Chro 28:9; 2Chro 15:2; Eze 3:18-21; 18:21-32; 33:11-16; Mt 5:13; Lk 8:13; Jn 8:31-32; Col 1:21-23; 1Tim 1:19-20; 5:12; 6:21; 2Tim 2:17-18; Heb 2:1-3; 3:6, 12-14; 6:6; Rev 2:25-26; 22:19; Mt 10:22; Lk 9:23; Acts 14:22; 1Cor 15:2-3; 1Tim  2:15; Heb 4:11; 10:38; 2Pet 1:10; Rev 2:13. Thus the Bible reveals the possibility that eternal life (Jesus Christ) can depart from those who depart from the doctrine of Christ. “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son” (2Jn: 9).

BELIEVER CAN SIN. Disobedience of the word of God or sin brings sure death (Gen 2:17). “...Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin”(Jn 8:34). “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of law...Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother”( 1Jn 3: 4-10). Scripture asserts that the one who continues to sin is not a child of God.  “...He that loveth not his brother abideth in death”(1Jn 3:14). “And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?” (1Pet 4:18).

“If any man see his brother sin, a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death” (1Jn 5:16-17). This shows that any sin takes the life from the person. But if the sin is not a mortal sin, he can repent and receive forgiveness and life back.

“But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eateth, thereof thou shalt surely die” (Gen 2:17). “Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth it shall die”(Eze 18:4). “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom 6:23). “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live” (Rom 8:13).

The believer will be chastened for his sins which are not unto death. “...My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he recieveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons” (Heb 12:5-8).

Hence those who continuously practice sin and violate the Word of God and yet receive not the chastisement should test their faith to see whether they are in the faith. Because most probably they are not in faith.

UNFORGIVABLE SINS. UNBELIEF is the very rejection of Jesus Christ who is the fulfillment of the law. “...He that believeth not the Son shall not see life...” (Jn 3:36). APOSTASY is possible only for those who once experienced regeneration by the working of the Holy Spirit. Apostasy is sinning to the extent of deliberately abandoning belief in Jesus Christ and denying Him, after having previously believed on Him. “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God” (Heb 3:12). BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT: One who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit has no forgiveness and is in danger of eternal damnation. “...All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, shall not be forgiven unto men...” (Mt 12:31-32). It is the willful repudiation of God’s work in Jesus Christ accomplished through the power of the Holy Spirit, and attributing it to devil. See Mt 12:24-32; Mk 3:22-30 and Lk 12:10.

BELIEVER CAN ERR FROM FAITH – 1Tim 4: 1-3. “Now as Janes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith (2Tim 3:8).

“Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme” (1Tim 1:19-20). “For the love of money is the root of all the evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1Tim 6:10).  “...Keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred concerning faith”(1Tim 6:20-21). “...Of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some”(2Tim 2:17-18). “...Ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3).

“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed” (Gal 1:6-8).

BACKSLIDING. Backsliders (believers who deny the commandments) can be renewed and restored (Gal 6:1). Man is spiritually dead when he is born. His dead spirit becomes alive or is born again when he believes in the word of God. When the believer sins he dies spiritually. Because the wages of sin is death. Hence the sinning believer requires constant repentance, confession and renewal. This is the life saving responsibility of the believer. But the believer has the option of not sinning, maintaining his spirit alive and thus work out his own salvation with fear and trembling.

Not sinning and doing good works are the results of believers’ love for God. He receives rewards for good works. Rewards are for the good works done after salvation when I am walking in the spirit. Chastisement is for the bad works of the believer. Both are for believers only. If the believer continues to walk in the flesh God will chastise him. He might even backslide and reach the state of apostasy.

UNBELIEF. Ceasing to believe is proved or certified by one’s own bad works or bad testimony. The proof of discontinuing the belief is bad actions. Because faith and works for salvation cannot be separated. That is why Christ is quite serious about adultery, anger, calling another fool etc. Unbelief will lead to the loss of salvation. “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him”(Jn 3:36).   What is said is, “He that believeth not”, that, anyone who does not believe now or at any particular point of time. This includes even the person who was a believer in the past, but who does not believe now.

Lack    of endurance and perseverance cause backsliding which in turn leads to unbelief. “They on the rock are they which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away”(Lk 8:13). Unbelief is not merely a sin. Because sin is the transgression of law. Unbelief is not merely a transgression of law. On the other hand unbelief is the rejection of the law itself or the rejection of the very source of forgiveness.

There are two kinds of non-believers: A. Those who have never come to the knowledge of Christ. B. Those who were in the knowledge of Christ, but later rejected faith in Christ as a result of a progressive spiritual degeneration through disobedience. This is apostasy. The eternal condition of the apostates will be worse than the other group of unbelievers. Apostasy is discontinuing of faith plus denial of Christ either by word or deed or both.

