A Warning Against Apostasy

Introduction: This passage deals with the tragedy of hearing the gospel, understanding the claims of Christ, and even being associated with His church only to disregard it in the end. This passage warns us of making a superficial commitment to Christ that is easily disregarded when the cost of following Him becomes too high. We have already dealt with similar warnings throughout the book of Hebrews such as in .

Hebrews 6:1–8 NKJV

Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits. For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.

But of all of the warnings in Hebrews, and perhaps the Bible, this is one of the most serious warnings. We mentioned last week that when an unbeliever hears the truth of the gospel there are only two possible responses: 1). he will believe and is saved or 2). he will reject and become apostate. We dealt with those who believe and are saved last week; so this week we must deal with those who reject and become apostate.

What is apostasy? Apostasy is the sin of rejecting the gospel. helps us in our understanding of apostasy.

1 John 2:19 NKJV

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.

Do you see evidence of apostasy in the world today? However, apostasy is not a new phenomenon. There have always been apostates.

Deuteronomy 13:13 NKJV

‘Corrupt men have gone out from among you and enticed the inhabitants of their city, saying, “Let us go and serve other gods” ’—which you have not known—

1 Samuel 15:11 NKJV

“I greatly regret that I have set up Saul as king, for he has turned back from following Me, and has not performed My commandments.” And it grieved Samuel, and he cried out to the Lord all night.

2 Chronicles 25:14–15 NKJV

Now it was so, after Amaziah came from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the people of Seir, set them up to be his gods, and bowed down before them and burned incense to them. Therefore the anger of the Lord was aroused against Amaziah, and He sent him a prophet who said to him, “Why have you sought the gods of the people, which could not rescue their own people from your hand?”

2 Chronicles

2 Chronicles 25:27 NKJV

After the time that Amaziah turned away from following the Lord, they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem, and he fled to Lachish; but they sent after him to Lachish and killed him there.

Apostasy is the most serious of all sins because it is the most deliberate and willful form of unbelief.

Example: Judas

Apostasy Defined

Apostasy is intentionally turning your back on truth. Paul was falsely accused of apostasy in causing other Christian Jews to turn their back on (apostatize from) the law of Moses.

Acts 21:21 NKJV

but they have been informed about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs.

Both Paul and Jesus prophesied of a massive apostasy that will come in the end times led by the anti-Christ.

2 Thessalonians 2:3 NKJV

Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,

Matthew 24:10 NKJV

And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.

There are people who like the idea of Jesus and they hear of Him and are drawn to Him and are convicted of sin and perhaps even make a profession of faith, but the attractions of the world become too alluring and the cost of following Christ becomes too great in this life until one day they have no interest in the gospel at all.

Example: Renee D’Agostino (Renee Pettit)/Melissa Morales

Paul said that as time goes on apostasy will become more and more common.

1 Timothy 4:1–2 NKJV

Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,

Apostasy Portrayed

Hebrews 10:26 NKJV

For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,

This is possibly the clearest portrayal of apostasy in the Bible - receiving the knowledge of truth but willfully remaining in sin. An apostate knows the truth and yet willfully rejects it by pursuing a life of sin.

There are two characteristics of apostasy:

1). The truth is known and recognized

2). The truth is rejected

Is it possible to backslide?

2 Timothy 2:12–13 NKJV

If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.

2 Timothy

Should we attempt to determine the difference between a backslider and an apostate?

What then is the purpose of this passage?

2 Corinthians 13:5 NKJV

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.

The Result of Apostasy

There No Longer Remains a Sacrifice for Sins

A Fearful Expectation of Judgment

No Hope for Mercy

Rejection of the Son

Rejection of the Father

Rejection of the Holy Spirit

Apostasy Born

In one sense there is really only one answer: willful unbelief. But in another sense there are a number of reasons someone might willingly choose unbelief and this passage addresses one of those reasons.

Persecution

For the believer, persecution can be a blessing.

James 1:2–3 NKJV

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

Historically, whenever the church has been persecuted it has become stronger, but it is also true that whenever the church has been persecuted the hypocrites have been exposed. When the trials come apostates are unwilling to pay the price that following Christ demands. Why is that? They do not have the strength that following Christ demands.

Examining for Apostasy

Remember Your Suffering and Your Service

Enduring for the Reward

Conclusion: The warning against apostasy ends on a hopeful note. Those who place their faith in Christ will willingly suffer (and identify with those suffering on behalf of their faith) and endure to the end.