Untitled Sermon
Apostasy
Apostasy is the turning away from God in rebellion or apathy. God’s people must beware of inward rebelliousness as much as the outward wickedness that manifests such rebellion.
Concept Summary
The OT describes apostasy using words for rebellion (מָרָה, mārâ, “to rebel”; Neh 9:26) and turning away in rejection (מְשׁוּבָה, mĕšûbâ, “backsliding”; Jer 8:5). God’s people are supposed to “turn” back (שׁוּב, šûb; Jer 8:5) to God but instead they “turn” away (שׁוּב, šûb; Judg 2:23) or “fall away” (παραπίπτω, parapiptō; Heb 6:6) from God. Sometimes this is the result of pursuing other gods instead of Yahweh (1 Kgs 11:9; Jer 3:6–10; Hos 11:7) and ignoring the appeals for repentance from God or his messengers (Jer 3:14–23; 5:3–5). In Deuteronomy, apostasy is pictured as people being drawn away (נָדַח, nādaḥ) to serve other gods through the influence of “worthless men” (Deut 13:12–18). Other times apostasy is manifested as disregard for God and rebellion (פָּשַׁע, pāšaʿ) against God (Jer 2:5–8, 19). In Ezekiel and Jeremiah, the people of Israel are depicted as predisposed to rebellion and apostasy (Ezek 2:3–7; 12:1–2; Jer 8:5).
The NT also depicts people turning away (ἀπέρχομαι, aperchomai) from following Jesus (John 6:66), being ignorant or resistant to the “life of God” (Eph 4:18), “falling away” (ἀφίστημι, aphistēmi) from God (Heb 3:12), or making “shipwreck of their faith” (1 Tim 1:19). In the last days, Jesus predicts many people will “fall away” (σκανδαλίζω, skandalizō) and that false prophets will “lead astray” many (πλανάω, planaō; Matt 24:10–11).
Theological Overview
The biblical passages that cover apostasy in both the OT and the NT fall into two general categories: passages warning against turning away from Yahweh and passages describing how the people have turned away from Yahweh. In Deuteronomy, Moses warns the Israelites against turning away from God (Deut 8:11–14) and provides legal regulations about dealing with people who do turn away to serve other gods (Deut 13:12–18). In 1 Kings 9, God warns Solomon of judgment against Israel if they turn away from him (1 Kgs 9:6–8; compare 2 Chr 7:19–22). A few chapters later the text reports that God was angry with Solomon because “he had turned his heart from Yahweh” (1 Kgs 11:9). In the NT, the clearest warnings against apostasy are found in Heb 3:12 and 2 Pet 3:17. Both passages caution against falling away into unbelief and encourage reliance on fellow believers and a shared commitment to Christ (Heb 3:12–14; 2 Pet 3:17–18).
Israel’s idolatry and apostasy is one of the major themes of the OT. The covenant warned against worshiping other gods (Exod 20:1–2; Deut 5:7–8; 13:12–18), the Historical Books describe Israel’s continual turning from Yahweh (Judg 2:11–23; 2 Kgs 21:1–9), and the prophets linked their apostasy with the looming threat of judgment and exile (2 Kgs 21:10–15; Jer 2:1–3:5). Despite the many warnings from prophets like Jeremiah, the people refused to repent and continued in their apostasy (Jer 8:5), leading to their defeat and exile (2 Kgs 24–25).
A few NT passages describe people leaving the faith or turning away from following the apostles. In 2 Timothy 1:15, Paul remarks how a number of people have “turned away” (ἀποστρέφω, apostrephō) from him, though whether that means they abandoned faith in Christ completely is uncertain. The Apostle John also warns against false teachers (or antichrists) who could potentially mislead believers (1 John 2:18–19). He appears to refer to a group of people who had “gone out” (ἐξέρχομαι, exerchomai) from the congregation and uses the fact of their departure as a sign that they lacked genuine faith. John’s concern for antichrists in the last days leading away believers echoes Jesus’ warning that such things would certainly happen during the last days (Matt 24:10–11). Some NT passages reflect hope that those who turn away from Jesus will repent and return (Jas 5:19–20; Rev 2:4–6). The possibility of permanent apostasy seems suggested by Heb 6:4–6, though the wider context of Heb 6 suggests the underlying issue is continued rebellion against God and hard-hearted opposition to the gospel—not that the people cannot turn from their apostasy but that, like Israel, they refuse to return.
New Testament
ἀποστασία (apostasia). n. rebellion, apostasy, abandonment. Refers to rebelling or abandoning a former authority.
The Greek word apostasia is the source of the English word “apostasy.” It is used only twice in the NT. Acts 21:21 reports a rumor that Paul is teaching Jews to abandon (apostasia) the teachings of Moses. Second Thessalonians 2:3 foretells a great “falling away” or “rebellion” (apostasia) from the Christian faith before the day of Christ.
26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air;
27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
2 It was because of a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain.
16 holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.
7 You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?
1 Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you;
1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,