FALLING FROM GRACE: BIBLICAL EXAMPLES

Some argue that no one in the New Testament ever truly fell from grace, but the Bible presents examples that prove otherwise. Consider Judas Iscariot. He was chosen by Christ, walked with Him daily, witnessed His miracles, and was entrusted with the bag of money among the apostles. Yet we read, “Now he was numbered among the twelve, and he went to the chief priests to betray Him” (Matthew 26:14).

Jesus warned of Judas, “The Son of Man indeed goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!” (Luke 22:22). Judas, though once with Christ, ended in darkness, “And after the food, Satan entered into him” (Luke 22:3), showing that he turned entirely to the side of the adversary.

Judas Iscariot was not a stranger to the grace and presence of Christ. He was chosen by the Lord Himself—“Did I not choose you, the twelve?” (John 6:70). He was sent out with the others to preach, heal, and cast out demons (Matthew 10:1-8), which no unbeliever could do apart from the power of God working through him. He sat at the same table, heard the same teaching, and partook of the same ministry as Peter and John.

When the Lord washed the disciples’ feet, Judas’ feet were washed too (John 13:5). He was entrusted with the treasury (John 12:6), a mark of confidence and belonging within the group. Yet though he once walked in the light, he turned away from it. Jesus’ sorrowful words, “Friend, why have you come?” (Matthew 26:50), show that Judas had shared true fellowship before his fall.

Simon of Samaria stands as a solemn reminder that even one who has believed, obeyed, and been baptized can fall from grace if he turns his heart away from God. The Bible says, “Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done” (Acts 8:13). The language leaves no doubt—Simon believed and was baptized. He entered into the same covenant as the other converts of Samaria. He was in Christ.

But soon after, temptation crept in. When Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit” (Acts 8:18–19). His motives became corrupt. The love of power rose above the love of God. Peter’s rebuke was stern and sobering: “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God” (Acts 8:20–21).

Simon was not told to be baptized again. His baptism had been genuine. He was not told to “believe again,” as though he had never believed. He was told, “Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you” (Acts 8:22). Baptism brings one into Christ, but repentance and prayer keep the believer in right fellowship with God. Simon was a baptized believer who fell into sin. He was warned that he stood in danger of perishing unless he repented.

Peter’s words were not theoretical. “For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity” (Acts 8:23). The chains of sin can bind even one who has known the grace of God, if the heart grows proud or careless. Yet mercy was still extended to him—the door of repentance was open. “Pray to the Lord for me,” Simon pleaded (Acts 8:24).

His story reminds every believer that the Christian life must be guarded with humility and repentance. Salvation is not a past event only, but a living relationship that must be nourished and protected. Simon fell, but his fall warns us to keep our hearts right before God, to turn quickly from sin, and to pray earnestly for forgiveness. The same grace that received him in baptism was still reaching for him in repentance.

Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1–11) provide another striking example. They were members of the early church, yet they lied to the Holy Spirit and were struck dead. Peter says, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord?” (Acts 5:9). This demonstrates that even those within the fellowship of the Spirit can be removed for deliberate sin, showing a serious breach with God’s saving grace.

In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul confronts a man living in sexual immorality with his father’s wife. Paul commands, “Deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” (1 Corinthians 5:5). This man had been part of the church, part of the community of the faithful. Yet he was removed from fellowship and exposed to the influence of the enemy. If he had not once been one of those in Christ, Paul would not have had to deliver him to Satan. He would have already belonged to Satan. Of course this is a figure of speech, but the reality behind it remains. He was saved, and he was living in sin, therefore he was lost. The disciplinary action Paul demanded was to bring him back to the fold by refusing to fellowship him until he repented.

Being “delivered to Satan” does not mean eternal condemnation in that moment; rather, it signifies removal from the protection and blessing of the church, allowing the consequences of sin and the reality of Satan’s influence to bring the person to repentance—or, tragically, to final destruction if repentance is refused. It is a sober demonstration that someone who has been on the side of truth can be exposed to judgment and spiritual danger through persistent sin.

Finally, consider Hymenaeus and Alexander (1 Timothy 1:20). Paul says, “Whom I have delivered to Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.” These men were once instructed in the faith, yet they became shipwrecked in regard to the faith (1 Timothy 1:19). They illustrate clearly that genuine believers, if they abandon truth, can fall away and face severe consequences, including ultimate separation from God.

Again, when Paul or the Lord “delivered someone to Satan,” it is not a casual statement. It is the withdrawal of God’s protective hand and the exposure of the individual to the natural and spiritual consequences of sin. The phrase indicates that the person is removed from the fellowship and protection of the church, left to confront the reality of rebellion and the deceiver’s influence. The intent, however, is redemptive if repentance occurs—“that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 5:5). Persistent refusal, however, reveals the tragic outcome: falling completely away from grace.

The New Testament clearly presents real examples of those who were once among the people of God but ultimately fell away: Judas Iscariot, Simon the sorcerer, the man in 1 Corinthians 5, Hymenaeus and Alexander. These passages show that salvation is not a guaranteed, irrevocable status independent of faith, repentance, and obedience. God’s grace is abundant, but the Bible warns believers to remain steadfast, watchful, and faithful, for those who stray can indeed fall under judgment and be “delivered to Satan.”

BDD