forbidding marriage and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
In other passages the context points to non-Christian apostates (Luke 13:27; cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:11). In still other passages either or both may be in view; we do not have sufficient information in the context to say (2 Thessalonians 2:3; cf. Titus 1:14). It seems quite clear that Christians can stop believing God (Matthew 10:33; Mark 8:32; 2 Timothy 2:12; Revelation 3:8). [Note: See TDNT, s.v. "aphistemi, apostasia, dichostasia," by Heinrich Schlier, 1 (1964):512-13.] This does not mean, however, that they will lose their salvation since salvation is God’s work, not ours (John 10:28; Romans 8:31-39; 2 Timothy 2:13). One of my professors at Dallas Seminary used to say, correctly, I think, "I believe in the perseverance of the Savior, but I do not believe in the perseverance of the saints." [Note: S. Lewis Johnson Jr.] 