Q1. Apostasy

[Jonathan Edwards]

Apostle Paul urgently states this because he is moved by God.   The germs of false teachings were already spreading with a more serious apostasy in the future.  The mystery of inquiry had already begun it's work. The doctrine of faith was to be corrupted by "denying what was true, by adding what was false." Christ alone is the Author and Finisher of Faith.   There were heterodox preachers during these early days of the church that were spreading doctrines incompatible with the Orthodox faith....Christ is truly God and man.   This is the mystery of Godliness.

St Timothy had to combat spurious Gnostic heretics: main teaching was that matter is evil.    If he didn't, the Ephesian church could have ended up under the control of any of the Judeo-gnostic sects.  True Gospel preachers taught that God's idea of life is that body, soul, and spirit are to be redeemed.

[Niyonka16]

Q1. (1 Timothy 4:1-2) Why does Paul remind Timothy (and the church) of predictions concerning widespread apostasy?

ANSWER: Apostasy is the rejection of Christ by one who has been a Christian. It is describing those who have voluntarily and consciously abandoned their faith in the God of the covenant. 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." (Matthew 24:10-13).

Paul reminds Timothy of this prediction so that he will not be surprised or overwhelmed by the chaos he sees in the church at Ephesus. He attributes this false teaching to satan himself. The false teachers, he says, "... follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons" (1 Timothy 4:1b). Then he condemns the character of the false teachers: "Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron." (1 Timothy 4:2).

Consequently, in 2 Timothy 4:4, the apostle Paul asserts that apostate Christians living during the church age will be turned away from the truth, the gospel because of these Jewish myths. Paul’s statements in 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy and Titus all make clear that this was taking place when Paul wrote 2 Timothy.

NOTE: what causes apostasy is: …

1. persecution (Matthew 24:9-10);
2. false teachers (Matthew 24:11);
3. temptation (Luke 8:13);
4. worldliness (2 Timothy 4:4);
5. defective knowledge of Christ (1 John 2:19);
6. moral lapse (Hebrews 6:4-6);
7. forsaking worship and spiritual living (Hebrews 10:25-31);
8. unbelief (Hebrews 3:12).

What effect should this knowledge have on his (Timothy) ministry and the church’s perception of the situation?

ANSWER: Apostasy means the abandonment of a previous loyalty; it is a conscious defection, in biblical terms it is an act of refusing to continue to obey God’s Word. Perhaps Paul is suggesting that their consciences carry satan's brand, now unable to discern truth from falsehood. Many other professing Christians, churches, denominations, and seminaries, who once upheld the truth and authority of God’s Word, have drifted into apostasy. One of the interesting characteristics of apostasy is that it does not happen overnight and actually develops over a period of time. It has however steadily increased at an alarming pace. The apostasy of the church is, the total rejection of Christianity by a baptized person who, having at one time professed the Christian faith, publicly rejects it. It is distinguished from heresy, which is limited to the rejection of one or more Christian doctrines by one who maintains an overall adherence to Jesus Christ.

Apostasy is all around us in varying degrees. As Christians, we need to be very sure that we are clinging to the truth of God’s word. We need to stand firm on the word of God and never be ashamed of the truth of the Gospel. We need to warn people against apostasy and the need to go forward in the faith, bearing fruit as branches attached to the vine. Some biblical signs that clearly show that apostasy is taking place. 

First – God’s word is neglected as the supreme authority of our faith. People start following “Christian” personalities instead of the Word of God. Leaders are more concerned with growing a church and gaining a larger following than preaching the truth.

Second – Scripture is twisted and distorted for self-serving agendas. Truth becomes subjective and relative. Doctrinal error and sin are tolerated by religious leaders who neglect their responsibility to protect the sheep.

Third – Religious leaders are more interested in entertaining the goats than feeding the sheep. Ear-tickling messages give people what they want instead of what they need. Sin and immoral lifestyles are tolerated.

Fourth – Teaching is heavily influenced by doctrines of demons (1 Timothy 4:1). Jesus has been removed from the church. There is no longer any evidence of the fruit of the Spirit.

The best way to avoid apostasy and reject the teachings of apostates is to be reading the Word of God and studying it, because, the best way to identify the counterfeit is to know the genuine truth of the Scripture. Apostasy is defiance against God because it is a rebellion against truth. We are to defend the glory and honor of our great God and Savior and protect the purity of His Gospel.

