The Coming Apostasy
Part of 1 & 2 Timothy
September 22, 2021

THE COMING APOSTASY
1 TIMOTHY 4:1-6

1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained
.

1. The Warning Of Apostasy (v. 1)

  • Apostasy means to “fall away from.” It is used in the sense of betraying something or someone. It is a deliberate not an accident.
  • Apostasy is not about disagreement of nonessential doctrine or issues that the Scriptures do not clearly or definitively address.
  • An apostate (teacher/follower) is someone who teaches or follows ideas that contradict the clear teaching of Scripture. Teaching/doctrine is false when it undermines biblical truth or enables someone to, leads to, or condones sin.

  • The city of Ephesus was ripe with conditions and beliefs that could lead to or would lead to apostasy in the church.

  • The temple of Artemis was there. The occult was there. Greek philosophy was there. Gnosticism was there. Therefore, Paul demanded the highest standards of the church’s leaders. He instructed Timothy to find elders and deacons who could teach the truths of Christ while living above reproach.

  • Paul describes apostasy as paying attention to (giving heed to) seducing (lying) spirits and accepting as truth the doctrines of demons (devils).

  • False teaching will not enter a church with the name “doctrine of

    ” stamped on it. Satan is way too clever for that. However, his teachings appeal to the flesh and then enter the soul. God works just the opposite. By the Spirit, God’s truth appeals to our spirit and then enters the soul for transformation.

  • Apostate teachers speak convincingly to the issues of their day and often use Scriptures (almost always out of context) to give the appearance of good-faith teaching.

Charles Swindoll:
It is true that some will be fooled – but not without their consent. They will be drawn in by the power of an error they desperately want to believe…again, because it appeals to the flesh.

2. The Entrance Of Apostasy (vv. 2-5)

  • Paul describes how apostasy can enter into a church and take up residence among people who have been quite sound in the faith. False teachings enter by means of .
  • The word hypocrisy (Gr. hypokinomai) means simply “to answer back,” usually in the context of debate or acting.
  • Paul used this word to describe people who had fallen away from truth received from God, but “acted” otherwise. They have fallen away from biblical truth and now follow what they present as “truth” or a clearer, better, newer version of truth.

    1) Characteristics of apostasy

    • Paul depicts the apostate’s conscience as being “seared.” Literally, his/her conscience is seared with a branding iron. It has been cauterized.
    • On one hand, the apostate is marked ( ) by Satan. On the other hand, the apostate’s conscience is cauterized so that the moral nerve endings are now .
    • You can identify an apostate by his/her response to and belief about things the Bible clearly declares as sinful.

    2) Error of apostasy

    • These apostate and false teachings can’t make you with God.
    • These apostate and false teachings can’t make you truly to God.

3. Combating Apostasy (v. 6)

  • Paul sets out a simple plan to combat and seek to overcome false doctrine and apostates: A good minister (preacher/pastor) should simply point out apostate teaching and apostate teachers to fellow believers.
  • A good minister must consistently and faithfully

    false teaching and false teachers with truth. Speak the truth. Point out the fake, false teachings that contradict the truth of God’s Word. Correct the false. Reinforce the sound doctrine of truth by teaching it.

  • If a preacher is going to be a good minister and point out the false, then he must first be nourished up the words of faith and of good doctrine.

  • A preacher/pastor must spend time in God’s Word training, learning, and growing in knowledge so that he can preach the truth of God’s Word.

Application

  • The presence of evil in and around the church is just simply going to always be. It is to be expected.
  • There is no one great sermon and series of messages that will forever inoculate a church against depravity. We must remain diligent in our efforts to confront the false that leads to apostasy and a falling away.

    1) The constant threat of apostasy should be a constant reminder that we are living in the last days.

    2) Satan is the

    of all lies, and he’s very good at what he does.

    3) Movements fueled by false teaching are difficult to

    .

Swindoll:
The last days will be marked by false teaching that leads to behavior the Bible condemns.