can apostasy and giving up on the faith but later on wanting to return be forgiven ?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
Sep 27, 2021
6
4
3
#1
I guess that my first question is can you give up the holy spirit once you have been indwelt

and my second question is if you do, but then later on realize that you made a mistake and you want to repent of committing apostasy and giving up the holy spirit and be back in relationship with Jesus, will he let you ?
 

SomeDisciple

Well-known member
Jul 4, 2021
2,266
1,049
113
#2
It depends on exactly what you mean by "apostasy". God forgives things like

-Stupidly being mad at him
- temporarily ignoring his existence.
-Not having as much faith in him as you should
-Like Job, complaining that God treats you like an enemy when your life doesn't seem fair.

But, if you've been given signs and seen miracles- I'm not talking about charlatan faith healers or tongue-talkers or snake handlers- I'm talking about things that you know in your heart are miracles- If you know the power of the Holy Spirit- and then after that you go around preaching atheism or outright slandering the name of God... I'll just say that I personally wouldn't expect mercy from him if I did something like that.

A popular opinion among Christians seems to be that if somebody is able to feel godly sorrow and conviction and have the desire to repent- then they haven't crossed the line- although Satan would like them to think they are already condemned.
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
8,312
3,618
113
#3
I guess that my first question is can you give up the holy spirit once you have been indwelt

and my second question is if you do, but then later on realize that you made a mistake and you want to repent of committing apostasy and giving up the holy spirit and be back in relationship with Jesus, will he let you ?
If you're worried about your relationship with God and His Son, this is a good sign the Holy Spirit hasn't forgotten about you; He's still speaking to your heart. You may not have a close personal relationship with Him, but He's calling you home. Yes, repent and ask to be forgiven and Jesus will welcome you. But, depending on how much of an apostate you've been, it will take time before you'll be trusted again. Don't get discouraged; just determine that this time you'll be more sincere in your commitment to Him.
 

studentoftheword

Well-known member
Nov 12, 2021
1,717
596
113
#4
I guess that my first question is can you give up the holy spirit once you have been indwelt

and my second question is if you do, but then later on realize that you made a mistake and you want to repent of committing apostasy and giving up the holy spirit and be back in relationship with Jesus, will he let you ?
I say -----Here is the thing ------when a person accepts Christ in their life they are a Babe in Christ feeding on MILK -----these are called Carnal Christians ----it is possible for a Babe in Christ to fall away if they do not start and stay on the journey to Mature in their following Christ -----OUR JOB is to get out of the MILK stage and into the Meat stage -----Babes in Christ are very vulnerable to backsliding --- or falling away from the faith ---if you defect away from the Faith in God you are doomed -----

Strong's Concordance
parapiptó: to fall in, into or away, to fail

3895 /parapíptō ("fallen from a close position") refers to a close-follower of Christ who becomes a defector. It suggests this person (at least at one time) was a believer (note the para). 3895 (parapíptō) is only used in Heb 6:6


Hebrews 6 tells you your answer -----



Hebrews 6 NIV

6 Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death,[a] and of faith in God,

2 instruction about cleansing rites,[b] the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting, we will do so.

4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit,

5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age

6 and who have fallen[c] away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.

7 Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God.

8 But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.
 

ewq1938

Well-known member
Oct 18, 2018
5,020
1,268
113
#5
I guess that my first question is can you give up the holy spirit once you have been indwelt

and my second question is if you do, but then later on realize that you made a mistake and you want to repent of committing apostasy and giving up the holy spirit and be back in relationship with Jesus, will he let you ?

As long as one did not blaspheme the Holy Spirit. Also, those who are truly lost do not care about repentance or offending the Holy Spirit. This comes to mind:

Rev 16:9 And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.
Rev 16:10 And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,
Rev 16:11 And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.

Even after so much wrath from God, these ones still do not repent.
 

