Apostasy And Returning To Faith Biblically
Apostasy, or "backsliding," refers to a drawing back or turning away from God in matters of religion [3, 1]. This can manifest as a departure from one's initial faith or the simplicity of the gospel [1]. The Bible warns against apostasy, describing it as a state of sin that can be either partial or complete [3, 14].
The concept of apostasy is understood as a backsliding from God, which can occur in various ways depending on the nature of one's union with God. Thomas Aquinas notes that this union can be through faith, through submission to God's commandments, or through special commitments like religious life or holy orders [10]. If a person removes the foundational element of their union with God, such as faith, then the subsequent elements also fall away [10].
Biblical texts frequently address the dangers and consequences of apostasy. For instance, the prophet Isaiah calls for a return to God from those who have "deepened apostasy" [7]. Hosea similarly urges, "Come, and let us return to the Lord: for he hath spoiled, and he will heal us" [8]. The New Testament also contains strong warnings against falling away. The author of Hebrews cautions against an "evil heart of unbelief" that leads away from the living God [12]. This epistle also speaks of the severe consequences for those who "fall away" after having been enlightened, tasted the heavenly gift, and shared in the Holy Spirit [9]. John Calvin interprets this passage in Hebrews 6:6 as God giving a sign of paternal favor to those he wills not to perish, while thundering against the reprobate whose impiety is unforgivable [11]. He also notes that voluntary apostates mock God and reject his favor [11].
Returning to faith after apostasy involves repentance and reconciliation. The apostle Peter urged his listeners to "Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, so that there may come times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord" [4]. Reconciliation signifies a change from enmity to friendship, which is mutual [2]. In the context of returning to God, it involves a change in the sinner's character, moving from being an enemy of God to yielding full confidence and love to Him [2]. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is central to this process, providing assurance of God's truth and the possibility of forgiveness and justification [6, 5]. Through Christ's blessing, individuals are renewed by regeneration into the righteousness of God from which they had fallen [13].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Backsliding — Is turning from God -- 1Ki 11:9. Is leaving the first love -- Re 2:4. Is departing form the simplicity of the gospel -- 2Co 11:3; Ga 3:1-3; 5:4,7. God is displeased at -- Ps 78:57,59. Warnings against -- Ps 85:8; 1Co 10:12. Guilt and consequences of -- Nu 14:43; Ps 125:5; Isa 59:2,9-11; Jer 5:6; 8:5,13; 15:6; Lu 9:62. Brings its own punishment -- Pr 14:14; Jer 2:19. A haughty spirit leads to -- Pr 16:18. Proneness to -- Pr 24:16; Ho 11:7. Liable to continue and increase -- Jer 8:5; 14:7. Exhortations to return from -- 2Ch 30:6; Isa 31:6; Jer 3:12,14,22;”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Reconcilation — A change from enmity to friendship. It is mutual, i.e., it is a change wrought in both parties who have been at enmity. (1.) In Col. 1:21, 22, the word there used refers to a change wrought in the personal character of the sinner who ceases to be an enemy to God by wicked works, and yields up to him his full confidence and love. In 2 Cor. 5:20 the apostle beseeches the Corinthians to be "reconciled to God", i.e., to lay aside their enmity. (2.) Rom. 5:10 refers not to any change in our disposition toward God, but to God himself, as the party reconcile”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Backslide — To draw back or apostatize in matters of religion (Acts 21:21; 2 Thess. 2:3; 1 Tim. 4:1). This may be either partial (Prov. 14:14) or complete (Heb. 6:4-6; 10:38, 39). The apostasy may be both doctrinal and moral.”
