Idolatry in NT

Idolatry in the Gentile world

Acts 17:16 KJV 1900

Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.

See also Ac 14:11–13; Ac 17:22–23; Ac 19:24; 1 Co 8:5; Ga 4:8

Criticism of idolatry

Idolatry leads to other sinful behaviour

Ro 1:24 Verses 22 and 24-25 show the link between idolatry and immoral conduct.

Idolatry is an offence against the doctrine of creation

Romans 1:20 KJV 1900

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

See also Ac 17:24–29

Idols are futile and degrading

Romans 1:22–23 KJV 1900

Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

See also 1 Co 8:4; 1 Co 10:19; 1 Co 12:2

Idolatrous worship of human beings

Acts 12:22 KJV 1900

And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.

See also Lk 20:24–25 Jesus Christ opposes the hypocrisy which objected to Roman coinage as idolatrous on the grounds that the emperor’s head infringed the Ten Commandments; Ac 28:6

Demonic powers are involved with idolatry

1 Corinthians 10:20 KJV 1900

But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

See also Re 9:20; Re 13:4

Food sacrificed to idols

Acts 15:20 KJV 1900

But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

See also Ro 14:2–3; Ro 14:6; 1 Co 8:4–13; 1 Co 10:14–31

Encounters with idolatrous practice

Acts 19:28 KJV 1900

And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

See also Ac 14:11–18; Ac 17:18–31

Spiritual idolatry

1 Jn 5:21 “idols” here may well refer to a wide range of God-substitutes.

The temptations of Jesus Christ present three main kinds of spiritual idolatry

Possessions

Matthew 4:3 KJV 1900

And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

See also Mt 6:24; Lk 18:23; Php 3:19; Col 3:5; 1 Ti 6:10

Prestige and self-esteem

Matthew 4:6 KJV 1900

And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

See also Lk 3:8; Lk 10:29; Lk 18:11–12; Lk 18:21; Ro 2:19

Power

Matthew 4:8–9 KJV 1900

Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

See also Lk 9:54–55; Lk 23:39; Jn 18:10–11; Jn 19:10; Php 2:6; Jas 4:6; Jas 4:10