What is the definition for the word Apostate? When does the great apostasy occur? How can you tell who is an apostate? Why do we need to understand this subject matter today?
The Attack on Christ’s Authority
The word apostate has been misused and to frequently overly used to label people as someone who does not agree with their teachings. The Hebrew Scriptures does not use the word apostate in its writings. But it does describe the opposer of God with words such as in iniquity, hypocrite or godless, see Isaiah 59:13.
The first time we are introduced to the word apostasy in the Bible, is with the account of the apostle Paul and his interaction with the older men of the Christian congregation of Jerusalem.
The apostle Paul gave an accounting for his last ministry tour to the older men, and they were very pleased and happy for the conversion of the Gentile people to God. But they were worried about what their Jewish Christian brothers were thinking, and what was being said by those who were zealous for the law of God.
Acts 21:21… But they have heard it rumored about you that you have been teaching all the Jews among the nations an apostasy (G646) from Moses, telling them neither to circumcise their children nor to walk in the [solemn] customs.
The Greek word translated as apostasy as found in Strong’s concordance #G646 (apostasia), and it means deflection, revolt with the underlying meaning or tone with departure, desertion, as in literally leaving a previous standing.
So, the definition for the word apostasy has to do with turning away or leaving the teachings of Jehovah God.
So, we can see that the older men of the early Christian congregation were concerned with the perception that the Jewish brothers had about the teachings of the apostle Paul. The people were getting the wrong idea about what Paul was teaching. They imagined he was leading them away from the law of God and the teachings of Moses.
But was the apostle Paul teaching that the law of God had ended? Was he speaking against the teachings of Moses?
First, we need to understand that Moses told the Jewish people that the greater prophet was coming and that obedience to him would be lifesaving, but disobedience would result in death for them.
Deuteronomy 18:18-19… A prophet I shall raise up for them from the midst of their brothers, like you; and I shall indeed put my words in his mouth, and he will certainly speak to them all that I shall command him. And it must occur that the man who will not listen to my words that he will speak in my name, I shall myself require an account from him.
Next, we need to understand that the apostle Paul was doing no more than just being led by the Holy Spirit, he was sent forth from God and by our Lord Jesus Christ. The apostles and Paul were backed up with manifestations of great power and authority from God, and this was also true of Jesus Christ when he was here in his fleshly ministry.
Acts 2:22-24… “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus the Nazareneʹ, a man publicly shown by God to YOU through powerful works and portents and signs that God did through him in YOUR midst, just as YOU yourselves know, 23 this [man], as one delivered up by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, YOU fastened to a stake by the hand of lawless men and did away with. 24 But God resurrected him by loosening the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to continue to be held fast by it.
The apostles along with Paul under the direction of Holy Spirit identified Jesus Christ as the greater prophet and Messiah, these were proved through the Scriptures because these things were prophesied by God himself.
Galatians 3:5-14… He, therefore, who supplies YOU the spirit and performs powerful works among YOU, does he do it owing to works of law or owing to a hearing by faith? 6 Just as Abraham “put faith in Jehovah, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” 7 Surely YOU know that those who adhere to faith are the ones who are sons of Abraham. 8 Now the Scripture, seeing in advance that God would declare people of the nation’s righteous due to faith, declared the good news beforehand to Abraham, namely: “By means of you all the nations will be blessed.” 9 Consequently those who adhere to faith are being blessed together with faithful Abraham. 10 For all those who depend upon works of law are under a curse; for it is written: “Cursed is every one that does not continue in all the things written in the scroll of the Law in order to do them.” 11 Moreover, that by law no one is declared righteous with God is evident, because “the righteous one will live by reason of faith.” 12 Now the Law does not adhere to faith, but “he that does them shall live by means of them.” 13 Christ by purchase released us from the curse of the Law by becoming a curse instead of us, because it is written: “Accursed is every man hanged upon a stake.” 14 The purpose was that the blessing of Abraham might come to be by means of Jesus Christ for the nations, that we might receive the promised spirit through our faith.
