Apostasy
“A standing away from, revolt, defection”
Summary
A deliberate falling away from the Christian faith, either by open declaration or by actions inconsistent with a genuine profession, warned against throughout Scripture as the final state from which there is no recovery.
☩Biblical Usage
The Greek word apostasia means 'a standing away from' or 'revolt,' denoting a deliberate abandonment of the faith. Paul uses the term in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 to describe 'the falling away' that must precede the day of the Lord and the revelation of the man of sin. In Acts 21:21, Paul was falsely accused of teaching Jews apostasy from Moses. The term implies both political and religious defection, but in the New Testament the religious sense predominates.
☩Characteristics and Causes
Paul describes the apostasy by its peculiar characteristics: seducing spirits, doctrines of demons, hypocritical lying, a seared conscience, forbidding of marriage and meats, and a form of godliness without the power. Scripture identifies various causes of apostasy: persecution, false teachers, temptation, worldliness, defective knowledge of Christ, moral lapse, forsaking worship, and unbelief. Biblical examples include Saul, Amaziah, many disciples who turned back from following Jesus, Hymenaeus and Alexander, and Demas.
☩The Coming Apostasy
Paul teaches that the day of the Lord cannot come until 'the apostasy' comes first, accompanied by the revelation of the man of lawlessness. This general apostasy cannot fully manifest until after the saints are taken to heaven, though individual falling away has occurred and will increase as the present age draws to its close. The restraining power currently prevents the full manifestation of lawlessness, but when removed, the apostasy will be complete.
☩Distinction from Backsliding
Apostasy differs fundamentally from the sins into which a true believer may fall and from which grace can restore him. It is a deliberate relinquishing of Christianity, a definite departure from the truth once professed. Scripture compares it to a dog returning to its vomit and a sow to wallowing in the mire. The passages in Hebrews warn that for those who deliberately sin after receiving knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins but only fearful expectation of judgment.
Related Verses59 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Apostasy," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Apostasy; Apostate," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Apostasy," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 4.Philip Schaff and Johann Herzog (ed.), "Apostasy," in The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, vol. I (Funk and Wagnalls, 1908–1914).
- 5.George Morrish, "Apostasy," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).