“What is Apostasy?  Does it Still Exist?”

 

Elder Robert Willis (dec)

From “Share The Word - 1-31-2014


The word “Apostasy” means “falling away”. As for as the church is concerned, there are two types or kinds of falling away. One can fall away in godly practice or behavior, and one can fall away in truth or doctrine. Usually, when a child of God begins ungodly behavior it is due to not holding firmly to the truths of God’s word. Likewise, a person can be morally upright and still be guilty of Apostasy when it comes to adhering to the gospel of Christ.


Preachers should not be afraid to warn their flocks just as the church was warned by Peter and other apostles in the first century, “...there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.” This apostasy is happening even today in the Lord’s church. It was even predicted to happen by the Apostle Paul in I Timothy 4:1-2, “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; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;...”


Ministers of the gospel have a responsibility to cry aloud when “Apostasy” shows it’s ugly head; in their own congregation or among their fellow ministers if the need be. Paul went on to tell Timothy, “If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.”


What is the result of Apostasy? If one of God’s children does something which brings reproach upon themselves, the church, and the Faith, where they need to be removed from the membership so as to not cause gainsayers to profane the truth of Christ. If a minister continues in apostasy after being duly counseled with according to Matthew 18, then they need to be removed from the church and their credentials made null and void. Please understand, these measures should be done only after all attempts to save them from their apostasy has been exercised. Should they turn from their wicked ways, the church should be willing to forgive and receive them back when scripturally possible.


Departure from the true gospel has brought about thousands of different denominational churches with different ideas of what the truth really is. Paul said, “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” (II Timothy 4:3-4).


What then should God-fearing people do when Apostasy occurs in their church or among their ministry? The answer is found right where we need to find the answer: God’s Word. II John, verses 10 and 11 is the answer: “If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: for he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” I didn’t say this, but I trust the Lord will give me the boldness and the strength to declare it’s truths till I leave this earth for a better country.