Doctrine of Salvation Part 20: Warnings Against Apostasy

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 and "shelter-in-place" recommendations, Dr. Craig gives this lecture from the safety of his home office.

"Defenders" is Dr. William Lane Craig's weekly Sunday school class on Christian doctrine and apologetics. This video is part 20 of his locus on the Doctrine of Salvation.

We welcome your comments in the Reasonable Faith forums:

[ivanbothma]

Thank you for serving the Lord in such a loyal manner. Your work and videos have had a profound impact on my life, in a very positive way. May God bless you.

[JamesKimSynergize]

Thanks again, Dr. Craig! As always very informative and helpful. How would you address the additional factor that scripture is full of warnings to unbelievers too? In his foreknowledge there is no expectation that they would heed the warnings and turn and repent. Yet they are there for all humanity. Also, curious as to why it has now turned from Corporate to Individual? Thanks!

[pigeonrat]

So was it love? My relationship with him? Or again my confidence in my justification because of him? So it is wisdom, an ear, a mind rid of pessimism, but of hope to believe, to regain that confidence, to just believe in Christ. To listen with faith. Not in disobedience but in knowing and again, fearing the truth. TO REPENT.

[ItsRyRytheGuy]

I’m afraid I’m a apostate. I genuinely love Jesus and believe and accept the Gospel of Christ. I struggle so much with habitual sins. Is there any hope for me? Or is it too late?

[larriveeman]

the sin where by one loses or gives back salvation is not a single type of sin (lie, cheat ect..), but but of rejecting God way of salvation, would you agree? Realizing we are not to live in habitual sin ect....

[famousace]

I’m a “Christian” who is hanging on to my faith by a thread. What should I do ?

[justasimpleguyandfriend]

Thank you Dr. Craig for your amazing insights. I notice that you are often quoting from the RSV. Would you recommend the RSV to all Christians? Compared to the KJV?

[mr.crighton]

Did not our savior himself make the illustration of the state of a branch that is broken off the vine? Jn 15. We too, should make a distinction between a complete and separate break from the faith, and our common weak humanity that plagues us with sin and doubt, as Ro. 7 describes. The former is willful, conscience and purposeful. That is apostasy. That is a branch that's no longer abiding in the vine. The latter is forgiveable and unfortunately leads to fruitless life

[RichardM]

Peter committed apostasy and was forgiven. Is that the same apostasy The Book Of Hebrews speaks of?

[immanuelcan]

No, this isn't quite right. What's missing is that all the pieces Dr. Craig mentions are directed. First of all, the Book of Hebrews obviously is -- if not from the title, which was added after, then from the content. It's not to Gentiles, but to those familiar with and drawing on the Jewish tradition. Peter was the apostle to the Jews; Paul, to the Gentiles. And the gospels were written to Israel first...and are strongly Jewish in orientation, and the Church did not even exist until Pentecost. So all the passages Dr. Craig quotes speak of people coming from a Jewish tradition and continuing into Messianic faith. They are not directed to Gentiles, nor can we casually apply these statements to the Church. The Gentiles had no divinely-sanctioned tradition to which to revert or slide back into. For Gentiles, the choice is stark; but for Jews, there is a natural "ramp" up toward salvation from the Old Covenant; and it's the Old Covenant which is in view in every case.

[thBrilliantFool]

0:39 does anybody know what Dr. Craig means by "regenerate Christian"? I am not familiar with this term.

[jamesbertram]

A study of the prepositions in the whole book present a contextual anaylisis of the subject, from us and our in chapter 1, to we, including the writer, and in chapter 3v6, whose house arewe if we hold fast our confidence and rejoicing firmunto the the end, but fundamentally all false doctrine is the result of rejecting the revelation of the Son, who spoke the words of so great salvation in Hebrews 1, referred to in chapter 2
As He said in Matthew chapter 7v24, springing from v24, and in v21, those who do the words ofv the Son do the will of the Father and as a result enter into the Kingdom of Heaven

[Dashcam]

Average age to get married in Biblical times 17-20. Today 35-38.

[chadmeidl]

The Book of Hebrews was written to Hebrews.

Paul states that there are three groups of people today:

1 Cor. 10:32
Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:

Hebrews is directed not to "Jewish" Christians but to the Jew in the Tribulation. Yet, Christian doctrine is found in Chapter 4.

