THE MEANING OF APOSTASY

Christians can live in confidence of their salvation. 

(1 Jn.5:13; 1 Pet. 1:3-5). 

However, this does not mean that the Christian has a license to sin without punishment (Rom. 6:1-2, 23). 

Christians are called to be diligent and watchful, in order to avoid falling away from God (Heb. 3:12-13). 

Christians can lose their faith (Luke 17:1).

Christians can fall away from grace (Gal. 5:4). 

When people who profess to be Christians live in sin, their fellowship becomes corrupted and apostate (1 Tim. 4:1). 

Apostasy literally means "a standing away," hence the concept of "falling away." It is "an abandoning of what one believed in, as a faith, etc." (Webster). 

Recall that the church is made up of people, and the true Church represents the body of Christ (Eph 4:12), so when people in a church sin willingly, they are actually apostatizing or ‘falling away’ from Christ’s body.

Since so many religious people have been persuaded that it is impossible for a Christian to so sin as to lose his salvation, we offer Bible facts all from the new testament to refute this doctrine of men.

THE POSSIBILITY OF A CHURCH IN APOSTASY 

One who has believed can fall away, therefore a congregation can also fall away: - Luke 8:13. 

Christians can sever from Christ and fall away from grace: -   
Gal. 5:2-4. 

An enlightened one can fall away & so with an enlightened church: - Hebrews 6:4-6. See: 1 Corinthians 10:12; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Timothy 4:3-4; James 5:19-20)

EXAMPLES OF APOSTASY OF GOD'S PEOPLE  IN THE EARLY CHURCH 

Simon Peter, though He repented and was saved: 

- Luke 22:31-34, 54-62; Galatians 2:11-14. 

Another Simon - Acts 8:12-13, 18-24. 

Some Fornicators in the Corinthian church: 

- 1 Corinthians 5:1-5, 13; 2 Corinthians 2:5-8. 

Hymenaeus and Alexander: 

-1 Timothy 1:18-20.

 Laodiceans:

 - Revelation 3:15-19. 

CAUSES OF APOSTASY 

Times of temptation: 

- Luke 8:13. 

Worldliness: 

- Luke 8:14; James 4:4; 1 Tim. 4:1; 2 Timothy 3:1; 2 Timothy 4:10. 

False doctrine: 

- Acts 20:29-30; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; 6:3-5. 

Seeking justification by the O. T. law of Moses: 

- Galatians 5:4. 

Hardened hearts against God's revealed will: 

- Hebrews 3:12-13. 

THE PREVENTION OF APOSTASY 

Grow Spiritually unto maturity by constant prayer and meditation in the word of God:-Luke 18:1; 1 Peter 2:1-2; 2 Peter 1:5-11. 

Don't love the things in the world/Seek heavenly things:

-1 Jn. 2:15-17; Col. 3:1-3. 

Live in the doctrine of Christ 

-2 John 9; 1 Timothy 6:3; 1:3. 

Know that salvation is only in Christ

 - Galatians 2:16; Acts 4:12. 

Do not harden your heart against God's will 

- Hebrews 3:7-8. 

THE CHRISTIAN'S REMEDY FOR APOSTASY 

Repent of your sin. Stop sinning willfully, pray for God’s grace and His mercy, and by determination, forsake sin: 

-Luke 17: 1-10; Luke 18:1; Acts 8:22; 17:30; 1 John 2:1-3; Acts 8:22; James 5:19-20; Galatians 6:1; Revelation 2:5. 

"Blessed are those who endure when they are tested. When they pass the test, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him"

James 1:12