Definition and Etymology:
Apostasy, derived from the Greek word "apostasia," means a defection or departure from one's faith or religious beliefs. In the biblical context, it refers to the abandonment or renunciation of the Christian faith by someone who once professed it.

Biblical References:
Apostasy is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, both in the Old and New Testaments. It is often depicted as a serious offense against God, leading to spiritual and sometimes physical consequences.

1. Old Testament:
The concept of apostasy is evident in the history of Israel, where the people repeatedly turned away from God to worship idols and follow pagan practices. In Jeremiah 2:19 , the prophet warns, "Your own wickedness will discipline you; your own apostasies will rebuke you. Consider and realize how evil and bitter it is for you to forsake the LORD your God and have no fear of Me," declares the Lord GOD of Hosts.

2. New Testament:
The New Testament continues to address the issue of apostasy, warning believers of the dangers of falling away from the faith. In 2 Thessalonians 2:3 , Paul writes, "Let no one deceive you in any way, for it will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness—the son of destruction—is revealed." This passage speaks of a future apostasy that will precede the return of Christ.

In 1 Timothy 4:1 , Paul further warns, "The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons."

Characteristics of Apostasy:
Apostasy can manifest in various forms, including:

· Doctrinal Apostasy: Rejecting or distorting core Christian doctrines, such as the divinity of Christ, the resurrection, or salvation by grace through faith.
· Moral Apostasy: Engaging in sinful behaviors that contradict Christian teachings, often accompanied by a seared conscience.
· Spiritual Apostasy: A complete renunciation of faith, often resulting in a return to secular or pagan beliefs.

Warnings and Consequences:
The Bible provides stern warnings against apostasy, emphasizing the spiritual peril it poses. Hebrews 6:4-6 states, "It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age—and then have fallen away—to be restored to repentance, because they themselves are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting Him to open shame."

Examples of Apostasy:
· King Solomon: Despite his wisdom and initial devotion to God, Solomon's heart turned away due to his foreign wives and their idols (1 Kings 11:4-6).
· Demas: A companion of Paul, Demas is noted for having forsaken the apostle "because he loved this present world" (2 Timothy 4:10).

Prevention and Response:
Believers are encouraged to remain vigilant and steadfast in their faith to prevent apostasy. Jude 1:20-21 advises, "But you, beloved, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God as you await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you eternal life."

The church is called to address apostasy with a spirit of restoration, seeking to bring back those who have strayed. Galatians 6:1 instructs, "Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted."

Conclusion:
Apostasy remains a significant concern for the Christian community, as it challenges the integrity and perseverance of the faith. The Bible's teachings serve as a guide to understanding, identifying, and addressing apostasy within the church and individual lives.646. apostasia -- defection, revolt
... falling away, apostacy. Feminine of the same as apostasion; defection from truth
(properly, the state) ("apostasy") -- falling away, forsake. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/646.htm - 7k

1 John ii. 19
... The result,"that which has been made apparent by the apostacy of those persons from
the genuine christian truth, on which rests the essential being of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/neander/the first epistle of john/1 john ii 19.htm

The Second Epistle to the Thessalonians
... the imminence of the great day of Christ and is informed that it will not come until
the mystery of iniquity has resulted in the great apostacy, and the man of ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the second epistle to the 2.htm

Concerning Perseverance, and the Possibility of Falling from Grace ...
... again fall away, Hebrews 6:4, 5, 6. yet such an increase and stability in the truth
may in this life be attained, from which there can be no total apostacy. ...
/.../proposition ix concerning perseverance and.htm

Hebrews x. 26, 27
... 1. THIS is spoken only of a wilful and open Apostacy from the Faith of Christ, and
a public Denial of Jesus Christ, persisted in for some Time: and this ...
/.../sermon viii hebrews x 26.htm

The Life of Mr. John Dickson.
... Dickson was obliged to wander from place to place with the rest of those who could
not in conscience comply with the current of defection and apostacy at that ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr john 13.htm

The Sad Case of a Relapse into Known and Deliberate Sin, after ...
... On the other hand, there may be instances of sad apostacy, where the crime, though
highly aggravated before God, may not fall under human notice. ...
/.../the rise and progress of religion in the soul/chapter xxiii the sad case.htm

Perseverance of Saints.
... His final apostacy has been inferred from the fact, that idolatry was practiced
in Israel, after his supposed repentance; and until the end of his life, the ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture li perseverance of saints.htm

Paul Before Felix.
... expected to come. The new religion was deemed a heresy, to which the Jews affixed
the ideas of faction, error, and apostacy. Lastly, he ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxvii paul before felix.htm

The Author to the Reader.
... but our horizon is covered over with blackness, and great drops are a-falling, that
presage a terrible overflowing deluge of error, and apostacy from the truth ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/the author to the reader.htm

Circular Letter to the Clergy of the Arch-Deaconry of Suffolk.
... this very cause held it up to the highest pitch of strictness and severity through
all their Churches, as the properest means to keep them from that apostacy. ...
/.../prideaux/directions to church-wardens/circular letter to the clergy.htm

Apostacy (7 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Apostacy (7 Occurrences). ... Deuteronomy 19:16 When a violent
witness doth rise against a man, to testify against him apostacy, (YLT). ...
/a/apostacy.htm - 8k

Nehel'am (3 Occurrences)
... hath none dwelling in the midst of this people, nor doth he look on the good that
I am doing to My people -- an affirmation of Jehovah -- for apostacy he hath ...
/n/nehel'am.htm - 7k

Instructed (80 Occurrences)
... Acts 21:21 and they are instructed concerning thee, that apostacy from Moses thou
dost teach to all Jews among the nations, saying -- Not to circumcise the ...
/i/instructed.htm - 29k

Ransomed (27 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 13:5 And that prophet, or that dreamer of the dream, is put to death,
for he hath spoken apostacy against Jehovah your God (who is bringing you out ...
/r/ransomed.htm - 15k

Removing (24 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 59:13 Transgressing, and lying against Jehovah, And removing from after our
God, Speaking oppression and apostacy, Conceiving and uttering from the ...
/r/removing.htm - 14k

Diest (10 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 28:16 Therefore thus said Jehovah, Lo, I am casting thee from off the face
of the ground; this year thou diest, for apostacy thou hast spoken ...
/d/diest.htm - 9k

Deepened (2 Occurrences)
... soften it, Its springing up Thou blessest. (YLT). Isaiah 31:6 Turn back to
Him from whom sons of Israel Have deepened apostacy. (YLT). ...
/d/deepened.htm - 7k

Apologized (1 Occurrence)

/a/apologized.htm - 6k

Apostasies (3 Occurrences)

/a/apostasies.htm - 7k

Diseased (39 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 1:5 Wherefore are ye stricken any more? Ye do add apostacy! Every
head is become diseased, and every heart 'is' sick. (YLT). ...
/d/diseased.htm - 18k

What is apostasy and how can I recognize it? | GotQuestions.org

If our salvation is eternally secure, why does the Bible warn so strongly against apostasy? | GotQuestions.org

Will there be a great apostasy / falling away during the end times? | GotQuestions.org

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