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Apostasy- Predicted and Fulfilled ( I Timothy4:1-3) | Archive 2025

A. Many wonder why there are hundreds of so called Christian groups- all claiming to be the true church of Christ ( Lord).

1. What could have been the reasons for this confusion in the religious world?

2. Let us know the truth from God's words as Jesus said in John 8:32.

 B. The approach in this study for the sake of clarity and simplicity shall be as follows:

1. Meaning of apostasy and its development/ evolution

2. Predictions by Jesus and NT writers on apostasy

3. Doctrines that contributed to apostasy

4. Actions to be taken against apostasy and its perpetrators

Discussion

 A. Definition of apostasy and its development

1. Paul wrote in I Timothy 4:1 " that in the latter times, some shall depart from the faith..."

2. Apostasy comes from the Greek " apotesontai" ( will depart from the faith " pisteos")

3. The verb form " to apostatize" means " to depart from the faith, turn away from the gospel, Galatians 1:7; refusing to continue in the faith; to abandon; to rebel!"

4.How did apostasy develop as stated in I Timothy 4:2? " They spoke lies in hypocrisy."

5. People rejected the truth; tried to change or substitute the truth with falsehood, Revelation 22:18-19

6. In I Timothy 4:3, Paul wrote that " they did not endure sound docrrine; having itching ears, they turned away from the truth and went to fables."

7. Peter wrote that the false teachers " privily or secretly brought in damnable heresies and denied the Lord Jesus and many shall follow their pernicious ways," 2 Peter 2:1-3

 B. Predictions of Apostasy by Jesus and NT writers

1. Jesus said, " Many shall be offended ( Greek " skandalizo") or " shall give up their faith or fall into sin," Matthew 24:9-11 " and false prophets shall deceive many."

2. Paul said " after my departure, grievous wolves shall enter among you, not sparing the flock; of your ownselves shall men arise, speaking perverse things and will draw disciples away after them," Acts 20:29-30

 3. Paul wrote that Christ will not return " unless there shall be a falling away first and then the man of sin shall be revealed.

" he will oppose and exalt himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped,"

" he as God wil sit in the temple of God, showing hinself as God, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power, sigins and lying wonders," ( 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12)

4. Apostasy has a DRASTIC meaning for it is not only a " gradual process of drifting away but a rebellion and a supplanting God from His position in the church."

 C. Doctrines that contributed to apostasy

1.In the 2nd century, one elder was exalted as chief and was called BISHOP. Eventually, they were called Patriarchs and each one controlled Rome, Antioch, Jerusalem, Constantinople and Alexandria.

2. Ascetism-rigid discipline which believes that the spirit of man overcomes his fleshly desires; sufferings make him nearer to God

- this led to establishment of monasteries where monks isolated themselves from the world

- forms of ascetism were fastings, vow of poverty and celibacy ( demonic teachings)

3. Ebionism- held by Jewish Christians or the Judaizers

- they believed that they are still God's chosen people

- believed that Christ was only a prophet and not the Son of God

- circumcision, tithing and sabbath keeping characterize them

4. Arianism ( Arius was presbyter in Alexandria, Egypt and became popular in 318 AD

-affirmed that Christ was a created being and not eternal with the Father

- Constantine called the Council of Nicea in 325 AD to resolve this issue

.- 318 bishops attended the council and concluded that Christ is ETERNAL with the Father

- contained in the Nicean Creed or the Apostles' Creed ( Latin " credo" I believe)

- those who disagreed with the creed were called " heretics" and could be excommunicated or killed

Conclusion

A. Actions to be taken against apostasy and its perpetrators

1. Study God's words to be aware of false teachers, doctrines and churches today, 2 Timothy 2:15

2. Defend the faith by exposing errors with the help of the Holy Spirit, Jude 1:3

3. Inform and warn people that Christ will take vengeance on " those who don't know God and who will not obey the gospel."

B. Summarize the main points

1. Invite audiences and viewers to believe in Chrst, confess him as Lord; repent of their sins and be baptized into Christ, Acts 2:38

2. Now is the day of salvation, 2 Corinthians 6:2

3. Accept Christ's invitation today as He stated in Matthew 11:28-30