#2 Fundamental Foundations Of Faith (Understanding The Apostasy) Series

Fundamental Foundations of Faith: Understanding the Apostasy

INTRO.

A. Last week we began a series of lessons on the fundamental foundations of faith. We began by looking

at the church.

1. We are the “called out.” The meaning of the term “church” or Ekklesia.”

2. We also saw that the Lord only promised to build one church. Jesus is the head of the church,

which is His body, and there is only one body Eph. 4:4.

B. Now, since the Lord only built one church, how did we get to where we are today with literally hundreds

of various churches, who all claim to follow Jesus Christ?

C. One group teaches one thing, and another group teaches exactly the opposite.? How does that happen?

remember a story that brother Cecil May Jr. once told. He was studying with a woman and mentioned

that the Bible taught a certain point. She spoke up and said, “My Bible doesn’t teach that!” Brother May

said, “Yes it does.” She said, “No! It doesn’t!” Then she showed him the verse he had mentioned. She

had taken a knife and had literally cut the verse out of her Bible.

D. I think that story gives us the answer as to how we have gotten to where we are today. Not only that but

there are also numerous warnings in the Bible that speak of a falling away or an apostasy.

E. This morning, I want us to try and understand that apostasy- how it happened and how it can be

corrected.

I. WE WERE WARNED THAT AN APOSTASY WOULD OCCUR.

A. At the first, there was great unity in the early church.

1. Acts 2:40-47

“40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse

generation.” 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized, and that day about three

thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine

and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and

many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together,

and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among

all, as anyone had need. 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread

from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and

having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being

saved.”

2. This is exactly the way the Lord wanted it to be Jn. 17:20-23

“20 I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that

they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the

world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them,

that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect

in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved

Me.”

B. But as with all things, mankind has a way of ruining what God has made.

1. We did that with the garden of Eden.

2. And we did that with the Lord’s church as well.

3. Jesus warns us- Mt. 15:8-9

“8 These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far

from Me. 9 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.”

4. Paul warns us- Acts 20:28-30

“28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made

you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 For I

know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30

Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away

the disciples after themselves.”

5. 2 Tim. 4:1-4

“1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the

dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season.

Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will

not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they

will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be