Pastor Larry Dela Cruz
APOSTASY
Can a Believer
Lose
His Salvation?
Contents
Introduction 4
Apostasy6
DEFINITION OF TERMS: APOSTASY 6
The Forms of Apostasy7
Early Church Fathers on Apostasy 8
Primary Theological Perspectives13
Denominations that Affirm the Possibility of Apostasy14
Theologians who affirmed the possibility of Apostasy15
What is Apostasy? 27
Who can commit Apostasy? 33
What is the Judgment for Apostates?35
Introduction
There are two theological camps that the Christian Community has built upon on the teaching about apostasy. There are those who believe a believer can not lose his salvation and can not turn back and the other is that they can lose their salvation at apostasy. The former believed that those who fall away are not believers in the first place and are not saved.The latter believed that these were genuine believers who were forgiven and washed and turned their backs unto their damnation. Could it be that both began right in the Lord and those who committed apostasy were not part of the elect for God knows they are to defect from the true faith and are not to persevere unto the end? God shall have mercy on whom He shall mercy. We shall study in the light of the Scriptures which is doctrinally sound and according to the gospel. What do the apostles and the Lord Jesus Christ say about turning back, falling away, continued willful sinning and apostasy? What is apostasy in biblical definition? Who commits apostasy? What is the judgment for apostates?At the end God has chosen His Elect to perseverance and holiness. Let us persevere and hold fast to the hope we have in Christ unto the end so that we might not fall. Shall we choose to apostasy or to perseverance? I choose to persevere in the power of His might.
The Scriptures say;
2Tim 2:11 This saying is trustworthy: If we died with Him, we will also live with Him.12 If we endure, we will also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He will also deny us.13 If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, since He cannot deny himself.
2Tim 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.16 But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness,17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,18 men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some.19 Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “ The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “ Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.”
Reading the above verses show us that there are two conditions a believer can fall into. If we endure and not deny Him we shall live with Him and not be condemned. If we are weakened on the other hand He is faithful to us. False teachings are dangerous and can ruin someone’s faith. On verse 19 God knows those who really are for Him and are His. Here wherein eternal security comes in for the truly elect- for they have endured unto the end and hold the hope in Christ unto the end. They have not denied the Lord. God knows our beginning and the end. He knows those who are His who would love and obey Him from those who would deny and betray Him.
Rev 2:20‘But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 ‘I gave her time to repent, and she does not want to repent of her immorality. 22‘Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds.
23‘And I will kill her children with pestilence, and all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds. 24‘But I say to you, the rest who are in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not known the deep things of Satan, as they call them—I place no other burden on you. 25‘Nevertheless what you have, holdfast until I come. 26 ‘He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, TO HIM I WILL GIVE AUTHORITY OVER THE NATIONS;
27AND HE SHALL RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON, AS THE VESSELS OF THE POTTER ARE BROKEN TO PIECES, as I also have received authority from My Father;
John confirms only those who walk in the Light are washed and forgiven.
1John 1:5 This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth7 but if we WALK in the LIGHT as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the BLOOD of Jesus His Son CLEANSES us from ALL sin.8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.
We shall be posting various commentaries from our early Church Fathers,theologians, and Christian Denominations alike and at the end of the study what the WORD confirms. May this study shed us light and the Word of God sets us free from error, half truth and misinterpretations therein.
And we shall all choose to persevere and not to apostasy.
APOSTASY
DEFINITION OF TERMS
APOSTASY
1: renunciation of a religious faith
2: abandonment of a previous loyalty : defection
“Apostasy”.Encyclopedia Britannica.3February2014.<
a total desertion of or departure from one's religion, principles, party, cause, etc.
“Apostasy”.Dictionary.com.3February2014.<
Strong's Concordance
apostasia: defection, revolt
Original Word: ἀποστασία, ας, ἡ
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: apostasia
Phonetic Spelling: (ap-os-tas-ee'-ah)
Short Definition: defection, apostasy
Definition: defection, apostasy, revolt.
HELPS Word-studies
646apostasía (from 868/aphístēmi, "leave, depart," which is derived from 575/apó, "away from" and 2476/histémi, "stand") – properly, departure (implying desertion); apostasy – literally, "a leaving, from a previous standing."
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from aphistémi
Definition
defection, revolt
NASB Translation
apostasy (1), forsake (1).
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 646: ἀποστασία
ἀποστασία, ἀποστασιας, ἡ (ἀφισταμαι), a falling away, defection, apostasy; in the Bible namely, from the true religion: Acts 21:21; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; ((Joshua 22:22; 2 Chronicles 29:19; 2 Chronicles 33:19); Jeremiah 2:19; Jeremiah 36:(29) 32 Complutensian; 1 Macc. 2:15). The earlier Greeks say ἀπόστασις; see Lob. adPhryn., p. 528; (Winer's Grammar, 24).
