Introduction
The word apostasy is both fascinating and timely. According to the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, it is defined as:
- Renunciation of a religious faith
- Abandonment of a previous loyalty; defection
Its linguistic roots trace back to Middle English, Late Latin, and ultimately to the Greek word apostasia, meaning “revolt.” Derived from aphistasthai—“to stand away”—this term paints a powerful picture: turning away from a once-held position.
And that’s when it hit me—apostasy is not just a historical term; it’s a now word. It speaks directly to what is happening in segments of today’s Church.
A Church Losing Its Stand
The Greek origin of apostasy—literally “to stand away”—confronts us with a question: Is the Church still standing in its original position of faith and obedience to God’s Word?
Sadly, some portions of the Church appear to be shifting ground. In a world increasingly shaped by political correctness and relativism, the Church is tempted to adjust its stance—on marriage, on leadership, on moral values—to better align with cultural trends.
But is this biblical? Are we all still reading the same Bible?
What Does It Mean to Be a Disciple?
If we are not faithfully following the Word of God and the teachings of Jesus Christ, can we truly call ourselves disciples?
According to Merriam-Webster, a disciple is:
“One who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another.”
In Acts 11:26, we read:
“The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.”
This wasn’t a cultural title—it was a reflection of their devotion. But over time, as the church has become more comfortable with the world’s ways, it has often drifted from its original calling.
Trading Conviction for Comfort
Paul’s words in 2 Timothy 4:3 feel especially relevant today:
“For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.”
We are living in that time.
Churches are tempted to water down truth in the name of love, when in reality, it is fear—fear of rejection, of backlash, of appearing outdated. But if the Bible is indeed the inspired Word of God, we must resist the urge to repackage or reinterpret it to fit our preferences.
The Danger of Drifting
Ephesians 4:14 warns:
“Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.”
Truth does not change. If we do not stand on it, we will be carried away by deception.
A Call to Return
The Apostle Peter writes in 1 Peter 4:1–2:
“Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.”
We’ve spent enough time looking like the world. It’s time to look like Christ again.
He continues in 1 Peter 2:7–8:
“Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,’ and, ‘A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.’ They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.”
Rejecting God’s message doesn’t erase its truth. It only leads to stumbling.
Rewriting the Rules?
Let’s put it plainly: Preaching a different gospel is like walking into your father’s house and saying, “Dad, I don’t agree with your rules. But I’m staying, and while I’m here, these are the rules you will follow.”
It’s not humility. It’s rebellion.
Conclusion: Stand Firm
This is a call to the Church—return to your first love. Don’t stand away. Stand firm. Apostasy may be the warning, but faithfulness is the remedy.
Let us once again be disciples—those who accept and spread the unchanging doctrines of Christ. As Ephesians 4:13 reminds us:
“Until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”
The Remnant 