The Christians Slide Into Delusion

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Lafon

"The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead." [Proverbs 21:16, KJV]

"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." [Hebrews 6:4-6, KJV]

Simply interpreted (IMHO): That man, after having "tasted" (i.e., become a recipient of knowledge concerning the Oneness of God and being baptized with the Spirit, having their sins remitted by immersion in the waters of baptism "in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ"), who willingly turns his back upon such wondrous esoteric truths, will be eternally damned. Why? Because "this" particular sin is likened to blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, for which there is NO forgiveness! [See Matthew 12:31, KJV]

Yes, it is possible for a saint to commit sin (and many do, both willingly and unwittingly: myself included), yet be restored to a place of right standing before God through repentance.

The two scriptural passages noted, perhaps above all others, serve to motivate me to be willing to embrace and defend the apostles' doctrine (for it is truth), even unto death, should necessity dictate it.

Thank you, great post!!

The scripture that came to mind while reading what you have written - "The fool has said in his heart, there is no God." Only a fool could find no place to repent.

[MarieA27]

Hmm..I don't know about this, "not being able to come back to God, if you fall away." Or maybe I'm just not understanding exactly what you all are saying. I feel that there are mainly two types of people who back slide, or have two different reasons for turning away.

In one way, there are those who tasted of this truth, got baptized, got the holy ghost, was taught of this one way, and with one reason or another, they've became tempted with the world, and started listening to the worlds calling, and fell away out of weakness. And all the while they are in this sin, they're still holding to the knowledge that this is truth, wanting in their heart to come back to God, but isn't due to weakness of not being able to cease from their sins and come back. I think that this type can come back, if God would show mercy on them, and not judgment, and convict them and chastise them, and not let them remain lost out there sinning.

Then there's the other, who learned of the truth, and was born again, and rejoiced in the Lord for awhile, but for one reason or another, got offended by the word, and started denying and condemning the truths that they've learned, and got some type of "enlightenment" and turned away from that truth , and went to something else to appease their conscience, being in something so they can be comfortable with the worldly ways that they want to live, all the while, thinking that they are saved. I think that the latter is almost as bad, (or worse) then Atheists. It's like Israel constantly turning away from God, knowing of His powers and works, and the reality of Him and His existence, and then go and turn over to worshiping Baal...

[Lafon]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

Thanks for expressing your opinion too!

So that I make sure I understand you, those who were Apostolic, but decided to no longer be Apostolic, are guilty of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit?

Does this designation apply to the former Apostolics who decide to become Trinitarians as well?

I don't understand exactly your logic, but that's why I'm asking.

Regarding your question, in my opinion, yes. Here is why:

Despite the fact that in your response to my stated understanding of the scriptural passages noted (Proverbs 21:16 & Hebrews 6:4-6) you elected only to seek an expanded clarification, and failed to indicate what your understanding of their content might be, I am rendered somewhat confused as to what your position concerning them might be (if it be you're asking me to presume that I have the right or authority to judge others, I respectfully decline to do so). Nevertheless I tender the additional information which I hope will enable you to better grasp why I state the things I've published about this matter. Its basis is found in statements which I am persuaded to believe our Lord made about the matter:

"And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: and he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen." [Matthew 22:11-14, KJV]

As evidenced by the inspired words of apostle Paul in Romans 8:9-11 (KJV), only those in whom the Spirit dwelled at the moment of their death will become participants of the 1st resurrection at the soon coming glorious appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ.

In His telling of the events which will transpire at the coming Marriage Supper of the Lamb (an event which takes place at the gathering of His saints unto Himself at His glorious appearance), these inspired words excerpted from Matthew's gospel account advise that there will be "some" who, evidently possessing the Spirit and thus participating in this 1st resurrection and ascension to the clouds of heaven, will be cast into outer darkness because of their lack of a proper wedding garment (and lest we forget, the inspired words of Revelation 19:8 informs that this "wedding garment" is the "righteousness of the saints").

If it be true (and I believe it is) that one is declared "righteousness" at that very moment they become the recipients of the Spirit, and that it is this which qualifies them to participate in the 1st resurrection at the moment of our Lord's glorious appearance, then obviously something must have taken place prior to this resurrection which caused their "fine linen" to become tainted. While there could possibly be a variety of things which would cause this "fine linen" to be spotted, certainly chief among these would be a denial, or turning away from "righteousness."

