In the context of biblical theology, the concept of pardon is deeply intertwined with the themes of repentance, forgiveness, and divine grace. However, Scripture delineates certain conditions under which pardon is withheld, particularly in the case of apostasy. Apostasy, the deliberate and conscious abandonment of faith, is treated with grave seriousness in the Bible.

Biblical References:

1. Hebrews 6:4-6 : "It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age—and then have fallen away—to be restored to repentance, because they themselves are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting Him to open shame." This passage underscores the severity of apostasy, suggesting that those who have fully experienced the blessings of faith and then turn away are beyond the reach of repentance and, consequently, pardon.

2. Hebrews 10:26-27 : "If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume all adversaries." Here, the author of Hebrews warns that willful sinning after receiving the truth of the Gospel leaves no room for further sacrifice, implying that pardon is not available for those who persist in such a state.

3. 2 Peter 2:20-22 : "If indeed they have escaped the corruption of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ only to be entangled and overcome by it again, their final condition is worse than it was at first. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than to have known it and then to turn away from the holy commandment passed on to them." This passage highlights the dire consequences of apostasy, indicating that those who turn back to their former ways after knowing Christ are in a worse state than before, suggesting a withdrawal of pardon.

Theological Implications:

The withholding of pardon from apostates is rooted in the understanding of the irrevocable nature of their decision. Apostasy is not merely a lapse in faith or a momentary doubt but a conscious and deliberate rejection of the truth once embraced. This act is seen as a betrayal of the covenant relationship with God, akin to crucifying Christ anew, as described in Hebrews 6:6.

The gravity of apostasy is further emphasized by the lack of further sacrifice for sins, as noted in Hebrews 10:26. The sacrificial system, fulfilled in Christ, offers no alternative for those who reject the ultimate sacrifice. The expectation of judgment and the imagery of consuming fire serve as stark warnings of the consequences of such a decision.

Pastoral Considerations:

From a pastoral perspective, these passages serve as both a warning and a call to perseverance in faith. They underscore the importance of nurturing a genuine and enduring relationship with Christ, marked by continual repentance and reliance on His grace. While the texts highlight the severity of apostasy, they also implicitly encourage believers to remain steadfast, to seek the Holy Spirit's guidance, and to support one another in the faith community to prevent falling away.

In summary, the Bible presents apostasy as a condition where pardon is withheld due to the deliberate and conscious rejection of the faith once embraced. This underscores the seriousness with which Scripture treats the covenant relationship between God and believers, emphasizing the need for perseverance and faithfulness.Hebrews 10:26,27
For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 John 5:16
If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not to death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not to death. There is a sin to death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Epistle Li. To Antonianus About Cornelius and Novatian.
... with the lapsed, he himself should be withheld from communion ... the lapsed might receive
not only pardon, but also ... to receive what malignants and apostates may say ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle li to antonianus about.htm

Love
... how his blood has been a pardon to thee in ... She is straitened because your help is
withheld from her ... come out from the inquisition miserable apostates from the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/love.htm

Against Jovinianus.
... Give me children, or else I die," he replied, [4280] "Am I in God's stead, who hath
withheld from thee the ... The Apostle's wish is one thing, his pardon another. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/against jovinianus.htm

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