In the context of Scripture, the term "backslider" refers to someone who falls away or turns back from their faith or commitment to God. The disciples of Jesus, though chosen and close to Him, exhibited moments of backsliding, particularly during the events surrounding Jesus' arrest and crucifixion. These instances serve as poignant reminders of human frailty and the need for divine grace.

Peter's Denial

One of the most notable examples of backsliding among the disciples is Peter's denial of Jesus. Despite his earlier bold declaration of unwavering loyalty, Peter succumbed to fear and pressure. In Matthew 26:33-35 , Peter insists, "Even if all fall away on account of You, I never will." Yet, Jesus foretells Peter's denial, saying, "Truly I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." This prophecy is fulfilled in Matthew 26:69-75 , where Peter denies knowing Jesus three times, ultimately weeping bitterly upon realizing his failure.

The Disciples' Desertion

The Gospels also recount the collective backsliding of the disciples during Jesus' arrest. In Matthew 26:56 , it is recorded, "Then all the disciples deserted Him and fled." Despite their previous commitments to follow Jesus, fear and confusion led them to abandon Him in His hour of need. This desertion highlights the disciples' struggle with faith and courage, reflecting the broader human tendency to falter under pressure.

Thomas' Doubt

Thomas, another disciple, exhibited a form of backsliding through doubt. After Jesus' resurrection, Thomas expressed skepticism about the reports of Jesus' return, stating in John 20:25 , "Unless I see the nail marks in His hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe." Thomas' doubt was met with grace, as Jesus later appeared to him, inviting him to believe. This incident underscores the challenges of faith and the compassionate response of Christ to human doubt.

Restoration and Commissioning

Despite these moments of backsliding, the disciples were restored and empowered for their mission. After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to the disciples, offering peace and commissioning them for ministry. In John 21:15-17 , Jesus specifically restores Peter, asking him three times, "Do you love Me?" and instructing him to "Feed My sheep." This restoration signifies forgiveness and the reaffirmation of Peter's role in the early Church.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The transformation of the disciples from backsliders to bold proclaimers of the Gospel is attributed to the work of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 2:1-4 , the disciples receive the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, empowering them to preach with courage and conviction. This event marks a turning point, illustrating the necessity of divine empowerment for overcoming human weakness and fulfilling God's purposes.

The experiences of the disciples as backsliders serve as a testament to the challenges of faithfulness and the redemptive power of Christ. Their journey from fear and doubt to boldness and faithfulness offers encouragement to believers, emphasizing the importance of reliance on God's grace and the Holy Spirit.Matthew 26:56
But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.
Nave's Topical Index

John 6:66
From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
Nave's Topical Index

The Gift of the Spirit
... As the disciples proclaimed the message of redeeming grace, hearts yielded
to the power of this message. ... Backsliders were reconverted. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 5 the gift of.htm

A Prospect of Revival
... to the Jews as a people, belongs to the Church of God and the disciples of Christ ...
of the signs of God's grace to his Church will be the recovery of backsliders. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/a prospect of revival.htm

Backsliding.
... As we desire to be faithful we warn these backsliders. ... The angel at the sepulchre
says, "Tell His disciples, and Peter." (Mark 16:7.) The Lord did not forget ...
/.../moody/the way to god and how to find it/chapter ix backsliding.htm

Sleep Not
... Let us not sleep then, as did the disciples at Gethsemane. ... Many backsliders will
die thanking God, if ever their strength returns to them, and perhaps it never ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/sleep not.htm

Enduring to the End
... converts, sternly to rebuke hypocrites, to deal faithfully with backsliders, to
speak with ... occasion it was not addressed to the apostles, but to the disciples. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/enduring to the end.htm

Preventive against Backsliding.
... When Paul found certain disciples at Ephesus, his first business with them was ... Many
of these backsliders were soundly converted to God, but unfortunately for ...
/.../macneil/the spirit-filled life/chapter vi preventive against backsliding.htm

A Sermon on the Boat Race.
... note how many backsliders there are among professors of mature age. The most grievous
cases of falling away are not from the ranks of young disciples, but from ...
//christianbookshelf.org/champness/broken bread/xxi a sermon on the.htm

The Pastoral Epistles.
... life and labors, with his parting counsels to his beloved disciples and fellow ... of
individual members, old and young, widows and virgins, backsliders and heretics ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 99 the pastoral epistles.htm

The National Oath at Shechem
... demand for entire surrender, and of His warning to intending disciples of what ... speaking
about these at the beginning, there would be fewer backsliders and dead ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the national oath at shechem.htm

Religion and Amusement.
... Lord thy God with all thy heart." His instructions to his disciples do not ... and those
Christians who witness it, are condemned as inconsistent and backsliders. ...
/.../vincent/amusement a force in christian training/religion and amusement.htm

What does it mean to backslide? | GotQuestions.org

Is a backsliding Christian still saved? | GotQuestions.org

Questions about the Christian Life (All) | GotQuestions.org

Backslider: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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