Christians can live in confidence of their salvation (1 Jn. 5:13; 1 Pet. 1:3-5). However, this does not mean that the Christian has a license to sin without punishment (Rom. 6:1-2, 23). Christians are called to diligent watchfulness to avoid falling away from God (Heb. 3:12-13). Christians can fall away from grace (Gal. 5:4).

Apostasy literally means "a standing away," hence the concept of "falling away." It is "an abandoning of what one believed in, as a faith, etc." (Webster).

Since so many religious people have been persuaded that it is impossible for the Christian to so sin as to lose his salvation, we offer Bible facts which refute this doctrine of men.

 THE POSSIBILITY OF APOSTASY

• Righteous can turn away from righteousness & die - Ezekiel 18:24.
• One who has believed can fall away - Luke 8:13.
• Christian severed from Christ - fallen away from grace - Galatians 5:2-4.
• An enlightened one can fall away & be unreachable - Hebrews 6:4-6.
• See: 1 Corinthians 10:12; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Timothy 4:3-4; James 5:19-20)

 EXAMPLES OF APOSTASY OF GOD'S PEOPLE

• Israel - Exodus 24:7; 32:7-8; Jeremiah 3:6-14 ("backsliding Israel").
• Simon Peter - Luke 22:31-34, 54-62; Galatians 2:11-14.
• Simon - Acts 8:12-13, 18-24.
• Fornicator in Corinthian church - 1 Corinthians 5:1-5, 13; 2 Corinthians 2:5-8.
• Hymenaeus and Alexander - 1 Timothy 1:18-20.
• Laodiceans - Revelation 3:15-19.

 CAUSES OF APOSTASY Times of temptation - Luke 8:13.

• Worldliness - Luke 8:14; James 4:4; 2 Timothy 4:10.
• False doctrine - Acts 20:29-30; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; 6:3-5.
• Seeking justification by the O. T. law of Moses - Galatians 5:4.
• Hardened hearts against God's revealed will - Hebrews 3:12-13.

 THE PREVENTION OF APOSTASY

• Spiritual growth to maturity - 1 Peter 2:1-2; 2 Peter 1:5-11.
• Don't love the world/Seek heavenly things-1 Jn. 2:15-17; Col. 3:1-3.
• Live in the doctrine of Christ - 2 John 9; 1 Timothy 6:3; 1:3.
• Know that salvation is only in Christ - Galatians 2:16; Acts 4:12.
• Do not harden your heart against God's will - Hebrews 3:7-8.

 THE CHRISTIAN'S REMEDY FOR APOSTASY

• Repent of your sin - Acts 8:22; 17:30.
• Confess your sin to God - 1 John 1:9.
• Pray to God for His forgiveness - Acts 8:22.
• Conversion - James 5:19-20; Galatians 6:1; Revelation 2:5.

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