Apostasy 101

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Chris1975

Senior Member
Apr 27, 2017
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#1
APOSTASY

Galatians 5
1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

So here are the questions to those who deny the apostasy is a real risk to be aware of (for true believers).

1) Those mentioned above were in liberty (v1) - Are these Christians?
2) These same people are warned not to be entangled again. (v1) - Can they be found in slavery once again?
3) The consequence is estrangement from Christ (v4) - How do you become estranged if you were not in union?
4) The fall from Grace (v4) - To those who claim Grace cannot be lost, how then does the bible say that it is lost here?
 

Chris1975

Senior Member
Apr 27, 2017
2,492
517
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#3
2 Thessalonians 2
3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,

>Falling away - Apostasia

Word: apostasia
Pronounce: ap-os-tas-ee'-ah
Strongs Number: G646
Orig: feminine of the same as 647; defection from truth (properly, the state) ("apostasy"):--falling away, forsake. G647
Use: TDNT-1:513,88 Noun Feminine
Heb Strong: H1100 H4604 H4777 H7200

  1. 1) a falling away, defection, apostasy
Is it possible that this is ALREADY happening in the church?
 

Chris1975

Senior Member
Apr 27, 2017
2,492
517
113
#4
2 Thessalonians 2
7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

>I believe the mystery of lawlessness may in fact be this lawlessness doctrine we are seeing pushed on these forums
>A church masquerading as the body of Christ, but without any regard for holiness and obedience. A different gospel.
>It started in Paul's day but is now a massive movement.
>All calls to holy living are rejected as works (despite overwhelming scriptural support).
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
16,540
3,503
113
#5
APOSTASY

Galatians 5
1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

So here are the questions to those who deny the apostasy is a real risk to be aware of (for true believers).

1) Those mentioned above were in liberty (v1) - Are these Christians?
2) These same people are warned not to be entangled again. (v1) - Can they be found in slavery once again?
3) The consequence is estrangement from Christ (v4) - How do you become estranged if you were not in union?
4) The fall from Grace (v4) - To those who claim Grace cannot be lost, how then does the bible say that it is lost here?

Here’s my take. Notice the difference between the “you” statements and the “we” and “us” statements. Paul realizes that part of the audience could be lost.

1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Directed to the saved people in the audience.

2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. Circumcision does not profit the saved or the unsaved.

3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. True statement for those trying to justify themselves by the law.

4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. The “you” are those lost people trying to justify themselves by the law.

5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. Notice the “we” statement directed to believers.
 

Chris1975

Senior Member
Apr 27, 2017
2,492
517
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#6
Here’s my take. Notice the difference between the “you” statements and the “we” and “us” statements. Paul realizes that part of the audience could be lost.

1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Directed to the saved people in the audience.

2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. Circumcision does not profit the saved or the unsaved.

3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. True statement for those trying to justify themselves by the law.

4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. The “you” are those lost people trying to justify themselves by the law.

5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. Notice the “we” statement directed to believers.
Its directed to the church. The only time Paul uses "you" is when he is rebuking those who seem to be once again falling back to their old ways of which he (Paul) is not included. Did you see how many hoops you have to jump through to force fit your doctrine. Starts becoming comical, if it were not so dangerous.
 

Chris1975

Senior Member
Apr 27, 2017
2,492
517
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#7
4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. The “you” are those lost people trying to justify themselves by the law.
You trip yourself up over your own words. For if these people in your point number 4 above are the unbelievers, then how could they fall from GRACE.

See.
 

Chris1975

Senior Member
Apr 27, 2017
2,492
517
113
#8
Luke 8
13 But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away.
 

Whispered

Well-known member
Aug 17, 2019
4,551
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www.christiancourier.com
#9
2 Thessalonians 2
3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,

>Falling away - Apostasia

Word: apostasia
Pronounce: ap-os-tas-ee'-ah
Strongs Number: G646
Orig: feminine of the same as 647; defection from truth (properly, the state) ("apostasy"):--falling away, forsake. G647
Use: TDNT-1:513,88 Noun Feminine
Heb Strong: H1100 H4604 H4777 H7200

  1. 1) a falling away, defection, apostasy
Is it possible that this is ALREADY happening in the church?
Yes, and for some time now. Examples include those denominational churches that vote to enable LGBTQTS to marry in their church, serve church office , such as deacon or deaconess, and also permit civil unions.

