This is an important question that many Christians wrestle with. On one hand, the Bible clearly teaches that salvation is eternal and secure for the true believer who has placed their faith in Christ (John 10:28-29; Romans 8:38-39; Ephesians 1:13-14). However, the Bible also seriously warns believers against falling away from the faith and into apostasy (Hebrews 6:4-6; 10:26-31). How do we reconcile these two Biblical truths that seem contradictory?
First, we must understand that the warnings against apostasy in Scripture are meant for true believers, not just professing believers. The book of Hebrews was written to Christians, warning them not to abandon their faith in Christ and return to Old Testament Judaism. This warns shows that genuine believers can fall away. The frightening warnings about falling away would be unnecessary if salvation could not be lost.
Second, the warnings against apostasy convey the danger and terrible consequences of abandoning one’s faith in Christ after professing to believe. Although God preserves those who are truly saved, those who turn away from Him after tasting His grace will face dreadful judgment (Hebrews 10:26-31). The warnings move believers to urgent faithfulness, self-examination, repentance from sin and endurance until the end.
Third, the warnings against falling away indicate that while genuine faith will persevere, some may “believe” for a while and then fall away when trials or persecution come, showing they had no root (Luke 8:13). The apostle John said some had gone out from the church, demonstrating they were never truly “of us” (1 John 2:19). The warnings provoke self-examination to ensure one’s faith is real.
Fourth, God uses the warnings to motivate His people toward obedience, reverence for Him and persevering faith. After a sobering warning, Hebrews 12:25 says, “See that you do not refuse Him who speaks.” The warnings against apostasy spur us on to faithful obedience and reliance on Christ until the end.
In summary, the warnings against falling away indicate that apostasy is possible even for true believers, but God uses the warnings to preserve His people. He keeps His own from ultimately falling away (John 10:28-29; Jude 24-25). The biblical doctrine of eternal security does not negate human responsibility to endure in faith. Rather, God uses warnings of judgment against apostasy to stimulate perseverance and self-examination in the believer. The warnings and the promises work together to keep believers until eternal glory.
Understanding Apostasy
Before examining why the Bible warns against apostasy, it is important to define what apostasy is according to Scripture:
- Departure from the faith (1 Timothy 4:1)
- Those who heard the gospel and rejected it (Hebrews 4:2)
- Willful sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth (Hebrews 10:26)
- Denial of Christ and His gospel (2 Peter 2:1)
- Anti-christs who departed from true believers (1 John 2:18-19)
Apostasy entails knowingly rejecting Christ after professing faith in Him. It is different from backsliding in sin or struggling with doubt. Apostasy is a deliberate repudiation of the gospel message and work of Christ that one once embraced.
Reasons for the Warnings Against Apostasy
Scripture contains solemn warnings against apostasy for several important reasons:
1. To urge self-examination
The warnings provoke believers to seriously examine themselves to see that their faith is genuine (2 Corinthians 13:5). The frightening consequences of apostasy prompt deep soul-searching to ensure one is truly saved.
2. To promote enduring faith
The warnings against falling away encourage persevering faith in Christ, especially when trials or persecution come. They stimulate continuing obedience until the end (Matthew 10:22).
3. To highlight the danger of rejecting Christ
Apostasy is no small thing. The dire warnings emphasize the great spiritual danger of rejecting Christ after claiming to embrace Him. They declare the catastrophic consequences of turning away (Hebrews 10:28-29).
4. To show that apostasy is possible
The warnings reveal that those once enlightened can fall away. Some hear the gospel and believe for a time but later reject it (Luke 8:13). Apostasy is a real danger, not just hypothetical.
5. To keep believers from pride and complacency
The warnings against being “hardened by the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:13) guard against pride or complacency. Believers must continually rely on Christ, not self.
6. To make Christ’s promised rest conditional
Entering God’s eternal rest is conditioned upon persevering faith in Christ, not mere profession (Hebrews 4:1-11). The warnings show that unbelievers will not enter God’s rest.
7. To motivate obedience and holy living
The warnings against unbelief motivate believers to obedience and righteous living. They know continual sin hardens the heart and can lead to apostasy.
These reasons showcase why Scripture contains such solemn warnings against abandoning the faith. The warnings are necessary to wake up slumbering hearts, revealing the necessity of self-examination and persevering faith.
Scriptural Examples of Apostasy
The Bible contains examples of apostasy that illustrate this terrible sin:
Israel in the Wilderness
Israel saw God’s miracles and trusted in Him, yet they still rejected Him in unbelief (Psalm 106:24; Hebrews 3:16-19). Their apostasy in the wilderness despite witnessing God’s works was a warning to future generations.
Those Who Walked with Jesus
Many followed Christ for a time but later deserted Him (John 6:66). They had seen His miracles firsthand, yet still turned away. Judas also defected after experiencing Jesus’ ministry.
Hymenaeus and Alexander
These men made shipwreck of their faith and Paul delivered them to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme (1 Timothy 1:19-20). They had embraced the faith but then rejected sound doctrine and the faith.
False Teachers
The New Testament warns of false teachers who introduce destructive heresies and deny Christ (2 Peter 2:1). They had known biblical truth but later twisted and rejected it.
These examples demonstrate that those who have seen God at work or embraced the gospel can still turn away. The warnings are sobering for all.
True Believers Won’t Apostatize
Importantly, Scripture assures that genuine believers will not abandon the faith or fall away from Christ’s grace:
- They have eternal life and will never perish (John 10:27-28).
- True faith endures to the end (Matthew 24:13; Hebrews 3:6, 14).
- God keeps them from stumbling (Jude 1:24-25).
- Nothing can separate them from God’s love (Romans 8:38-39).
- The Holy Spirit has sealed them for eternity (Ephesians 1:13-14).
Although some fall away, demonstrating false faith, God gives His true sheep eternal security. He finishes the work He began, keeping His own until glory (Philippians 1:6; 1 Peter 1:3-5). The warnings against apostasy drive the sheep to the Shepherd.
Cautions for Believers
While true believers are eternally secure in Christ, Scripture offers sobering cautions:
- Don’t harden your heart in sin (Hebrews 3:8, 15)
- Encourage others daily to prevent unbelief (Hebrews 3:12-13)
- Hold fast without wavering (Hebrews 4:14)
- Diligently strive to enter God’s rest (Hebrews 4:11)
- Pursue holiness without immorality (Hebrews 12:14-17)
- Watch that no one falls short of God’s grace (Hebrews 12:15-17)
- Endure hardship as discipline (Hebrews 12:3-11)
Although stumbling in sin will happen, we must encourage one another and persevere in faith through trials. God uses hardship to discipline those He loves.
Only Christ Can Sustain Us
Believers must rely fully on Christ Himself, not personal strength, to avoid falling away (2 Peter 1:10). Juxtaposed with warnings against apostasy are promises of God’s sustaining grace for His people (Jude 24-25). He keeps us secure by His power through faith (1 Peter 1:5). The warnings drive the sheep to trust the Shepherd.
The frightening dangers of apostasy remind us that without Christ, we would surely fall away. But by His grace, He keeps His sheep eternally secure. The warnings against falling away keep us clinging to our faithful Savior until the end.
