Q1. Apostasy

[Peggy Crans]

Q1. (1 Timothy 4:1-2) Why does Paul remind Timothy (and the church) of predictions concerning widespread apostasy? What effect should this knowledge have on his ministry and the church's perception of the situation?

Paul wants them to be prepared for what is coming and not to abandon the teachings of Christ. Timothy and the church are to stand firm and not let the false teachings of some influence them in any way.

[debbiemoore]

Q1. (1 Timothy 4:1-2) Why does Paul remind Timothy (and the church) of predictions concerning widespread apostasy? What effect should this knowledge have on his ministry and the church's perception of the situation?

he rerminds him of this because he did not want him to be suprized or fall for what may have been going on. if he staqy fast in the word and true teachings then it would not surcome to false teachings.

[lynette66]

Q1. (1 Timothy 4:1-2) Why does Paul remind Timothy (and the church) of predictions concerning widespread apostasy? What effect should this knowledge have on his ministry and the church's perception of the situation?

It is a way of alerting them to the predictions of the Bible, giving them another argument to use as they try to persuade others to follow God's word.

[suedeboy]

Paul knew false prophets had already infiltrated the Church in Ephesus.He reminded Timothy of them and warned him to be on the lookout for these false teaching and to remain strong in his faith and continue to preach the truth.

[DrD]

This reminder was to give Timothy some advance warning that this would take place so that he would not be overwhelmed by it - but prepared so that he could be as successful as possible in combatting it. . .

If we know in advance what is to happen - and have the proper tools or weapons to combat it - It is possible to "minimize" the damage and possible save some. . .

[kalume]

Q1. (1 Timothy 4:1-2) Why does Paul remind Timothy (and the church) of predictions concerning widespread apostasy? What effect should this knowledge have on his ministry and the church's perception of the situation?

-Paul reminds Timothy and the church of this predictions widespread apostasy so that he will not be surprised or overwhelmed by the chaos he sees in the church at

Ephesus.

-According to me the ministry for Timothy will shack first an den have a Spiritual maturity .The way he use to see thinks will change completely and he will take it very series Dane before.

[kalume]

Q1. (1 Timothy 4:1-2) Why does Paul remind Timothy (and the church) of predictions concerning widespread apostasy? What effect should this knowledge have on his ministry and the church's perception of the situation?

-Paul reminds Timothy and the church of this predictions widespread apostasy so that he will not be surprised or overwhelmed by the chaos he sees in the church at

Ephesus.

-According to me the ministry for Timothy will shack first an den have a Spiritual maturity .The way he use to see thinks will change completely and he will take it very series Dane before.

[sec]

Paul reminded Timothy and the church of predictions concerning widespread apostasy so that He would be careful not to be distracted from their faith. In Matthew chp 24 Jesus warned the disciples that they should take heed that no man deceived them for people will come in my name that I am the Christ and shall deceive many. even the elect.

In my opinion, His ministry will grow if they stand in their faith and members be equipped with the truth of the word of God. Praying without ceasing so that the Holy spirit who is the truth will reveal Gods truth to them.and not mess up with the devils advances for the bible says He is the father of all lies. Also 1st John Chapter 2 :24 -26 Let that therefore abide in which have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father . and this is the promise that he had promised us, even eternal life. These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.

[Barbara A. Lee]

Q1. (1 Timothy 4:1-2) Why does Paul remind Timothy (and the church) of predictions concerning widespread apostasy? What effect should this knowledge have on his ministry and the church's perception of the situation?

Paul's reminding Timothy of the falling away is two-fold. 1) This is Paul's obedience o Jesus to obey His teachings. 2) He was also, via prophecy, instructing that false prophets woujld come and decieve many.

We are to be ever diligent in our spreading of God's Word. The more we spread the Word, the more souls we get to heaven. That is our ultimate goal once we accept Jesus as our personal savior.

[jamjar]

Q1. (1 Timothy 4:1-2) Why does Paul remind Timothy (and the church) of predictions concerning widespread apostasy? What effect should this knowledge have on his ministry and the church's perception of the situation?

Paul is reminding Timothy that the spirit clearly says that in later day some would stop following the teaching of Christ and they would follow the teachings of deceiving spirits and demons.

If the church is grounded in the teaching of Christ then there is no problem. He is saying that we should know the word of God that if we know the truth we will not be led astray by demons or deceiving spirits.

