If there is such a thing as apostasy, then is there truly such a thing as an apostate?

[Xeno.of.athens]

If there is such a thing as apostasy, then is there truly such a thing as an apostate?

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An apostate is a person who renounces a religious or political belief or principle 1. The word can be used as both a noun and an adjective. Some synonyms of apostate include dissenter, heretic, nonconformist, defector, and deserter 1. The word has its roots in the Greek word “apostatēs,” which means “deserter, runaway slave, apostate” 1.​

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I think that the answer you give may have implications for the belief that once a person is saved then they cannot ever become unsaved.

 

[HTacianas]

If there is such a thing as apostasy, then is there truly such a thing as an apostate?

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An apostate is a person who renounces a religious or political belief or principle 1. The word can be used as both a noun and an adjective. Some synonyms of apostate include dissenter, heretic, nonconformist, defector, and deserter 1. The word has its roots in the Greek word “apostatēs,” which means “deserter, runaway slave, apostate” 1.​

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I think that the answer you give may have implications for the belief that once a person is saved then they cannot ever become unsaved.

There is such a thing as an apostate, else we wouldn't have the term apostate. There are Christians who leave the faith and convert to something else, and there are those who simply leave. Either is an apostate.

 

[timothyu]

I think that the answer you give may have implications for the belief that once a person is saved then they cannot ever become unsaved.

The dissenter, nonconformist, defector, deserter aspect would imply it is more a matter of you are not on our team and reject us controlling the narrative, therefore you are bad. Political, not spiritual.

 

[Clare73]

If there is such a thing as apostasy, then is there truly such a thing as an apostate?

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An apostate is a person who renounces a religious or political belief or principle 1. The word can be used as both a noun and an adjective. Some synonyms of apostate include dissenter, heretic, nonconformist, defector, and deserter 1. The word has its roots in the Greek word “apostatēs,” which means “deserter, runaway slave, apostate” 1.​

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I think that the answer you give may have implications for the belief that once a person is saved then they cannot ever become unsaved.

An apostate is one who turns from what he formerly embraced.

One can embrace Christianity without being born again.

 

[Xeno.of.athens]

There is such a thing as an apostate, else we wouldn't have the term apostate. There are Christians who leave the faith and convert to something else, and there are those who simply leave. Either is an apostate.

Agreed; you have an advantage; you are from an ancient church and hence have been taught such things because the church has always taught and believed this way.

 

[Xeno.of.athens]

The dissenter, nonconformist, defector, deserter aspect would imply it is more a matter of you are not on our team and reject us controlling the narrative, therefore you are bad. Political, not spiritual.

Why do you think of "us" as those who control the narrative?

 

[Xeno.of.athens]

One can embrace Christianity without being born again.

How would one tell the difference?

 

[timothyu]

Why do you think of "us" as those who control the narrative?

Any institutionalized church does so to protect a product made in their own image. There is strength and wealth in numbers. Every human government attempting to control the masses does the same.

 

[Xeno.of.athens]

Any institutionalized church does so to protect a product made in their own image. There is strength and wealth in numbers. Every human government attempting to control the masses does the same.

Do you prefer an anarchist style of religion with every person free to teach and believe whatever they please with no consequences of any kind?

 

[ozso]

I'd say an apostate is someone who intentionally deliberately severs their connection to Christ. Hence the vine and branch analogies Christ gives.

 

[Clare73]

How would one tell the difference?

I'm not sure you always can.

My litmus test is craving for the (spiritual) milk of the word of God in the Scriptures as in a new-born babe (1 Pe 2:2).

 

[Xeno.of.athens]

I'm not sure you always can.

My litmus test is craving for the (spiritual) milk of the word of God in the Scriptures as in a new-born babe (1 Pe 2:2).

What of the mature in Christ? How will you detect them?

 

[Clare73]

What of the mature in Christ? How will you detect them?

Why would I want to do that? Is it my business?

 

[timothyu]

Do you prefer an anarchist style of religion with every person free to teach and believe whatever they please with no consequences of any kind?

Where was the consequence for those of Gentile Christianity that abandoned the Kingdom and will of the Father to harlot themselves to the Roman Empire thus totally reversing the will of God to that of man once again? Talk about apostates and apostacy! dissenter, heretic, nonconformist, defector, and deserter And never has it or any of it's offshoots throughout the centuries ever repented of that traitorous act to the Kingdom of God by these self appointed kingdoms of man.. Luke 16:15, James 1:27, Romans 12:2, James 4:4

 

[Clare73]

Where was the consequence for those of Gentile Christianity that abandoned the Kingdom and will of the Father

Probably chasing down the Gentile Christianity that abandoned belief in and trust on the atoning work (blood, Ro 3:25) and person of Jesus Christ for the remission of one's sin, which remission is salvation from God's wrath (Ro 5:9) at judgment, which Gentile Christianity regarded as a complication of the simple good news of the gospel, when according to the NT, that is the good news of the gospel.

 

[ozso]

Where was the consequence for those of Gentile Christianity that abandoned the Kingdom and will of the Father to harlot themselves to the Roman Empire thus totally reversing the will of God to that of man once again? Talk about apostates and apostacy! dissenter, heretic, nonconformist, defector, and deserter And never has it or any of it's offshoots throughout the centuries ever repented of that traitorous act to the Kingdom of God by these self appointed kingdoms of man.. Luke 16:15, James 1:27, Romans 12:2, James 4:4

I might repent of it if I understood what you're ranting about.

 

[timothyu]

I might repent of it if I understood what you're ranting about.

Those who claim to represent God cannot do so or be so by continuing in the self serving ways of man. Gentile Christianity reversed the teachings of Jesus and built their own kingdom built upon the foundation of truth from man, not God. Using God is not the same as doing His will.

 

[RileyG]

There is such a thing as an apostate, else we wouldn't have the term apostate. There are Christians who leave the faith and convert to something else, and there are those who simply leave. Either is an apostate.

exactly! Plenty of Christians have left the faith.

 

[timothyu]

Define "the faith"

 

[Xeno.of.athens]

Define "the faith"

Read the Nicene Creed. That will give a clue or two as to what the faith is.