Today we completed chapter 10. Last week we looked at the positive response to the New Covenant (10:19-25). This week we looked at the negative response to the New Covenant (10:26-39).
After spending ten chapters making very strong arguments why Christ and the New Covenant are better than the Old Covenant ways, the author is urging his audience to come all the way and trust Christ fully.
Last week, the author spoke very positively. This week, we see a more serious tone as he warns of the consequences that wait for those who fall away, withdraw, defect, turn back to the old ways. If they choose to turn their backs on Christ, after having been told, having understood, and even having experienced the truth, they will be lost forever. They will become apostates.
Apostasy is THE most serious sin. When you think of an apostate, think of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. He followed Jesus for three years as one of the 12 chosen disciples. Then he betrayed Jesus. Jesus said it would have been better if he had not been born (Matthew 26:24)
Today we looked at the nature of apostasy, the results of apostasy and the deterrents to apostasy. Apostasy is defined as falling away; withdrawal; defection; rebellion.
There are two main types of apostasy:
1. A falling away from key and true doctrines of the Bible into heretical teachings that proclaim to be "the real" Christian doctrine.
This would include those who cling to sins, lifestyles, and beliefs that are in direct opposition to scripture yet attempt to defend those convictions using scripture, situational ethics/morality, or cultural norms.
This would include those who cling to sins, lifestyles, and beliefs that are in direct opposition to scripture yet attempt to defend those convictions using scripture, situational ethics/morality, or cultural norms.
In an earlier series on discipleship, we covered five of the false doctrines that form the foundation of many people's beliefs. These false doctrines are all born from a root of sin. Those that embrace these false doctrines, after hearing and understanding "the real" truth found in God's Word, would be an example of what the author was saying in verse 10:26: "For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there is no longer a sacrifice for sins..."
2. A complete renunciation of the Christian faith, which results in a full abandonment of Christ.
How bad is apostasy? It is the worst sin! There is nothing worse than to have known and understood God's plan and then to have turned away. There are degrees of sin and punishment just as there will be degrees of rewards. Apostasy will undoubtedly merit the most sever form of punishment.
John 19:11: - Jesus answered, “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.”
Luke 12:47: - And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.
It is much worse to know and not believe than to not know and not believe.
Can a true believer, someone who has been saved, become an apostate?
If you're born of God, you cannot continue committing sin. But if you're an apostate, you continue committing sin. For one who continues in unbelief, he never was a believer. Because if a man is born of God, he cannot continue to commit sin. He must stop at some point and fall at the feet of his Savior in penitence. The truly saved continue to follow Christ. The truly apostate continue in their unbelief. Continuance is the issue.
I John 3:9: "Whosoever is born of God does not continue to be committing sin,
for His seed remains in him, and he cannot continue to be committing sin,
because He's born of God."
You see? If you're born of God, you cannot continue committing sin. But if you're an apostate, you continue committing
sin.
1 John 2:19: They went out
from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have
continued with us; but they went out
that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.
Matthew 24:10-13: (Jesus predicted it) – “And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.”
The hottest fires and torment of Hell wait for those who are apostate. Their punishment will be much greater than all others.
(v. 10:27) “but a certain fearful expectation of judgement and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries [those who know the truth and walk away].”
Jude 1:6: “And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day;”
John 15:6: “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.”
Matthew 3:12: “who shall purge His floor, gather His wheat into the granary, but He will burn the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
Matthew 13:36: – Parable of the Tares of the Field – “…and therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so shall it be in the end of this age."
Matthew 13:47: – Parable of the Dragnet - “The kingdom of heaven is like a net…The angels shall come forth, separate the wicked from among the righteous, cast them into the furnace of fire. There shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”
Mark 9:42-47: - "If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched—
The DETERRENTS to apostasy (vs. 32, 35)
1. Remembrance: (v. 32) “But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings:”
2. Reward: (v. 35) “Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.”
Next week we will begin to unpack chapter 11 and learn of the great men of faith.
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