[Old Jerry]

The reason that Paul reminded Timothy of predictions concerning widespread apostasy was that he wanted him to be prepared for the worst. He didn

[Eagleswings01]

Q1. (1 Timothy 4:1-2) Why does Paul remind Timothy (and the church) of predictions concerning widespread apostasy? What effect should this knowledge have on his ministry and the church's perception of the situation?

Paul reminds Timothy (and the church) of predictions concerning widespread apostasy so that he will not be surprised or overwhelmed by the chaos he sees in the church at Ephesus. Paul informed Timothy so that he would be aware of what to expect.

The effect that this knowledge should have on his ministry and the church's perception of the situation is that they would strive for a greater diligence in God's Word which is truth and this would therefore enable them to discern false teachings.

[Eagleswings01]

Q1. (1 Timothy 4:1-2) Why does Paul remind Timothy (and the church) of predictions concerning widespread apostasy? What effect should this knowledge have on his ministry and the church's perception of the situation?

[Kent]

Paul wants Timothy to be aware and prepared for what he will (or may) find at Ephesus when he gets there. Paul reminds him that it was prophesied, and that there will be those who are leading others away from the true message of Christ.

[Craig]

Q1. (1 Timothy 4:1-2) Why does Paul remind Timothy (and the church) of predictions concerning widespread apostasy? What effect should this knowledge have on his ministry and the church's perception of the situation?

So that the church will not be confused about apostasical behavior they encounter around them. Godly knowledge is power. God throughout time has provided those human-beings who care information about the state of humanity and this world and how to deal with it or overcome it. This passage of scripture was a comtemporary warning from God through Paul to the church about apostasy. It applies to believers in 2013 as well.

This insight should give believers throughout the ages security and understanding about what is happening and to trust God not men. Again, Godly knowledge is power and Godly understanding drives away fear and anxiety.

[wifee]

4a)Paul wants to remind Timothy so he is not surprised,that leaders,members of Ephesian church who abandon their faith & spread false teachings, will betray & hate each other&cause chaos in the church.Jesus spoke of the falling away in the last days caused by the antichrist where  false prophets deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved." (Matthew 24:10-13)
b)This knowledge will help Timothy &us to seek those to preach are emotionally &doctrinally secure to convey clearly biblical teaching,restricting the public speaking opportunities for those who desire to spread false teaching.Timothy will be able to explain to church what is happening if apostacy occurs& how false teaching has come about through satan’s influence, desentizing false teachers consciences so they can no longer recognise truth from falsehood,and to prepare church for it and guard against it by teaching the biblical truth,trusting God not man.

[MarciaCali]

Paul is saying these things so followers will rely on the original teachings, as we rely on the Bible today, for what is true in directing our beliefs and our path.

[Jonathan Edwards]

In the last verse of Chapter 3, Paul Gave Timothy the tremendous truth of the Incarnation "God manifested in the flesh...' Paul urgently and solemnly warns Timothy to be on guard due to "the Spirit speaketh expressly.".  Paul has a Divine mandate to tell Timothy to be cautious and on guard against false teachers and preachers.  Timothy had to realize that there will be so called believers that will return back to their vomit; the pure Word of God will drive them out.   A very holy truth is being taught here! The fact that these backsliders went out from the Church of God "made manifest that they were not of us" (cf. 1John 2:19).

Timothy and the Ephesians were reminded that they must essentially hold dearly to the mystery of Faith as taught by the Church, the pillar and ground of the truth.  They cannot get into a state of inertia; they must earnestly contend for the faith

 

[Krissi]

Why does Paul remind Timothy (and the church) of predictions concerning widespread apostasy?What effect should this knowledge have on his ministry and the church's perception of the situation?

Perhaps knowing, in advance, what was predicted to happen to Timothy/church was enough to steel their resolve to battle it spiritually. I think of it as being warned not to fall in a big hole in the ground -- it would put me on my guard, watching for the hole, walking around it with space to spare, etc.

Note that they took the prophecy literally and as if it were for them, not in the far future. So many "prophets" today tend to look way ahead from when they gave a prophecy to it's fulfillment. This delays the reckoning. No prophecy can be tested if the time of it's fulfillment is after one's death or far in the future.

