Apostasy: The Ease And Possibility Of

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The Ease and Possibility of Apostasy

Introduction: As we take a brief break in our studies of 1 and 2 Peter, I want us to talk about apostasy. The word “apostasy” simply means a “departure. In biblical terms it is a departure from Christ and his teachings. This can be done by an individual or a whole church. We see both in the New Testament. Unfortunately, we tend to refer to a person who has fallen away as one who has quit coming to church. But in scripture apostasy takes place among those who never miss an assembly of God’s people. Apostasy comes in numerous forms, and not all have to do with doctrinal error so called.

1. NT Warnings Indicate the Easy of Apostasy
   1. Of the seven letters to the seven churches in Revelation 2-3, five were rebuked and warned of losing their fellowship with the Lord. Three of the five had no doctrinal errors or immorality that were mentioned, and yet they were in danger of losing their standing with the Lord. This is a strong reminder that our definition of apostasy as either doctrinal error or immorality is lacking.
   2. The entire book of Hebrews is an exhortation against the brethren losing their endurance. They were tired of suffering and a life of resisting sin and desired to go back to a comfortable physical routine without having to always press on to the goal.
   3. To the elders at Ephesus Paul said, “I know after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears” (Acts 20:29-31).
      1. Paul’s words here are truly amazing. Paul knew these men personally, worked with them for three years, and possibly even appointed some of them. And yet in spite of Paul’s influence, he knew that some would fall prey to the “wolves” that would come in among them and begin to draw away disciples after them. How could that be?
      2. Verse 32 gives the answer to apostasy: “And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” Those words should give us a clear indication of what happens. Here is the message: Preachers can and do fall away. I have seen it many times. Elders can and do fall away. I have seen it many times. You see, a preacher can simply define himself as a preacher and concentrate on doing the work or a preacher. An elder can define himself as an elder. The preacher studies to do sermons and he studies to teach classes. But he does not study and pray just for himself, just to grow himself. The elder engrosses himself in the work of being a shepherd. But he does not study and pray just to grow himself. Therefore, even in the midst of all the work he is doing, his own strength and his own faith imperceptibly weakens. He has defined himself by what he does instead of who he is before God. It isn’t long before the devil takes advantage of him. 
      3. Notice also how Paul recognized the high possibility of their departure: “for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.” What if Paul were personally sitting in front of you and telling you these words? How seriously would we take it? Indeed, Paul is doing that very thing. As he warns these elders he has the intention that he is warning each of us with tears.
      4. “This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles” (2 Pet. 3:1). The key theme of the prophets was apostasy. 
   4. Consider: Is there a church that New Testament writers did not warn against apostasy or who were trying to bring them back from apostasy? No, not one! How dare us relax and think that we as a church or as individuals are immune.
      1. The Corinthians were well on their way to losing any of their identity as a church reflecting Christ.
      2. The Romans were losing their understanding of the gospel message over the Law.
      3. The Galatians were turning to an entirely different gospel.
      4. The Philippians were struggling with the type of sacrifice needed to truly follow Christ.
      5. The Colossians were under siege by those who had turned to the philosophies of the world.
      6. The Thessalonians were losing heart believing that the Lord had already come. And we could go on! 
2. Jesus’ Warnings of Apostasy: Letters to the Seven Churches
   1. 2:1-7 Ephesus is what we would refer to as a “sound” or “faithful” church.
      1. There not only was no doctrinal error within them, they fought strongly against those who wanted to bring such error within the church. Even more amazing is that they had patient endurance and were “bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary.
      2. However, Jesus had one thing against them: “You have abandoned the love you had at first.” 
         1. Jesus has made something very clear here. It is not just doing right that he is concerned about. It is a right relationship Jesus desires (Hosea 6:6, “I desire steadfast love…the knowledge of God…”) 
         2. Jesus rebuke also suggests that their love for him should have grown to be stronger and more passionate. But instead, their love had grown cold.
         3. And most shocking, “Remember  therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.” Could you have ever imagined that a church full of Christians would be lost eternally even though they were being obedient, working for the Lord, and not tolerating false teaching?