What an awesome scene it will be! Someone doing that which qualified them for participation in the 1st resurrection, yet the Lord finding cause for them to be cast into outer darkness because they willfully committed acts which soiled their wedding garment!

IMHO, to refute a God-given revelation of the Oneness of God by embracing a belief in a false deity, called a Triune God, will be cause for His rejection of them at the coming Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Did not the apostle Paul write to inform that those who "received not the love for the truth" (of which the revelation of the Oneness of God is certainly chief) will be visited with the imposition of a "strong delusion" (from God), thereby causing them to be damned? [See II Thessalonians 2:10-12, KJV]

For the sake of any of my brethren who may be guilty of such an offense, I pray that my stated opinion about this matter are grossly amiss.

It is hoped that these additional comments will enable you to better understand my beliefs about this matter.

[houston]

Oh, come on!!! The anonymous writer of Hebrews was addressing Jews that were returning to the dead works of the law. The text is not about "backsliding."

[houston]

Sorry, PO. I couldn't hold that in.

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by houston

Oh, come on!!! The anonymous writer of Hebrews was addressing Jews that were returning to the dead works of the law. The text is not about "backsliding."

They were LEAVING CHRIST! That is the point. The Spirit is warning anyone who might be thinking about LEAVING CHRIST!

See men have tried every way to make it seem these scriptures are not speaking TO THEM!

Remember James said every time we do not obey the teaching of Christ we are deceiving ourselves.

Remember Paul warned us not to GIVE PLACE TO THE DEVIL.

Anyone want to be possessed by the devil? Just continue to fail to obey Christ teaching. If you give satan place he will take it.

If YOU are in this condition (anyone) flee from it. Cry out for Christ's mercy! Come back to the truth of Christ NOW while you still can!

[houston]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

They were LEAVING CHRIST! That is the point. The Spirit is warning anyone who might be thinking about LEAVING CHRIST!

See men have tried every way to make it seem these scriptures are not speaking TO THEM!

Remember James said every time we do not obey the teaching of Christ we are deceiving ourselves.

Remember Paul warned us not to GIVE PLACE TO THE DEVIL.

Anyone want to be possessed by the devil? Just continue to fail to obey Christ teaching. If you give satan place he will take it.

CONTEXT!!!

They were leaving Christ for the LAW. They were returning to a sacrificial system, basically saying that the sacrifice of Christ did not suffice.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by houston

Oh, come on!!! The anonymous writer of Hebrews was addressing Jews that were returning to the dead works of the law. The text is not about "backsliding."

You are correct, but still anyone totally abandoning Christ after they have tasted of the Holy Ghost, and was once enlightened, has defiled the sacrifice in their lives the Lamb that took away the sins of the world. They are doing the same thing as those who returned to the works of the law system. Because after all the Judeans believed salvation was in the works of the Law, and not in Messiah.

The Judeans were keeping the law as long as the temple stood. James, tells Paul that it was rumored that while Paul was among the Diaspora he was teaching Diaspora Judeans to desist from keeping the law of Moses, and the circumcision.

This was a false rumor cooked up by Paul's enemies, and therefore the Jerusalem council decided that Paul take those who had a Nazerite vow, pay their temple wage, perform the ritual cleansing, with the proper animal sacrifice to prove that Paul wasn't teaching Diaspora Judeans to abstain from the law of Moses, and abandon circumcision. As long as the temple stood, the law stood in place, complete with temple priests and sacrifices.

Now for us living today those words are about those who would blow off the revelation of the illumination of Christ's sacrificial glory, which after all is the only light source in the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:23). To extinguish that light in your own life, especially when you have come to maturity in the light, is devastating.

Michael has a point, about those who would allow sin to delude them to such a state that their conscience is seared over ( I believe that's what you are saying Michael).

Therefore they can no longer feel the conviction of God working on them any longer. Being turned over to a reprobate mind isn't God making us reprobate, but we abandoning God, and because of His holiness, He must let us go. After all Jesus is a gentlemen, and He will not force us to love Him, and obey Him.

[Abiding Now]

To me, "backsliding" and "falling away" are two totally different things.

Backsliding is when after being saved, a Christian sins, "overtaken in a fault" (fleshly sins) and thankful we can be restored.

Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

BUT, falling away has to do with DOCTRINE.

Heb 6:4 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,

Heb 6:5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

Heb 6:6 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.


No repentance, no salvation.