The Expansion of Apostasy
Part 6 – How To Deal With Apostates
Pastor David L. Brown,
Ph.D.
Sermon Delivered 10/19/03
Review
We began this series by looking at the definition of
Apostasy. Apostasy is defined as the deliberate renunciation
and abandonment of the Christian faith. We saw that apostasy began
shortly after the founding of the New Testament Church. In
Acts
20:29-30 Paul warned of coming apostates after his departure – "For I
know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among
you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men
arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them." In
fact, apostates were corrupting the Word of God in Paul’s Day.
2
Corinthians 2:17 says, "For we are not as many, which corrupt the
word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God
speak we in Christ."
Next, we looked that the Four Dimensions of Apostasy.
These are four key ways which apostasy makes inroads into the professing
Church. They are…
- The Rejection of God’s Authority as
illustrated in "the gainsaying of Core." (Jude 11)
- The Rejection of God’s Grace as illustrated
"the way of Cain." (Jude 11)
- The Rejection of God’s Standards as
illustrated by "the error of Balaam for reward." (Jude 11)
- The Rejection of God’s True Church as
illustrated by Jezebel (Revelation 2:20-23).
This is the sixth and last message in the Apostasy
series. The title is How To Deal With Apostates.
- Know Their Tactics &
Motivation
Turn with me to 2 Peter 2:1-3 "But there were
false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false
teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even
denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift
destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by
reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And
through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of
you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation
slumbereth not."
- Tactic #1 – Stealth Infiltration
"But there were false prophets also among the people,
even as there shall be false teachers among you…" Verse 1
The Greek word underlying the phrase false prophets
is qeudoprofhthv
pseudoprophetes (5578). The word "pseudo" means false. So what you have
here is a preacher who is an imposter, and a pretender. Then there are the
false teachers or
qeudodidaskalov pseudodidaskalos (psyoo-do-did-as’-kal-os;
5572). They are both propagators of erroneous Christian teaching.
However, they are real good impersonators. Their tactic is to infiltrate
into Christian homes and Christian Churches secretly and little by little
spread their error. Jude points this out in verse 4 -- "For there are
certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this
condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into
lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ."
Jude 1:4. Turn you attention to the phrase "crept in unawares."
It is one word in the Greek --
pareisdunw pareisduno (par-ice-doo’-no;
3921), which means to settle in alongside unnoticed; lodge stealthily; to
enter secretly.
So what is the point? False teachers and preachers do
not wear signs that say, "BEWARE: I AM A FALSE TEACHER & I AM HERE TO
DECIEVE YOU. They come in among us and present themselves as holy,
knowledgeable, righteous, humble, and self-denying men that people might
be off guard and receive their lies. Outwardly they feign godliness.
- Tactic #2 – Gradual Deception
"…who privily shall bring in damnable heresies…" Verse 1b
What does it mean to "privily bring
in" damnable heresies?" The phrase privily bring in
comes from the Greek word pareisagw
pareisago (par-ice-ag’-o; 3919) which means to introduce or bring
in secretly or craftily. Little by little they worm their ways into the
confidence of people. Then, gradually they present their spurious (fake or
counterfeit) teachings under erroneous pretences and appearances of truth,
using the hidden things of dishonesty, handling the Word of God
deceitfully, and coloring things with false gloss and feigned words. Paul
warned the Ephesian believers about this tactic.
Ephesians 4:14
"That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and
carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men,
and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to
deceive;"
"Through covetousness…" Verse 3a
This verse reveals the primary character flaw of wolves
in sheep’s clothing, false teachers or apostates. They are motivated by
covetousness! Dr. John Gill gives us some insight into this. He notes
–
"A prevailing vice among false teachers [is] they
have no other end in view than themselves; either to gain popular
applause and vain glory, which they are always covetous of; or to
amass riches to themselves, after which they have an insatiable
desire.
Let me simplify what old Dr. Gill was saying. False
teachers focus on themselves. They yearn for public attention, recognition
and power. They will go to great lengths, and develop intricate schemes to
get money.
- Tactic #3 – Relentless Rationalizations In Support of
Their Spurious Teachings
"Through covetousness shall they with feigned words
make merchandise of you:" Verse 3b
How do apostates deceive people? They use feigned
words. The word feigned is a translation of the
Greek word plastov
plastos (plas-tos’; 4112) from where we get our word plastic.
Apostate teachers twist words like plastic for the purpose of promoting
their own agendas and manipulating people. People are merely pawns to be
used to advance an apostates own selfish agenda. And, the words don’t
quit! They keep chipping away with their rationalizations. However
Proverbs 10:19 warns "In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin:
but he that refraineth his lips is wise." Because they are so good
at twisting words, it makes it very difficult to expose their errors.
I am reminded what the Apostle Paul had to say about
these divisive individuals. "For they that are such serve not our Lord
Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches
deceive the hearts of the simple (trusting)."
Romans 16:18
Our Response To
Apostates
Romans 16:17 "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them
which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have
learned; and avoid them."
2 Thessalonians 3:6 "Now we command you, brethren,
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves
from every brother that walketh disorderly, (deviating from the prescribed
order or rule) and not after
the tradition (precepts; teachings) which he received of us."
1 Timothy 6:4-5 "He is proud, knowing nothing, but
doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife,
railings, evil surmisings, 5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt
minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness:
from such withdraw thyself."
Titus 3:10-11 "A man that is an heretic (one who
causes divisions) after the first and second admonition reject
(shun; avoid); 11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted
(twisted, corrupt), and sinneth, being condemned of himself."
2 John 1:9-11 "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth
not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the
doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If
there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him
not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds."
It is clear that once an apostate false teacher is
uncovered fellowship is to cease.
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