Apostasy/Fallen Away Within the Church Prior
Jesus' 2nd Coming
The Bible clearly foretold an "Apostasy" of the Church (assembly believers) of God in the "Last Days". Jesus' statement in (Matthew 24:4,5). His disciples had just asked him when He would return and when The End of the age would occur. He said, "...Take heed that No One Deceive you. For Many will come in MY name, saying, I am the Christ, and will deceive Many." Jesus' answer to His disciples was that He did NOT warn the unconverted and unbelievers to take heed. They are already deceived. Jesus was talking to those who understood the Truth, and who could deceive these disciples?? The answer: Those who came "in Jesus' name" --- Men and Women who claim to be representing Christ Of what Jesus was, was his warning. Deception would come from the "former members" and some "members within" the church who are sympathizers of those who left the fellowship. Some will stay in the fellowship with the purpose to sow discords, seeds of doubts, and to persuade others to their ways of thinking.Fear NOT! Nevertheless, stand firm on the foundation of God, having this inscription, "The Lord Knows them that are His". And let everyone who confesses the name of Christ depart from iniquity (II Timothy 2:19).While it is true there was departure from the Truth of Jesus after the death of the Original Apostles (Acts 20:29-30), a prophesied departure and Fallen Away In the "Latter Days" is implied in (II Thess. 2:1-3). In the latter days, NOT in the immediately centuries after the time of the Apostles. These scriptures refer to a period NEAR the time Prior when Christ WILL return.Paul wrote: "Now, Brethren, concerning the Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, We ask you, NOT to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word, or by letter, as IF from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no ONE deceive you by any means for that DAY will NOT come, unless the "Fallen Away" come "FIRST", and the man of sin is revealed, the Son of perdition (II Thess. 2:1-3). The Son of perdition, the same expression is used of Judas Iscariot (John 17:12).The Greek word for "Falling Away" is apostasia, which means, "Defection," "Apostasy," "Departure from the Truth." One cannot "fall away" from the Truth of Jesus if he/she never had it in the first place. The word "apostasy" means the abandonment of one's religious faith. In brief, one has to possess the TRUTH before he/she can abandon it. This text clearly applies to those who have been given the Truth. It refers to the church, and tells us what would happen shortly "Before" the 2nd Coming of Christ.But, there are other Bible warnings:
Paul wrote: "Now the Spirit expresses that in Latter Times, certain 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* .. (I Timothy 4:1-2).Peter wrote: "There were false prophets also among the people even as there shall be false teachers among you," who secretly shall bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And "Many" shall follow their shameful ways, and the Way of Truth shall be EVIL spoken of. In their Greed, these Teachers exploit you with stories and make merchandise of you." (II Peter 2:1-2)Jude wrote: "... It was need for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once Entrusted unto the saints. For there are certain men which have secretly crept in among you, who long ago was written about in reference to this condemnation, they are Ungodly men...The Lord comes with ten thousands of his Saints to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all that are Ungodly among them, of all their Ungodly deeds which they have committed, and of all their hard speeches who Ungodly sinners have spoken against Him ...Beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the Apostles and our Lord Jesus Christ. How that they have told you there should be scoffers, mockers in the "Last Time," who should walk after their own Ungodly lusts. These be they who have NOT the Spirit." (Jude 1-19).Jesus explained how Truth is revealed when he said, "But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you." He prayed that the disciples would be sanctified by the Truth. Jesus said the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth (John 14:7).It only stands to reason then that one called of God, and led by the Holy Spirit, will NOT be led into doctrine of error. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him MUST worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. God is the God of Truth, NOT of error (Deut. 32:4). The Fact is that One cannot understand the Truth of God, unless led by the Holy Spirit. This Truth in Jesus abides forever; the Truth is NOT subject to change. Jesus Christ, the same Yesterday, Today and Forever. (Heb. 13:8; Ps 100:5; 146:6; II John 1-2). God's Spirit Does NOT lead people away from the teachings/doctrines of Jesus Christ, or lead them into error!!WAS APOSTASY PROPHESIED?
