THE ROAD TO APOSTASY

By on Feb 21, 2013 in Current Issues, Features

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By Mike Gendron of Proclaiming the Gospel Ministries

Churches and denominations that once upheld the faith of the apostles have drifted into apostasy. Church history reveals 4 significant steps that lead to apostasy.

First Step into Apostasy

God’s word is rejected as the supreme authority for faith and practice. Traditions and movements of men cause confusion and divided loyalties. The power of the Gospel is weakened by compromise. Evangelism is replaced by sacramental salvation or other unbiblical methods of conversion. Churches give people what they want instead of what they need. Biblical warnings to expose false teachers are ignored.

Second Step into Apostasy

Scripture is twisted and distorted for self-serving agendas. “Infallible” men claim to be successors of the apostles. Biblical ignorance provides fertile ground for false teachers.
Truth becomes subjective. Doctrinal error and sin are tolerated. Satan sows his tares with little resistance. Contenders for the faith are asked to leave. People honor God with their lips but their hearts are far from Him.

Third Step into Apostasy

Entertainment and liturgy have moved Jesus out of the church and there is now a focus on myths and worldliness to entertain the goats. Hearts become hardened and love for God grows cold. Doctrinal error is embraced. There is no love for the truth and no discernment. A form of godliness exists but it’s void of power. Trials and persecution expose dead faith. Sin and immoral lifestyles are tolerated.

Fourth Step into Apostasy

Teaching is influenced by doctrines of demons. Deception is full-blown. Lying signs and wonders, including apparitions, are embraced as messages from God. Idolatry and prayers to the dead are encouraged. Those who embrace the Gospel truth are condemned with anathema. Grace is turned into a license to sin. The church’s lamp stand has been removed and a certain terrifying judgment is now unavoidable.

Born again Christians who are in apostate churches must leave and find a church where they can worship God in Spirit and Truth.

The original appears here.

HT: Deception In The Church

Further reading