What is the Apostasy?
Introduction. "Apostasy" is from the Greek apostasia. Apostasia is defined as, "A defection, revolt.... to forsake" (W.E. Vine). The New Testament prophesied and gave detail identification relative to apostasy (1 Tim. 4:1-3, 2 Thes. 2:1-9, Acts 20:28-30).
The original apostasy was to begin within the eldership. Paul said to the elders. "Also of your ownselves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them" (Acts 20:17-30). This falling away initially involved a perversion of authority and power. Elders (also called presbyters, bishops, overseers, pastors, or shepherds depending on the translation) began to assume authority which did not belong to them. According to secular accounts of early church history, church leaders started to make a distinction that elevated being a bishop (singular) over elders/presbyters. As churches expanded into rural areas, further distinctions were made between city bishops and country bishops. With continued growth and the introduction of church councils, further hierarchal distinctions were made with the introduction of metropolitans, archbishops, cardinals, and eventually the Roman pontiff or pope.
Paul's description to the Thessalonians. Paul explained that there was to be "a falling away" (apostasia, 2 Thes. 2:3). Paul identifies a particular man who would characterize this apostasy (vs. 3). He describes him as sinfully elevated, "... he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God" (vs. 4). Worship would be associated with this man (vs. 4). There would also be "lying wonders" (false miracles, vs. 9). Some of the teaching would by, "Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats..." (1 Tim. 4:1).
Conclusion. Beloved, before the falling away there was truth (Eph. 4:1-6).
The original apostasy was to begin within the eldership. Paul said to the elders. "Also of your ownselves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them" (Acts 20:17-30). This falling away initially involved a perversion of authority and power. Elders (also called presbyters, bishops, overseers, pastors, or shepherds depending on the translation) began to assume authority which did not belong to them. According to secular accounts of early church history, church leaders started to make a distinction that elevated being a bishop (singular) over elders/presbyters. As churches expanded into rural areas, further distinctions were made between city bishops and country bishops. With continued growth and the introduction of church councils, further hierarchal distinctions were made with the introduction of metropolitans, archbishops, cardinals, and eventually the Roman pontiff or pope.
Paul's description to the Thessalonians. Paul explained that there was to be "a falling away" (apostasia, 2 Thes. 2:3). Paul identifies a particular man who would characterize this apostasy (vs. 3). He describes him as sinfully elevated, "... he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God" (vs. 4). Worship would be associated with this man (vs. 4). There would also be "lying wonders" (false miracles, vs. 9). Some of the teaching would by, "Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats..." (1 Tim. 4:1).
Conclusion. Beloved, before the falling away there was truth (Eph. 4:1-6).