Doctrine, revealed by God to man, is NOT subject to change. Those who cannot distinguish the difference between doctrine, administration, and church history are bound to become confused. Hundreds and thousands of 2x2 friends had become confused, bewildered, and disoriented by reading the former 2x2 websites (VOT/TTT) and nine (9) anti-2x2 books. Some began to wonder if the Church ever had the Truth on anything. Many of those who repudiated the 2x2 fellowship/ministry abandoned their beliefs altogether, or went back to their former churches, some even became atheists. The former members promised "liberty." The Bible tells us, "While they promise others liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption..." (II Peter 2:19).After the Church had received power of the Holy Spirit in (Acts 2) on the day of Pentecost, it began to greatly multiply and extend itself to different cites and towns in Judea. At the close of the apostolic period, the church. by the end of the 1st Century, had spread beyond the limits of Judea to Macedonia, Crete, Asia, Pisidia, Greece, Italy, Cilia, Pontus, Spain, Gaul (France), Britain, British Isles, Scotland, Ireland, etc..The Successors of the apostolic, who are commonly called "Apostolic Fathers," were Clement of Rome, Hermas, Hegesippus, Justin Martyr, Tertullian, etc... Polycarp (A.D. 69-156), a pupil of the Apostle John, and Bishop/Pastor of the Smyrna church. It appears that Polycarp served this church for more than 80 years.Ignatius (A.D. 67-110). A pupil of Apostle John; Bishop/Pastor of Antioch church.Papias (70-155). Another pupil of Apostle John, Bishop/Pastor of Hierapolis, about 100 miles east of Ephesus. These three men form the connecting link between apostolic age and later.Irenaeus (A.D. 130-200). Brought up in Smyrna. Pupil of Polycarp and Papias. Became Bishop/Pastor of Lyons. Died a martyr. Here in his reminiscence of Polycarp: "I remember well the place in which holy Polycarp sat and spoke. I remember the discourses he delivered to the people, and how he described his relations with John Apostle, the apostles, and others had been with the Lord; how he recited the saying of Christ and the miracles he wrought, and; how he received his teachings from eyewitnesses who had seen the Word of life, agreeing in every way with the scriptures."There can be no doubt that "A FALLING AWAY" from the Truth of Jesus Christ/God occurred during the latter half of the 1st Century A.D. What Christians embrace today is a Hellenized form of Christianity that does NOT reflect the teachings of the Apostolic Church. About A.D. 180, Hegesippus wrote a defensive treatise against heresy. Church historians tell us that Hegesippus demonstrated the "Pure" apostolic tradition. The work of Hegesippus, which contained five volumes, has been lost, but Eusebius of Caesarea wrote that Hegesippus was a Jew of Ebionite learning who reported that "After" the death of the Apostles, false teachers introduced impious error, fraud, and delusions (Ecclesiastical History Chapter 17).The Apostolic Fathers Writings:
The first writings to appear on the scene following the deaths of the original apostles were those of the Apostolic Fathers, such as: Clement of Rome, Ignatius, Polycarp, who were students of the original apostles, as well as the thoughts of other great lights in the life of the early church, such as Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, and Tertullian. They appeared about the middle of the 2-4th Century. These writings show a mark contrast to the inspired Scriptures of the New Testament. Irenaeus began his ministry at Smyrna under the instruction of Polycarp, and later became pastor of the Church in Lyons, France. Clement was the pastor in Rome. Ignatius was a pastor in Antioch.The first one of these writers was Justin Martyr, wrote of Christians who had been previously pagans, but who were induced to unite the observance of the Mosaic Law with the Christian faith. He said these "Rigid" Christians, by no means adhered to the "Genuine" principles of the Apostle Paul. Justin then went on to pronounce a sentence like condemnation on ALL those who still observed the Mosaic Law. In his "Dialogue with Trypho" a Jewish opponent, Justin viewed those who observe such institution, such as those given by Moses, as weak minded. He did NOT approve, but felt it was permissible to have fellowship with them, as long as they did not proselytize. He went on to say that those who accept Christ and then go back to legalism shall by no means be SAVED. (The Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol 1, Page 218). Justin Martyr, martyrdom at Rome in A.D.166.Chap. IV history Vaudois/Friends of God 14th century:
They said that about the year A.D. 320, The Roman Church had fallen into worldliness, and was corrupted through evil teaching. For the Roman Emperor Constantine, instead of persecuting the Christians, had began to honor them, and to give them worldly "Power" and riches, and the "bishops" became lords and princes, and the things of God were judged by worldly judges, and NOT by the Word of the Lord. And, because their fathers HAD "Held Fast" to the ancient teachings of the Apostles of the Lord, they had been persecuted and killed. And, many of them HAD fled to the mountains of Italy, Switzerland, and France, and some other countries, and God has kept them as the apples of His eye, and they could Never Be Destroyed, though they had to suffer hardship, and persecution, death, from generation to generation. And, as time went on, they were found in many races, and in many lands. And, whenever they went, they brought the Word of God, as they believe the apostles taught it...The Apostle Paul foresaw this event long before it happened. He warned the Ephesian elders what would occur---a falling away from the truth (Acts 20:28-31). THIS IS ONE WARNING! A departure from the Truth in Jesus Christ/God began during the latter half of the 1st century and continued for the next hundred years before crystallizing into what is today called Christianity. But, there was "Another" warning given by Paul Apostle in (II Thess. 