The Biblical term “Christian” is actually used only 3 times in scripture. It was a word that unbelievers assigned to believers, and was meant as a mockery.
Certainly a person who wears the label of “Christian” can reject the Gospel and go to hell. Christ Himself warned of false prophets, false teachers, and false Christ’s that would even come in His name.
So, yes, a person identifying with Christ can go to hell.
The definition in this article is the modern use of the term “Christian,” but the definition is problematic.
The Lord taught the Gospel of the kingdom using parables. And the foundational parable was the parable of the sower. Christ described four types of people / responses to the Gospel. Christ is the sower, the seed is the word of God, and the field represents people who hear the message.
Matthew 13:3-9
Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
Notice that He describes only one of the four as complete unbelief and rejection of the message. These are the ones who do not understand or receive the message. These are lost.
But there are two cases where there is something that initially happens that is positive. They do receive the Gospel. But some fall away due to trials and persecutions. Some fall away because of riches and cares of this world.
Only one type of ground was fruitful. And only that one type of ground bears fruit unto eternal life.
From a human perspective there are ones like Judas who have all of the appearances of being a Christian. And yet they turn away. These do not go to Heaven. These go to hell.
From an eternal perspective, it is impossible for any of the elect of God to fall away, perish, or go to hell. The elect are chosen by God before the foundation of the world. They are chosen to hear, believe, bear fruit, do good works, persevere through trials and temptations, continue in the faith until the end. Only those who have these marks of a believer will enter Heaven.
Do not let anyone deceive you, the unrighteous will NOT inherit the kingdom of God. Continuing in the Christian faith is not optional for a Christian. It is required. Continuing in sin is not an option. It is a repudiation of faith.
To be clear: “Christian” must never be defined merely as someone who as at some time or another, made some sort of decision for Christ. A Christian, in the sense of being a born-again believer is someone who has believed the Gospel, continues to believe the Gospel, and does so until the end.
“To be clear: “Christian” must never be defined merely as someone who as at some time or another, made some sort of decision for Christ. A Christian, in the sense of being a born-again believer is someone who has believed the Gospel, continues to believe the Gospel, and does so until the end.”
This view is easily disproved by reading Paul.
Christians do have the ability to choose poorly, living a carnal life.
It is sad when it occurs.
At the Bema seat Judgement, a believer’s works in his Christian life are tested as to their quality. Carnal works are destroyed in the fire - though the believer himself is saved - smelling of smoke.
I think that the point isn't that those who persevere will be saved, but those who are saved will persevere.
Otherwise, it would depend on our ability to persevere and not on God's grace to endure.