The Bible’s warnings of apostasy are widely ignored n n What is apostasy? (2 Thess 2:3) –...

The Bible’s warnings of apostasy are widely ignored

What is apostasy? (2 Thess 2:3) – “falling away”


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,


avpostasia – a falling away, defection, apostasy; in the Bible namely, from the true religion: Acts 21:21; 2 Thess. 2:3; (Josh. 22:22; 2 Chr. 29:19; 33:19); Jer. 2:19 - Thayer’s Lexicon


avpostasia - as a condition resulting from changing loyalties revolt, desertion; as a religious technical term; (1) apostasy, rebellion (2TH 2.3); (2) defection, abandonment (AC 21.21) - Freiberg Lexicon


A “Changing of loyalties” is a good description of the term. (Jer 2:19)


Jeremiah 2:19 (NKJV) - Your own wickedness will correct you, And your backslidings will rebuke you. Know therefore and see that it is an evil and bitter thing That you have forsaken the Lord your God, And the fear of Me is not in you,”

Says the Lord GOD of hosts.


Did the apostle Paul ever teach on this subject? (Acts 20:26-32)


Acts 20:26-32 (NKJV) - Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. 28Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.


29For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.


32“So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.


“For three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.”


“For three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.”

When was the last time you hear a single sermon on this subject?


Apostasy is defined by a people who demand the kind of teaching they want rather than demanding God’s will alone without compromise be taught. (2 Tim 4:1-4)


2 Timothy 4:1-4 (NKJV) - I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.


3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.


Is this an optional subject? Ask Paul! “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom.”


People can ask for Bible teaching and be running away from God. Look back at where you attend and see not only what has been taught, but what has not been taught.

The Bible is a perfect revelation from a perfect God

If one concedes that the Bible is from God then several things must also be true about the Bible. (2 Tim 3:16-17)


2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV) - All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.


“..that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”


“..that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Anything that God provides man is sufficient for the task it is intended! Creation – (Gen 1:31); Jesus as our Savior – (Heb 7:25)


Genesis 1:31 (NKJV) - Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.


Hebrews 7:25 (NKJV) - Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.


One’s attitude towards the Bible will in fact show one’s attitude towards God. (Jn 12:48)


John 12:48 (NKJV) - He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.


If we love God, then we must be seeking truth! Men quickly reveal their hearts when a Bible is opened and light is shown on their deeds. (Jn 3:19-21)


John 3:19-21 (NKJV) - And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”


Two attitudes – two destinies – Where are you? (1 Jn 4:1, 6)


1 John 4:1 (NKJV) - Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.


1 John 4:6 (NKJV) - We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.


What do people mean when they call others “legalist,” “traditionalist,” and “Pharisees?” Ask them if they can find and stand in “the truth?”


What do people mean when they call others “legalist,” “traditionalist,” and “Pharisees?” Ask them if they can find and stand in “the truth?”

It is not “legalism” or “traditionalism” to pursue a principled life based upon definitive answers found in the word of God.


New Testament Christians would have been startled that anyone would ever question the need to seek the truth about all things God revealed.


Consider how the Apostle John described Christians in 2 John.



“all those who have known the truth” (1:1)



“all those who have known the truth” (1:1) “the truth which abides in us and will be

with us forever” (1:2)



“all those who have known the truth” (1:1) “the truth which abides in us and will be with

us forever” (1:2) “I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of

your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father” (1:4)


Later John plainly wrote that we need to know if “we are of the truth.” (1 Jn 3:19)


1 John 3:19 (NKJV) - And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.

Jesus showed us by example how to respect the revealed will of God

Must we have authority from God for everything we do we have the right to act when God is silent? Look at the repeated, emphatic response of Jesus!


Must we have authority from God for everything we do we have the right to act when God is silent? Look at the repeated, emphatic response of Jesus!

Jesus whole life was focused on “doing the will of the Father who sent Me.” (Jn 5:19-21, 30)


John 5:19-21 (NKJV) - Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. 20For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.


21For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will.


John 5:30 (NKJV) - I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.


There was not a single thing Jesus did without the fellowship and authority of the Father. (Jn 8:28-29)


John 8:28-29 (NKJV) - Then Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. 29And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.”


Jesus’ light was delivered in the form of words. They were recorded for us to see and respond to. Jesus showed us the response He expects! (Jn 12:46-50)


John 12:46-50 (NKJV) - I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. 47 And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.


48 He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. 49 For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak.


50 And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.”


If someone really wishes to please God then they will walk in these same footsteps.

What does perfect mean? What does “every good work” mean? If the silence of the Bible means that we can do what we think, then I do not know of a single doctrine of the Bible that is not compromised and made meaningless.


