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 : 10 Apr, 2009 05:04 PM
Okay, my apologies in advance, but both of you are starting to sound like some people in the Bible that Jesus had a few words for...dare I say the name of this group of people? Lol (And in advance - I'm very guilty of letting my "own knowledge" get in the way of what God commanded us to do - LOVE one another.)
You started this as a banter back and forth about a topic, but it's gotten a little personal on both sides. I'm actually waiting for one of you to call the other one "Poopy pants."
The only FACT about this discussion is that no one knows for sure - no one knows if apostacy IS the unforgiveable sin, if there are simply different levels of apostacy, if the "unforgiveable sin" was only possible when Christ was on the earth in a physical form... but one thing IS for sure - from reading both of your passions about the Word, it's doubtful either of you have to ever worry about falling into it. :) You should both be commended for your zeal about God's word and your in depth study - it's awesome that neither of you take your faith lightly!! (Remember, that this is a topic that has been debated for MANY MANY YEARS!!!) And it's one we may not know the answer to until we meet Jesus face to face.
So go back to your corners, take a deep breath, and come out hugging.
Apostasy, the most dangerous sin! What is it exactly?
Posted : 13 Apr, 2009 12:23 PM
Hi Lynn,
The issue with Ella is one that has been ongoing. Several here have rebuked her and have even complained to the administration. She has at times gone way over the edge in her attacks and then when she is rebuked by others she never, never admits her wrong doing and then even attacks again. She has been absent a little while since her last rebuke. She is back but now is being more subtle in her personal attacks. I will not coddle her bad behavior no matter how subtle she gets. She misbehaves, I will confront her on it....biblically.
Back to the topic.
You said: "the only FACT about this discussion is that no one knows for sure - no one knows if apostacy IS the unforgiveable sin, if there are simply different levels of apostacy, if the "unforgiveable sin" was only possible when Christ was on the earth in a physical form... "
WALTER: I disagree Lynn. We do know that Apostasy is unforgivable and it is Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. Here's why.
First Jesus said that there is only "one sin" that will not be forgiven...."Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit".
Second, when we examine the passages that deal with Apostasy we find a pattern and phrases that link Apostasy to Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. Let's examine these.
What is Blasphemy?
blasphēmia blas-fay-me'-ah
From G989; vilification (especially against God): - blasphemy, evil speaking, railing
When we examine Matt 12:31 in the verse where Jesus talks about blasphemy we have to be careful not to misapply what He means here. Was Jesus saying that making a false accusation against the Holy Spirit was blasphemy or that blasphemy was making a false accusation against the Holy Spirit? Jesus was giving an example of what blasphemy is. There are other words that also lend themselves to the same thing. In essence blasphemy is "insulting" the Holy Spirit.
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 sinning willfully is talking about Apostasy not just committing any kind sins.
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.
Verse 29 below is very powerful. Consider the words carefully.
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 SANCTIFIED [past tense]a common thing, and INSULTED THE SPIRIT OF GRACE.
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.
Notice in verse 29 that we have a person who "WAS SANCTIFIED"; only a Christian can fall under this terminology. This sanctified Christian then commits an act whereby he tramples underfoot the Son of God and counts the blood of the covenant a "common thing" and by doing so.....don't miss this part....."INSULTED the Spirit of Grace. That is the Holy Spirit he has INSULTED. The word Blasphemy and the word Insulted both convey similar meanings. To blasphemy is to "insult" the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of Grace is the Holy Spirit. To insult the Holy Spirit is to blasphemy.
Now can this person be reconciled back? No. Here's why.
Heb 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit,
5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come,
6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.
7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God;
8 but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned. NKJV
The above passage makes it perfectly clear that once a person has "fallen away".....committed Apostasy, it is "impossible to renew then "AGAIN" to repentance.
You mentioned something about there being differentt levels of Apostasy.
The word Apostasy has only one meaning and it is a final act when a Christian no longer believes in the Gospel message, believes in Christ. There is a path that leads up to this final act, but the act of, the sin of Apostasy is a one time final act that is not forgivable. Eternal damnation.
2Pet 2:20 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.
Got to go to work. I hope this helped clarify this issue. Let me know.