New Church of England Archbishop Believes Christian Views on Sexuality Should Be Adapted 'To Fit Culture'
 

Chris1975

Senior Member
Apr 27, 2017
2,492
517
113
#10
1 Timothy 4
4 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,

>Examine yourselves. If you up to this point have been taught (and believe) a doctrine that says falling away from the faith is impossible, I implore you to re-examine yourself and your doctrine. God loves you. Its not too late to break down strongholds and come to the truth.
>As you are reading this, between you and God, sincerely ask the Holy Spirit to show you if there is any errors in your thinking and belief system. Humbling yourself and praying in sincerity, I believe God will show you.
 

Chris1975

Senior Member
Apr 27, 2017
2,492
517
113
#11
Hebrews 3
12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end,

>anyone lying to you on these forums that the above plain scriptures mean anything else than what is plainly written is a false teacher. Do not listen to the trickery of man. This above is the word of God.
>It is addressed to the church (brethren)
>Apostasy is possible (hence the warning)
>Sin is the trigger cause of the downfall. Don't let anybody tell you any different. God has been dealing with this issue in man from the Garden of Eden through to now. But He has given you the equipping if you will walk in it.
>Don't believe it when the false teachers tell you that salvations is a monetary decision and that you no longer need to remain in the faith or to continue believing. The above scriptures are very clear that you are to remain steadfast to the end.
>If you will continue in the faith you have nothing to worry about.
 

Chris1975

Senior Member
Apr 27, 2017
2,492
517
113
#12
Matthew 24
12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

>we are seeing a doctrine which shuns holiness and obedience. Don't submit yourselves to this doctrine. God is Holy. And we are called to Be Holy in all our conduct (1 Peter 1v16)
>God equates love and obedience. He says if you love me you will obey me. And we see above that the love of many will grow cold. Because this is evidenced in disobedience.
>This disobedience can lead to Apostasy and falling away. But the bible says that "he who ENDURES to the end SHALL BE SAVED". Don't listen to the false teachers who try to steer you away from perseverance and continuing faith. You see clearly written before your eyes "SHALL BE SAVED". We are positionally right with God the moment we believe, but we CONTINUE the journey without drawing back.
 

TheLearner

Well-known member
Jan 14, 2019
7,856
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Brighton, MI
#13
2 Thessalonians 2
3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,

>Falling away - Apostasia

Word: apostasia
Pronounce: ap-os-tas-ee'-ah
Strongs Number: G646
Orig: feminine of the same as 647; defection from truth (properly, the state) ("apostasy"):--falling away, forsake. G647
Use: TDNT-1:513,88 Noun Feminine
Heb Strong: H1100 H4604 H4777 H7200

  1. 1) a falling away, defection, apostasy
Is it possible that this is ALREADY happening in the church?

2 Thessalonians 2 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
Evil Things Will Happen
2 Brothers and sisters, we have something to say about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We want to talk to you about that time when we will meet together with him. 2 Don’t let yourselves be easily upset or worried if you hear that the day of the Lord has already come. Someone might say that this idea came from us—in something the Spirit told us, or in something we said, or in a letter we wrote. 3 Don’t be fooled by anything they might say. That day of the Lord will not come until the turning away from God happens. And that day will not come until the Man of Evil appears, the one who belongs to hell. 4 He will stand against and put himself above everything that people worship or think is worthy of worship. He will even go into God’s Temple and sit there, claiming that he is God.