APOSTASY. Backsliding progressively leads to unbelief which in turn leads to apostasy. Backsliding is a matter of action and unbelief is a matter of faith; and apostasy is a matter faith (unbelief) plus action (denial of Christ by word or deed). It is impossible to renew the apostates back to repentance (Heb 6:4-6). Apostasy is rejection, defection, or desertion from the faith in Christ by those who professed Him. Unbelief or apostasy is not a sin, but the very rejection of the source of forgiveness. But blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is a sin. Sin is the transgression of law. Unbelief is not the transgression of law but the very rejection of the law itself. Thus though both apostasy and blasphemy against Holy Spirit are clear repudiation of God’s unique work in Jesus Christ, they are different.

Apostasy is deliberately abandoning belief in Jesus Christ and denying Him, after having previously believed on him. Examples are Satan, Judas Iscariot, Demas (2Cor 4:10), Hymeneus and Alexander (1Tim 1:20). Heresy is different from apostasy. The heretic denies some aspects of Christian faith, but calls himself a Christian.

Those who knew and rejected the gospel will become progressively opposed to it at the end times. Their heart is hardened that they should not understand. Apostasy will culminate in the appearance of the man of sin. “...For that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition”(2Thes 2:3; Also see 1Tim 4:1-3). “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron” (1Tim 4:1-2).

There is no forgiveness for apostasy. No more sacrifice. No chance for repentance. Hence it is a crisis without any solution. In Heb 6 some fall away because of unbelief; in 10 some fall away through willful, persistent sin.

GOD’S VOW TO THE APOSTATES. “Therefore will I also deal in fury: mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them” (Eze 8:18). “And as for me also, mine eye shall not spare, neither will have pity, but I will recompense their way upon their head” (Eze 9:10). “Well: because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not high minded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness; otherwise thou also shall be cut off” (Rom 11:20-22).

Examples of Falling From Grace (Gal 5:4)

SONS OF GOD CAN GO TO HELL. Angels are called sons of God (Job 38:7), of whom some are already in hell. Lucifer and his angels were created sinless with the free will capable of sinning. Gradually they fell from the grace of God. Lucifer lost eternal life in heaven. He lost it by the act of his free will. If God did not allow the option of losing salvation the rebellion and fall of Lucifer would have been impossible.

ADAM AND EVE. They were created in non-sinful condition with the capability of sinning. With the fall of Adam from the grace of God, all men fell from grace. All men except Adam and Eve are born-lost. But they can regain grace in Christ. Hence they have the chance to be born-again.

MANY ISRAELITES: Their names were in the book of life. “And the Lord said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book”(Ex 32:33). Moses told Israel that if you forget the Lord, He will forget you.

SAUL: The spirit of God was upon him (1Sam 10:10). Later the spirit of the Lord departed from him and an evil spirit troubled him (1Sam 16:14).

JUDAS WAS ONCE SAVED. Judas also lost his salvation (quote words of Jesus “only the son of perdition is lost”; Jesus said you 12 will occupy 12 thrones of 12 tribes of Israel, including Judas). “For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry” (Acts 1:17). “Thou Lord which knowest the hearts of all men, show whether of these thou hast chosen, That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place”(Acts 1:24-25). He was an apostle (Lk 6:13). Christ had ordained him and given him power over demons, power to heal all manner of sickness, and also to preach (Mt 10:1-4; 7; Mk 3:14-15). He was successful in his ministry (Mk 6:12-13). He was counted as a sheep along with other apostles amidst the wolves (Mt 10:16). He had the Holy Spirit in him. “But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you” (Mt 10:19-20). Judas had eternal life (Jn 17:2, 12).

God Warns Believers not to Give up Faith and Advises to Hold Fast to Faith

BIBLE DECLARES THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE BELIEVER CAN NEGLECT SALVATION AND FORSAKE THE LORD AND GET DAMNED “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip...How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation...”(Heb 2:1-3). “The Lord is with you while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you”(2Chro 15:2). “...for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off forever” (1Chro 28:9).

BELIEVERS ARE ASKED TO HOLD FAST TO THE FAITH UNTIL THE END PRESUPPOSING THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE BELIEVER CAN GIVE IT UP. “But Christ as a Son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end”(Heb 3:6). “But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations”(Rev 2:25-26). “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end;” (Heb 3:12-14). “And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled, In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister” (Col 1:21-23). “This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith” (Tit 1:13). “...If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed: And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (Jn 8:31-32). The words of Christ must be kept in order to be saved. “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved” (Mt 10:22). “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain” (1Cor 15:2-3). “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). “Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety” (1Tim 2:15). “Holding the mystery of faith in a pure conscience” (1Tim 3:9). “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses” (1Tim 6:12).

