Page 34 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

APOSTATE - APOSTLE

measures of meal, “till the whole was leavened.” Leaven Mother of Harlots, Presbyterian, Prophecy, Revelation,
in Scripture stands for sin and error (1 Co. 5:6; Ga. Roman Catholic Church, Separation, Timothy, World
5:9). Thus the parable tells us that the error which was Council of Churches.]
introduced by false teachers even during the days of the APOSTATE. One who turns away from the true
Apostles will gradually increase through the centuries Christian faith to follow false teachings. Though the
until the entire religious system is leavened. The word apostasy is not used in the English Bible, the
ultimate fulfillment of this is in Revelation 17. Greek word apostasia appears in two passages. In Ac.
The apostasy began during the lives of the apostles 21:21 apostasia is translated “to forsake,” and refers to
and has steadily increased through the centuries. John forsaking the law of Moses. In 2 Th. 2:3 apostasia is
wrote, “Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have translated “falling away,” and refers to the great
heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there apostasy from the N.T. faith which will occur throughout
many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last Christendom before Christ’s return. Other passages use
time” (1 Jn. 2:18). John taught that there will be a different terms to describe this same phenomenon. See
future antichrist, singular; but he is preceded by many 2 Ti. 3:1-13; 1 Ti. 4:1-3; 2 Pe. 2:1—3:16; 2 Jn. 7; Jude
antichrists, plural. We believe the antichrist, singular, 4-19. [See Adam, Anglican Church, Apostasy, Bible,
refers to the man of sin who will rule the end-time Church, Doctrine, Ecumenical Movement, Episcopal,
kingdom described in Da. 9-11; Mt. 24:15; 2 Th. 2:3-12; Fable, False Prophet, False Teaching, Foolish Questions,
and Re. 13. The antichrists, plural, refer to all who Fundamentalism, Heresy, Inspiration, Lutheran,
reject apostolic truth in favor of satanic deception and Methodist, Modernism Mother of Harlots, New
man-made tradition. Thus the “antichrist” is both a man Evangelicalism, Presbyterian, Prophecy, Revelation,
and a system; it is both one man, and many men. It is in Roman Catholic Church, Separation, Timothy, Unity,
this latter sense that the popes throughout history are World Council of Churches.]
identified with antichrist. APOSTLE (sent forth). The term “apostle” means one
Another passage which teaches the same truth is 2 who is sent, or a messenger. There are three usages of
Th. 2:7-8. “For the mystery of iniquity doth already the term “apostle” in the N.T. (1) The Lord Jesus Christ
work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken (He. 3:1). Jesus was sent from God the Father into the
out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, world to provide redemption for mankind. (2) The
whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his twelve men who were chosen by Christ to lay the
mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his foundation of the church (Lk. 6:13-16; Ep. 2:20). After
coming.” In the days of the Apostles the “mystery of Judas betrayed the Lord and hung himself, the eleven
iniquity” was already working, and it will culminate in remaining Apostles selected a man to replace him (Ac.
the promotion of the man of sin, the Wicked One, the 1:15-26). Later we find that Paul was selected directly
Antichrist, who will assume the throne of this world for by Christ to be an apostle (1 Co. 15:7-9; 2 Co. 12:11-12;
a brief span. We are told that the culmination of this will Ga. 1:1). (3) Christian workers in general (2 Co. 8:23;
not occur until just prior to the return of Christ, because Ac. 14:14; Ph. 2:25). The Greek word translated
the Wicked One will be destroyed “with the brightness “apostle” (apostolos) is also translated “messenger” and
of his coming.” The “mystery of iniquity” is that “minister,” and is used to refer to Christian workers
program of evil whereby the devil is attempting to other than the Twelve. Christian workers were sent by
corrupt the churches of Jesus Christ by sowing tares and the Lord from the churches to particular ministries..
apostasy. It is associated with “Mystery Babylon the Marks of the Twelve Apostles: (1) They were chosen
Great” in Revelation 17. personally by Christ (Acts 22:14; Lk. 6:13-16; Ga. 1:1).
We see the direct fulfillment of these prophecies in (2) They had seen the resurrected Christ (Ac. 22:14; 1:22;
“Christianity” today. It is evident in heretical bodies such 1 Co. 9:1; 15:7-9). (3) They received their message by
as the Roman Catholic Church and the liberal World direct revelation from God rather than being taught by
Council of Churches denominations, none of which are men (Acts 22:14; Ga. 1:11-12). (4) They could impart
founded directly and exclusively upon the apostolic spiritual power and gifts to others (Ac. 8:17-19; 2 Ti.
Faith or the apostolic church pattern. It is also evident in 1:6). (5) They had special signs to authenticate their
the ecumenical movement, which is calling for unity in message (2 Co. 12:12; Ac. 2:43; 4:33; 5:12). (6) They
diversity at the expense of Biblical truth and which is had the same authority as O.T. prophets (2 Pe. 3:2). (7)
breaking down the walls of separation between truth They wrote Scripture (2 Pe. 3:15, 16).
and error. [See Apostate for Greek word study.] [See Are There Apostles in This Special Sense Today? For the
also Anglican, Apostate, Church, Doctrine, Ecumenical following reasons we know there are not apostles today
Movement, Episcopal, False Teaching, Fable, Foolish in the same sense as the twelve chosen by Christ in the
Questions, Heresy, Inspiration, Lutheran, Methodist, early churches: (1) No one today qualifies to be such an

34 Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity