“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. |