Thread: Apostasy, the most dangerous sin! What is it exactly?
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Apostasy, the most dangerous sin! What is it exactly?
Posted : 3 Apr, 2009 01:36 PM
Hi Everyone,
Do you know what Apostasy is or the nature of it? There is only one definition for this word and it cannot be changed, modified or altered because it may not suit one's theological belief. For a Christian this is the most dangerous sin as this one sin will cause a Christian to "forfeit" their salvation forever with no hope of regaining it back.
2Thess2:3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless THE FALLING AWAY comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, NKJV
The term "Falling Away" is the word we get Apostasy from. The Greek word is Apostasia.
G646
apostasia pronounced ap-os-tas-ee'-ah
Feminine of the same as G647; defection from truth (properly the state), ("apostasy"): - falling away, forsake.
G647
apostasion pronounced ap-os-tas'-ee-on
Neuter of a (presumed) adjective from a derivative of G868; properly something separative, that is, (specifically) divorce: - (writing of) divorcement.
In essence this is describing a Christian divorcing themselves from Christ. Divorcing... from... THE Faith. Just as you cannot divorce someone you are not married to you cannot divorce yourself from Christ unless you are already IN Christ. You cannot "Fall Away" FROM the Faith unless you already had the Faith to Fall Away from. Are you seeing this?
The interesting thing about Apostasy is that a NON-believer cannot be one. Only a true Born Again Believer, i.e. Christian can commit this particular act/sin.
According to Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, "Apostasy" is defined as "the determined willful rejection of Christ and His teachings BY a Christian Believer [Heb. 10:26-29; John 15:22]. This is different from false belief, or error, which is the result of ignorance."
The nature of apostasy requires that one be a believer first, then turn away from God.
So as we can see clearly from the Greek the word Apostasy has one specific meaning and by the way, you cannot change the root meaning of any Greek word. It is what it is irregardless of ones theological belief.
This one word alone refutes the dangerous teachings of Once Saved Always Saved theology as well as Calvinism.
Apostasy, the most dangerous sin! What is it exactly?
Posted : 4 Apr, 2009 12:34 AM
Good post, Walter. However, remember that there is a huge difference between apostasy and backsliding - between turning away from Christ and having a time of doubt or uncertainty. I had times when I was still new in the faith (and even from time to time now) that these things would happen. I told someone in my church that this scared me - how would I know if I had done something "wrong enough" that I wouldn't be able to come back to God. She gave me some great insight - she told me, "Lynn, if you ever fell into apostasy, you wouldn't even realize it because you would no longer care and certainly wouldn't worry about it." I do agree with the "once saved always saved" idea being wrong. It is certainly possible to turn from Christ and keep on walking.
Apostasy, the most dangerous sin! What is it exactly?
Posted : 4 Apr, 2009 07:02 AM
Hi Linnie,
Yes you are absolutely right. There is a difference but the back sliding is the path that leads to "Unbelief". Your friend is right that by the time Apostasy occurs it won't matter to you anymore.
Here are a couple of verses that should remind us to pay attention to the walk of our Brothers and Sisters so that if we do see them going down the wrong path we can reach out to them and try to turn them around before it's too late.
James 5:19 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back,
20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.NKJV
1John 5:16 If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. NKJV
Apostasy, the most dangerous sin! What is it exactly?
Posted : 4 Apr, 2009 09:47 AM
So what would you think if someone didn't necessarily turn from Christ, but started to follow a false religion such as Mormonism? If their view of Christ shifted to something false - would you consider that Apostacy? Or are they still saved if they were originally saved with belief in the true God but were somehow led astray?
Apostasy, the most dangerous sin! What is it exactly?
Posted : 4 Apr, 2009 07:08 PM
Hi Linnie,
You raise a good question.
If a Christian does drift away and begin to believe in a False Doctrine that would cause them to no longer believe in Christ Jesus then that person could commit Apostasy if they truly denied Christ. Let me give an example.
Suppose John Doe, a Christian, was persuaded to go to a Jehovah's Witness church and he liked what he heard and over time got more involved and really began to believe as they do in that Jesus did not bodily resurrect only His Spirit did and that now he has to "work" for his salvation. He in essence has denied Christ. Or suppose a Christian was deceived by the Islamic faith and converted to being a Muslem. This would require a denial of who Jesus is and that salvation is not through Christ. This is certainly Apostasy if indeed their hearts fell back into "Unbelief".