5 I told you before that all these things would happen. Remember? 6 And you know what is stopping that Man of Evil now. He is being stopped now so that he will appear at the right time. 7 The secret power of evil is already working in the world now. But there is one who is stopping that secret power of evil. And he will continue to stop it until he is taken out of the way. 8 Then that Man of Evil will appear. But the Lord Jesus will kill him with the breath that comes from his mouth. The Lord will come in a way that everyone will see, and that will be the end of the Man of Evil.

9 When that Man of Evil comes, it will be the work of Satan. He will come with great power, and he will do all kinds of false miracles, signs, and wonders. 10 The Man of Evil will use every kind of evil to fool those who are lost. They are lost because they refused to love the truth and be saved. 11 So God will send them something powerful that leads them away from the truth and causes them to believe a lie. 12 They will all be condemned because they did not believe the truth and because they enjoyed doing evil.

You Are Chosen for Salvation
13 Brothers and sisters, you are people the Lord loves. And we always thank God for you. That’s what we should do, because God chose you to be some of the first people[c] to be saved. You are saved by the Spirit making you holy and by your faith in the truth. 14 God chose you to have that salvation. He chose you by using the Good News that we told you. You were chosen so that you can share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So, brothers and sisters, stand strong and continue to believe the teachings we gave you when we were there and by letter.

16-17 We pray that the Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father will comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say. God loved us and gave us through his grace a wonderful hope and comfort that has no end.
 

Chris1975

Senior Member
Apr 27, 2017
2,492
517
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#14
Hebrews 10
38 Now the just shall live by faith;
But if anyone draws back,
My soul has no pleasure in him.”

39 But we are not of those who draw back to [o]perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.

>Do you see the scriptures above. The JUST (those who are justified) shall live by faith. It doesn't say the JUST believed once upon a time. Its an ONGOING LIVE BY FAITH.
>Once again, scripture confirms scripture - the possibility, risk and warning of drawing back from the faith is there for all to see.
>There is SERIOUS judgement on those who draw back. It is loss of salvation, as per verse 39. Don't let false teachers tell you any other way from what is plainly written before your eyes in English.
 

TheLearner

Well-known member
Jan 14, 2019
7,856
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Brighton, MI
#15
Yes, and for some time now. Examples include those denominational churches that vote to enable LGBTQTS to marry in their church, serve church office , such as deacon or deaconess, and also permit civil unions.

New Church of England Archbishop Believes Christian Views on Sexuality Should Be Adapted 'To Fit Culture'
Luke 8 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
The Group With Jesus
8 The next day, Jesus traveled through some cities and small towns. Jesus told the people a message from God, the Good News about God’s kingdom. The twelve apostles were with him. 2 There were also some women with him. Jesus had healed these women of sicknesses and evil spirits. One of them was Mary, who was called Magdalene. Seven demons had come out of her. 3 Also with these women were Joanna, the wife of Chuza (the manager of Herod’s property), Susanna, and many other women. These women used their own money to help Jesus and his apostles.

A Story About a Farmer Sowing Seed
4 A large crowd came together. People came to Jesus from every town, and he told them this story:

5 “A farmer went out to sow seed. While he was scattering the seed, some of it fell beside the road. People walked on the seed, and the birds ate it all. 6 Other seed fell on rock. It began to grow but then died because it had no water. 7 Some other seed fell among thorny weeds. This seed grew, but later the weeds stopped the plants from growing. 8 The rest of the seed fell on good ground. This seed grew and made 100 times more grain.”

Jesus finished the story. Then he called out, “You people who hear me, listen!”

9 Jesus’ followers asked him, “What does this story mean?”

10 He said, “You have been chosen to know the secret truths about God’s kingdom. But I use stories to speak to other people. I do this so that

‘They will look,
but they will not see,
and they will listen,
but they will not understand.’

Jesus Explains the Story About Seed
11 “This is what the story means: The seed is God’s teaching. 12 Some people are like the seed that fell beside the path. They hear God’s teaching, but then the devil comes and causes them to stop thinking about it. This keeps them from believing it and being saved. 13 Others are like the seed that fell on rock. That is like the people who hear God’s teaching and gladly accept it. But they don’t have deep roots. They believe for a while. But when trouble comes, they turn away from God.

