Dictionary of Bible Themes – 8707 apostasy, dealing with personal
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8707 apostasy, dealing with personal

8707 apostasy, dealing with personal

Individual believers can fall away from faith and be restored. Scripture gives examples of such falling away, and offers advice on how such people should be dealt with pastorally.

Warnings of the dangers of personal apostasy

2Co 11:2-3 See also Ps 125:4-5; Lk 9:59-62; Gal 3:1-3; Gal 4:8-10 Those who return to strict observance of Jewish days and festivals have not understood the gospel.

Warnings against leading others into apostasy

Mt 18:6 See also Pr 28:10; Gal 5:7-10

Encouragements to guard against personal apostasy

1Co 10:12-13; Heb 3:12-14 See also Ps 85:8; Mt 24:10-13,24-25 pp Mk 13:22-23; Col 1:21-23; 1Ti 6:20-21; Heb 10:35-39; Heb 12:1-8; 2Pe 3:17-18; Rev 13:5-10

Dealing with apostate believers

Gal 6:1 See also 1Co 5:4-5; Jas 5:19-20; 1Jn 5:16-17

Examples of those who were restored from apostasy

Samson: Jdg 16:20,28-30
Ps 51:1-17 David Peter: Mt 26:74 pp Mk 14:72 pp Lk 22:61-62 pp Jn 18:27 for the account of Peter’s reinstatement see Jn 21:15-17
Ac 15:37-38 for evidence of John Mark’s recovery see 2Ti 4:11

The punishment of apostates

Isa 65:12-15; Eze 3:20; Eze 18:24-26; 2Th 2:11-12; 2Pe 2:17

Punishment through misfortune Dt 28:63; Am 2:4-6

Punishment through defeat Nu 14:43; Jdg 2:12-15

Punishment through rejection 2Ch 24:20; Hos 4:6

See also

1461truth, nature of
6248temptation
6730reinstatement
6732repentance
7026church, leadership
7784shepherd
8774legalism
8834unbelief

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