Englishman's Concordance
Strong's Greek 646
2 Occurrences (ἀποστασία — 1 Occ. ἀποστασίαν — 1 Occ).
Acts 21:21 N-AFS
GRK: σοῦὅτιἀποστασίανδιδάσκειςἀπὸ
NAS: the Gentiles to forsake Moses,
KJV: the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying
INT: you that apostasy you teach from
2 Thessalonians 2:3 N-NFS
GRK: ἔλθῃ ἡ ἀποστασίαπρῶτονκαὶ
NAS: you, for [it will not come] unless the apostasy comes
KJV: there come a falling away first,
INT: shall have come the apostasy first and
“apostasy”.Biblehub.3February2014.<
“and they have been told about you, that you are teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs.” Act 21:21
“Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,” 2Thess 2:3
The Forms of Apostasy
To fully identify and combat apostasy, it is important that Christians understand its various forms and the traits that characterize its doctrines and teachers. As to the forms of apostasy, there are two main types:
1. A complete renunciation of the Christian faith, which results in a full abandonment of Christ;
2. And a falling away from key and true doctrines of the Bible into heretical teachings that proclaim to be “the real” Christian doctrine.
The Christian understanding of apostasy is "a willful falling away from, or rebellion against, Christian truth. Apostasy is the rejection of Christ by one who has been a Christian...." "Apostasy is the antonym of conversion; it is deconversion." The Greek noun apostasia (rebellion, abandonment, state of apostasy, defection is found only twice in the New Testament (Acts 21:21; 2Thessalonians 2:3). However, "the concept of apostasy is found throughout Scripture."
- Rebellion: "In classical literature apostasia was used to denote a coup or defection. A rebellion against God (Joshua 22:22; 2Chronicles 29:19)."
- Turning away: "Apostasy is also pictured as the heart turning away from God (Jeremiah 17:5-6) and righteousness (Ezekiel 3:20). In the OT it centers on Israel's breaking covenant relationship with God though disobedience to the law (Jeremiah 2:19), especially following other gods (Judges 2:19) and practicing their immorality (Daniel 9:9-11). Following the Lord or journeying with Him is one of the chief images of faithfulness in the Scriptures. The Hebrew root (swr) is used to picture those who have turned away and ceased to follow God ('I am grieved that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me,' 1Samuel 15:11). The image of turning away from the Lord, who is the rightful Leader, and following behind false gods is the dominant image for apostasy in the OT."
- Temptations to Deliberate, Willful Sinning: Christians were tempted to engage in various vices that were a part of their lives before they became Christians (idolatry, sexual immorality, covetousness). Others may be overtaken and overcome by them if they neglect their spiritual growth and keep not themselves pure from this world.The worse is he lives in sin thereafter. (Num 15:28-31, Rom 8:12-13, Heb 3:12, 10:26, 2Pet 2:20, 1Jn 5:16)
- Another Gospel: Paul warned of turning away from the truth of the gospel- the death and resurrection of Christ for the payment of our sins to another gospel. Denying the Lord as the only way of salvation by adding good works, religion or church membership is another gospel. Though good works are commanded among the faithful but is not the source of salvation (Eph 2:8-9,10). And we have become members of the true body of Christ true the gospel (Eph 3:6, Heb 3:6). (Gal 1:6-9,3:1-3, 5:1-7, Act 15:1,11, 1Cor 15:1-4,11, 2Cor 11:3-4)
- Deceptions: Christians encountered various heresies and false teachings spread by false teachers and prophets that threatened to seduce them away from their pure devotion to Christ.(Mt 24:11, 1Tm 4:1, 2Pet 2:1-2,19, Act 20:29-32)
- Persecutions: Christians were persecuted by the governing powers of the day for their allegiance to Christ. Many Christians were threatened with certain death if they would not deny Christ. (Mt 4:17, Act 8:1-3)
Early Church Fathers on Apostasy
Apostasy due to deliberately sinning
Clement of Rome (c. 96) writes to the Corinthian congregation whose unity has been threatened because a "few rash and self-confident persons" have kindled shameful and detestable seditions towards the established leaders (presbyters) in the congregation (1 Clement 1). This jealous rivalry and envy has caused righteousness and peace to depart from the community (1 Clement 3). The writer laments: "Every one abandons the fear of God, and is become blind in His faith, neither walks in the ordinances of His appointment, nor acts a part becoming a Christian, but walks after his own wicked lusts, resuming the practice of an unrighteous and ungodly envy, by which death itself entered into the world." (1 Clement 3) Since history has demonstrated that many evils have flowed from envy and jealously (1 Clement 4-6), the Corinthians are exhorted to repent (1 Clement 7-8), yield obedience to God's "glorious will," and to "forsake all fruitless labors and strife, and envy, which leads to death" (1 Clement 9:1).
