Question 3: If you commit suicide do you go to hell even if you're a believer?

In answering this question we have to consider a few different issues. First we must talk about what makes a believer a believer. Second, we must talk about God's redemption of those who are genuine believers. Lastly, a discussion of the one and only unpardonable sin is important. In the coming paragraphs you will see a discussion of all three.  Again, as with past answers, these conclusions are drawn from various passages in the Bible because the Bible does not address directly this particular question so we must draw from the things the Bible does say. 

To begin, what makes a Christian a Christian? In the Bible we see clear characteristics or "fruit" as the Bible says, that show one's belief in the one true God.  In the end only God knows the heart of a man (or a woman), but these characteristics are listed in the Bible as being signs of people who are truly believers in God. It is as follows (this list comes from a number of resources):

1. Love for God (Psalms 42:1, Luke 10:27, Romans 8:7)

2. Repentence from Sin (Psalsm 32:5, Proverbs 28:13, Romans 7:14, 2 Corinthians 7:10, 1 John 1:8-10

3. Genuine Humility (Psalms 51:17, Matthew 5:1-2, James 4:6 and 9)

4. Devotion to God's Glory (Psalms 105:2, Psalms 115:1, Isaiah 43:7, Isaiah 48:10, Jeremiah 9:23-24, I Corinthians 10:31) 

5. Continual Prayer (Luke 18:1, Ephesians 6:18, Philippians 4:6, 1 Timothy 2:1-4, James 5:16-18)

6. Selfless Love (1 John 2:9, 1 John 3:14, John 13:34-35, 1 Peter 1:22)

7. Separation from the World (1 Corinthians 2:12, James 4:4, 1 John 2:15-17, 1 John 5:5)

8. Spiritual Growth (Luke 8:15, John 15:1-6, Ephesians 4:12-16)

9. Obedient Living (Matthew 7:21, John 15:14, Romans 16:26, 1 Peter 1:2 and 22, 1 John 2:3-5)

10. Walking by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-26)

All of these characteristic are found in true believers and if they aren't we are forced to question whether or not that person is truly saved and that he/she has made a legitimate commitment to God. Along with that list there are also characteristics that can be found in those that are believers that don't necessarily prove the authenticity of one's belief but help enhance the characteristics listed above. They are: visible morality, intellectual knowledge, religious involvement, active ministry, conviction of sin, and assurance and confidence in salvation.  If we see no evidence of any of these characteristics than we can legitimately question the faith of that person. On the same line, if we only see this second list of characteristics we can do the same thing because it is only by faith, not works, that we are saved (Romans 3). Finally, if we can see evidence in the person that they possess the characteristics of the first list than we have no need to question belief because of what the Bible says. 

In Romans 3:23, it says that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. This means that everyone in the world needs the saving power of Christ's death on the cross. For this instance, we are discussing the power of Christ's redemptive act. The question, in regards to this situation is, is suicide the unpardonable sin? The answer is very clearly NO!  There is only one unpardonable sin mentioned in the Bible and throughout the Bible, it is the act of denying God. That is the only thing that God will not forgive. 

With that in mind we take a look at suicide and Christianity.  For that I am going to give it up to John MacArthur who has some great insight in this area.  He was asked the same question and this is how he responds:

Suicide is a grave sin equivalent to murder (Exodus 20:13; 21:23), but it can be forgiven like any other sin. And Scripture says clearly that those redeemed by God have been forgiven for all their sins--past, present, and future (Colossians 2:13-14). Paul says in Romans 8:38-39 that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.  So if a true Christian would commit suicide in a time of extreme weakness, he or she would be received into heaven (Jude 24). But we question the faith of those who take their lives or even consider it seriously--it may well be that they have never been truly saved.  I say that because God's children are defined repeatedly in Scripture as those who have hope (Acts 24:15; Romans 5:2-5, 8:24; 2 Corinthians 1:10, etc.) and purpose in life (Luke 9:23-25; Romans 8:28; Colossians 1:29). And those who think of committing suicide do so because they have neither hope nor purpose in their lives. Furthermore, one who repeatedly considers suicide is practicing sin in his heart (Proverbs 23:7), and 1 John 3:9 says that "no one who is born of God practices sin." And finally, suicide is often the ultimate evidence of a heart that rejects the lordship of Jesus Christ, because it is an act where the sinner is taking his life into his own hands completely rather than submitting to God's will for it. Surely many of those who have taken their lives will hear those horrifying words from the Lord Jesus at the judgment--"I never knew you; Depart from me, you who practice lawlessness" (Matthew 7:23).  So though it may be possible for a true believer to commit suicide, we believe that is an unusual occurrence. Someone considering suicide should be challenged above all to examine himself to see whether he is in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5).

So what John is trying to say, I believe, is that yes conceivably a Christian, "in a moment of weakness," can commit suicide. But, this act alone would draw into question the validity of their claim to faith because of the implications that suicide has.   So to sum up, YES a true believer and Christian can commit suicide and go to heaven because suicide is not an unpardonable sin.

In thinking about this question I have spent many hours thinking about how to answer this and would just like to say personally that if you are struggling with thoughts of suicide, please contact someone around you who can help.  You don't have to live like that and there are legitimate solutions to help. Please contact someone nearby, if not me, so that I can help you through that.