I had a sleep but now I am awake.
I asked Chat GPT what the N.T. has to say on this topic.
That's a profound and important question, and it touches on some key issues of salvation, faith, and the nature of belief as described in the New Testament.
The first thing to note is that salvation, according to the New Testament, is indeed based on the atoning work of Jesus Christ and faith in Him (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 10:9). This is foundational and non-negotiable. However, the New Testament also speaks to the reality that salvation involves a relationship with Jesus that is not merely about a one-time belief, but about continuing to follow Him and manifesting that belief through a changed life.
The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-23)
One way to think about this is in terms of the Parable of the Sower, where Jesus speaks of different types of soil representing the conditions of people's hearts. Some people receive the word with joy, but when troubles or persecution come, they fall away (Matthew 13:20-21). Jesus indicates that a shallow belief that doesn't take root or withstand trials will ultimately fail to produce lasting fruit.
This shows that while initial faith can lead to salvation, it must be a sustained, enduring faith. In other words, belief in Jesus that turns into unbelief or falls away due to persecution, temptation, or other reasons may not lead to eternal life.
Denial of Christ (Matthew 10:33)
You specifically referenced
Matthew 10:33, where Jesus says, "But whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven." This is a significant verse because it underscores the importance of standing firm in one's confession of faith, especially when faced with external pressures. The denial of Jesus can be an indication of a deeper problem with one's heart and faith. But how do we reconcile this with the New Testament teaching on salvation by grace?
The key here is that a true believer who genuinely has faith in Christ, even if they stumble or deny Him in certain moments, will ultimately be restored if their heart is truly repentant. Peter's denial of Jesus is an example of this. He denied Jesus three times, but after Jesus’ resurrection, He restored Peter (John 21:15-17). The restoration is key here—Peter’s denial was not the end of his relationship with Christ because Peter, unlike Judas, ultimately repented and returned to Christ.
The Role of Perseverance and Final Perseverance (1 John 2:19; Hebrews 3:14)
Several New Testament passages address the issue of perseverance in the faith.
1 John 2:19 speaks about those who leave the faith, saying they “went out from us, but they were not of us.” This implies that those who truly belong to Christ will continue in the faith.
Hebrews 3:14 also says, "We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end."
So, while salvation is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), the Bible suggests that true saving faith will manifest itself in perseverance. If someone abandons or rejects Jesus altogether, it raises a question about whether their original faith was genuine or not. In this sense, “falling away” could indicate that the person's belief was superficial or never fully rooted in Christ (Matthew 13:5-6).
The Danger of Apostasy (Hebrews 6:4-6)
Hebrews 6:4-6 provides a sobering warning about those who once experienced the blessings of salvation but later fall away:
"It is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance..."
This passage seems to indicate that there is a point of no return if someone completely rejects Christ after having fully known Him. This is commonly referred to as “apostasy” and is seen as a serious warning in the New Testament.
Conclusion
Can a Christian who once believed in Jesus later deny Him and still be saved when Christ returns? Based on the New Testament, the answer seems to be complicated. Here are the key points:
- Salvation is based on faith in Christ and His atoning work (Ephesians 2:8-9).
- True faith in Christ will be accompanied by a transformed life, enduring through trials, and producing fruit (James 2:17; John 15:5).
- Denial of Jesus, especially if persistent and final (like apostasy), raises the question of whether the initial faith was genuine (Matthew 10:33; Hebrews 6:4-6).
- Repentance and restoration are possible if someone falls into sin or denies Christ temporarily, as seen in Peter’s example (John 21:15-17).
- Perseverance is important in the Christian life (Hebrews 3:14; 1 John 2:19).
So,
if someone turns away from the faith in a way that represents a final rejection of Jesus, it would suggest that their original faith was not the genuine saving kind, and thus, they would not be saved. However,
if a believer truly repents and returns to Christ, there is grace for restoration.
Ultimately, salvation and judgment are in God's hands, but the New Testament does seem to emphasize that enduring faith and perseverance in Christ are necessary for final salvation.