In case you are not familiar with the biblical concept of apostasy, the word generally refers to a falling away from belief in God (it seems that most any Bible dictionary can provide that much of a definition for you; further understanding should be found through a careful review of the Scriptures, particularly some that I will mention below).
They are exciting moments when God chooses to reveal to us more of who He is, what He has done, and what He requires of us. When God helps us to better understand His Word and to better appreciate what a magnificent gift His Word is for our souls, it is very refreshing. Within the last six months, I have been blessed through several means with an increased understanding of the biblical truth relating to apostasy. I now understand better its reality and its implications for the people of God. For instance, I now grasp that the only way to properly accept the Bible’s teaching on apostasy is to also accept the Bible’s teaching on God’s covenantal dealings with His people.
A fundamental premise here is that when the Bible refers to apostasy, the reference is to something real; God is not using scare tactics via hypothetical threats. Those who reject the sacrifice of Christ, after partaking of the blessings of covenant membership, are cut off from the Vine. Though they had genuinely tasted the heavenly gifts, their rejection and everlasting punishment are real. Helpful Scripture passages include Hebrews 6 and 10. Additionally, I recently heard a Reformed Baptist pastor in England preach for 45 minutes to an hour on the reality of apostasy, and his base text was 1 Samuel 16:14 regarding the Spirit’s departure from Saul. Other helpful texts include Galatians 5:4 with reference to falling from grace, and 2 Peter 2:20 with reference to being entangled and overcome with the pollutions of the world. Romans 11 and John 15 speak of branches being cut off and cast away due to their being faithless and therefore fruitless. There are several other relevant passages that are not mentioned here.
As a qualifier, let me clearly but briefly say that those to whom God grants saving grace will persevere in the faith by the Spirit’s preserving power. Our instructions are to make our calling and election sure by seeking to glorify God and enjoy Him in all things at all times. We are called to stand fast in the faith. Those in whom fear is a right response here are sluggish or “carnal” Christians who have previously been comfortable with laziness and compromise, those whose lives testify to unbelief. However, fear at this point should be seen as a blessing, an opportunity to repent rather than harden your heart toward truth. A right fear of God upon reflecting on the Scriptures relating to apostasy is an appropriate motivation to repent and trust in Christ and walk uprightly before God according to His Word.
Now, we move on to a further premise and conclusion. Apostasy is real; the Covenants of God since the fall have included and do include some who eventually reject the Covenant and are punished accordingly. Therefore, the newness of the New Covenant does not presently include a perfect church, a community of wheat without tares. Indeed, we need only to acknowledge the biblical process commonly called church discipline in order to see how the church is to deal with unrepentant sinners, by cutting them off from the covenant community, excommunication.
Some add human imagination to God’s revealed will and seek to bar those from entry who cannot prove beyond reasonable doubt that they are faithful Christians. Some would promote the practice of skepticism toward those who should rightfully be admitted to full covenant membership, but this is completely unwarranted and even ungodly. These erring brethren fail to grasp God’s covenantal dealings and His promises to His people, for instance, to the children of believers. The practice of excluding the children of believers from all or part of covenant membership on the basis that they may one day reject the faith and taint the purity of the New Covenant community is not Scripturally founded.
The reality of apostasy is detrimental for those who would exclude covenant children, because apostasy testifies so strongly to the objectivity of the Covenant. It is this biblically established objectivity of God’s covenantal dealings which so soundly rebukes those who would deny all or part of covenant membership to the children of believers.
Please know that my aim here is not to offend anyone. My desire is to stir you, a necessary agitation. I desire that you approach the Word of God with a truly inquisitive mind seeking to have that mind renewed and to be transformed by His grace to better reflect His glory.
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