Knowing that apostasy would surely happen, but not the degree or to whom, would make Timothy more watchful for signs of it's appearance. Perhaps he could save a few people in the churches from the rabble who seem to fall for bizarre teachings. If he warned the church repeatedly, they, too, would be on the look-out for apostasy and would be able to erect a hedge around their faith and that of the church to keep apostacy at bay.

 

[Dr. Gracie L. Adderly]

Paul's warning was so that they (we) are able to recognize these false teachers so not to be led astray by them? Jesus said that we would know them by their fruits (Matt 7:16) for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will correspond to their actions. False doctrine usually have small elements of truth added to their legalism. So, in order to guard against apostasy we must be able to recognize false teachings.

[Katy]

Q1. Paul was reminding Timothy about the prediction from God about False Teachers who would get into the Church’s and spread false teachings and lies. This was causing chaos in Ephesus and Paul wanted to forewarn his young friend and protégé. Being a father like figure to Timothy he may have been anxious that Timothy would find it very difficult to deal with. 
Paul wanted Timothy to be on his guard and to stamp out anything that was being taught contrary to the teachings of God. Timothy must also encourage and help the congregations so that they don’t become discouraged and drift into apostasy. 
Timothy must continue to be diligent in teaching God’s teachings so the people would be able to distinguish exactly what was true and right and what were lies from Satan. 

[Funmilayo]

Q1. (1 Timothy 4:1-2) Why does Paul remind Timothy (and the church) of predictions concerning widespread apostasy? What effect should this knowledge have on his ministry and the church's perception of the situation?

*I think Paul reminded Timothy of predictions concerning widespread apostasy so as to prepare him for what he might meet at Ephesus & not be overwhelmed by it.

* On the one hand,this knowledge should keep Timothy's ministry focused on the real issues to tackle at Ephesus.On the other hand, this knowledge should open the eyes of the church to the fact that these false teachings & false teachers are not a new phenomenon & therefore be on their guard against them by adhering to sound teachings by the apostle & those sent to them by him & by engaging unceasingly in fervent prayers .

 

 

[Nicolaas A.P. Mostert]

Q1. (1 Timothy 4:1-2)

Why does Paul remind Timothy (and the church) of predictions concerning widespread apostasy?

Jesus himself had foretold this falling away in the Last Days: "At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved."

Paul reminds Timothy of this prediction so that he will not be surprised or overwhelmed by the chaos by follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.

What effect should this knowledge have on his ministry and the church's perception of the situation?

As a young preacher and teacher of the true WORD of GOD it would be very confusing and challenging for Timothy to build on the true Doctrine of CHRIST. Confronting the false teachers "two-faced" who purposeful subversion the church. The church has faced two types of doctrine, the false spreading by the false teachers and the true doctrine from the WORD of GOD spreading by Timothy inspired by Paul. The church has to decide which way to follow. Although it was chaos in church their thoughts was influenced by Timothy's preaching and teaching of GOD WORD.

[Diane D.]

Paul is such a good overseer!  Timothy was young and did not have the years of experience Paul had in both persecuting Christians and after his conversion, supporting Christians.  He was an authority on the nature of mankind and has likely seem pockets of apostacy in the past.  His reminders to Timothy both advise him so he would expect it and he also would not be disheartened by it. The fact that this happened would also show Timothy that this prophecy came true.

This knowledge would have provided Timothy with the time to shore up sermons and exhortations to his flock, to prepare them for the time when others around them would also fall away, and to enable Timothy to focus on key truths and actions to save the remnant.  

For us, this is still ongoing...the church and society has moved from their Christian foundations to a consequence that we see lack of commitment, ethics, morals becoming the norm and it is getting worse daily. we all need to remember to keep our roots grounded within ourselves and our families and to shelter and support our larger church families and communities as much as we can.

[Eldress Rowe]

Paul reminds Timothy and the Church of the prediction concerning widespread apostasy so that would not be surprised or overwhelmed by it but could prepare themselves to deal with it.  That they should not loose heart when they saw these things but would be prepared to stand firm in their belief and counter the false doctrines.  

This knowledge should prepare Timothy and the church to reject the false doctrines and teaching as well as allowing them to prepare not only to tell others the true Gospel but to live it by precept and example.  If the people could see them being living examples of what they were preaching and teaching they would be more apt to believe.