Apostasy, What Is It?

Apostasy

By: Pastor Ron Crandall

Text: " And then many will fall away, and betray one another, and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray" (Matt. 24:10-11 RSV).

Scripture Reading: II Thessalonians 2:2-3

II Thess. 2:2-3

2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

(KJV)

Introduction

„« The Greek word for "apostasy" means a falling away, a withdrawal.

„« The word is used twice in the New Testament, and it means the abandonment of the faith.

Matt 24:10

10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

(KJV)

offended

4624 skandalizo (skan-dal-id’-zo) ("scandalize");

from 4625; to entrap, i.e. trip up (figuratively, stumble [transitively] or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure): KJV-- (make to) offend.

Forsaking the Lord was the recurring sin of the chosen people, especially in their contracts with idolatrous nations. The tendency towards apostasy and being apostate appeared in their earliest history and remained with them to the end of their national existence.

„« When men or women repudiate (to refuse to have anything to do with) their marriage vows,

„« When political leaders give up their party,

„« When soldiers desert the army,

„« When preachers forsake their calling,

We make much of it and stand ready to criticize and condemn.

But, what about the religious apostates?

„« Apostasy, falling away, withdrawal, offence is widespread in the church today.

Jesus said about this about the last days,

"Because wickedness is multiplied, most men ’s love will grow cold" (Matt. 24:12 RSV).

Paul said,

"Let no one deceive you in anyway; for that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first" (2 Thess. 2:3 RSV).

I. What are some causes of apostasy?

A. Lack of a genuine conversion causes apostasy.

Many people drop out of church or fall away from the faith because they lack a genuine Christian experience of grace. These people may have joined the church because others were joining or for social or business reasons.

B. Lack of biblical instruction causes apostasy.

It is entirely possible that those professing faith in Christ did not have any instruction concerning the privileges and responsibilities of believers. Without proper instruction these people may drift away from and become indifferent toward the church.

2 Tim 2:15

15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

(NIV)

C. Persecution causes apostasy (Matt. 24:9-10).

Matt 24:9-10

9 "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.

10 "And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.

(NKJ)

D. False teachers cause apostasy (Matt. 24: 11).

Matt 24:11

11 "Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.

(NKJ)

E. Worldliness causes apostasy (2 Tim. 4:10).

2 Tim 4:9-10

9 Be diligent to come to me quickly;

10 for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica-- Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia.

(NKJ)

F. Forsaking spiritual living causes apostasy (Heb. 10:25-31).

Heb 10:24-31

24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,

25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,

27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.

28 Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?

30 For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine; I will repay," says the Lord. And again, "The Lord will judge His people."

31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

(NKJ)

G. Personality conflicts cause apostasy.

Often people are so constituted that they cannot work and get along with others; they are overly sensitive, have their feelings hurt too easily, and soon withdraw from all participation. They decide to quit.