What’s an apostasy? In simplest terms, an apostasy is a defection. It is a renunciation of what one formerly believed. The word “apostasy” comes from the Greek word apostasis which means a revolt or a rebellion.
According to Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary, an apostasy is “an abandonment of what one has professed; a total desertion, or departure from one's faith or religion.” In short, an apostasy is a turning away from the Truth.
The Apostle Paul warns us of a coming apostasy, a coming falling away from the truths of the Bible. Hear what Paul says in 2 Thessalonians 2: 3:
"Don't let anyone deceive you in any way. For that day will not come unless the apostasy comes first.”
If you are not already aware of it, we are smack in the middle of that apostasy right now. Churches everywhere are falling away from the truths of Scripture and establishing belief systems that clearly contradict the Word of God.
How can you recognize apostasy? In particular, how can you recognize an apostate church? Most important of all, how can you make sure you are not attending an apostate church?
Here are some signs of an apostate church:
1-An apostate church teaches Replacement Theology. Replacement theology teaches that the Church has replaced the nation of Israel regarding the Scriptural purposes and plan of God. This is a heretical teaching that contradicts the promises of God regarding Israel as found in the prophetical writings of the Old Testament.
2-An apostate church condones activities and attitudes that the the Bible clearly calls sin. For example, an apostate church approves of abortion, homosexuality, transgenderism, socialism, and New Age philosophies, among other anti-Biblical practices.
3-An apostate church mixes good and evil and confuses the two. An apostate church calls good evil and evil good. It calls darkness light and light darkness. For example, an apostate church teaches that all paths lead to God and that all religions are equally good. This is an outright lie. The Bible says that Jesus is the only Way to God: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14: 6).
Remember this: Adam and Eve’s sin of rebellion resulted in their eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Did you notice that this tree included the knowledge of good as well as the knowledge of evil? The reason is that Satan always mixes some truth in with the evil so as to deceive. If he presented only evil, most people would run from it. But, Satan mixes truth in with falsehood so that his lie sounds like truth and people will buy into it.
As the days grow spiritually darker, make sure you are growing closer to the Light Who is Jesus Christ, Yeshua the Messiah. Only be remaining in the Light will you be able to discern the darkness and, discerning it, you will be able to flee from it.
Now, it's YOUR TURN: Have you encountered apostasy? If so, where and when?
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Copyright 2016 by Dr. MaryAnn Diorio. All Rights Reserved.
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