Gideon300

Well-known member
Mar 18, 2021
5,347
3,148
113
#6
I guess that my first question is can you give up the holy spirit once you have been indwelt

and my second question is if you do, but then later on realize that you made a mistake and you want to repent of committing apostasy and giving up the holy spirit and be back in relationship with Jesus, will he let you ?
You can grieve the Holy Spirit and quench the Holy Spirit, but God has promised never to leave us or forsake us. Many people get mad a t God and turn away. Many more get complacent and just drift away.

There are consequences to both sins. God will not punish you but Satan for sure pursues those who turn away from God. And the believer's conscience gives them hell, he loses all peace and joy and often the result is depression.

God can and will restore those who fall away, if they are willing to be restored. I met someone I knew 40 years ago who backslid after she married an unbeliever. She had just come back to the Lord after a life of hell. However, it is vastly better to stay close to God and not turn away. No one grows spiritually while they are in a state of rebellion.
 
Dec 9, 2011
14,127
1,803
113
#7
I guess that my first question is can you give up the holy spirit once you have been indwelt

and my second question is if you do, but then later on realize that you made a mistake and you want to repent of committing apostasy and giving up the holy spirit and be back in relationship with Jesus, will he let you ?
I lean towards OSAS
 
Jan 14, 2021
1,599
526
113
#8
Are we the same person day by day? Surely every day is a day to find salvation and share God's love.

There is a commentary in the NT that one who falls away was never really one of us to begin with. This suggests that nominal apostates are free to rejoin and find their way. I think apostacy has generally been forgiven over the course of history.
 

oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
11,887
8,705
113
#9
can apostasy and giving up on the faith but later on wanting to return be forgiven ?


There comes a point when the window of opportunity closes. Please come today.

Apostates are the Prodigal sons that never came back. There are many.

John 6:66 From that [time] many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
 

CherieR

Senior Member
May 6, 2017
2,271
1,429
113
#10
I guess that my first question is can you give up the holy spirit once you have been indwelt

and my second question is if you do, but then later on realize that you made a mistake and you want to repent of committing apostasy and giving up the holy spirit and be back in relationship with Jesus, will he let you ?
To your second question, yes because Jesus is forgiving. Consider the parable in
Luke 15:11-32
 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
13,058
4,344
113
#11
I guess that my first question is can you give up the holy spirit once you have been indwelt

and my second question is if you do, but then later on realize that you made a mistake and you want to repent of committing apostasy and giving up the holy spirit and be back in relationship with Jesus, will he let you ?

I think the context of apostasy is a willful, conscious denial of the Lord Jesus Christ. I would like to suggest something and someone as an example:

Carlton Pearson:


He was being groomed to be a" Presiding Bishop"(superintendent) for the COGIC pentacostel church founded by Charles Harrison Mason.

Carlton Pearson betrayed the faith and has become apostate. For this to happen, Pride and abandonment of the word of God is a must.

The final nail of the Coffin per se is denying Jesus is the only way, which This man did.

He took on universalism and a forum that teaches all are saved past tense. This doctrine of devils, Carton Pearson doubles down on when given the opportunity to repent and reject this false teaching. He would not.


This text found in Roman 1:18-19


18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.


This verse should give every preacher pause to check and ensure they are in the faith. Those Pastors, preachers, who suppress the truth which is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ are doing unrighteousness.

Furthermore, those doing so, God Made known to them the Truth, but they by pride, and betraying the faith know better than the word of God.

Roman chapter one goes on to say:

22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,

this is the process of abandonment of the faith. Finally, God turns them over to the very thing they are wanting.

24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.


After that, they are on a road of depravation spiraling downward. Paul used the term 2thess 3:6

Now we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother or sister who leads a disorderly life and not one in accordance with the tradition which you received from us.


2Pet 2:8
But false prophets also appeared among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.

Those who engage in this braying the faith are and have known the truth. Now I know my Calvinist friends will say he was never saved, well I am not here to say this man was not saved, but he did know and preached that Jesus is the only way until he took on this false teaching because of homosexuality.

I want to be clear, all who are alive can be saved today all can. Nothing is impossible with God, however, those who have known the truth and take on a teaching that is in contrast to Jesus as the only way of Salvation through faith and repentance by Grace, are on a road of no return.

