I think if you trace out commentaries on Judas in the Gospels and Acts you get the answers to both of your questions.
The set of scriptures that speak about Judas before he committed himself to betray Jesus are: Mark 3:13-19, Luke 6:13-16, John 6:61-71
The event that triggered Judas to act on his decision to betray Jesus: Matthew 26:6-16, Mark 14:3-11, John 12:3-8
Judas identified as betrayer at the last supper: Matthew 26:20-25, Mark 14:17-21, Luke 22:21-22, John 13:18-31
Once his betrayal was set in motion: John 17:9-12
At the betrayal: Matthew 26:45-50, Mark 14:40-46, Luke 22:45-48, John 18:1-9
After completing his betrayal: Matthew 27:3-10, Acts 1:16 and Acts 1:20
We must acknowledge Jn 2:24-25 was true of Christ before He chose any of His disciples. He was never deceived by anyone that temporarily followed him but fell away, including Judas, John 6:64. No prophet had been in Israel for centuries, so Christ alone had this ability when He came until Pentacost. After Pentacost the hearts of certain individuals could be revealed by Christ's Spirit to born again believers that are specially given that gift, such as Peter ( Acts 5:1-13, Acts 8:1-25) Note, Jusas, Ananias and Saphira, and Simon all had their hearts exposed as false thru their follies with money.
Judas was a disciple and he was broken off the vine, but he never had the fruit of the Holy Spirit and was never pronounced pruned/cleaned by the Father or Jesus. We know this because Judas was broken off by the Father before Jesus told the disciples they were pruned/cleaned branches abiding in Him, the true vine, who would bear fruit in John 15. Judas was marked unclean, he was never born again of the Spirit at Pentacost or made an Apostle for the great commission. He died a disciple without the fruitful presence of the Holy Spirit. He is proof that false fruitless brethren can be among us who depart 1 Jn 2:18-20, but not proof some are broken off by God who actually bear fruit by abiding in Jesus.
Hello, everyone is a sinner, including Judas (and ourselves). And yes, Judas was a disciple and follower of Christ, both figuratively and literally. So, he was a genuine Christian, but he also genuinely betrayed Jesus, which I think was a form of blaphemy and the unforgiveable sin. That is my personal opinion.
It is one of many examples in the Bible refuting the idea that once you follow Jesus you skip judgment and can commit unlimited sin and blasphemy and follow the world and satan to infinity with zero consequence and that Jesus is somehow totally ok with that. I personally don't believe anyone is 'saved' until we have the day of judgment Romans 14:10, Hebrews 9:27, but believe we can have assurance of salvation for following Jesus. God bless.
Was Judas a sinner? And was he a true follower of Christ?
The set of scriptures that speak about Judas before he committed himself to betray Jesus are: Mark 3:13-19, Luke 6:13-16, John 6:61-71
The event that triggered Judas to act on his decision to betray Jesus: Matthew 26:6-16, Mark 14:3-11, John 12:3-8
Judas identified as betrayer at the last supper: Matthew 26:20-25, Mark 14:17-21, Luke 22:21-22, John 13:18-31
Once his betrayal was set in motion: John 17:9-12
At the betrayal: Matthew 26:45-50, Mark 14:40-46, Luke 22:45-48, John 18:1-9
After completing his betrayal: Matthew 27:3-10, Acts 1:16 and Acts 1:20
We must acknowledge Jn 2:24-25 was true of Christ before He chose any of His disciples. He was never deceived by anyone that temporarily followed him but fell away, including Judas, John 6:64. No prophet had been in Israel for centuries, so Christ alone had this ability when He came until Pentacost. After Pentacost the hearts of certain individuals could be revealed by Christ's Spirit to born again believers that are specially given that gift, such as Peter ( Acts 5:1-13, Acts 8:1-25) Note, Jusas, Ananias and Saphira, and Simon all had their hearts exposed as false thru their follies with money.
Judas was a disciple and he was broken off the vine, but he never had the fruit of the Holy Spirit and was never pronounced pruned/cleaned by the Father or Jesus. We know this because Judas was broken off by the Father before Jesus told the disciples they were pruned/cleaned branches abiding in Him, the true vine, who would bear fruit in John 15. Judas was marked unclean, he was never born again of the Spirit at Pentacost or made an Apostle for the great commission. He died a disciple without the fruitful presence of the Holy Spirit. He is proof that false fruitless brethren can be among us who depart 1 Jn 2:18-20, but not proof some are broken off by God who actually bear fruit by abiding in Jesus.
It is one of many examples in the Bible refuting the idea that once you follow Jesus you skip judgment and can commit unlimited sin and blasphemy and follow the world and satan to infinity with zero consequence and that Jesus is somehow totally ok with that. I personally don't believe anyone is 'saved' until we have the day of judgment Romans 14:10, Hebrews 9:27, but believe we can have assurance of salvation for following Jesus. God bless.
"You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with a wicked man to be a malicious witness.
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