What does the Bible say about apostasy?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible warns that apostasy is a grievous turning away from God and Christ, revealing an unbelieving heart and bringing fearful judgment, while calling true believers to persevere in faith. Deuteronomy 13:13 and Zephaniah 1:4-6 show God’s condemnation of those who entice others into idolatry or cease to seek him. Jesus foretold that persecution would cause many to fall away, as Matthew 24:9-10 and Luke 8:13 teach. Hebrews 3:12 and Hebrews 10:25-31 urge the church to guard one another against hardened unbelief and deliberate rejection of Christ. Yet Hebrews 10:39 comforts believers that God preserves his people, who endure by faith rather than shrink back to destruction.
Study outline
Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.
Nave's Topical Bible
- Described Deuteronomy 13:13; Hebrews 3:12
- Caused by persecution Matthew 24:9; Matthew 24:10; Luke 8:13
- Caused by worldliness 2 Timothy 4:10
- Guilt and punishment of Zephaniah 1:4-6; Hebrews 10:25-31; Hebrews 10:39; 2 Peter 2:17; 2 Peter 2:20-22
- Cautions against Hebrews 3:12; 2 Peter 3:17
- Shall abound in the latter days Matthew 24:12; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; 1 Timothy 4:1-3
- See ANTICHRIST
- UNCLASSIFIED SCRIPTURES RELATING TO Deuteronomy 32:15; 1 Chronicles 28:9; Isaiah 1:28; Isaiah 65:11-16; Jeremiah 17:5; Jeremiah 17:6; Ezekiel 3:20; Ezekiel 18:24; Ezekiel 18:26; Ezekiel 33:12; Ezekiel 33:13; Ezekiel 33:18
- INSTANCES OF
- Israelites Exodus 32; Numbers 14
- Saul 1 Samuel 15:26-29; 1 Samuel 18:12; 1 Samuel 28:15; 1 Samuel 28:18
- Amaziah 2 Chronicles 25:14; 2 Chronicles 25:27
- Disciples John 6:66
- Judas Matthew 26:14-16; Matthew 27:3-5; Mark 14:10; Mark 14:11; Luke 22:3-6; Luke 22:47; Luke 22:48; Acts 1:16-18
- Hymenaeus and Alexander 1 Timothy 1:19; 1 Timothy 1:20
- Phygellus and Hermogenes 2 Timothy 1:15
- See ISRAEL, BACKSLIDING OF
See also
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