[Clelie]

In the parable of the sower, Jesus taught us that not everyone who hears the word of Gods would respond .

Today  many who have heard the word of God chose to live the self worldly life .Not only that they encourage others to do so . 
 

we should earnestly pray for the Holy Spirit to maintain by His power the message of the gospel so to bear fruit in the lives of those who have responded as  witnesses  to the power of Jesus resurrection. Satan is also active to overthrow the victory over his lies but he is a defeated foe.

[haar]

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?

A1 Paul reminded Timothy and the church of the predictions concerning widespread apostasy because the predictions  were already happening as false teachers were already busy distorting the true gospel of Christ and leading innocent members astray hence the need to stop them quickly.

There was thus the urgent need to educate as well as warn the church to be alert so as to stop the dangerous development.
 

[crissy464]

Paul reminds Timothy of this prediction so that he will not be surprised or overwhelmed by the chaos he sees in the church at Ephesus. Paul attributes this false teaching to Satan himself.
          Search for the truth, study the word
 

[t-c]

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 wants to alert Timothy and the church of what is coming their way or in some instances is already present. 
 

Having been told of this apostasy they will be very likely to recognize the false teachers when they appear on the scene. As well as letting the congregation know what these false teachings are and to dispel them. Knowledge of these apostasies is key to refuting them before they can get a foothold in the church.

[Zanele Tlhakanelo]

Paul reminded Timothy so that he focused on His calling and not be disturbed by the predictions concerning the widespread apostasy. Indeed, Jesus Christ warned His disciple to beware of wolves who will come clothed in sheep's clothing. These are false teachers even in the Body of Christ who are false prophets or teachers who do not teach the Good News/Gospel but that which will benefit them more than the church.

It would make Timothy to be alert and be able to discern all false doctrine taught by the false teachers. The Holy Spirit is the only One who will guide the Body of Christ to stay focused and not have their faith shaken because we serve God Almighty and only believe in the Lord our God.

[Old Jerry]

I think that Paul was reminding them of the predictions of widespread apostasy because that is what was happening in the church at that time. This knowledge should have prepared the church of this because they would need a plan to counteract it.

[Sister Evelyn]

Q1. (1 Timothy 4:1-2) Why does Paul remind Timothy (and church) of predictions concerning wide spread apostasy?

Jesus had foretold what would happened. Paul reminds Timothy not to be surprised or overwhelmed by the chaos he sees in the church at Ephesus. False teachers were and still are a threat to the church. Jesus and the apostles repeatedly warned against them. A teacher, speaker, or writer may appear to be knowledgeable, disciplined, and moral, and may claim to be speaking for God. But, if that person's words contradict the Bible, their teachings proves false.

Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose conscience have been seared as with a hot iron( meaning their conscience are dead. Like Timothy, we must guard against any teaching that causes believers to dilute or reject any aspect of faith.

[hanks]

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 reminded Timothy of the apostasy that Jesus Christ had foretold, this was to equip him to identify it and to deal with it. The Holy Spirit clearly states that some will depart from the faith. Years before the Holy Spirit had also warned Paul that this would happen in Ephesus: “I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock” (Acts 20:29). This was given to Paul by divine revelation – it will and has happened - as can be seen today in all the false teachers who actively teach false doctrines. It is inevitable and totally predictable. Their words contradict the Bible and are a direct threat to the church; often causing believers to dilute or reject an aspect of their faith. It can be very direct or extremely subtle. This firm warning may at least keep potential victims in the congregation, from the disastrous results of apostasy that Paul describes. If Timothy did not take this warning to heart, it could have disastrous effects on the church. False teachings operate like gangrene in the body. Timothy must realise that leadership must spring from a pure heart, a good conscience and sincere faith; and if his bad elders do not have these three things, then they were not only propagating errors, but they were also presenting a bad example. One way to discern if the truth is spoken is to find out what they teach about Christ. Instead of pointing to the Lord Jesus, they always seek their own honour and glory. They often say things that people love to hear.

[Lenore]

Because people have itching ears and the information age has made it so that people can get a hold of any wind of doctrine and provide evidence for it. We must be rooted in the word at every moment and on guard all the time from seducing spirits. Even now so more than ever before because we are in the last days and all is being revealed. Truth is prevailing and expelling the darkness. It is very important for the light seekers to be connected to God constantly and a steady diet of the word.