THE BELIEVER IS ADVISED TO BE IN FAITH UNTIL THE DEATH. “The just shall live by faith”(Gal 3:11). That is in every moment of life the believer shall live by faith, not just in one moment of life. “Now the just shall live by faith; but if any man draws back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him”(Heb 10:38). “...Be faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life”(Rev 2:10). Following Christ until the end of life is necessary for eternal life (Jn 10:27-28). “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me”(Lk 9:23).

Such constant exhortation to be in faith is because of the God-given possibility of believer giving up faith by the exercise of his free will, becoming an apostate and being lost forever, without possibility for any further repentance. Hence those who want eternal security must remain steadfast in their faith until the end, instead of attempting to take advantage of the love of God and being punished eternally. Those who keep sinning thinking that their salvation can never be lost do have a deep spiritual problem. 

God Warns the Disobedient

“Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him...He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother” (1Jn 3: 6-10).

“And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear” (1Pet 4:18). “...if ye live after the flesh ye shall die...” (Rom 8:13).

Those who do the works of the flesh shall not inherit the kingdom of God. “...Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh...Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Gal 5:16-25).

“For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience” (Eph 5:5-6). “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are” (1Cor 3:16-17). Thus it is clear that even the believer will be recompensed for his sins. Because “...he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons” (Col 3:25).

God Warns Apostasy With Most Serious Punishment

GOD ASSURES THE POSSIBILITY THAT SALVATION CAN BE LOST IF THE PERSON HIMSELF OR HERSELF REJECTS HIS FAITH, CEASES TO BELIEVE, AND PROVE IT BY WORDS AND DEEDS. The present work of Christ as our advocate, the work of Christ as our intercessor, the sealing work of the Holy Spirit, the keeping power of God etc do not restrict the free will of man to make his free choices.

“It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him , we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself”(2Tim 2:11-13).

“But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live. Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? Saith the Lord God: and not that he should return from his ways, and live? But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die...When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them: for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die. Again when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die...For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye”(Eze 18: 21-32).

“When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, not from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. Again when a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul” (Eze 3:18-21).

 “Say unto them, as I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? Therefore thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his righteousness in the day that he sinneth. When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, and his righteousness shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it. Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right; If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statues of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die. None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him; he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live”(Eze 33:11-16).

“For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly...The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness”(2Pet 2:4-10).

Wherefore, brethren, give the more diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never stumble: for thus shall be richly supplied unto you the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2PET 1:10-11).

“When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when is come, he findeth it empty, swept and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation”(Mt 12:43-45).

“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is henceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men”(Mt 5:13).

“For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, then, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire” (2Pet 2:20-22).

“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, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 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...whose end is to be burned” (Heb 6:4-8).

It is not right to say that they were just ‘tasters’ of the Holy Spirit, and that the Holy Spirit never indwelt in them. There is no clue that the apostate will repent and believe. It is impossible to renew those who apostatize (Heb 6:4-9; 10:26-29; 2Pet 2:20-22).

“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith...Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering...And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much more, as ye see the day approaching. For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under feet the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, the Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God... Now the just shall live by faith; but if any man draws back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul” (Heb 10:26-39).

THE BELIEVER CAN KEEP BACKSLIDING INTO ETERNAL DEATH. “Brethren if any of you do err from the truth and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way, shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins”(Jas 5:19-20). Thus it is possible for the believers to backslide and become unbelievers. When the believer is backsliding or erring on points of faith, he can be corrected and converted back to faith and correct Christian life. Or else the person will end up in eternal death. The Christian incurs death penalty when he sins. If he repents and gets converted he shall be saved from death penalty. But in the case of an apostate it is ‘impossible to bring him back to repentance’.

BLOT OUT FROM THE BOOK OF LIFE:  “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment, and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels”(Rev 3:5). “Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book”(Ex 32:33). “Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous”(Ps 69:28). “And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book”(Rev 22:19).

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love”(Jn 15:1-10). The statement is only about the believer. Though no man can pluck any one from the Father’s hands, the Father Himself can cut off the fruitless branches, who have proved their unbelief through fruitlessness. Not recognizing the fact that Father can cut off the fruitless branches is making the fruitless believer more powerful than God the Father. The fruitless branch has no right to ask the husbandman not to remove it from the vine. The interpretation that the fruitless branches are unbelievers pretending to be believers, is a dishonest interpretation which is against the letter and spirit of the parable. The branches that are to be cut off are actually part of the vine, not just pretending to be part of the vine. If the branches are just pretending unbelievers, the cutting and burning of the branches also could be interpreted as pretensions. In short the believer is not offered an unconditional eternal life in himself. To have eternal life he must maintain his life in Christ in accordance with the Scripture.

“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates”(2Cor 13:5).