Apostasy 101

[Chris1975]

Galatians 5
1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

So here are the questions to those who deny the apostasy is a real risk to be aware of (for true believers).

1) Those mentioned above were in liberty (v1) - Are these Christians?
2) These same people are warned not to be entangled again. (v1) - Can they be found in slavery once again?
3) The consequence is estrangement from Christ (v4) - How do you become estranged if you were not in union?
4) The fall from Grace (v4) - To those who claim Grace cannot be lost, how then does the bible say that it is lost here?

[Chris1975]

2 Thessalonians 2
3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,

>Falling away - Apostasia

Word: apostasia
Pronounce: ap-os-tas-ee'-ah
Strongs Number: G646
Orig: feminine of the same as 647; defection from truth (properly, the state) ("apostasy"):--falling away, forsake. G647
Use: TDNT-1:513,88 Noun Feminine
Heb Strong: H1100 H4604 H4777 H7200
 

1) a falling away, defection, apostasy

Is it possible that this is ALREADY happening in the church?

[Chris1975]

2 Thessalonians 2
7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

>I believe the mystery of lawlessness may in fact be this lawlessness doctrine we are seeing pushed in some corners of the church.
>A church masquerading as the body of Christ, but without any regard for holiness and obedience. A different gospel.
>It started in Paul's day but is now a massive movement.
>All calls to holy living are rejected as works (despite overwhelming scriptural support).

 

[Chris1975]

Luke 8

¹³ But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of ^[g]temptation fall away.

[Chris1975]

1 Timothy 4
4 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,

>Examine yourselves. If you up to this point have been taught (and believe) a doctrine that says falling away from the faith is impossible, I implore you to re-examine yourself and your doctrine. God loves you. Its not too late to break down strongholds and come to the truth.
>As you are reading this, between you and God, sincerely ask the Holy Spirit to show you if there is any errors in your thinking and belief system. Humbling yourself and praying in sincerity, I believe God will show you.

 

[Chris1975]

Hebrews 3
12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end,

>anyone lying to you that the above plain scriptures mean anything else than what is plainly written is a false teacher. Do not listen to the trickery of man. This above is the word of God.
>It is addressed to the church (brethren)
>Apostasy is possible (hence the warning)
>Sin is the trigger cause of the downfall. Don't let anybody tell you any different. God has been dealing with this issue in man from the Garden of Eden through to now. But He has given you the equipping if you will walk in it.
>Don't believe it when the false teachers tell you that salvations is a monetary decision and that you no longer need to remain in the faith or to continue believing. The above scriptures are very clear that you are to remain steadfast to the end.
>If you will continue in the faith you have nothing to worry about.

[Chris1975]

Matthew 24
12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

>we are seeing a doctrine which shuns holiness and obedience. Don't submit yourselves to this doctrine. God is Holy. And we are called to Be Holy in all our conduct (1 Peter 1v16)
>God equates love and obedience. He says if you love me you will obey me. And we see above that the love of many will grow cold. Because this is evidenced in disobedience.
>This disobedience can lead to Apostasy and falling away. But the bible says that "he who ENDURES to the end SHALL BE SAVED". Don't listen to the false teachers who try to steer you away from perseverance and continuing faith. You see clearly written before your eyes "SHALL BE SAVED". We are positionally right with God the moment we believe, but we CONTINUE the journey without drawing back.

[Chris1975]

Hebrews 10
38 Now the just shall live by faith;
But if anyone draws back,
My soul has no pleasure in him.”
39 But we are not of those who draw back to [o]perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.

>Do you see the scriptures above. The JUST (those who are justified) shall live by faith. It doesn't say the JUST believed once upon a time. Its an ONGOING LIVE BY FAITH.
>Once again, scripture confirms scripture - the possibility, risk and warning of drawing back from the faith is there for all to see.
>There is SERIOUS judgement on those who draw back. It is loss of salvation, as per verse 39. Don't let false teachers tell you any other way from what is plainly written before your eyes in English.

[Chris1975]

Hebrews 6
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.

>you can all read what is plainly written. Trust the words that you read.

[Chris1975]

Hebrews 6
11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become [e]sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

>Continued faith and hope. Don't let anyone tell you any other way. You are seeing these scriptures with your own eyes.