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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | What does it mean to "fall away"? | Luke 8:13 | budderfligh | 197294 | ||
Hbr 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, Hbr 6:5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, Hbr 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. I have never been able to fully understand these verses. I believe that it's possible for a believer to "fall away". I know the Old Testament speaks often of "backsliding" and that God will deal with the backslider to the point that scripture even says "Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you:..." Jer. 3:14. I suppose the part of these scriptures that I would like explained is "if they shall fall away". What is the determining factor that indicates that the believer has fallen away to the point that it is impossible to renew them unto repentence? Isn't the only unforgiveable sin blasphemy of the Holy Ghost? Is that what this means? I have read these verses many times and have heard many opinions of their meaning, but have never been truly satisfied with any interpretation I've found. |
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2 | What does it mean to "fall away"? | Luke 8:13 | DocTrinsograce | 197295 | ||
Hi, budderfligh... Welcome to the forum! To "fall away" means to abandon the faith. When a person goes through all the motions, but in the face of the difficulties of living the Christian life, returns to all those things that characterized their life in the world, they may well fit in this category. Read the parable of the sower in Luke 8. Abandoning the Lord for the world is a very serious indication that a person has deep spiritual problems. That's why the author of Hebrews uses such strong language. Better not to begin at all, than to lay one's hand on the plow and turn back. It becomes very clear what we actually love, by how we live. In Him, Doc |
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3 | Fall away and backsliding different? | Luke 8:13 | budderfligh | 197450 | ||
Thank you for your answer Doc. This passage of Scripture has always puzzled me. Do you believe that a person who does "fall away" reaches a point where their conscience is seared and they turn to a reprobate mind, unable to be reached and that this is why it's impossible to renew them? If one is in a backsliden condition isn't the door for renewal and repentance open to them all the time? Isn't it just a matter of turning from their lifestyle and repenting? We know that the Lord is faithful and just to forgive. So am I correct in understanding that falling away and backsliding are not necessarily the same thing? | ||||||
4 | Fall away and backsliding different? | Luke 8:13 | BradK | 197453 | ||
Hello budderfligh, I'll interject with a response, if you don't mind:-) Interestingly, the NT does not use the term "backslide(r)". I only find 2 uses in the OT (NASB): Prov. 14:14, Jer. 49:4. Since there is no NT usage- and limited OT- I think it difficult say with certainty that they mean the same thing. The verb "fall away" in Luke 8:13 is aphistemi (Gr.) and is used some 15 times in the NT. It's basic meaning is 'to make stand off', 'cause to withdraw', 'to remove' as well as 'fall away', 'become faithless'. Obviously, in fully considering it's meaning here we want to take into consideration the context with the parable of the sower and purpose of the parables given. I think the key verses here are vs 12 and 15- "Those beside the road are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they will not believe and be saved" (NASB) "But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance" (NASB) The Bible Knowledge Commentary says this: "The second group are those who listen and rejoice but then do not stick with the truth of the message for they have no root (v. 13). The fact that they believe for a while but . . . fall away means that they only accept the facts of the Word mentally and then reject it when “the going gets rough.” It does not mean they lose their salvation, for they had none to lose." Word Pictures in the NT offers this perspective: "Which for a while believe [hoi pros kairon pisteuousin]. Ostensibly they are sincere and have made a real start in the life of faith. They fall away [aphistantai]. Present middle indicative. They stand off, lose interest, stop coming to church, drop out of sight. It is positively amazing the number of new church members who “stumble” as Mark 4:17 has it [skandalizontai], do not like the pastor, take offence at something said or done by somebody, object to the appeals for money, feel slighted. The “season of trial” becomes a “season of temptation” [en kairoi peirasmou] for these superficial, emotional people who have to be periodically rounded up if kept within the fold." I hope this helps, BradK |
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5 | Fall away and backsliding different? | Luke 8:13 | New Creature | 197454 | ||
Dear Brad You posted the following The Bible Knowledge Commentary says this: "The second group are those who listen and rejoice but then do not stick with the truth of the message for they have no root (v. 13). The fact that they believe for a while but . . . fall away means that they only accept the facts of the Word mentally and then reject it when “the going gets rough.” It does not mean they lose their salvation, for they had none to lose." It appears to me that the BKC is doing a bit of eisegesis in that commentary. I don't see "believe" in Luke 8:13 as being defined as head knowledge, but the word "believe" in that verse is pisteuo which means to actually have faith in the person of Christ. At least thats how it looks from where I'm sitting. Yours in Him NC |
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