Also, the law itself was a tutor leading the people to the understanding that they needed to put faith in the Messiah Jesus Christ.
Galatians 3:24-29… However, before the faith arrived, we were being guarded under law, being delivered up together into custody, looking to the faith that was destined to be revealed. 24 Consequently the Law has become our tutor leading to Christ, that we might be declared righteous due to faith. 25 But now that the faith has arrived, we are no longer under a tutor. 26 YOU are all, in fact, sons of God through YOUR faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of YOU who were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor freeman, there is neither male nor female; for YOU are all one [person] in union with Christ Jesus. 29 Moreover, if YOU belong to Christ, YOU are really Abraham’s seed, heirs with reference to a promise.
The apostle Paul was not teaching an apostasy, “a leaving or a turning away from God”. Because the Jewish people as a nation were already in an apostate relationship with the true God especially after denying the son of God had come.
They had already turned from serving God long before the apostle Paul showed up preaching and teaching. The nation had been in rebellion before John the Baptist had come!
Many of the people had taken on the customs of the Greeks. The Jewish leaders had secretly aligned themselves politically with the prevailing Roman government. The nation of Israel was polluted with the ideology and teachings from the nations with its gods.
Many of the oral traditions had an effect supplanted or circumvented the law of God, allowing the Jewish people loopholes that had held them to parts of the law. The oral instruction had become weaponized as a tool to keep God’s people under subjection to the prevailing authority and priesthood.
The law of God was to be act as fence that separated God’s people from the nations around them, so they could become cleansed and hold on to a good standing before God, not being polluted by the world around them.
God had fulfilled his promise to send the Messiah. The nation as a whole, its rulers and priesthood did not accept Jesus Christ as the Messiah the son of the living God. They did not accept the messenger of the new covenant with its blessings and promises of things to come. Malachi 3:1-7, Hebrews 8:6-8
What is to be Done?
The older men of the congregation of God asked a good question, what is to be done? There was a division that had occurred with God’s people, somewhere for the law but others had fully accepted the new arrangement from God.
Acts 21:22… What, then, is to be done about it? In any case they are going to hear you have arrived. 23 Therefore do this which we tell you: We have four men with a vow upon themselves. 24 Take these men along and cleanse yourself ceremonially with them and take care of their expenses, that they may have their heads shaved. And so, everybody will know that there is nothing to the rumors they were told about you, but that you are walking orderly, you yourself also keeping the Law. 25 As for the believers from among the nations, we have sent out, rendering our decision that they should keep themselves from what is sacrificed to idols as well as from blood and what is strangled and from fornication.”
The council that the older men gave to the apostle Paul seemed appropriate, but was it the right decision? Did that decision help unify God’s people? And what was the outcome that came from following that counsel have on the apostle Paul life?
After all the letters given to the Gentile Christians were very clear that they did not need to follow the law. But were the Jewish Christians still under the law covenant? Were they obligated to fulfill the law of God? In the congregation of God are there two sets of standards or laws for God’s people today?
Sometimes we as humans who are in authority think that we need to fix things, when all we need to do is ask for direction from God. The Lord will provide the answers and direction. God himself had already determined to bring an end to the Jewish form of worship by having the Jerusalem and the Temple destroyed. It had already been prophesied by the prophets of God (Isaiah 2:10, Hosea 10:8) and then again that fact was identified by Jesus Christ at: Luke 21:5-6, 20-24 and Luke 23:28-31.
Apostasy at Work
No, the apostle Paul was not teaching an apostasy. But there was already an apostasy at work in the Christian congregation back then. The apostle Paul later on in his life was able to identify this apostasy and where it was coming from. The apostasy was coming from the fleshly thinking of men in authority.
When does the great apostasy occur? How can you tell who is an apostate today?
