We have discussed:
• What is true unity?• Why denominationalism is
wrong• Does it really matter what we
believe?• Today, the dangers of
apostasy. (Because it matters we must beware)
What is Apostasy?• “The abandonment or renunciation
of a religious or political belief.” (google)
• “turning against God, as evidenced by abandonment or repudiation of beliefs.” (Tyndale’s Bible Encyclopedia)
• From Greek, ἀποστασία, (apostasia), Acts 21:21, 2 Thess. 2:3
Warnings against apostasy•1 Tim. 4:1, some will depart
from the faith•Acts 20:29-30, savage wolves
will enter in•2 Peter 2:1-2, false teachers,
destructive heresies•2 Thess. 2:12, falling away•Matt. 24:10-13, love of many
will grow cold.
Examples of apostasy
•Exodus 32, the golden calf
•1 Kings 12:25-33, Jeroboam and his religion
• Israel and Judah in their idolatry
•1 Timothy 1:18-20, 2 Timothy 2:17, Hymanaeus…
Apostasy in our Lives
•Hebrews 3:12, beware, lest we depart
•Hebrews 10:26-31, willful sin•2 Peter 2:20-22, entangled
again and overcome•1 Cor. 10:12, take heed lest
you fall
Apostasy in the Church
•Galatians 1:6-9, turning away so soon•Acts 20:29-30, savage
wolves will come in, not sparing the flock•Rev. 2:12-16, PergamosRev. 2:18-23, Thyatira
It can happen today! Catholicism,
DenominationalismChurches waver in their
stand for truthMany quit before they finish
the race
How Does Apostasy Happen?
•2 Timothy 4:3-4, “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; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”
How Does Apostasy Happen?No longer endure sound doctrine
•Apostasy begins with a faulty attitude (“I think”)•2 Thess. 2:10•Isaiah 30:9-10, Jer. 5:30-31•1 Kings 12:26-27 – Jeroboam thought if people worshipped in Jerusalem they would turn from him
How Does Apostasy Happen?
Own desires, itching ears•They act based on their attitudes•Change things to accommodate their desires - manipulate scripture, convenience•Romans 10:1-3, 1:25•Again - Isaiah 30:9-10•1 Kings 12:28-33 – Asked advice, convenience, etc.
How Does Apostasy Happen?Heap up for themselves teachers
•They seek validation•2 Timothy 3:1-6, false teachers prey on gullible & sinful•1 Kings 22:6, Ahab’s 400 prophets•1 Kings 12:30-31, priests from every class of people•2 Cor. 11:4, Gal. 2:5
How Does Apostasy Happen?
Turn aside from truth, to fables
•Apostasy has happened! They have abandoned the faith•2 Kings 17:7-12, 22-23, Why did Israel fall? Why put away by God? Apostasy!
Apostasy is Preventable
•2 Timothy 4:1-2, 5• Preach the word! ALL of it!
(Acts 20:26-27)• Be watchful! Heb. 2:1-3•2 Peter 1:5-11, 3:18 – grow!•1 John 4:1, Test the Spirits•Ephesians 6:10-18, Put on
the armor of God