Response:

Judas Iscariot was not a Christian. In John 6:64, Jesus states, "But there are some of you that believe not." This statement was made to His disciples, not the general public. The verse continues by saying "For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray Him". This indicates that the unbeliever and the betrayer were the same person, whom we know to be Judas.

In John 13:27, the Bible states that Satan enters into Judas. This never happens to a believer in the Scriptures, and in fact never could (I Cor 6:14,15). In Acts 1:25, it is said that upon his death, Judas went "to his own place", which would indicate that he went to the place where he deserved to go, which he had prepared for himself, which would be Hell.

In John 17:12, Christ refers to Judas as the "son of perdition". Perdition means "destruction, death, or waste". This is the same expression that Paul uses to define Anti-christ in II Thess 2:13. If the anti-christ is called the son of perdition, and Judas is called the son of perdition, it makes sense that, since anti-christ is an unbeliever, Judas must be too.

By Dr Mark Montgomery Ambassador Baptist Church 1926 Babcock Blvd Pittsburgh, PA 15209 (412)477-3210