14 “What about the seed that fell among the thorny weeds? That is like the people who hear God’s teaching, but they let the worries, riches, and pleasures of this life stop them from growing. So they never produce a crop.[a] 15 And what about the seed that fell on the good ground? That is like the people who hear God’s teaching with a good, honest heart. They obey it and patiently produce a good crop.

Use the Understanding You Have
16 “No one lights a lamp and then covers it with a bowl or hides it under a bed. Instead, they put the lamp on a lampstand so that the people who come in will have enough light to see. 17 Everything that is hidden will become clear. Every secret thing will be made known, and everyone will see it. 18 So think carefully about what you are hearing. The people who have some understanding will receive more. But those who do not have understanding will lose even what they think they have.”

Jesus’ Followers Are His True Family
19 Jesus’ mother and brothers came to visit him. But they could not get close to him, because there were so many people. 20 Someone said to Jesus, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside. They want to see you.”

21 Jesus answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who listen to God’s teaching and obey it.”

Jesus’ Followers See His Power
22 One day Jesus and his followers got into a boat. He said to them, “Come with me across the lake.” And so they started across. 23 While they were sailing, Jesus slept. A big storm blew across the lake, and the boat began to fill with water. They were in danger. 24 The followers went to Jesus and woke him. They said, “Master! Master! We will drown!”

Jesus got up. He gave a command to the wind and the waves. The wind stopped, and the lake became calm. 25 He said to his followers, “Where is your faith?”

They were afraid and amazed. They said to each other, “What kind of man is this? He commands the wind and the water, and they obey him.”

Jesus Frees a Man From Evil Spirits
26 Jesus and his followers sailed on across the lake. They sailed to the area where the Gerasene people live, across from Galilee. 27 When Jesus got out of the boat, a man from that town came to him. This man had demons inside him. For a long time he had worn no clothes. He did not live in a house but in the caves where the dead are buried.

28-29 The demon inside the man had often seized him, and he had been put in jail with his hands and feet in chains. But he would always break the chains. The demon inside him would force him to go out to the places where no one lived. Jesus commanded the evil spirit to come out of the man. When the man saw Jesus, he fell down before him, shouting loudly, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Please, don’t punish me!”

30 Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”

The man answered, “Legion.” (He said his name was “Legion” because many demons had gone into him.) 31 The demons begged Jesus not to send them into the bottomless pit.[c] 32 On that hill there was a big herd of pigs eating. The demons begged Jesus to allow them to go into the pigs. So he allowed them to do this. 33 Then the demons came out of the man and went into the pigs. The herd of pigs ran down the hill into the lake, and all were drowned.

34 The men who were caring for the pigs ran away and told the story in the fields and in the town. 35 People went out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus and found the man sitting there at the feet of Jesus. The man had clothes on and was in his right mind again; the demons were gone. This made the people afraid. 36 The men who saw these things happen told the others all about how Jesus made the man well. 37 All those who lived in the area around Gerasa asked Jesus to go away because they were afraid.

So Jesus got into the boat to go back to Galilee. 38 The man he had healed begged to go with him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 “Go back home and tell people what God did for you.”

So the man went all over town telling what Jesus had done for him.

Jesus Gives Life to a Dead Girl and Heals a Sick Woman
40 When Jesus went back to Galilee, the people welcomed him. Everyone was waiting for him. 41-42 A man named Jairus came to him. He was a leader of the synagogue. He had only one daughter. She was twelve years old, and she was dying. So Jairus bowed down at the feet of Jesus and begged him to come to his house.

While Jesus was going to Jairus’ house, the people crowded all around him. 43 A woman was there who had been bleeding for twelve years. She had spent all her money on doctors,[d] but no doctor was able to heal her. 44 The woman came behind Jesus and touched the bottom of his coat. At that moment, her bleeding stopped. 45 Then Jesus said, “Who touched me?”

They all said they had not touched him. And Peter said, “Master, people are all around you, pushing against you.”

