"THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS" The Falling Away Must Come (2:1-3) INTRODUCTION 1. Paul's epistles to the Thessalonians have much to say about the coming of Christ... a. Every chapter in 1st Thessalonians makes some reference to His return b. We have seen Paul refer to that great day coming in 2Th 1:7-10 2. It appears that misconceptions existed in the church at Thessalonica... a. At least some were being told that the day of Christ had come b. Paul writes to reassure them such was not the case - 2Th 1:1-2 3. Paul explains that before the Lord returns, two events must take place... a. The "falling away" will come first - 2Th 2:3 b. The "man of sin" will be revealed - 2Th 2:3 [In this study, I would like for us to focus our attention on the "falling away" as described in the Bible, as fulfilled in history, and its implication for us today. Let's start with the fact...] I. A FALLING AWAY WOULD COME A. PAUL WARNED THE EPHESIAN ELDERS... 1. It would occur after Paul's departure (death?) - Ac 20:29a 2. It would be affected by forces outside and within the church - Ac 20:29b-30 B. PAUL WARNED THE EVANGELIST TIMOTHY... 1. In latter times some would depart from the faith - 1Ti 4:1-2 2. Examples of the doctrines taught by the apostates are given - 1Ti 4:3 C. PETER WARNED THE CHRISTIANS IN ASIA MINOR... 1. There will be false teachers - 2Pe 2:1 2. Many would follow their destructive ways - 2Pe 2:2 [The Scriptures are clear that a "falling away" or "apostasy" would occur. Did it happen? Unfortunately, it did...] II. A FALLING AWAY DID COME A. IT BEGAN IN THE FIRST CENTURY... 1. John described it in his epistle a. Telling of "antichrists" who had gone out from them - 1Jn 2:18-19 b. Warning of "false prophets" who were already in the world - 1Jn 4:1-3 -- Who were teaching false doctrines about the nature of Christ 2. Jude described it in his epistle a. Certain men had crept in unnoticed - Jude 4a b. Ungodly men who turn the grace of God into lewdness - Jude 4b -- Who were denying the authority of Jesus Christ B. IT CONTINUED IN THE SUCCEEDING CENTURIES... 1. One of the first changes involved local church organization a. From self-governing congregations with a plurality of bishops (elders) over each congregation - cf. Ac 14:23; 20:17,28; Tit 1:5-9; 1Pe 5:1-2 b. To a distinction between bishops and elders in which individual bishops had oversight of geographical areas and multiple churches (ca. 150 A.D.) 2. Other changes were slowly introduced, as traditions of men took precedence over the Word of God a. Clergy-Laity distinction, borrowed from the OT Jewish priesthood concept b. Religious holidays, such as Easter; then later, Christmas (3rd, 4th century) c. Pouring, then sprinkling, in place of immersion for baptism (251 A.D.) d. Church councils, meetings in which doctrinal matters were decided (325 A.D.) e. Creeds, statements of beliefs developed by church councils f. Instrumental music (first used in the 5th century) -- Other doctrines developed along the way, such as original sin, infant baptism, penance, millenialism, veneration of Mary C. IT REMAINS IN THE PRESENT CENTURY... 1. Appeals to "reformation" did not work a. Despite efforts of Luther, Calvin, etc., to reform the Roman Catholic church b. Their followers simply created a myriad of denominations, keeping some of the human traditions, and adding new ones of their own 2. Appeals to new "revelation" have not worked a. Several have appealed to "modern-day" revelation, believing it to be the solution to the religious confusion b. Such efforts have only added to the confusion, with such religions as Mormons, Christian Science, Seventh-Day Adventists, Jehovah's Witnesses, and many Pentecostal churches 3. The only solution that has a hope of working is "restoration" a. Like Ezra and Nehemiah did when they restored the Jewish worship after the Babylonian exile - cf. Neh 8:1-18 b. Like John the Baptist did when he prepared the people for the coming of the Lord - cf. Lk 1:13-17 c. I.e., restoring the hearts of the people back to the Word of God 1) Taking heed to the Word of God is the only way to prevent apostasy - cf. He 2:1-4; Ac 20:32 2) Restoring ourselves back to the Word of God is the only way to return from apostasy! [A survey of church history confirms that a falling away from the New Testament pattern has occurred, exactly as foretold by the apostles. While it is always possible to be restored back to the New Testament church, we should never forget that...] III. A FALLING AWAY CAN STILL COME A. APOSTASY IS ALWAYS POSSIBLE... 1. The Scriptures are filled with warnings against falling away a. Not just of a general apostasy, such as in our text b. But of individual apostasies as well - e.g., 1Ti 1:19-20; He 6:4-6; 2Pe 2:19-22 2. Therefore we need to heed the warnings! a. To give the more earnest heed, lest we drift - He 2:1-3 b. To not develop a heart of unbelief - He 3:12 c. To not becoming hardened by sin - He 3:13 d. To hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end - He 3:14; 6:11 B. IT HAS HAPPENED BEFORE... 1. With the rise of Catholicism, and the development of denominationalism 2. Previous restoration efforts have often reverted back to apostasy a. As with many in the Stone-Campbell movement b. E.g., the development of the Christian Church-Disciples of Christ denomination C. IT IS HAPPENING NOW... 1. The pull of the world continues to draw many Christians away a. Just as it did with Demas - 2Ti 4:10 b. So the love of money causes many to stray from the faith - 1Ti 6:9-10 2. The appeal of denominationalism and sectarianism continues to have their affect a. E.g., the development of the International Church of Christ b. E.g., many "mainstream" churches of Christ developing the "Church of Christ" denomination c. I also see the beginning of a "Non-Institutional Church of Christ" denomination (as reflected in the question, "Can someone help me locate an NI Church?") CONCLUSION 1. The "falling away" of which Paul wrote appears to have come... a. There has certainly been a general departure from the faith and practice of the NT b. This apostasy is clear to anyone familiar with the pattern of the NT church 2. But the danger of "falling away" is an ever present one... a. It has happened once and again, many times b. It happened to those who were once restored, it can happen to us just as easily 3. Apostasy rarely happens overnight... a. The path to departure is usually gradual, hardly noticed by those involved b. It begins with a mindset, develops through a pattern of speech c. It is encouraged by a desire to be like the world, rather than to be as God would have us To avoid apostasy, make sure our hearts have been restored to the Word of God, then give earnest heed to the Word lest we drift away!
Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011
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