This list is long of those who died a terrible death, and no record of repenting. Can Carlton Pearson be saved or is saved or was saved?

that is irrelevant because Carlton Pearson currently has publicly betrayed the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ. And I see know turn back from that today.
 

Everlasting-Grace

Well-known member
Dec 18, 2021
5,941
1,872
113
#12
I guess that my first question is can you give up the holy spirit once you have been indwelt

and my second question is if you do, but then later on realize that you made a mistake and you want to repent of committing apostasy and giving up the holy spirit and be back in relationship with Jesus, will he let you ?
the answer to both would be no

The HS is given until the day of redemption.

But if we could fall away. As Hebrews says, we could never be renewed to repentance.
 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
13,058
4,344
113
#13
the answer to both would be no

The HS is given until the day of redemption.

But if we could fall away. As Hebrews says, we could never be renewed to repentance.
Repentance is possible because all things are possible with God. We cannot limit the power of God to save, however, God is in the knowledge of those who HE will not make peace. When God has decided to turn one over to a reprobate as Roman chapter one talks about, could be seen by the action of those who have betrayed the faith. Can they come back?

YES! thank God.

Peter denied Jesus three times and Jesus told him he would, yet Jesus saved him. Jesus even rebuked Peter after HE said

" You are the Christ Son of the living God". Jesus said Flesh and blood have not revealed this to you BUT the HOLY Spirit.

In the very same book not too long after saying that to Peter, Jesus tells Peter "Get behind me satan".

two different statements said to the same Guy who 1. was told the Holy Spirit was upon him and had his name changed to Peter from Simon, 2. rebuked and told satan to get behind me 3. denied Jesus three times.

Yet HE saw the Risen Lord and was used greatly on the day of Pentacost and in the new testament Church.
 

Everlasting-Grace

Well-known member
Dec 18, 2021
5,941
1,872
113
#14
Repentance is possible because all things are possible with God. We cannot limit the power of God to save, however, God is in the knowledge of those who HE will not make peace. When God has decided to turn one over to a reprobate as Roman chapter one talks about, could be seen by the action of those who have betrayed the faith. Can they come back?

YES! thank God.

Peter denied Jesus three times and Jesus told him he would, yet Jesus saved him. Jesus even rebuked Peter after HE said

" You are the Christ Son of the living God". Jesus said Flesh and blood have not revealed this to you BUT the HOLY Spirit.

In the very same book not too long after saying that to Peter, Jesus tells Peter "Get behind me satan".

two different statements said to the same Guy who 1. was told the Holy Spirit was upon him and had his name changed to Peter from Simon, 2. rebuked and told satan to get behind me 3. denied Jesus three times.

Yet HE saw the Risen Lord and was used greatly on the day of Pentacost and in the new testament Church.
Heb says if one fall away he can not be renewed to repentance.

I would take him at his word.

Peter did not stop believing in God for salvation. so he did not fall away. or need to be resaved..

if one turns back to unbelief, or to a different gospel. like the jews. they will not come back. Because you would never leave if you truly felt christ to begin with
 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
13,058
4,344
113
#15
Heb says if one fall away he can not be renewed to repentance.

I would take him at his word.

Peter did not stop believing in God for salvation. so he did not fall away. or need to be resaved..

if one turns back to unbelief, or to a different gospel. like the jews. they will not come back. Because you would never leave if you truly felt christ to begin with
Hebrews does say that.


you must read all of the book not just part of it.

chapter three says :

7 So, as the Holy Spirit says:

“Today, if you hear his voice,
8 do not harden your hearts
as you did in the rebellion,
during the time of testing in the wilderness,
9 where your ancestors tested and tried me,
though for forty years they saw what I did.
10 That is why I was angry with that generation;
I said, ‘Their hearts are always going astray,
and they have not known my ways.’
11 So I declared on oath in my anger,
‘They shall never enter my rest.’ ”


The above is speaking about the children of Isreal who did not believe but committed idolatry.

The writer goes on to say :


12 See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.

This saying doesn't be like the above I just told you about.