God showed in the Old Testament that the silence of the scriptures is restrictive! (Lev 10:1-3)


Leviticus 10:1-3 (NKJV) - Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them. 2So fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord.


3And Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord spoke, saying: ‘By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy;

And before all the people I must be glorified.’” So Aaron held his peace.


The New Testament recognizes this point and expects men to have the same view. (Heb 7:12-14; 2 Jn 9-11)


Hebrews 7:12-14 (NKJV) - For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. 13For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar. 14For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.


2 John 9-11 (NKJV) - Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 10If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.


When men say “there is no God-given way to read the Bible (Hermeneutics)”, they are badly wrong!



Maybe Nadab and Abihu have an argument at the judgment!



Maybe Nadab and Abihu have an argument at the judgment!

From a positive standpoint we can understand the proper view of the silence of the scriptures. (1 Pt 4:11; Col 3:17)


1 Peter 4:11 (NKJV) - If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.


Colossians 3:17 (NKJV) - And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.


There are some fundamental conclusions that every Christian must draw.


There are some fundamental conclusions that every Christian must draw.

We must know if a teaching or practice is authorized by God’s word!


Every Christian must be willing to give “Book, Chapter, and Verse” for any practice or teaching they engage in. (Col 3:17).

Attitudes and arguments of those who reject the limits of God’s authority

Some are boldly claiming we do not need authority to act. Many are attributing this approach as coming from men:


“Not surprisingly, our historic legalism has created legalistic hermeneutics within the Churches of Christ. Thus, before we read the first word of Scripture, we have already brought certain false presuppositions to the process. For example, traditionally, we in the Churches of Christ have looked at the Scriptures to tell what is authorized.


But before we look at the Scriptures, we decide that the question is one of authority. But, you see, the Scriptures not only tell us the answer, they tell us the questions, and authority is not one of the questions addressed by the New Testament.


It is, however, a doctrine invented by John Calvin and still taught by strict Calvinists. You see, the Campbell’s and Stone were strict Calvinists by education, and although they rejected the Calvinistic view of salvation, they did continue in the mainstream of Calvinistic hermeneutical thought.” – Jay Gwin, “Do We Teach Another Gospel?”


Not surprisingly brother Gwin includes within his description of “legalist” those who oppose instrumental music in worship.



How can we know “if it is from God or from men?



How can we know “if it is from God or from men?

How many who hold this position will fairly discuss it? Attitudes reveal hearts.


Sadly, many preachers within churches of Christ will not be so bold. They will use other language that the hearer cannot understand.


1. “Patternist” - “It is time to admit that in our churches, a wide variety of people from all walks of life...simply do not find patternism and legalism to be meaningful themes” (p. 121). - Dr. Richard Hughes, “Reclaiming a Heritage; Reflections on the Heart, Soul and Future of Churches of Christ.


Biblically the term pattern is equivalent to authority! (Heb 8:5)


Hebrews 8:5 (NKJV) - who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”


Is it legalism to take “every word” that come from God on a subject and properly apply it and stay within what is revealed? (Mt 3:4)


Matthew 3:4 (NKJV) - Now John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.


If it is a matter of misapplied scripture then show where that is done!


“Propositional Baconian” -


“Propositional Baconian” - “What has become sad is that current day

CENIist deny the origins of their logician hermeneutic. D. R. Dungan gladly praised the origins ofhis hermeneutical method and quoted Bacon in his book on hermeneutics. Dungan wrote, "... Bacon, to whom we are largely, if not wholly, indebted for this method of philosophy" (p. 82).


According to Dungan, the purpose of the inductive method is to report all the facts, "and from them the conclusion is to be reached" (p. 83). – Discussion with a Christian Church Preacher



This kind of reasoning from scripture existed long before Francis Bacon.



This kind of reasoning from scripture existed long before Francis Bacon.

What doctrine does not involve logic and application? (Jn 7:17)


John 7:17 (NKJV) - If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.


“CENI Hermeneutic” - “Why does CENI consistently distort narratives, poetry, parables, doxologies, psalms, wisdom, personal correspondence, beatitudes, etc. into one monotonous invective? Why would any conscientious "common sense" Christian allow such distortions to go unchallenged?” – Discussion with a Christian Church Preacher


Pattern puzzle pieces come in three shapes, Pattern puzzle pieces come in three shapes, according to Church of Christ pattern-according to Church of Christ pattern-seekers. Each piece bears the form either of seekers. Each piece bears the form either of an express command ("C"), an approved an express command ("C"), an approved example ("E"), or a necessary inference example ("E"), or a necessary inference ("NI"). But the picture on the completed ("NI"). But the picture on the completed puzzle is surrounded on four sides with a puzzle is surrounded on four sides with a very thick border. very thick border.


