Apostasy

INDUCTIVE BIBLE TOPIC STUDY

APOSTASY

By Dennis Schmidt 2/2007

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This paper discusses apostasy. Apostasy is the person's act of forsaking, abandoning, rebelling against, & falling away from their belief in Jesus as savior. The Elect Christian, by God, will not fall away & will always be saved. All scriptures are from the King James' version Bible.

INDUCTIVE COMMENTS:

THEME: Reasons to fall into apostasy and ways to not fall into apostasy.

Hebrews 3:7-14 "Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, {8} Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: {9} When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. {10} Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. {11} So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) {12} Take heed, 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 To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. {14} For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;" The Elect Christian will hold on to the end.

Holy Spirit speaks to the Christian -> they refused to hear God's voice -> harden their hearts as in past -> tempted God to prove Him to show His works -> God was grieved by not knowing His ways -> God swore in His wrath that they would not enter His rest -> Warning evil heart of unbelief departing from God -> Exhort one another, lest you be hardened through deceitfulness of sin -> You are partakers of Christ if you are steadfast to the end

PURPOSE: Paul, as Elect Christian, remained faithful to Jesus to the end of his life:

Galatians 5:4 "Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace." To lose, be cast, fall away of off, take of none effect

2 Timothy 4:6-8 "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. {7} I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: {8} Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: & not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing"

Revelation 2:4-5 "Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. {5} Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent." The Elect will keep their focus on Jesus.

KEY VERSE: If a man falls into apostasy, he may not be able to repent out of it.

2 Thessalonians 2:3 "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;"

2 Peter 3:17 "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."

Hebrews 6:6 "If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame."

WHO: God mainly by Bible authors Luke, John, Peter, and Paul

TO WHOM: Elected Christians

WHAT: The world system may be a main cause of people falling into apostasy.

Galatians 5:4 "Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace." To lose, be cast, fall away of off, take of none effect

2 Peter 2:20-21 "For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. {21} For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them." People knew God but went back into world.

1 John 2:15-17 "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. {16} For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. {17} And the world passeth away, & the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever"

WHY: Demas - forsakes God for the present fleshly carnal worldly cares, riches, & pleasures:

Luke 8:14 "And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, & bring no fruit to perfection."

2 Timothy 4:10 "For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia." Demas did not stay to end.

Philemon 1:24 "Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers." Paul counted Demas as a believer considering him on an equal bases to Luke and Mark as gospel fellowlabourers.

WAY: Sin and carnal flesh may be a cause to fall into apostasy.

Romans 1:29-32 "Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, {30} Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, They were filled with all unrighteousness of sexual and evil sins. (31) Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: {32} Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them."

All unrighteousness of sexual sins, all evil sins, & hating God -> that God's judgment including -> death will be their punishment not only do they evil but enjoy others doing the same evil

Romans 8:5-8 "For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. {6} For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. {7} Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. {8} So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God." Carnal worldly believers in their weak faith fall away when the world pleasures choke them.

WHEREAS:

Hebrews 6:4-6 "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, {5} And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, {6} If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame." The wording is past tense since this scripture had already occurred.

Impossible to those -> enlighten -> tasted heaven gift -> partakers of Holy Spirit -> tasted word of God -> power of world to come -> fall away (to deny the faith experience) -> to renew to repentance -> seeing to crucify themselves the Son of God afresh -> to put Him to an open shame.

WHERE: Earth

WHEN: All time periods

WHILE: God gave them up to a reprobate mind

Romans 1:21-23 "Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. {22} Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, {23} And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things."

Did not glorify God -> unthankful to God -> vain in their imaginations -> heart foolish & dark -> professing to be wise became fools -> changing God's glory to earthly forms ->

Romans 1:24-26 "Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: {25} Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. {26} For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:"

God gave them up to uncleanness of their heart lust -> to dishonour their bodies with others -> changed God's truth to a lie -> worshipped earthly creature not God -> to their vile affections ->

Romans 1:27-28 "And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. {28} And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;"

Woman to woman - lesbians -> Men to men - sodomy -> God gave them a reprobate mind ->

All unrighteousness of sexual sins, all evil sins, & hating God -> that God's judgment including -> death will be their punishment not only do they evil but enjoy others doing the same evil

WANT:

2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, {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;" Believers will fall

Hebrews 10:2-29 "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, {27} But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. {28} He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: {29} Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?" These people were sanctified but despised God's grace.

2 Peter 3:17-18 "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. {18} 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." God worked with these Elect to grow in grace.

PAPER OUTLINE:

I) FALL AWAY:

II) TYPES OF APOSTASY:

III) MORAL APOSTASY:

A) CARNAL WORLDLY BELIEVER:

B) SCRIPTURAL EXAMPLE:

IV) THEOLOGY APOSTASY:

A) SCRIPTURAL EXAMPLES:

V) SCRIPTURE EXAMPLES OF SEQUENCE STEPS TO FULL APOSTASY:

A) ROMANS 1:21-32 STEPS TO FULL APOSTASY:

B) HEBREWS 3:7-14: STEPS TO FULL APOSTASY:

C) HEBREWS 6:4-6 IF THEY FALL AWAY TO FULL APOSTASY:

D) GOD WILL LET THE APOSTASY ONLY GO SO FAR BEFORE GIVEN THEM UP:

VI) GOD PLAN WILL BE COMPLETED WITH THE ELECT & APOSTASY PERSON FOR HIS PURPOSE:

VII) CONCLUSIONS:

I) FALL AWAY:

H2186. zanach, zaw-nakh'; a prim. root mean. to push aside, i.e. reject, forsake, fail:--cast away (off), remove far away (off).