   2. 2:8-11 Smyrna is one of only two churches that were not rebuked. The fact that Jesus begins the letter by describing himself as “the one who died and came to life” tells us how dire their earthly future is. 
      1. Though Jesus does not give a rebuke, consider his challenge: “Do not fear what you are about to suffer…” Please consider the faith they needed in order to not fear. And remember, one cannot just decide not to fear when the persecution begins. faith has to be built prior to the suffering. That is why Jesus complimented them that though they were poor in this world’s goods, they were rich.
      2. Then, the reason for suffering: “that you may be tested.” As we saw in 1 Peter, the path to glory must come through testing. Do not fear because to get there you have to go through the test. 
      3. Finally, “Be faithful unto death.” The idea is not, “be faithful until you die,” but “be faithful even to the point of death.” It is when we are threatened with death and we can fail the test. Therefore, consider the strength of faith the Lord is requiring. 
   3. 2:12-17 Pergamum, the church who wouldn’t deny the faith of, but had some who taught immorality and lawlessness: “repent” or “I will war against you.” 
      1. If you were a member of a church that stood so strong during persecution that even one of your members was put to death for his faith, you might feel quite good about your membership.
      2. But the church was a “live and let live” type of church. Though most of its members did not participate in idolatry or sexual immorality, there were some in their midst that did. They apparently had the idea of compromise thinking that people’s personal sins were their own business. But the church was being defiled. The flame on their candlestick was flickering and would soon be extinguished.
   4. 2:18-29 Thyatira, the church who tolerated people who practiced sexual immorality: “I will throw her onto a sickbed and those who commit adultery…” 
      1. Again, Jesus gave a significant compliment to this church: love, faith, service, patient endurance, and the latter works exceed the first. What an incredible church! 
      2. But there is this one woman. She was quite personable and seems to be a teacher who convinced people she received revelations from God. But she seduces the men in the church. It was probably done “undercover” so that no one really wanted to confront her on say anything. Again, the church is defiled. They “tolerate” her.
   5. 3:1-6 Sardis, the church who had a reputation of being “alive” but was “dead.”
      1. A church with a great reputation may be one of the most difficult to change. They can take pride in the fact that so many brethren know about them and what good works they have done and be offended that anyone would say otherwise.
      2. But the Sardis reputation of past deeds is not the basis upon which the Lord was judging them. The question is not what have you done, but what are you doing? Being a Christian can easily and quickly become a rut in which we simply “rinse and repeat.” The letters have mentioned repeatedly that our present works must be more and better than our previous. Grow! is always the Lord’s command.
   6. 3:7-13 Philadelphia: This church was apparently small; it had a “little power.” But in spite of great persecution they had kept Jesus’ word and would not deny him. Jesus’ simple admonition: “Hold fast so that no one may seize your crown.” Holding fast is not “coasting.” As 2 Peter tells us, holding fast is the idea of continuing to excel to make sure of our calling and election. That is a must.
   7. 3:14-22 Laodicea, the lukewarm church: “you are neither hot nor cold” – “I will spit you out of my mouth.”
      1. Either a person or a church like Laodicea is by far the most difficult to get them to see their condition and actually change. The word, “anoint your eyes with salve” indicate the difficulty of seeing their real condition. There are so many churches today who would fit into this category.
      2. Look at this church. They seem to be doctrinally sound, they get along with everyone including the people in the community, and they have been blessed with wealth that has all the more convinced them of their right standing before God. The fact that they need to buy “gold refined by fire” indicates they avoided persecution by their lukewarm lifestyle. 
      3. The key to their survival: “be zealous and repent.” No more lukewarm, but boiling hot. Jesus has given them a jolt of reality that most of us have needed in our lives and may still need. Listen to it! If you are lukewarm, the Lord will spew you out of his mouth!

Conclusion: Revelation was most likely written about 68-69 AD. That is only 30 years after Jesus died and raised. It is only about 15 years since these churches were established. Look at how quickly and easily they began to fail! Historians tell us that not one of the churches survived the next few centuries. Remember, Paul is warning us with tears! 

Berry Kercheville