Heb 10:26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,
[The "sin willfully" is not dealing with committing any sin but the sin of unbelief. The rest of this passage clears this up.]
27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.
28 Anyone who has rejected Moses' law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has TRAMPLED THE SON OF GOD UNDERFOOT, counted the blood of the covenant.... BY WHICH HE... WAS [past tense]....SANCTIFIED... a common thing, AND INSULTED THE SPIRIT OF GRACE? [This is ...Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit...the unpardonable sin.]
30 For we know Him who said, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord. And again, "THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE."
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Apostasy, the most dangerous sin! What is it exactly?
Posted : 6 Apr, 2009 11:00 AM
Walter,
Hello my friend. I think that Apostasy will only happen once, and that we are warned many times to try to make us realize when that time will be.
2Thess2:3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless THE FALLING AWAY comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, NKJV
I think this is the taking of the mark by all those who think they will be raptured before this comes about. We see also that we are warned that the love of many will grow cold, I think these are the people who will turn their backs on God because they believed the false teachings of a pre trib rapture. This will be the Apostasy mentioned in the Bible, in my opinion.
As for blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, the only context we have for this suggests a very narrow definition. Calling the Holy Spirit working in someone the spirit of a demon. Grieving the Holy Spirit, or anything else, just doesn't fit the context of that scripture.
Apostasy, the most dangerous sin! What is it exactly?
Posted : 7 Apr, 2009 08:02 AM
So What Does The Word say to These things?
Again, 2 Thessalonians chapter 2: verse 3: KJV: Let no man deceive you by any means, for THAT DAY SHALL (WILL) NOT COME, EXCEPT (UNLESS, UNTIL) there come (there is) a falling away FIRST,( meaning people will first start to turn away from the truth of God's divine word and chase after the lie of false teachers just as Hymenenaeus and Alexander who taught during Paul's time, that the resurrection fo Jesus Christ had already come. They stopped following with Paul and started their own ministry teaching a false doctrine.
Paul teaches us that many will follow after false teachers, feel good teachers of God's word, false teachers who will stratch the people itching ears to satifiy themselves in their sins, denying the truth of Jesus Christ and what God has to say about sin. The operative words here in this verse are "EXCEPT and "FIRST" . Meaning nothng is or will happen, no movement, no COMING OF THE LORD, EXCEPT or UNTIL, there is FIRST (the falling away), this must happen BEFORE Christ can COME! ...
Paul says here in this verse that the coming day of Christ will not come, EXCEPT, or Unless, or Until, people who once (half way) believed the truth or heard the truth about Jesus Christ, but they really have not received it in their hearts and spirits, fall away from what they know to be true for the lie. Which means turn away from the truth they have received or heard to a new doctrine). Until such time, Christ Cannot come, until this happens. And when the people turn (fall away) and that the man of sin will be revealed, the son of perdition, (the anitchrist, satan himself is the one who will turn the people who are weak in their faith and knowledge of God's Word away from the truth.
For a clearer understanding of the word apostasy, it means "a standing away from" in the sense of falling away, withdrawal, or defection from the truth. It may be the result pf perseciton, when Christian are beginning to be persecuted for their beliefs in Jesus Christ, some will fall for the lie, and leaving the truth. False teachers spreading the lie of their own doctrine and understandings, temptation will and even today causes people to turn away from the truth, worldliness causes wand will even the more cause people to turn from the truth of God word, inadequate knowledge of Christ, people don't study or read the word of God for themselves, and would rather allow men to tell them what God is saying than to study to show themselves aprrove by God.
This is going to happen even the more and is happening today and turning people away from God's truth. No one tests the spirit of the word they receive from an by the word of God as didi they in th e1st century when Peter and the disciples came preaching and teaching God's word, the bible tells us that the people searched the scriptures ot see if what they were hearing from the disciples lined up with God's word. moral lapse, people are grewing more and more into their own understanding and concepts of what is moral and what isn't. When the antichirst comes, is is going to get worse, becasue he wil tell the lie that everything and anything goes, and we see the signs today, moral issues in the church of all kind, and everyone says its ok and are afraid to speak out in truth of God's word. I would rather be polictical incorrect any day, than to be spiritual wrong on my worse day. God will judge those who do not take a stand for His truth.