H5800. 'azab, aw-zab'; a prim. root; to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etc.:--commit self, fail, forsake, fortify, help, leave (destitute, off), refuse, X surely.

1 Chronicles 28:9 "And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever." cast = H2186 reject & forsake; forsake = H5800 forsake & leave

G646. apostasia, ap-os-tas-ee'-ah; fem. of the same as G647; defection from truth (prop. the state) ["apostasy"]:--falling away, forsake. G646 is only found in two scriptures

Acts 21:21 "And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs." G646 defection from truth, falling away, forsake

See my paper: "Israel & Jewish People in God's Plan" for more information on this subject.

2 Thessalonians 2:3 "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;" G646

G1601. ekpipto, ek-pip'-to; from G1537 and G4098; to drop away; spec. be driven out of one's course; fig. to lose, become inefficient:--be cast, fail, fall (away, off), take none effect.

Galatians 5:4 "Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace." G1601 to lose, be cast, fall away of off, take of none effect

2 Peter 3:17 "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." G1601

G3895. parapipto, par-ap-ip'-to; from G3844 and G4098; to fall aside, i.e. (fig.) to apostatize:--fall away. This Greek word is only found in Hebrews 6:6

Hebrews 6:6 "If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame." G3895 apostate

II) TYPES OF APOSTASY:

See my paper: "Unpardonable Sin & Its Results" for more information on this subject.

III) MORAL APOSTASY: Enslaved to sins of worldly cares, riches, & pleasures of this life in the flesh.

See my paper: "Preservation and Perseverance of the Elect" for more information on this subject.

A) CARNAL WORLDLY BELIEVER:

B) SCRIPTURAL EXAMPLE:

Demas - forsakes God for the present fleshly carnal worldly cares, riches, & pleasures:

Luke 8:14 "And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, & bring no fruit to perfection."

2 Timothy 4:10 "For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia." Demas did not stay to end.

Philemon 1:24 "Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers."Paul counted Demas as a believer considering him on an equal bases to Luke and Mark as gospel fellowlabourers.

See my paper: "Jesus in the Old Testament" for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "Love" for more information on this subject.

IV) THEOLOGY APOSTASY: Reject teachings of Jesus.

See my paper: "Jesus Life, Events, & Identity" for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "Messianic Prophecies that Jesus Fulfilled" for more information on this subject.

1 Timothy 4:1 "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;"

2 Timothy 4:3-4 "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; {4} And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."

A) SCRIPTURAL EXAMPLES:

Hymenaeus - Shipwreck faith blaspheme & error of resurrection being in the past:

1 Timothy 1:19-20 "Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: {20} Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme."

2 Timothy 2:16-19 "But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. {17} And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; {18} Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some."

V) SCRIPTURE EXAMPLES OF SEQUENCE STEPS TO FULL APOSTASY:

A) ROMANS 1:21-32 STEPS TO FULL APOSTASY: God gave them up to a reprobate mind

Did not glorify God -> unthankful to God -> vain in their imaginations -> heart foolish & dark -> professing to be wise became fools -> changing God's glory to earthly forms ->

God gave them up to uncleanness of their heart lust -> to dishonour their bodies with others -> changed God's truth to a lie -> worshipped earthly creature not God -> to their vile affections ->

Woman to woman - lesbians -> Men to men - sodomy -> God gave them a reprobate mind ->

All unrighteousness of sexual sins, all evil sins, & hating God -> that God's judgment including -> death will be their punishment not only do they evil but enjoy others doing the same evil

B) HEBREWS 3:7-14: STEPS TO FULL APOSTASY:

C) HEBREWS 6:4-6 IF THEY FALL AWAY TO FULL APOSTASY:

D) GOD WILL LET THE APOSTASY ONLY GO SO FAR BEFORE GIVEN THEM UP:

See my paper: "God's Plan and Purpose for the Ages" for more information on this subject.

Luke 13:6-9 "He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. {7} Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? {8} And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: {9} And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down." These people were given a second chance, but that is God's limit.

VI) GOD PLAN WILL BE COMPLETED WITH THE ELECT & APOSTASY PERSON FOR HIS PURPOSE:

John 15:2, 6 "Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit." .{6} If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned."They are both initially in Christ, but some of them are not God's Elect.

Galatians 1:6 "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:" These people removed themselves from God's grace.

See my paper: "Grace" for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "End Times Events - Day of the Lord" for more information on this subject.

VII) CONCLUSIONS: Elect Christians will remain faithful & will not become an apostasy.

See my paper: "Is Free Will Biblical?" for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "Some Saved & Some Lost God's Sovereignty" for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "God Plans for His Purpose. Who Harden Pharaoh's Heart?" for more information on this subject.

Paul, as Elect Christian, remained faithful to Jesus to the end of his life:

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