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 of bishops began to assume authority which did not belong to them. "... little by little they (bishops, dm) made high pretentious, and maintained that power was given them by Christ himself to dictate rules of faith and conduct the people" (Ecclesiastical History, vol. 1, pgs. 116, 117, by Mosheim). Mosheim points out that from a select group of bishops who had more power that other bishops, a single man was selected to exact total power. "Hence came the Patriarchs, and ultimately the Prince of Patriarchs, the Roman Pontiff" (ibid).
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 of bishops began to assume authority which did not belong to them. "... little by little they (bishops, dm) made high pretentious, and maintained that power was given them by Christ himself to dictate rules of faith and conduct the people" (Ecclesiastical History, vol. 1, pgs. 116, 117, by Mosheim). Mosheim points out that from a select group of bishops who had more power that other bishops, a single man was selected to exact total power. "Hence came the Patriarchs, and ultimately the Prince of Patriarchs, the Roman Pontiff" (ibid).
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).