Unbelief is the cause of all that is being said in Chapter 3.

19 So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.


Chapter four :

12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.



Jesus the Great High Priest
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.


chapter five
:

7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

Warning Against Falling Away
11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.


this is speaking of the immature believer who is not fully developed. Still growing and we all remain in the sanctification process but are accountable for our action in the flesh.

chapter 6:

Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity,
not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God,
2 instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting, we will do so.

4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age
6 and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss, they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.


Chapter six goes on to say:

9 Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your casethe things that have to do with salvation.

10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.
11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. 12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

chapter 10

A Call to Persevere in Faith
19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have the confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

only to those who give up and remain unrepentant are not restored.
 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
13,058
4,344
113
#16
Heb says if one fall away he can not be renewed to repentance.

I would take him at his word.

Peter did not stop believing in God for salvation. so he did not fall away. or need to be resaved..

if one turns back to unbelief, or to a different gospel. like the jews. they will not come back. Because you would never leave if you truly felt christ to begin with
denying Jesus is denying Jesus
 

Everlasting-Grace

Well-known member
Dec 18, 2021
5,941
1,872
113
#17
Hebrews does say that.


you must read all of the book not just part of it.

chapter three says :

7 So, as the Holy Spirit says:

“Today, if you hear his voice,
8 do not harden your hearts
as you did in the rebellion,
during the time of testing in the wilderness,
9 where your ancestors tested and tried me,
though for forty years they saw what I did.
10 That is why I was angry with that generation;
I said, ‘Their hearts are always going astray,
and they have not known my ways.’
11 So I declared on oath in my anger,
‘They shall never enter my rest.’ ”


The above is speaking about the children of Isreal who did not believe but committed idolatry.

The writer goes on to say :


12 See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.

This saying doesn't be like the above I just told you about.

Unbelief is the cause of all that is being said in Chapter 3.

19 So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.


Chapter four :

12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.



Jesus the Great High Priest
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.


chapter five :

7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

Warning Against Falling Away
11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.


this is speaking of the immature believer who is not fully developed. Still growing and we all remain in the sanctification process but are accountable for our action in the flesh.

chapter 6:

Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity,
not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God,
2 instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting, we will do so.


4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age
6 and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss, they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.


Chapter six goes on to say:

9 Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your casethe things that have to do with salvation.

10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.
11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. 12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.


chapter 10

A Call to Persevere in Faith
19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have the confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

only to those who give up and remain unrepentant are not restored.
The bible does not contradict itself

If the bible says if we fall away we can not be renewed to repentance it means it.

You don;t lose faith in God. Unless you never had it. John makes this clear when he says those who were part of us then left. were never of us.

As you said, you must take all the word. and the word MUST agree

non of the passages you show here contradicts what Hebrews said unless you misinterpret those passages.
 

Everlasting-Grace

Well-known member
Dec 18, 2021
5,941
1,872
113
#18
denying Jesus is denying Jesus
yep

And they are antichrist. and they were never of us, for if they were of us, they never would have departed.

Peter denied he knew him out of fear. He did not deny Jesus as an antichrist in unbelief.
 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
13,058
4,344
113
#19
The bible does not contradict itself

If the bible says if we fall away we can not be renewed to repentance it means it.

You don;t lose faith in God. Unless you never had it. John makes this clear when he says those who were part of us then left. were never of us.

As you said, you must take all the word. and the word MUST agree

non of the passages you show here contradicts what Hebrews said unless you misinterpret those passages.

am not suggesting the word of God has contradictions. What the word of God does say is all can come to repentance even those who have backslidden as the prodigal son and others. We do not use the word of God to make judgment calls on those still alive unless you are will g to tell someone they can't be saved? The full context within the text must be taken.
 

wattie

Senior Member
Feb 24, 2009
3,236
1,130
113
New Zealand
#20
The indwelling of the Holy Spirit happens at initial salvation.

When someone saved commits sin, they are convicted, called to come out of it... but never, ever UN-indwelt.

That would make a mockery of Jesus' efficacy in dealing with sin at the cross.