The Great Apostasy was alive and well during the time of Paul and John’s writings. Apostasy, from the Greek word apostasia, means “a defiance of a system or authority; a rebellion; an abandonment or breach of faith.” In the first-century world, apostasy was a technical term for revolt or defection from the faith. Paul experienced it first hand. This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. (2 Timothy1:15a). Some scholars have suggested that these Asiatics had gone to Rome for the purpose of bearing witness in Paul’s favor, and finding that Paul was in position was one of extreme danger, terrified for themselves—like others once before had been in the Christian story—lest they too should be involved in a like condemnation, forsook him and fled. Whatever the reason they turned away from Paul. PAUL WARNED THE EVANGELIST TIMOTHY... In latter times some would depart from the faith - (1Timothy 4:1) When Paul was inspired to write this letter to the Timothy it was (between the years (63-66 A. D) the apostasy was already on the way. When Paul wrote this letter to Timothy the Temple was still standing and “falling away” refers to those who were returning back under the Mosaic Covenant. The defection from the faith was a characterize the latter days of the old covenant had already set in. The pull of the Old Covenant world system continued to draw many away from Christ Paul said that Demas had forsaken him. 2 Timothy 4:10 Demas has forsaken me, shaving loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. Apostasy was a great extent in the churches of Ephesus. God really made a big transformation in the character, and heart of Paul. As Paul was on his way to Jerusalem, he made a stop at Ephesus. There he called a special meeting of all the shepherds leaders of the church. He told those Ephesian believers solemnly, “This is the last time I’ll see you. And this will be my final message to you. You’re not going to see my face after this” (see Acts 20:25). He knew, and was persuaded, he should visit these parts, no more. Paul then delivered his last message to the Ephesians with tears, he gave them a sober warning. What did Paul see coming? What so grieved him that he would spend three years weeping over this church? What coming tragedy had he warned them about so many times, both publicly and privately, in their church and in their homes? What issue could shake this praying, holy man so deeply? Act 20:28-31 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage (wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock).Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, (to draw away the disciples after themselves). Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. (Emphasis added) Paul wants them to hear this warning one more time” The Greek to draw away ἀποσπᾶν the τοὺς disciples μαθητὰς after ὀπίσω them ἑαυτῶν. The Apostle Paul, warned the elders of the church in Ephesus about the false teachers who would be coming after his departure, to draw away the disciples after themselves and gave them a simple way to spot the wolves. In short, Paul’s warnings weren’t about the wolves outside the church doors. No, Paul was grieved over what he saw coming inside the walls of God’s house. He warned the Ephesians about what he foresaw coming upon the gospel, and upon the sheep, of God in particular. And those warnings were about destruction to come at the hands of “wolves” deceivers who will rise up within the church. To spot the wolves, false teachers, a shepherd must know what constitutes sound doctrine and what goes outside permissible limits. Paul alludes to the sinfulness of the false teachers, by calling them “savage wolves” that will not spare the flock. Behind their false teaching is a selfish motive, to draw away the disciples after them. They want to gain a following for themselves, not for Christ. In short Apostasy. In his final message, to the church of Ephesus Paul’s mind was on the flock of God and the shepherds, taking heed. Be on guard, for yourselves shepherds and of the flock.” “The Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood” (20:28). In other words: “You overseers, you shepherds — feed your flocks, to prepare them. Fill them with God’s pure Word. Savage wolves and deceivers are coming, and they’re going to take aim at the weak sheep.” That’s why Jesus warned about wolves that come in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15). It takes a fair amount of discernment for a shepherd to recognize that this isn’t another sheep; it’s a wolf! Their evil deeds expose them for what they really are, false teachers, wolves in sheep’s clothing, who are trying to gain, access to the flock of God to overthrow their faith in Christ. When the apostle John was inspired to write his letters he gives evidence of a departure from the faith - cf. 1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us. These Jews who went apostasy were of Christian origin. The Judaizers error gave birth in the book of Galatians to the possibility of apostasy. Paul ask the Churches of Galatia, I marvel that (you are turning away) (PRESENT TENSE) so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. (Galatians 1:6-7) What was the different gospel which is NOT another. The gentiles must be circumcised according to the custom of Moses. (Acts 15:1) These Judaizers were teaching a doctrine which troubled churches and was a perversion of the gospel of Christ (Galatians 1:7). Those who taught this doctrine were accursed of God (1:8-9). Paul described these men as false brethren (2:4). The Great Apostasy for faith in Christ was alive and will first century. We therefore have no Biblical warrant to MOVE the apostasy Paul addressed in our history.
Posted on: Sat, 04 Oct 2014 22:52:48 +0000
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