The apostle Paul revealed in one of his writings the timing of when this great apostasy would occur and also who was leading the apostasy.
2 Thessalonians 2:1-3… However, brothers, respecting the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we request of YOU not to be quickly shaken from YOUR reason nor to be excited either through an inspired expression or through a verbal message or through a letter as though from us to the effect that the day of Jehovah (Lord) is here. Let no one seduce YOU in any manner, because it will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness gets revealed, the son of destruction (G684).
Notice that the apostle Paul mentioned some very specific events. We have the presence of the Lord and are being gathered to him. Then he mentions the apostasy and the man of lawlessness. And in doing so he actually reveals the timing that the apostasy comes first. Then the man of lawlessness gets revealed all before the day of the Lord comes. Who is leading this apostasy and how?
2 Thessalonians 2:4-8…He is set in opposition and lifts himself up over everyone who is called “god” or an object of reverence, so that he sits down in the temple of The God, publicly showing himself to be a god. 5 Do YOU not remember that, while I was yet with YOU, I used to tell YOU these things? 6 And so now YOU know the thing that acts as a restraint, with a view to his being revealed in his own due time. 7 True, the mystery of this lawlessness is already at work; but only till he who is right now acting as a restraint gets to be out of the way. 8 Then, indeed, the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will do away with by the spirit of his mouth and bring to nothing by the manifestation of his presence.
The Scriptures indicate that the Lord Jesus would do away with this lawless one and end the apostasy. So, who is behind this apostasy? Who is this man of lawlessness who has set himself up in authority? We will answer this question later on under the subheading the man of lawlessness.
2 Thessalonians 2:9-12… But the lawless one’s presence is according to the operation of Satan with every powerful work and lying signs and portents 10 and with every unrighteous deception for those who are perishing, as a retribution because they did not accept the love of the truth that they might be saved. 11 So that is why God lets an operation of error go to them, that they may get to believing the lie, 12 in order that they all may be judged because they did not believe the truth but took pleasure in unrighteousness.
Have we seen this great apostasy, this great falling away or turning one’s back to Jehovah God? What are some things that would indicate the apostasy is at work around us today?
Who is Behind the Apostasy?
Jesus Christ told us who would be behind the apostate movement in the Christian congregation.
Matthew 7:15-18… Be on the watch for the false prophets that come to YOU in sheep’s covering, but inside they are ravenous wolves. 16 By their fruits YOU will recognize them. Never do people gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles, do they? 17 Likewise every good tree produces fine fruit, but every rotten tree produces worthless fruit; 18 a good tree cannot bear worthless fruit, neither can a rotten tree produce fine fruit. 19 Every tree not producing fine fruit gets cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Really, then, by their fruits YOU will recognize those [men].
These very men run around looking for those who question what they teach. Asking if you believe in their authority to direct and lead you? This apostasy will not stop until the Lord Jesus manifest himself and Jesus breaks their control over the people. 2 Thessalonians 2:8
The apostle Paul tells us what’s behind these men who are at odds with those who claim to be followers of Christ Jesus.
1 John 4:1-3… Beloved ones, do not believe every inspired expression, but test the inspired expressions to see whether they originate with God, because many false prophets have gone forth into the world. 2 YOU gain the knowledge of the inspired expression from God by this: Every inspired expression that confesses Jesus Christ as having come in the flesh originates with God, 3 but every inspired expression that does not confess Jesus does not originate with God. Furthermore, this is the antichrist’s [inspired expression] which YOU have heard was coming, and now it is already in the world.
You see the antichrist ideology is really from the wicked spirits who are in rebellion against God, these are the ones who deny Christ and his rulership and the incoming kingdom.
How can we tell who is an apostate today?
Who are the Apostates?
