Apostasy
Definition: Apostasy is abandoning or deserting
the worship and service of God, actually a rebellion against Jehovah God. Some
apostates profess to know and serve God but reject teachings or requirements
set out in his Word. Others claim to believe the Bible but reject Jehovah’s
organization.
Should we expect that
apostates will arise within the Christian
congregation?
1 Tim.
4:1: “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.”
2 Thess. 2:3: “Let no one seduce you in any manner, because
[the day of Jehovah] will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of
lawlessness gets revealed, the son of destruction.”
Some identifying marks of
apostates—
They seek to
make others their followers,
thus causing sectarian divisions
Acts
2 Pet.
2:1, 3: “There will also be false teachers among you. These very ones will
quietly bring in destructive sects and will disown even the owner that bought them . . . Also, with covetousness they will
exploit you with counterfeit words.”
They may profess
to believe in Christ but
treat lightly the preaching
and teaching work he assigned
to his followers
Luke
6:46: “Why, then, do you call me ‘Lord! Lord!’ but do not do the things I say?”
Matt.
28:19, 20: “Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations,
baptizing them . . . teaching them to
observe all the things I have commanded you.”
Matt.
24:14: “This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited
earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come.”
They may claim
to serve God but reject
his representatives
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The New American Standard Bible |
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Book of Titus |
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Chapter 1 - Click
for Chapter Audio |
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Titus 1:14 - [ In
Context | Read Chapter | Discuss this Verse ] not paying attention to Jewish myths
R47 and commandments R48 of men who turn R49 away from the truth. |
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2 Thess 2:15 - [ In
Context | Read Chapter | Discuss this Verse ]
[ Original: Greek | Multi-Translation | Make
Poster ]
So then, brethren, stand R67 firm and hold R68 to the traditions which you were
taught, whether by R69 word of mouth or by R69 letter from F28 us.
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Book of Colossians |
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Chapter 2 - Click
for Chapter Audio |
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Colossians 2:8 - [ In
Context | Read Chapter | Discuss this Verse ] See R99 to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy R100 and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according
to the elementary R101 principles of the world, rather F49 than according to Christ. |
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