46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me. I felt power go out from me.” 47 When the woman saw that she could not hide, she came forward, shaking. She bowed down before Jesus. While everyone listened, she told why she touched him. Then she said that she was healed immediately when she touched him. 48 Jesus said to her, “My daughter, you are made well because you believed. Go in peace.”

49 While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of the synagogue leader and said, “Your daughter has died! Don’t bother the Teacher anymore.”

50 Jesus heard this and said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid! Just believe and your daughter will be well.”

51 Jesus went to the house. He let only Peter, John, James, and the girl’s father and mother go inside with him. 52 Everyone was crying and feeling sad because the girl was dead. But Jesus said, “Don’t cry. She is not dead. She is only sleeping.”

53 The people laughed at him, because they knew that the girl was dead. 54 But Jesus held her hand and called to her, “Little girl, stand up!” 55 Her spirit came back into her, and she stood up immediately. Jesus said, “Give her something to eat.” 56 The girl’s parents were amazed. He told them not to tell anyone about what happened.
 

TheLearner

Well-known member
Jan 14, 2019
7,856
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Brighton, MI
#16
1 Timothy 4
4 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,

>Examine yourselves. If you up to this point have been taught (and believe) a doctrine that says falling away from the faith is impossible, I implore you to re-examine yourself and your doctrine. God loves you. Its not too late to break down strongholds and come to the truth.
>As you are reading this, between you and God, sincerely ask the Holy Spirit to show you if there is any errors in your thinking and belief system. Humbling yourself and praying in sincerity, I believe God will show you.
1 Timothy 4 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
A Warning About False Teachers
4 The Spirit clearly says that in the last times some will turn away from what we believe. They will obey spirits that tell lies. And they will follow the teachings of demons. 2 Those teachings come through people who tell lies and trick others. These evil people cannot see what is right and what is wrong. It is like their conscience has been destroyed with a hot iron. 3 They say that it is wrong to marry. And they say that there are some foods that people must not eat. But God made these foods, and those who believe and who understand the truth can eat them with thanks. 4 Everything that God made is good. Nothing he made should be refused if it is accepted with thanks to him. 5 Everything he created is made holy by what he has said and by prayer.

Be a Good Servant of Christ Jesus
6 Tell this to the brothers and sisters there. This will show that you are a good servant of Christ Jesus. You will show that you are made strong by the words of faith and good teaching you have followed. 7 People tell silly stories that don’t agree with God’s truth. Don’t follow what these stories teach. But teach yourself to be devoted to God. 8 Training your body helps you in some ways. But devotion to God helps you in every way. It brings you blessings in this life and in the future life too. 9 Here is a true statement that should be accepted without question: 10 We hope in the living God, the Savior of all people. In particular, he is the Savior of all those who believe in him. This is why we work and struggle.

11 Command and teach these things. 12 You are young, but don’t let anyone treat you as if you are not important. Be an example to show the believers how they should live. Show them by what you say, by the way you live, by your love, by your faith, and by your pure life.

13 Continue to read the Scriptures to the people, encourage them, and teach them. Do this until I come. 14 Remember to use the gift you have, which was given to you through a prophecy[a] when the group of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Continue to do these things. Give your life to doing them. Then everyone can see that your work is progressing. 16 Be careful in your life and in your teaching. Continue to live and teach rightly. Then you will save yourself and those who listen to your teaching.
 

TheLearner

Well-known member
Jan 14, 2019
7,856
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Brighton, MI
#17
Hebrews 3
12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end,