Apostasy will happen even the more because peope will forsake spiritual living and worshiping of God, gathering together with other believers as we are told to do, to strengthen each other's faith. Peopl have already stopped attending church and pray meetings, and bible study classes, this will also cause more falling away, because its happening more and more. then you will also see those who just refuse to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ no matter what! These are they who will fall even the more on the side of the anitichirst and most likely be one os his ministers helping to spread his lies that he is the Christ, and even as Paul says, the working of miracles and healings will caue many to be deceived wanting to get healed of many sicknesses and diseases and don't care how or who does it, just as long as they are healed. All this will happen prior to the coming and during the time of the antichrist...
Apostasy is nothing more than a revolt against God's truth of His word, His morals, His statyes, His concepts, and His Son, Jesus Christ! Plain and simple...
Apostasy, the most dangerous sin! What is it exactly?
Posted : 7 Apr, 2009 11:28 AM
Ella,
You said: "Apostasy is nothing more than a revolt against God's truth of His word, His morals, His statyes, His concepts, and His Son, Jesus Christ! Plain and simple..."
WALTER: actually Ella the word Apostasy is akin to a divorce. It is a Christian falling back into a state of unbelief. The Greek definition is clear in this. Only and let me emphasize only a Christian, someone truly Born Again...can commit this sin. It falling away from the faith. A non-believer cannot commit this sin as it requires a person to be a Christian first and then fall away from the faith.
Apostasy, the most dangerous sin! What is it exactly?
Posted : 8 Apr, 2009 05:26 AM
Walter,
I don't think the information I posted needed correctioning or editing from you. Outside of my typos, my comments and the information are indeed sufficient and correct. However, I do thank you for your input.
Apostasy, the most dangerous sin! What is it exactly?
Posted : 8 Apr, 2009 05:45 AM
BTW, Walter... when a person gets a DIVORCE is there a "standing away from that person/relationship? Is there a falling away from that person/relationship? Is there a defection from the person/relationship? Is there a disaffiliation with that person/relationship? Is there rejection of that person/relationship? Is there a pulling away from the person/relationship?...
If the above about divorce is true, then I suppose my question is, what definition did I use to define apostasy that is incorrect?
Apostasy, the most dangerous sin! What is it exactly?
Posted : 8 Apr, 2009 11:38 AM
Ella,
You have in the past defended the False Doctrine of Once Saved Always Saved. Please correct me if that is not true.
You stated at the end of your post.
"Apostasy is nothing more than a revolt against God's truth of His word, His morals, His statyes, His concepts, and His Son, Jesus Christ! Plain and simple..."
WALTER: Ella, would you agree that a non-Christian is incapable of committing Apostasy and that only a Christian can commit that specific sin? That is a simple enough question please give a simple short answer.
Do you understand and agree that when a Christian commits Apostasy then they are forfeiting their salvation of all eternity?
Your personal definition could lead one to believe that anyone can commit Apostasy even a non-believer. That is simply not so nor does the Greek definition support that assumption. The Greek definition is very clear. Only a Christian can commit the sin of Apostasy. This is not my opinion but what the Greek means.
Let me re-post this so you don't miss this.
G646
apostasia pronounced ap-os-tas-ee'-ah
Feminine of the same as G647; defection from truth (properly the state), ("apostasy"): - falling away, forsake.
G647
apostasion pronounced ap-os-tas'-ee-on
Neuter of a (presumed) adjective from a derivative of G868; properly something separative, that is, (specifically) divorce: - (writing of) divorcement.
In essence this is describing a Christian divorcing themselves from Christ. Divorcing... from... THE Faith. Just as you cannot divorce someone you are not married to you cannot divorce yourself from Christ unless you are already IN Christ. You cannot "Fall Away" FROM the Faith unless you already had the Faith to Fall Away from. Are you seeing this?
The interesting thing about Apostasy is that a NON-believer cannot be one. Only a true Born Again Believer, i.e. Christian can commit this particular act/sin.
According to Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, "Apostasy" is defined as "the determined willful rejection of Christ and His teachings BY a Christian Believer [Heb. 10:26-29; John 15:22]. This is different from false belief, or error, which is the result of ignorance."
The nature of apostasy requires that one be a believer first, then turn away from God.
Do you agree with this Ella?
If you don't then please show me where the Greek word means something different then what it says it means.
