Page 33 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

APOLLONIA - APOSTASY

that given by God’s prophet Jeremiah (Je. 38:1-4). God APOLOGETICS. To speak in defense of God and
warned the Israelites to submit to Nebuchadnezzar Bible truth. [See Adam, Apostasy, Apostate, Bible, Bible
rather than to resist, because the Babylonian captivity Versions, Canon, Daniel, Evolution, Fable, False Prophet,
and destruction of Israel was a judgment from God False Teaching, Flood, Foolish Questions,
upon the Jew’s rebellion and idolatry. Fundamentalism, Heresy, Heretic, Inspiration, Isaiah,
THE KING JAMES BIBLE AND THE APOCRYPHA. It is Jesus Christ, Jonah, Modernism, New Evangelicalism,
true that early editions of the KJV (as well as many Preservation, Prophecy, Red Sea, Separation, Star,
other Reformation Bibles, including the German Luther Timothy, Tyre, Zidon.]
Bible) contained the Apocrypha, but these books were APOSTASY. Desertion of the faith (1 Ti. 4:1; 2 Ti.
included for historical reference only, not as additions to 4:3-4). The English word “apostasy” is derived from the
the canon of Scripture. Alexander McClure, a Greek word apostasia, which means a falling away,
biographer of the KJV translators, says: “...the abandonment. This Greek word is translated “falling
Apocryphal books in those times were more read and away” (2 Th. 2:3), “forsake” (Acts 21:21), and
accounted of than now, though by no means placed on a “divorcement” (Mt. 19:7).
level with the canonical books of Scripture” (McClure, “The English word ‘apostasy’ is derived from the
Translators Revived, p. 185). He then lists seven reasons Greek noun ‘apostasia,’ which is a composite of a
assigned by the KJV translators for rejecting the preposition and a noun. The preposition ‘apo’ means
Apocrypha as inspired. The Thirty-nine Articles of the ‘the separation of a part from the whole, the separation
Church of England clearly states that the Apocrypha of one thing from another by which the union or
have no scriptural authority. “...[the Church of England] fellowship of the two is destroyed.’ The noun ‘stasis’
doth not apply to them to establish any doctrine.” The means ‘a standing, station or state; to stand, exist, have
Westminster Confession says, “The books commonly stability.’ When combined, these words form the noun
called Apocrypha, not being of divine inspiration, are no ‘apostasia,’ which, according to Thayer’s Greek-English
part of the canon of the Scripture; and therefore are of Lexicon, means ‘leaving one position and moving to
no authority in the Church of God, nor to be any another.’ Webster defines it as it relates to religion as
otherwise approved, or made use of, than other human ‘abandonment of what one has voluntarily professed;
writings." Luther included a note on the Apocrypha total desertion of principles of faith’” (James Henry, For
which stated, “These are books not to be held in equal Such a Time As This, pp. 200-201). This term is
esteem with those of Holy Scripture...” commonly used by Christians to describe a turning away
It is important to note that in the early King James from true Bible doctrine. The Bible teaches that apostasy
Bibles the Apocryphal books were placed between the among professing Christians will increase as the age
Old and New Testaments rather than intermingled progresses and the coming of Christ draws nigh. This
within the O.T. itself as is done in Catholic Bibles. In the apostasy will culminate in a worldwide apostate
Jerusalem Bible (a Catholic Bible), for example, Tobit, religious entity (2 Ti. 3:1-13; 4:1-5; 1 Ti. 4:1-5; Jude;
Judith, and the Maccabees follow Nehemiah; the Book Re. 17-18).
of Wisdom and Ecclesiasticus follow Ecclesiastes; End-time Apostasy Is an Important Bible Doctrine:
Baruch follows Lamentations; etc. New Testament prophecy describes two separate
Conclusion: Though some of the Apocryphal books do streams of “Christianity” operating side by side
have historical value, giving information regarding the throughout the church age. First, there will be true
inter-testament “quiet years” prior to the coming of apostolic churches, against which the gates of hell shall
Christ, there is no justification for giving these a place in not prevail. They will be persecuted, hated, despised,
the Holy Scripture. Their proper place is on the same yet they will continue century by century until Christ’s
level as (if not lower than) the writings of the historian return. The Lord Jesus promised His faithful ones: “Lo, I
Josephesus or of some other uninspired writer of that am with you alway, EVEN TO THE END OF THE
period. [The Epistle of Barnabas and the Shepherd of WORLD” (Matthew 28:20). Second, there will be
Hermas are dealt with under Pseudepigrapha.] [See also apostate churches, which will increase in number and
Bible, Inspiration.] grow worse and worse as the centuries pass. Consider
APOLLONIA (destroyer, destruction). Ac. 17:1. the following Scriptures—Mt. 24:4,11, 24; Ac.
APOLLOS (destroyer, laying waste). A leader in the 20:29-30; 2 Th. 2:3-8; 1 Ti. 4:1-3; 2 Ti. 3:13; 4:3-4; 2
early church (Ac. 18:24-28; 1 Co. 1:12; 3:4-6; 4:6; Pe. 2:1-3; Jude 3-4; Re. 17.
16:12; Tit. 3:13). The parables of Christ in Matthew 13 depict the
APOLLYON (destroyer). The angel of the bottomless course of this present “church age,” and they describe a
pit (Re. 9:11). progression of apostasy. The parable of the leaven, for
example, depicts a woman putting leaven into three

Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity 33