Any who deny that Jesus came in the flesh. 1 John 4:1-6
Anyone that is miss leading with anything that has to do with the timing of the resurrection from death. 2 Timothy 2:18
Anyone denying that the holy spirit is at work today. Mark 3:22-30
Those who do not accept the new covenant and the arrangements for it. Luke 11:52 and Matthew 23:13
Those who proclaim the kingdom of God but saying, that you cannot enter into it to and drink from the water of life, that it is not open for everyone. Revelation 22: 17-19
Those who are rejecting the Good News of the kingdom message today. Hebrews 4:2-6
Those who do not accepting Jesus Christ as the Lord of heaven and earth, would rightly be classified as one who is an apostate against God. Philippians 2:10-11
Who is The Man of Lawlessness?
To this point we’ve identified who’s behind this apostasy. We’ve identified some of the Christian teachings that are at odds with the antichrist spirit. Our Lord Jesus Christ identified the main ways that should help us identify the works of these ones who work with the antichrist spirit. Now let’s review the key point that helps the man of lawlessness gain authority and power over God’s people.
2 Thessalonians 2:4… He is set in opposition and lifts himself up over everyone who is called “god” or an object of reverence, so that he sits down in the temple of The God, publicly showing himself to be a god.
After looking at this Scripture what is the main characteristic of the man of lawlessness? Would it not be that of pride? Because the Scripture indicates that he lifts himself up over everyone. Notice that he becomes an object of reverence. He sits down in the temple of God publicly showing himself to be a God. Have we seen the man of lawlessness sit down in the temple of God? Who would fit this definition today?
Next we will look at the authority of various religious figures who could fit the scriptural definition as the man of lawlessness.
First, we have the Pope, who is called the Supreme Pontiff, the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Church. Who claims his power and authority from the apostle Peter. The Pope has what is called, a Holy Seat, it is a sovereign entity, and it is recognized by international law as such. This is the first church, and he is over all other bishops of the land. He helped set up the first Nicene Creed with Roman Emperor Constantine, that help unify Christianity around the world. The Roman Catholic Church was also responsible for recognizing and establishing the authority of world leaders of its time.
Next we have the Archbishop of Canterbury who is over the Church of England. But the political authority over the Church of England is the monarch which is held by Elizabeth II and is legislatively ministered, by both houses of Parliament. England or Britain was a Roman province and the Roman Catholic Church help proselytize in the province and established the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Church of England recognizes the authority of the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church but considered itself reformed as Protestant.
Now we have the Archbishop of Constantinople who is over the Eastern Orthodox church. They claim their authority from the apostle Andrew and participated in the Nicene Creed also. Constantinople was the Eastern Roman empire and even after losing its political power, the title of the Archbishop Constantinople remains the spiritual authority over the Eastern Orthodox Church.
The Protestant Reformation
Martin Luther played a decisive role in the formation of the Lutheran church after writing and publishing his 95 Theses. Much of northern Europe became Lutherans. The Lutheran clergy became civil servants, so the church became part of the state. The split from Rome became public in 1521 under the Edict of Worms. Advocates of Lutheranism were forced to have their property forfeited to the government. The Roman Catholic Church under the Pope’s control was angry over the teaching and the doctrine that claim the Scriptures is the final authority on matters of faith. There are three primary organizational bodies for the Lutheran faith in North America. They are the Wisconsin Synod, Missouri Synod which are governed through presidents and vice presidents and the Evangelical Lutheran Church who has a presiding Bishop.
The Methodist Church broke away from the Church of England and was involved in proselytizing and the Social Gospel. They believed in abstinence and observe the Friday fasting and also held nonconformity to the world. They believed in regular attendance at class meetings and engaged in extemporaneous prayers. Women were allowed to have authority in the church as women preachers. The Methodist Church has a conference every year and elect a new president and vice president at that time.
The Baptist Church has its roots in Amsterdam in 1609 under the English separatist John Smyth. They practice adult baptism only, and under Thomas Helwys they believed the church and state should be kept separate. Baptists practice a diplomatic church policy they have no hierarchy, but matters are decided upon by multiple members and voting system.