2). Now we beseech you, brethren, by the Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him...Let no man deceive you by any means: for that DAY shall NOT come, except there COME a Falling Away (Apostasia) FIRST, and that man of perdition be revealed, the son of perdition. Paul was NOT speaking about his day, or even the following few hundred centuries! He was talking about the "Last Days", shortly before the return of Christ. An apostasy is already an abandonment of what was believed. The only way an apostasy can transpire is if it departs from the Truth. Paul was NOT talking about nominal Christianity that had apostatized centuries ago, and has remained us in that state. Paul is speaking of a "Departure" from the Truth which would occur shortly before the return of Christ "Within" the very body that had the Truth of Christ/God.Scientific and historical views are constantly changing, mainly because "NEW" historical facts continue to come to light. Wrong conclusion! have been corrected when the evidence prove otherwise. NOT so with Divine Truth! Christians come to understand the Bible by means of divine revelation only. There is NOT one Bible example that supports the notion that revelation can be changed. While God may change how he choose to administer His will and teaching, He never changes His true doctrine. I t is permanent!! (James 1:17, Heb. 13:8).The problem is with men/women that Truth changes to suit the times in which we live. This is just an example of fickleness of people. It reflects their desire to conform to the world. Jesus said, "...Everyone that is of the Truth heareth MY voice" (John 18:37) "...I am the Way, the Truth and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father but through me" (John 14:6). "... Sanctify them through thy Truth: thy word is Truth" (John 17:17). " And ye KNOW the Truth, and the Truth shall set you free" (John 8:32). God does NOT reveal error. He is NOT capable of it (Titus 1:2).(II Timothy 3:1-7) Paul wrote: Know this in the "Last Days" terrible times shall come. Men shall be lovers of themselves, proud, blasphemers, unthankful, false accusers, despisers of those that are good, traitors, high-minded. Having the form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away... Ever learning and NEVER be able to come to the Knowledge of the Truth. Now, as James and Jambres (Egyptian magicians), who opposed Moses, so do these who RESIST the Truth, men of corrupt minds, reprobated concerning the faith. But, they shall proceed no further, for their folly shall be manifest unto all men as theirs also was.(II Theses 2:1-15) Paul wrote: By the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together. That Ye be NOT soon shaken in mind or alarmed, neither by spirit nor by word, nor by letter as from us. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall NOT come, UNTIL there come a "Falling Away" First... Even him whose coming is after the working Satan with all power and signs and wonders. And, with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they receive NOT the love of the Truth, that they might be SAVED. And, for this reason, God shall Send them "Powerful" delusion, that they should believe a LIE; that they ALL might be damned who believe NOT the truth, but had pleasure in Wickedness...But we're bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God has, from beginning, chosen you to Salvation through sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the Truth, whereunto He called you by "Our Gospel," to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, Standfast and Hold the tradition which ye have been taught by us, whether by Word, or our epistles.(II Timothy 2:15-26) To Timothy Paul wrote: Study to show thyself approved unto God... who correctly handle the Word of Truth. As ungodly teaching will spread like gangrene among them that are Hymenaeus and Philetus; who, concerning the Truth, have ERRED, saying the resurrection is already taken place, and Overthrow the Faith of some. Nevertheless. the foundation of God stands FIRM, having this seal inscription the Lord "KNOWS" them that are His. The servant of the Lord must not quarrel, but be gentle unto all men, able to teach not resentful. In meekness. instructed those who oppose themselves in hope. that God will grant them Repentance to the Knowledge of the truth. And. that they may recover themselves. and escape from the Snare of the DEVIL, who has taken them captive to do his will.The True Gospel of Jesus Christ to be preached unto the End of Time:In Jesus' final instruction to His disciples, He commissioned them to "Preach" the gospel to the World (Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:15). That this commission was to extend to "Our Time" period today is seen by Jesus' statement, " Lo, I am with you "Always," even unto the end of the world. Amen. Christians called out of the world to be a part of the body of Christ, are striving to have the mind of Christ. The same Spirit that inspired Christ to do the will of the Father, motives true Christians to do the same (Romans 8:9-10). They practice the same thing Jesus and the apostles did when they were on the earth 2,000 years ago. Jesus said, "...I will build my church and the gates of hell shall NOT prevail against it."