According to the pattern-seekers, this According to the pattern-seekers, this means that every detail of church structure, means that every detail of church structure, worship, leadership, and ministry must be worship, leadership, and ministry must be "authorized" by one of those puzzle pieces, "authorized" by one of those puzzle pieces, or else it is unlawful. By their reckoning, or else it is unlawful. By their reckoning, silence does not mean consent. It means silence does not mean consent. It means absolute prohibition ("S"). absolute prohibition ("S").


We will refer to this doctrinal system as We will refer to this doctrinal system as "CENI-S," an abbreviation for "command, "CENI-S," an abbreviation for "command, example, necessary inference" and example, necessary inference" and "silence." – Ed Fudge, the Plague of "silence." – Ed Fudge, the Plague of PatternismPatternism


We will refer to this doctrinal system as We will refer to this doctrinal system as "CENI-S," an abbreviation for "command, "CENI-S," an abbreviation for "command, example, necessary inference" and example, necessary inference" and "silence." – Ed Fudge, the Plague of "silence." – Ed Fudge, the Plague of PatternismPatternism

CENI is a description of language. It is like CENI is a description of language. It is like noun, verb and pronoun! Why object to noun, verb and pronoun! Why object to these things?these things?


Does the Bible approve of following Does the Bible approve of following examples and drawing inferences? examples and drawing inferences? (1 Cor 11:1; Mk 12:23-27)(1 Cor 11:1; Mk 12:23-27)


1 Corinthians 11:1 (NKJV)1 Corinthians 11:1 (NKJV) - - Imitate me, Imitate me, just as I also just as I also imitateimitate Christ. Christ.


Mark 12:23-27 (NKJV)Mark 12:23-27 (NKJV) - - Therefore, in the Therefore, in the resurrection, when they rise, whose wife will resurrection, when they rise, whose wife will she be? For all seven had her as wife.” she be? For all seven had her as wife.” 2424Jesus Jesus answered and said to them, “Are you not answered and said to them, “Are you not therefore mistaken, because you do not know therefore mistaken, because you do not know the Scriptures nor the power of God? the Scriptures nor the power of God? 2525For For when they rise from the dead, they neither when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. angels in heaven.


2626But concerning the dead, that they rise, But concerning the dead, that they rise, have you not read in the book of Moses, in have you not read in the book of Moses, in the the burningburning bush bush passage,passage, how God spoke how God spoke to him, saying, to him, saying, ‘I‘I amam the God of Abraham, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’Jacob’? ? 2727He is not the God of the dead, but He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living. You are therefore the God of the living. You are therefore greatly mistaken.”greatly mistaken.”


“We should read the Bible as a narrative.” – or “We should only preach expository sermons.” – “treat the Bible as a narrative that tells the story of God’s mighty deeds on behalf of the world which he created, which he seeks to redeem and over which he someday will triumph when his rule is complete” (p. 186). Richard Hughes, “Reclaiming a Heritage


“I believe we should go back to the Bible – free of any shackles of doctrinal issues of churches of Christ – and just read it as a story (which is what it is). Not seeking to find justification or argumentation over some preconceived notion about righteousness, holiness, patterns, etc.


But, reading it as a Christological document (see the Art of Reading Scripture), I think we will be greatly enriched and many of our rigid rules will become more nuanced and refreshed. We may even drop some rules; and we may actually add some depth of commitment to the call to discipleship.


As we do that, and as we begin to glean the true intent of this story and reinvestigate the real meaning of various contexts that have dominated us – in our issues – we will have done ourselves a great favor.


We will not be propositional Baconians – nor will we be relativist postmoderns (though, to one degree or another, we will miss some points and probably lean in one or both of those directions at different times in specific instances). But, we will be Bible storytellers.” – From a preacher in a “non-institutional church”


I recently hear a preacher in Auburn say that he would only emphasize the subjects that come from expository preaching.


I recently hear a preacher in Auburn say that he would only emphasize the subjects that come from expository preaching.

He likely will refuse to make applications to present day issues that flow from a study of scripture. I doubt he would oppose instrumental music because that issue in not specifically debated in scripture.


Reading without personal application is vain! (Heb 5:12-14)


Hebrews 5:12-14 (NKJV) - For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.


14But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.


Where will the church be in the next 30 years? (Acts 20:26-32)


Acts 20:26-32 (NKJV) - Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. 28Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.


29For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.


32“So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.


Know the word of God.


Know the word of God. Be experienced in dealing with and solving

problems God’s way.


Know the word of God. Be experienced in dealing with and solving

problems God’s way. Be prepared to deal with the trends within

the religious world.

The Bible’s warnings of apostasy are widely ignored n n What is apostasy? (2 Thess 2:3) –...

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