The Southern Baptist Convention also believe each Baptist Church is autonomous and there is no hierarchical authority. Much of the belief system between the Baptist and the southern Baptist could be compared too day and night. The split occurred in 1845 because of slavery, today the 63 President of the Southern Baptist is known as Ed Lipton. There are many other Baptist churches that splintered down into other groups.
The Pentecostal church believe and engage in a personal experience with God through the baptism of Holy Spirit. There is no central authority but some affiliate themselves with the Pentecostal world fellowship. William Wilson is the president of Oral Roberts University in Tulsa Oklahoma and chairs the Pentecostal World Fellowship organization.
Then we have the president of the church of Latter-Day Saints. The president of the church is the highest held official in the LDS, he’s viewed as God’s spokesman with the highest priesthood and authority on earth with the exclusive right to receive revelations from God today, he is the prophet for the church. The founder of the church was Joseph Smith around 1830 after publishing the book of Mormon.
The Bible Students, Associated Bible Students, or the Independent Bible Students the founder of which was pastor Charles Taz Russell. Zion’s Watchtower Tract Society was founded with William Henry Conley as its president in 1881 but was officially recognized as a corporation in 1884 with pastor Russell being the president. After the death of pastor Russell in 1916. A conflict erupted in this resulted in three primary breakaway groups. The Pastoral Bible Institute, Lehman’s Home Missionary Movement, Dawn Bible Students Association.
In 1931 under the new president Judge Rutherford’s control, they adopted the new name Jehovah’s Witnesses. Under his presidency he centralized an administrative structure and called it a rule by Theocracy, this appointed board is called the Governing Body. It has oversight of spiritual direction of Jehovah’s Witnesses along with oversight of many other corporations that are engaged in spiritual activity for Jehovah’s Witnesses. Each member of the board takes its turn as the president of the corporation. The appointment to this board is done by invitation only.
This is just a small sampling of religious organizations claiming to follow Jesus Christ. After reviewing the history of many of the organized religions of today. Can you say that anyone of them is the man of lawlessness? Do you believe that each of these religions follow the leadership of Jesus Christ?
I like to refer you to the Scriptures starting in Revelation chapter 2 through chapter 3. Where we find the Lord Jesus Christ speaking to the seven congregations and we also find out that there are seven angels who are in charge. These angels are responsible to answer back to Jesus Christ for the spiritual condition of their respective congregations. We also find out that each member of the congregation is responsible for their own spiritual condition as they stand before Jesus Christ alone for the judgment, and not as a group.
The fact of the matter is that each family has the man as its head, but Jesus Christ is the head of each family head. 1 Corinthians 11:3, Ephesians 5:23 There is no man appointed over another man and there is no scriptural basis for such. No one is the master of your faith. 2 Corinthians 1:24
So, who is the Faithful and Discreet slave?
Faithful and Discreet!
Is the faithful and discreet slave the elders or older men (G4245 presbyterous) shepherds of the flock of God?
1 Peter 5:1-3… Therefore, to the older men (G4245 presbyterous) among YOU I give this exhortation, for I too am an older man with [them] and a witness of the sufferings of the Christ, a sharer even of the glory that is to be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God in YOUR care, not under compulsion (G317), but willingly; neither for love of dishonest gain, but eagerly; neither as lording (G2634) it over those who are God’s inheritance but becoming examples to the flock.
The apostle Paul was charged with establishing the Christian congregations by Christ Jesus. He appointed mature men having seasoned judgment or experience to watch over those who were not spiritually mature. They were not to be the masters of their faith nor lords over anyone else’s faith.
The Greek word as found in Strong’s Concordance #G2634 (katakyrieuo) means exercising lordship, as in decisive control over another, an owner with full jurisdiction. The apostle Paul’s instructions were very clear that these men were to be fellow workers, so that others may follow as examples only.
So, who is to feed us spiritually?
