Project Description

2014/05

Apostasy – Investigating the Issues

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. (1Timothy 4:1) Paul’s solemn warning anticipates a series of awful departures from the faith. Certainly, in the life-time of the apostles, there was such departure – apostasy – on the part of various individuals and groups, but the trend is to continue until Christ returns. It is essential, then, that we heed this warning, for it impacts our own day.

 

DEFINITION  
What is apostasy? Basically, it is a ‘departure’. While the word is not used by our translators, the Greek apostasia is found in the original of 2 Thessalonians 2:3, where ‘falling away’ is the translation that prompts the transliteration ‘apostasy’. In 1Timothy 4:1, while the Greek is different, it is apostasy that is meant – ‘a departure from’, in the sense of abandoning something that was formerly espoused. The original word is used fifteen times in the New Testament, and these contexts will help us define apostasy,

1. Ten times the translation is simply ‘depart’. Consider the following examples:

(a) Luke 2:37 – Anna ‘departed not from the temple but served God’. It might be observed that this is what will happen in the absence of apostasy – there will be devotion to the house of God and faithfulness to Christ and the message of redemption (v.38). But by inference where there is apostasy, true worship and the Gospel will be forsaken.
(b) Acts 22:29 – The authorities, realizing that they had no right to punish a Roman citizen, departed from Paul at once. They wanted nothing to do with him, refusing even to be in his presence – the term here conveying a sense of abandonment.

(c) Luke 13:27 – This solemn reference pertains to that awful day when Christ will command the unregenerate to depart from Him into eternal punishment. Here is a complete separation between two parties, a severing of all connection and association. In apostasy, no connection with Christ remains; there is complete withdrawal by the apostate.

2. In Luke 8:13 the word is translated ‘fall away’. The seed falling on stony ground represents those who hear the Gospel but eventually fall away. The reason – “these have no root, which for a while believe.” There is no root, no connection with the vital source of life. While profession has been made, it is empty and when the test comes, they fall away. This is a description of apostasy on a personal level.

3. The word is also translated to ‘withdraw oneself’ in 1 Timothy 6:3-5 – the believer withdrawing from false teachers. From such the believer is to remove completely – to be totally separate. The general sense of the word is revealed – apostasy involves withdrawal.

DEFECTION
Apostasy implies defection. Paul’s warning obviously has a clear connection to the verses at the close of the previous chapter. Chapter 3 depicts the church as the pillar and ground of the truth. God’s people are to uphold the truth, summarized in verse 16, embracing the person and work of Christ. But apostasy is defection from that truth.

In 1 Timothy 3:16, the words “without controversy” literally mean ‘confessedly’. We may conclude that this argues for a confession of faith to set down the truth so that there is no controversy about what we believe. Moreover, the original word comes from a root that means ‘to say or speak the same thing’. It signifies agreement, harmony and concord; and this is why a confession of faith is so important. There must be consensus on what the truth actually is! And it must be laid out clearly in order to enlighten believers, and to protect the church from error and falsehood. This verse may be viewed as a confession of faith in miniature, given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and it invites a closer look.

“Great is the mystery of godliness” – mystery signifies that which is revealed by God, for the truth could never be discovered by man’s fallen mind alone. The Lord has given to His people a revelation that is “great”, of the highest value, something to be prized. And Christ is the sum and substance of this revelation! Here is His incarnation – “God was manifested in the flesh.” What truth lies in these words – the virgin birth, His blessed person as the God-man, His life of perfect obedience, His humiliation and death, the atonement He made for sin – all is here! And there is His vindication – “justified in (by) the Spirit.” Here ‘justified has the sense of vindication. The Holy Spirit vindicated Christ by raising Him from the dead, Romans 1:3-4. Then, we have His adoration – “seen of angels.” The holy angels gaze on Him with wonder and adoration because of His gracious work (see 1 Peter 1:12, Ephesians 3:10). Next, His proclamation – “preached unto the Gentiles.” Literally it reads ‘proclaimed among the nations’. The reference is to Christ’s programme of evangelization, mentioned here because the commission was given before He went back to heaven. There follows His acceptation – “believed on in the world.” That He was to be proclaimed among the nations anticipated His being accepted by those among whom He was preached. Thus, sinners from every tribe and nation began to worship Him as their Saviour and Lord, as had been predicted from ancient times, Genesis 12: 3. Finally, His exaltation – “received up into glory.” He was taken up into glory, signifying the sovereign and exalted position from which He reigns over all as King of kings.

Now, in the light of this, it is clear that the defection involved in apostasy is defection from Christ. This is a vital point. It assists recognition of apostasy. It prompts us to be careful who or what we brand as ‘apostate’ – the word has been used far too readily, and on occasions without justification. It underlines the true reason for ecclesiastical separation – we separate from churches and from men when there is genuine departure from Christ, and when they embrace those who are undoubted apostates.

DARKNESS
When apostasy occurs, the mind is opened to all kinds of error. This is the darkness of apostasy. It paves the way for the awful consequences pictured in the text.

The darkness of apostasy is promoted by seductive forces – “seducing spirits”, where the thought is of ‘causing to wander’. These evil spirits prompt men to wander into deeper deception. The darkness of apostasy is promoted by satanic falsehood – “doctrines of devil”. Literally, it reads ‘teachings of demons’ – the powers of darkness have the ability to foster error, 2 Corinthians 11:2-4.

Note, finally, that all of this darkness is channelled through men: ‘speakers of lies in hypocrisy’ (verse 2). Hellish powers use men who hypocritically cloak their error in order to deceive; and do so because they have seared their consciences. Hence, the apostate’s darkness is but a prelude to eternal darkness, Jude 13.

Rev John Greer.