>anyone lying to you on these forums that the above plain scriptures mean anything else than what is plainly written is a false teacher. Do not listen to the trickery of man. This above is the word of God.
>It is addressed to the church (brethren)
>Apostasy is possible (hence the warning)
>Sin is the trigger cause of the downfall. Don't let anybody tell you any different. God has been dealing with this issue in man from the Garden of Eden through to now. But He has given you the equipping if you will walk in it.
>Don't believe it when the false teachers tell you that salvations is a monetary decision and that you no longer need to remain in the faith or to continue believing. The above scriptures are very clear that you are to remain steadfast to the end.
>If you will continue in the faith you have nothing to worry about.
Hebrews 3 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
Jesus Is Greater Than Moses
3 So, my brothers and sisters, those chosen by God to be his holy people, think about Jesus. He is the one we believe God sent to save us and to be our high priest. 2 God made him our high priest, and he was faithful to God just as Moses was. He did everything God wanted him to do in God’s house. 3 When someone builds a house, people will honor the builder more than the house. It is the same with Jesus. He should have more honor than Moses. 4 Every house is built by someone, but God built everything. 5 Moses was faithful as a servant in God’s whole house. He told people what God would say in the future. 6 But Christ is faithful in ruling God’s house as the Son. And we are God’s house, if we remain confident of the great hope we are glad to say we have.

We Must Continue to Follow God
7 So it is just as the Holy Spirit says:

“If you hear God’s voice today,
8 don’t be stubborn as you were in the past,
when you turned against God.
That was the day you tested God in the desert.
9 For 40 years in the desert, your people saw what I did.
But they tested me and my patience.
10 So I was angry with them.
I said, ‘Their thoughts are always wrong.
They have never understood my ways.’
11 So I was angry and made a promise:
‘They will never enter my place of rest.’”
12 So, brothers and sisters, be careful that none of you has the evil thoughts that cause so much doubt that you stop following the living God. 13 But encourage each other every day, while you still have something called “today.[a]” Help each other so that none of you will be fooled by sin and become too hard to change. 14 We have the honor of sharing in all that Christ has if we continue until the end to have the sure faith we had in the beginning. 15 That’s why the Spirit said,

“If you hear God’s voice today,
don’t be stubborn as in the past
when you turned against God.”
16 Who were those who heard God’s voice and turned against him? It was all the people Moses led out of Egypt. 17 And who was God angry with for 40 years? He was angry with those who sinned. And their dead bodies were left in the desert. 18 And which people was God talking to when he promised that they would never enter his place of rest? He was talking to those who did not obey him. 19 So we see that they were not allowed to enter and have God’s rest, because they did not believe.
 

Chris1975

Senior Member
Apr 27, 2017
2,492
517
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#18
Hebrews 6
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.

>you can all read what is plainly written. Trust the words that you read.
 

TheLearner

Well-known member
Jan 14, 2019
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#19
2 John Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
1 Greetings from the Elder.[a]

To the lady[b] chosen by God and to her children.

I truly love all of you. And I am not the only one. All those who know the truth[c] love you in the same way. 2 We love you because of the truth—the truth that lives in us. That truth will be with us forever.

3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and from his Son, Jesus Christ, as we live in truth and love.

4 I was very happy to learn about some of your children. I am happy that they are following the way of truth, just as the Father commanded us. 5 And now, dear lady, I tell you: We should all love each other. This is not a new command. It is the same command we had from the beginning. 6 And loving means living the way he commanded us to live. And God’s command is this: that you live a life of love. You heard this command from the beginning.

7 Many false teachers are in the world now. They refuse to say that Jesus Christ came to earth and became a man. Anyone who refuses to accept this fact is a false teacher and the enemy of Christ. 8 Be careful! Don’t lose the reward we[d] have worked for. Be careful so that you will receive all of that reward.

9 Everyone must continue to follow only the teaching about Christ. Whoever changes that teaching does not have God. But whoever continues to follow the teaching about Christ has both the Father and his Son. 10 Don’t accept those who come to you but do not bring this teaching. Don’t invite them into your house. Don’t welcome them in any way. 11 If you do, you are helping them with their evil work.

12 I have much to say to you. But I don’t want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come visit you. Then we can be together and talk. That will make us very happy. 13 The children of your sister[e] who was chosen by God send you their love.
 

TheLearner

Well-known member
Jan 14, 2019
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#20
Hebrews 6
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.

>you can all read what is plainly written. Trust the words that you read.
That does not prove an universal apostasy.