What is Apostasy and How to Recognize It
Apostasy, from the Greek word apostasia, means “a total desertion of, or departure from, one’s faith, principles, or party”; in theology, it is defined as “a total abandonment of the Christian faith” (The Century Dictionary, vol. I, p. 265). It is a turning away from God, a rejection of core doctrine, and a separation from the people of God. The apostles addressed apostasy in the early church, and the battle against apostasy has continued through the years. Today, sadly, some still choose to totally abandon their Christian faith.
Forms and Examples of Apostasy
Apostasy comes in two forms. One is a falling away from key biblical doctrines into heretical teachings that claim to be the “real” Christian doctrine. The second is a complete renunciation of the Christian faith, which results in a full abandonment of Christ. The second form of apostasy often begins with the first; a heretical belief takes root and grows until it pollutes all aspects of a person’s faith, and that can lead to a complete abandonment of Christianity.
Historical and biblical instances highlight this departure:
- Old Testament: Every time Israel fell into idolatry, it was an example of apostasy (see Judges 2:11–13).
- New Testament: Onetime followers of Jesus turned their backs on Him (John 6:66).
- Individual Desertion: Demas, “because he loved this world,” deserted Paul (2 Timothy 4:10).
Recognizing Apostasy and False Teachers
As A. W. Tozer wrote, “So skilled is error at imitating truth, that the two are constantly being mistaken for each another. It takes a sharp eye these days to know which brother is Cain and which is Abel” (That Incredible Christian, Bailey, A., ed., Moody, 2008, ch. 14, p. 53). The discerning believer—and we all must be discerning—can spot doctrines that depart from the truth.
A crucial doctrine that cannot be compromised concerns the person and work of Jesus Christ. According to 1 John 2:22, “Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son.” In other words, Jesus Christ and His work of redemption are of utmost importance; anyone who denies Jesus’ deity or humanity or who downplays Jesus’ sacrificial death is teaching falsehood.
The following table summarizes key tests for identifying apostasy based on biblical teachings:
| Litmus Test | Biblical Standard | Indicator of Apostasy |
|---|---|---|
| Doctrine of Christ | Remains in the teaching of Christ (2 John 1:9). | Denying Jesus’ deity, humanity, or sacrificial death. |
| The Gospel Message | Jesus’ death for our sins and His bodily resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1–4). | Perverting the gospel through the addition of law-keeping (Galatians 1:7). |
| Scriptural Fidelity | Accepting the gospel as originally preached. | Preaching a gospel other than what was accepted (Galatians 1:9). |
The Danger of Unnoticed Apostates
One of the most disturbing findings is that some apostates maintain their pastoral positions. In 2010, Daniel Dennett and Linda LaScola published a study called “Preachers Who Are Not Believers,” which chronicled five different preachers who over time accepted heretical teachings and completely departed from the faith. These pastors ended up being either pantheists or clandestine atheists, yet they led their churches while their congregations were unaware of the true spiritual state of the preacher in the pulpit.
The Call to Contend Earnestly
Jude, the half-brother of Jesus and a leader in the early church, strongly urges those in the body of Christ to “contend earnestly for the faith” (Jude 1:3, NKJV). The Greek verb translated “contend earnestly” is the source of our word agonize. It is in the present infinitive form, which means that the struggle will be continuous. Every Christian is called to this fight, not just church leaders, so all believers should sharpen their discernment skills to recognize and combat apostasy in their midst. We must be vigilant because “certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation.”