- Acts ““Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, so that there may come times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord, -- Acts 3:19”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Resurrection of Christ, The — Foretold by the prophets -- Ps 16:10; Ac 13:34,35; Isa 26:19. Foretold by Himself -- Mt 20:19; Mr 9:9; 14:28; Joh 2:19-22. Was necessary to The fulfilment of Scripture. -- Lu 24:45,46. Forgiveness of sins. -- 1Co 15:17. Justification. -- Ro 4:25; 8:34. Hope. -- 1Co 15:19. The efficacy of preaching. -- 1Co 15:14. The efficacy of faith. -- 1Co 15:14,17. A proof of his being the Son of God -- Ps 2:7; Ac 13:33; Ro 1:4. Effected by The power of God. -- Ac 2:24; 3:15; Ro 8:11; Eph 1:20; Col 2:12. His own power. -- Joh 2:19; 10:18. The power of”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Assurance — The resurrection of Jesus (Acts 17:31) is the "assurance" (Gr. pistis, generally rendered "faith") or pledge God has given that his revelation is true and worthy of acceptance. The "full assurance [Gr. plerophoria, full bearing'] of faith" (Heb. 10:22) is a fulness of faith in God which leaves no room for doubt. The "full assurance of understanding" (Col. 2:2) is an entire unwavering conviction of the truth of the declarations of Scripture, a joyful steadfastness on the part of any one of conviction that he has grasped the very truth. The "full assurance ”
- Isaiah “Isaiah 31:6 (YLT) — Turn back to Him from whom sons of Israel Have deepened apostasy.”
- Hosea “Hosea 6:1 (Geneva1599) — Come, and let vs returne to the Lord: for he hath spoyled, and he will heale vs: he hath wounded vs, and he will binde vs vp.”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 6:6: If--Greek, "And (yet) have fallen away"; compare a less extreme falling or declension, Gal 5:4, "Ye are fallen from grace." Here an entire and wilful apostasy is meant; the Hebrews had not yet so fallen away; but he warns them that such would be the final result of retrogression, if, instead of "going on to perfection," they should need to learn again the first principles of Christianity (Heb 6:1). to renew them again--They have been "once" (Heb 6:4) already renewed, or made anew, and now they need to be "renewed" over "again." crucify to themselve”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Second Part of the Second Part (Secunda Secundae), Of Apostasy, Art. 1: Article: Whether apostasy pertains to unbelief? I answer that, Apostasy denotes a backsliding from God. This may happen in various ways according to the different kinds of union between man and God. For, in the first place, man is united to God by faith; secondly, by having his will duly submissive in obeying His commandments; thirdly, by certain special things pertaining to supererogation such as the religious life, the clerical state, or Holy Orders. Now if that which follows be removed, that w”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 58: them to repentance ( Heb. 6:6 ); that is, God by renewing those whom he wills not to perish, gives them a sign of paternal favor, and in a manner attracts them to himself, by the beams of a calm and reconciled countenance; on the other hand, by hardening the reprobate, whose impiety is not to be forgiven, he thunders against them. This kind of vengeance the Apostle denounces against voluntary apostates ( Heb. 10:29 ), who, in falling away from the faith of the gospel, mock God, insultingly reject his favor, profane and trample unde”
- Hebrews (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hebrews 3:12: Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you - Take warning by those disobedient Israelites; they were brought out of the house of bondage, and had the fullest promise of a land of prosperity and rest. By their disobedience they came short of it, and fell in the wilderness. Ye have been brought from the bondage of sin, and have a most gracious promise of an everlasting inheritance among the saints in light; through unbelief and disobedience they lost their rest, through the same ye may lose yours. An evil heart of unbelief will head away from the living God. Wh”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 58: the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord.” Again, “Be renewed in the spirit of your minds” and “put ye on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” Again, “Put ye on 516 the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.” 310 310 2 Cor. 3:18 ; Eph. 4:23, 24 ; Col. 3:10 ; 2 Cor. 4:16 . Accordingly through the blessing of Christ we are renewed by that regeneration into the righteousness of God from which we had falle”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 10:26: Compare on this and following verses, Heb 6:4, &c. There the warning was that if there be not diligence in progressing, a falling off will take place, and apostasy may ensue: here it is, that if there be lukewarmness in Christian communion, apostasy may ensue. if we sin--Greek present participle: if we be found sinning, that is, not isolated acts, but a state of sin [ALFORD]. A violation not only of the law, but of the whole economy of the New Testament (Heb 10:28-29). wilfully--presumptuously, Greek "willingly." After receiving "full knowledge (”