Matthew 24:45-51…Who really is the faithful and discreet slave (G1401) whom his master (G2962) appointed over his domestics (G3610), to give them their food (G5160) at the proper time? 46 Happy is that slave if his master on arriving finds him doing so. 47 Truly I say to YOU, He will appoint him over all his belongings. 48 “But if ever that evil slave should say in his heart, ‘My master is delaying,’ 49 and should start to beat his fellow slaves and should eat and drink with the confirmed drunkards, 50 the master of that slave will come on a day that he does not expect and in an hour that he does not know, 51 and will punish him with the greatest severity and will assign him his part with the hypocrites. There is where [his] weeping and the gnashing of [his] teeth will be.
Now we would like to focus on some Greek words used in this passage of Scripture. Digging into their deeper meanings, there are a few things that come to mind specifically with the word translated as slave. As found in Strong Concordance #G1401 (doulos), renders this properly as someone who belongs to another, a bond-slave without any ownership rights of their own.
The next Greek word were looking at is master #G2962 (kurios), it means Lord, a person exercising absolute ownership rights. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the one who has purchased that right with the blood he shed.
Now let’s look at the next Greek word #G3610 (oiketes) it translates as household servant. Properly a servant who is working for the family. Rightly a domestic servant that is living with you. A household servant would be one who has closer relationship to the family than all other slaves.
As spiritual men we realize that a man is head of his own household and if another family moved in with you, would there be two heads in the family? No there would not be to heads over one household!
If you’re a spiritually mature man, then you would know that you have no authority over another man and no man has authority over you.
Lastly let’s look at the Greek word #G5160 (trophe) as translated as food or nourishment and sometimes as maintenance. The food for the mind as in instructions.
Let’s consider another scriptural principal before we identify who the faithful and discreet slave is.
1 John 2:26-29… These things I write YOU about those who are trying to mislead YOU. 27 And as for YOU, the anointing that YOU received from him remains in YOU, and YOU do not need anyone to be teaching YOU; but, as the anointing from him is teaching YOU about all things, and is true and is no lie, and just as it has taught YOU, remain in union with him. 28 So now, little children, remain in union with him, that when he is made manifest we may have freeness of speech and not be shamed away from him at his presence. 29 If YOU know that he is righteous, YOU gain the knowledge that everyone who practices righteousness has been born from him.
John 14:26… But the helper, the holy spirit, which the Father will send in my name, that one will teach you all things and bring back to YOUR minds all the things I told you.
The helper will be the one who teaches you, the one who gives us the spiritual nourishment. It will be the one to help you maintain focus on the sayings of Jesus Christ, bring back to your mind. It will help you hold on to what is truthful.
So, who is the faithful and discreet slave who Jesus Christ has appointed over his household? It is not a man nor is it a group of men, but it is a faithful slave of the household of God who Jesus has commissioned as the faithful angels. Our Lord Jesus Christ will become manifest at which time those who are in rebellion will be put to death by the words of Christ Jesus.
What has Happened?
The antichrist spirit has come pretending to be from God and his Christ! These spirits do not accept the rulership of Jesus Christ and are in full rebellion. They have persuaded men to assume authority over the people of God. They are teaching doctrines of demons and an apostasy from God.
1 Timothy 4:1-2…However, the inspired utterance says definitely that in later periods of time some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to misleading inspired utterances and teachings of demons, by the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, marked in their conscience as with a branding iron.
2 Thessalonians 2:8-12… Then, indeed, the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will do away with by the spirit of his mouth and bring to nothing by the manifestation of his presence. 9 But the lawless one’s presence is according to the operation of Satan with every powerful work and lying signs and portents 10 and with every unrighteous deception for those who are perishing, as a retribution because they did not accept the love of the truth that they might be saved. 11 So that is why God lets an operation of error go to them, that they may get to believing the lie, 12 in order that they all may be judged because they did not believe the truth but took pleasure in unrighteousness.
Come Lord Jesus and end this apostasy Amen!
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