Take heed, beloved, lest His many kindnesses lead to the condemnation of us all. [For thus it must be]unless we walk worthy of Him, and with one mind do those things which are good and well-pleasing in His sight. (1 Clement 21)
Since then all things are seen and heard [by God], let us fear Him, and forsake those wicked works which proceed from evil desires; so that, through His mercy, we may be protected from the judgments to come. For whither can any of us flee from His mighty hand? Or what world will receive any of those who run away from Him? (1 Clement 28)
Your schism has subverted [the faith of] many, has discouraged many, has given rise to doubt in many, and has caused grief to us all. And still your sedition continues. (1 Clement 46)
Ignatius of Antioch (c. 107) warns believers about following a schismatic person:
Keep yourselves from those evil plants which Jesus Christ does not tend, because they are not the planting of the Father. Not that I have found any division among you, but exceeding purity. For as many as are of God and of Jesus Christ are also with the bishop. And as many as shall, in the exercise of repentance, return into the unity of the Church, these, too, shall belong to God, that they may live according to Jesus Christ. Do not err, my brethren. If any man follows him that makes a schism in the Church, he shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (Epistle of the Philadelphians 3)
The author of the epistle of Barnabas (c. 100) both admonishes and warns his readers about coming dangers:Since, therefore, the days are evil, and Satan possesses the power of this world, we ought to give heed to ourselves, and diligently inquire into the ordinances of the Lord. Fear and patience, then, are helpers of our faith; and long-suffering and continence are things which fight on our side. . . . We ought therefore, brethren, carefully to inquire concerning our salvation, lest the wicked one, having made his entrance by deceit, should hurl us forth from our [true] life. (Barnabas 2:1–2, 10).[31]
Let us then utterly flee from all the works of iniquity, lest these should take hold of us; and let us hate the error of the present time, that we may set our love on the world to come: let us not give loose reins to our soul, that it should have power to run with sinners and the wicked, lest we become like them. (Barnabas 4:1–2)
We take earnest heed in these last days; for the whole [past] time of your faith will profit you nothing, unless now in this wicked time we also withstand coming sources of danger, as becomes the sons of God. That the Black One may find no means of entrance, let us flee from every vanity, let us utterly hate the works of the way of wickedness. . . . (Barnabas 4:9–10)
Let us be spiritually-minded: let us be a perfect temple to God. As much as in us lies, let us meditate upon the fear of God, and let us keep His commandments, that we may rejoice in His ordinances. The Lord will judge the world without respect of persons. Each will receive as he has done: if he is righteous, his righteousness will precede him; if he is wicked, the reward of wickedness is before him. Take heed, lest resting at our ease, as those who are the called [of God],we should fall asleep in our sins, and the wicked prince, acquiring power over us, should thrust us away from the kingdom of the Lord. (Barnabas 4:11–13)
Those who walk in the light "will be glorified in the kingdom of heaven" (Barnabas 21:1), and will be "safe in the day of judgment" (Barnabas 21:6). While those who walk in darkness will experience "eternal death with punishment" (Barnabas 20:1), and will be "destroyed with their works" (Barnabas 21:1).
Polycarp's epistle to the Philippians (2nd century) Presbyters are advised to be "keeping far off from all covetousness" (Philippians 6). Polycarp expresses his grief over a former presbyter Valens and his wife who apparently committed some act of covetousness. He hopes that the Lord will grant them repentance. He enjoins his readers to "abstain from covetousness," and "every form of evil," and goes on to give this warning, "If a man does not keep himself from covetousness, he shall be defiled by idolatry, and shall be judged as one of the heathen" (Philippians 11). Polycarp says believers "ought to walk worthy of His commandments and glory," and that deacons are to be blameless, not slanderers or lovers of money, but temperate in all things, "walking according to the truth of the Lord" (Philippians 5). He then adds:
If we please Him in this present world, we shall receive also the future world, according as He has promised to us that He will raise us again from the dead, and that if we live worthily of Him, "we shall also reign together with Him," provided only we believe. In like manner, let the young men also be blameless in all things, being especially careful to preserve purity, and keeping themselves in, as with a bridle, from every kind of evil. For it is well that they should be cut off from the lusts that are in the world, since "every lust wars against the spirit;" [1 Peter 2:11] and "neither fornicators, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, shall inherit the kingdom of God," [1 Corinthians 6:9–10] nor those who do things inconsistent and unbecoming. Wherefore, it is needful to abstain from all these things, being subject to the presbyters and deacons, as unto God and Christ. (Philippians 5)