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