There is neither Jew or gentile in the Body of Christ:

Gal. 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Col. 3:10-11
And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 11Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

You quoted Hebrews Chapter 3, YET skipped over Chapter 4:
1Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
2For unto *us* was the gospel preached, as well as unto *them:* but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
3For *we which have believed do enter into rest, * as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
4For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.
5And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.
6Seeing therefore it remaineth that *some must enter therein, * and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:
7Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
8For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.
9There *remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.*
*10For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, * as God did from his.
11Let *us labour therefore to enter into that rest, * lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

Paul, the author of Hebrews contrasts two groups here.
The first group believed the gospel (1 Cor. 15:1-4, Rom. 3:20-28) the second did not.
The first have entered into their rest, and have CEASED from their works. (Rom. 4:4-5, 9-10, Eph. 2:8-9, Rom. 5:15-18, Gal. 2:16, Rom. 8:29-39)
The second have rejected Paul's gospel BUT are given another day (v. 8) The people of God here are the Jews (v. 9)
These Jews must LABOUR to enter that rest. (faith AND works) Rest here is not the grave but Salvation.
The following Chapters are doctrine for those Jews in Daniel's seventieth week, not a Christian.

Both Arminianism and Calvinism are heresies. A man is Predestined NOT to be saved, but a Christian who is Justified by faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ who is God manifest in the flesh for his sins according to the scriptures is PREDESTINED to be Glorified:

Rom. 8:29-30

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

When does God know you?
Gal 3:9
But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?


Known>predestined>conformed to the image of His son.

When is a Christian conformed to the Image?

Galatians 3:1-4
O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
2This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
3Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
4Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.

Not by the flesh. (works)

1 Cor. 15:49-53
And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
50Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
51Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

Flesh and Blood CANNOT inherit the kingdom of God.

Rom. 32-39
He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
33Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
34Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

A Christian is sealed with the Holy Spirit UNTIL the day of redemption. (Eph. 4:30, Eph. 1:13)
We are a purchased POSSESSION, and bought with a PRICE. (Eph. 1:14, 1 Cor. 6:20, 1 Cor. 7:23)
We have the spirit of Adoption. (Romans 8:15) What is the Adoption?

Romans 8:23
And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

The man who trusts in his works cannot be saved. Paul states this in his epistles repeatedly.
If you do not realize the difference between Jesus Christs earthly ministry to the Jew (Matt. 10:5-8) and the gospel revealed to Paul and was NOT known by men, but made known to Paul by revelation. (Eph. 3:1-6, Col. 1:26, Rom. 16:25, Eph. 3-9) you are going to have bad doctrine. Using a corrupt "bible" further hinders God's Truth.

2 Timothy 11:12
t is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 12If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 13If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

Verse 13 states that after Justification if we believe not, Jesus Christ remains faithful and that he cannot deny himself?
What is the Church, the Body of Christ?

Eph. 5:30
For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
2 Cor. 13:5
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

God does not amputate his own body.

[gussetma]

There is only one question which matters when it comes to the correct interpretation of scripture. That question is: "Says who?" Who gave Bill the AUTHORITY to declare correct Christian doctrine? Deep in your heretical hearts, you know there is only one candidate for the exercise of this authority. Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum. ✠✠✠ BTW Old Bill seems to have the better part of this argument. Of course he only approximately right. But remember, a stopped clock is right twice a day.

[AggieMar]

Galatians 1:6-8

New King James Version

Only One Gospel

6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.

Galatians 3:1-3

New King James Version

Justification by Faith

3 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? 2 This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?

Galatians 6:1

New King James Version

Bear and Share Burdens

6 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

Galatians 5:16

New King James Version

Walking in the Spirit

16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

Psalm 37:23-24

New King James Version

23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord,
And He delights in his way.
24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down;
For the Lord upholds him with His hand.

With all my love to my brothers and sisters in Christ ❤️

[thBrilliantFool]

The Argument from Deification is an argument against atheism viewers of this channel might find useful.
I can elaborate on this if anybody is interested.

[leon]

This is basically the Catholic position ... therefore, the correct one

[andrej]

so i guess Jesus lied when he told people they had ETERNAL life...