Exactly what does apostasy mean?

I was recently conducting a service on the apostasy of the Christian church. In the midst of the service I was asked, “exactly what does apostasy mean?”

To be honest, I was stunned by the question. I had naively thought that everybody knew what an apostate was. Some of the dictionary definitions are traitor or absconder. To a Christian, an apostate is a person who presents a theological teaching based loosely on the Bible, but who goes against Bible teachings.

An example would be an article where the author presented himself as a minster stated that he did not have a problem with abortions because Adam was not a living human until God breathed life into him. I realized that some people would read the article and believe what he said. The disturbing part is that the word “womb” is used 71 times in the Bible, indicating that God identifies with people from the time of conception. Irrelevant to how I may feel or believe about abortion, God identifies with us at that time.

There are many ways to identify apostates. One of the easy ways is to pay attention to how something is written and the use of the phrase “many Bible scholars agree.” This phrase is used instead of Bible support for what they are trying to teach.

Another method is taking Bible verses out of context. It is well worth the time to read a little on the history of the area that the book of the Bible is written to or about. Often times, the Bible will have an index in the center of the page that will reference other places in the Bible that are relevant to that verse and further explains the meaning of the verse. One of the most misquoted understandings in the Bible is the word “love” — not a single time does the original word have a meaning in the sexual sense.

Sometimes apostates are easily identified when they bluntly lie about what the Bible states. In one case, I remember reading an article where the author stated that God withdrew his blessings from the Israeli nation because they were greedy and rich (as a support for socialism). Yet the Bible states repeatedly in the Old Testament that the reason he withdrew his blessing on them was because of idolatry (worshiping other gods). Joshua 23:16 as an example (there are many more). Usually, the same author will at some point in time in his or her writings also state that the Old Testament is myth and legend, not history. As often as not, they will also state that the Bible needs to be updated or rewritten.

Ironically, some would like people to believe that apostasy is new. That is at best a fallacy; most of the New Testament is dedicated to addressing apostasy. Most of the books that Paul wrote (Romans through Hebrews) address apostasy, at least in part. Jesus prophesied during his life that apostasy would occur, as referenced in Matthew 24:11-12: “And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.”

Apostates are given a warning in Hebrews 3:12 to “take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.”

The question could be asked why we should concern ourselves about apostates. The question is answered in 2 Timothy 4:1-4. “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom. Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. Another words people will try to make the Bible suit their agendas, not changing to meet the Bibles agenda of being a Christian, a follower of Christ.”

The most vulnerable to apostasy are those who do not know the Bible well enough to avoid apostate teachings.

“As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction,” it says in 2 Peter 3:16-18. “Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”

The cure for following apostate teachings is found in 2 Timothy 3:15-17: “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

I have referenced the Bible 13 times. How many times does the apostate reference the Bible? Or do they reference Bible scholars?

Mike Blodgett is chaplain for Lighthouse Chapel. Contact him at lighthouse_chapelak@yahoo.com.

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