Apostasy, warnings against personal

Personal apostasy described

Hebrews 6:4–8 KJV 1900

For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

See also Mt 13:20–21; Mt 24:10–12; Ga 1:6; Ga 5:4; 2 Th 2:3; 2 Ti 4:3–4; 1 Ti 4:1; 1 Jn 2:19; 1 Jn 5:16

Warnings against personal apostasy

Hebrews 10:26–31 KJV 1900

For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

See also Mt 10:33; Jn 15:6; 2 Ti 2:12; Heb 3:12; 2 Pe 3:17

OT examples of personal apostasy

Dt 13:1–11 an unfruitful prophet or relative

King Saul:

1 Sa 15:11; 1 Sa 15:28; 1 Sa 16:14; 2 Sa 7:15

2 Ch 26:16–21 King Uzziah; 2 Ch 28:19–27 King Ahaz

NT examples of personal apostasy

Mt 26:14–16 Judas; Lk 13:26–27; Jn 6:66; Ac 5:1–11 Ananias and Sapphira; 1 Ti 1:19–20 Hymenaeus and Alexander; Tt 1:16; 2 Ti 4:10 Demas; 2 Pe 2:1–3; 2 Pe 2:10–15; 2 Pe 2:20–22; Jud 4; Jud 8–16; Re 2:20–22 Jezebel