APOSTASY

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When we are talking about the word APOSTASY what is the meaning? The word in Greek "apostasia" means renouncing of faith.

"Apostasy" is a term that refers to someone who has renounced their religious faith or beliefs. It can also refer to a religious movement that has rejected its original beliefs. For example, a person who was raised in a particular religion but later decided to leave that faith would be considered an apostate. Or, a religious movement that started out with one set of beliefs but later changed or abandoned those beliefs would also be considered apostasy. So, the basic meaning of apostasy is to abandon or renounce a religious faith. 

In Christianity, apostasy is generally understood as the rejection of Jesus Christ and the teachings of the Bible. This can include leaving the faith entirely or turning to other religions or belief systems. The Bible itself warns against apostasy, and there are several verses that address this issue. For example, in 2 Peter 2:1, the apostle Peter warns about "false teachers" who "will secretly bring in destructive heresies" and lead people away from the truth. So, in Christianity, apostasy is generally seen as a very serious matter. Apostle Paul also warned us that in last day many shall depart from the faith and be following false doctrines but he mainly mentioned the word apostasy in his epistle to the Thessalonians. The apostle Paul warned about the danger of apostasy in his letters to the early church. In 2 Thessalonians 2:3, he says, "Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed." So, Paul saw apostasy as a major problem that could lead to the coming of the Antichrist.

The question is that why do we need to know about apostasy in a time like this? It's important to know about apostasy because it helps us to understand the dangers of false teachings and those who seek to lead people away from the truth of the Gospel. By understanding the warnings about apostasy, we can be better equipped to stand firm in our faith and resist false teachers. Additionally, it's important to understand that even believers can fall away from the faith if they are not careful. So, knowing about apostasy helps us to guard our hearts and minds against the lies of the enemy.

What are the apostasy especially in the last days?


1. The rise of false teachers who seek to lead people away from the truth of the Gospel - "But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction" (2 Peter 2:1).

2. A decrease in morality and an increase in evil in the world - "But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness,having appearance of godliness but denied his power(2 Timothy 3:1-5)

3. A growing lack of love and tolerance among people - "Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends" (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a).

4. A denial of the deity of Jesus Christ - "For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ" (Jude 1:4).

5. An increase in the love of money and material possessions - "But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs" (1 Timothy 6:9-10).

6. A general increase in lawlessness - "But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men" (2 Timothy 3:1-9)

What is the way out of apostasy?

The Bible teaches that the only way to escape the dangers of apostasy is through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He is the only one who can truly save us from our sins and set us on the right path. That's why the Bible encourages us to put our faith and trust in Him, to repent of our sins, and to follow His teachings. It's not an easy path, but it's the only way to find true freedom and peace. 

1. Put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).

2. Repent of your sins: "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23).
"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out..." 

Jesus also taught about the importance of prayer and fasting, as well as obedience to God's laws.  "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39).
Another is "Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you" (Matthew 5:42).
"Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted" (Matthew 23:12).

In summary, the Bible teaches that the only way to avoid apostasy is to put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ, to repent of our sins, and to follow His teachings. By doing so, we can have a relationship with God that is based on love, obedience, and humility. It's not always easy, but it's the only way to truly find fulfillment and peace in this life and the next.

You can ask your questions and your view at the comment box. Maranatha. 


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