Jesus told His true followers, "If ye love me, KEEP my commandments (John 14:15). He said, "..And this gospel of the Kingdom shall be Preached in ALL the world for a Witness unto ALL nations; and then shall The END comes (Matthew 24:14). The commission that Jesus gave His Church was to Preach the gospel to the world, "Go, ye therefore, and Teach ALL nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to observe ALL things whatsoever I commanded you. And lo, I am with you "Always" unto the end of the world. The word "Gospel" is from the Old English word that means "Good news." Jesus' message was about repentance, and to accept Him as Lord and Savior (Mark 1:15; Luke 15:5; John 6:29). Repentance means to turn to God with one's whole heart and mind---to Stop Sinning--- and to accept the true Way of Salvation. Upon baptism, the believer receives the Holy Spirit who enable him to become a new creature in Christ which help to live a life of righteousness and peace (Ps.119:173,165). He will be able to follow the example that Jesus set. Salvation is by the grace of God, based on faith in Jesus Christ ,without resort to works of any kind.Oneness of Doctrine and Unity
Jesus emphasized the importance of doctrinal Unity among His disciples. He prayed to the Father, "...Keep through thine own name those whom thou has given me, that the maybe ONE, as we ARE" (John 17:11). Jesus desired that His disciples be of ONE mind, united in belief and purpose in Christ's teachings, and to practice the same itinerant ministry. The Apostle Paul emphasized this same principle when he wrote, "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that ye speak the same thing, and that there be NO divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same Judgment" (I Cor. 1:10)The True Church of Christ
The Church that Jesus built is united in the Truth of God---the True doctrine. True Christians have One Faith, One body of doctrine, (Eph. 4:5). Jesus Christ promised to be with His Church until the end of the world. (Matt. 28:20). The modern Christian churches cannot possibly be the true church, with their varying beliefs and different denominations. He never promised His church to be visible and large. Nor did he indicate it would be divided into many different sects and divisions. The Apostle Paul said, in fact that it could NOT be the Church of God if it was divided (I Cor. 1:10-13). This Divisiveness is NOT of the Spirit of God.Jesus warned His disciples deception, just prior to His Second coming (Matthew 24:4-5), 11, 24). Let us understand, Jesus was NOT just warning about the First Century A.D. He foretold a religious deception "Prior" to His turn. The Apostle Paul said the same thing, as we have seen in (II Thess. 2). Apostasy occurs when an individual or an organization (former members) changes doctrines, history, belief, ministry, form of worship, etc.. Those who refuse to believe doctrine is revealed by God to have no basis for what they believed in the past, or for what they presently believe. Their religion, or belief, are NOT a result of faith in God, but their own intellect. In either case, they are "Victims" of deception.The Greek word for "falling away" is apostasy, which means "an abandonment" of Truth. Remember, one cannot turn from Truth if one did NOT first have the Truth. Salvation hinges on the Truth of Jesus' statement, "I will Build MY Church and the Gates of Hell shall NOT prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18). In spite of the apostasy down through the centuries that took place, the Bible foretold that a "REMNANT" would be faithful to the truth, and would be keeping the commandment of God. (Revelation 12:17; Matthew 24:46) God said, "I have reserved, for myself, 7,000 men who have NOT bowed their knees to the image of Baal. Even so too, at this present time also, there is a "Remnant" according to the election of Grace".Jesus Christ warned that iniquity (Greek: lawlessness) would also be the primary factor in turning "MANY" away from the Truth. He said, "And because iniquity shall abound, the LOVE of many shall wax cold" (Matthew 24:12). New Testament passages points out the ways and means men/women have chosen to repudiate the truth. The natural human tendency is for people to take their own way. T hey often lack the will or desire to be faithful to the Truth God has given them. Paul warned, "For the time will come when they will NOT endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall "Turn Away" their ears from the Truth, and shall be turned unto fables" (II Timothy 4:3-4).Many former 2x2 believers have lost their faith in the ministry, and in their calling in the true doctrine of Christ, and have rejected everything they ever believed. Some have gone into the pleasures of the world of one kind or another. Others have become atheists and some are so fed up with religion. But, this of itself, is a proof of the "Last Days," for Peter tells us, "Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts..." (II Peter 3:3-4). For, if after they have escaped the pollution's of the world through the Knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them NOT to have known the way of righteousness, than AFTER they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. (II Peter 2:20-22).Heresies of one kind or another began to creep into the church, and soon, factions formed. Liberals against conservative, moderates against liberals and conservatives, etc.. Members became pitted against members as various individuals chose sides. Jesus said there would be betrayals, offenses and hatred within the church of God. (Matthew 24:10)What Jesus said in (Luke 18: 8) can now be fully grasped. He said, "...When the Son of Man comes, shall he find FAITH on the earth?" In the original text the definite article "the" precedes the word "faith" in this verse. Faith in context refers to the embodiment of belief. What this text tells us that in the time of the end "FEW" would be faithful to the revealed truth given to the Church. Apostle Paul wrote: "Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the "Latter times" some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of the devil (I Tim. 4:1). T his know also, that in the "Last Days" perilous times shall come. (II Tim. 3:1)One of the reasons Paul said in the text following, was that they would have a form of godliness, but would deny the power thereof (II Tim. 3:5). They would appear to be religious all right, but would deny the power of God's Spirit as a source of Truth and motivation in their lives. The above text is referring to those who once held the Truth because one cannot depart from what one NEVER had. They rejected the Holy Spirit, which had lead God's people into the Truth, and began to speak EVIL of the very doctrines they once believed. And, what was the End result to be? "And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of Truth shall be EVIL spoken of". (II Pet. 2:2)Peter wrote: For the time will come that Judgment MUST begin at the house of God: and if it FIRST begins with us, what shall the end of them that Obey NOT the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarily be SAVED, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? (I Peter 4:17,18). Paul wrote: For we CAN'T do nothing against the Truth, but for the Truth. (II Cor.13: 8). Gamaliel said: "Now I say unto you, leave these men (Apostles Peter/John) alone for if their purpose, or this work is of men, it will surely FAIL. But if it is be of God, ye will NOT be able to overthrow these men, you will only find yourself to "Fight against God". (Acts 5:33-39).Jesus said, "The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall Weed out of His Kingdom everything that offend them, and do iniquity and shall cast them into a furnace of fire. There shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the Kingdom of their Father... (Matthew 13:41-44)It is absolute duty that everyone understands the truth, to seriously look at himself/herself in or to see what he has done with that truth which Jesus has revealed it to him/her. Jesus Christ said He would build His Church and that it Would NOT die or be Destroyed, but it will endure Forever. Therefore, His Truth doesn't need anyone to Restart it, because men and women have preserved Jesus and the apostles' teachings in Every Generation. (Daniel 2:44,45) And in the days of these kings (Roman emperors) shall the God of Heaven set up a Kingdom, which shall "NEVER be Destroyed: and the Kingdom shall NOT be left to another person, but it shall crush in pieces, and consume all those kingdoms, and it shall stand FOREVER!In (Matthew 24:1-14) Jesus said concerning the "Last Days and Prior" to his Second coming! "Let no man deceive you. They will persecute, and ye shall be HATED of ALL nations for my name's sake. And then MANY be offended, and shall Betray one another, and shall HATE one another. And because iniquity shall abound, the LOVE of many shall wax cold. But he that endures unto the END. the same shall be SAVED, and this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be Preached in all the World for a Witness to ALL nations; and then shall the End Come."