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NASB | 1 Timothy 4:1 But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Timothy 4:1 But the [Holy] Spirit explicitly and unmistakably declares that in later times some will turn away from the faith, paying attention instead to deceitful and seductive spirits and doctrines of demons, |
Bible Question:
But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith 1 Tim. 4:1 Question: 1. If I read this verse correctly then it must be possible to fall away from the faith. The KJV phrases it this way. 1Ti 4:1 ¶ Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, So in the NASB it says fall away from the faith and in the KJV it says "depart from the faith. Question 2. How can a person not in the faith depart from the faith? Don't you have to be in the faith before you can depart from it? For example: I desire to depart from Chicago airport. Don't I first have to be in Chicago, before I can depart from Chicago? 1 Tim. 4:1 does not say some might depart from the faith, rather it says: "some will depart from the faith." Does this mean some will depart from the faith, there once held profession, and possession and become apostates, and lose their salvation? |
Bible Answer: Dear brother: The question I ask myself on such an important question is how does this fit in with the other promises of God? Paul writes to the Romans chp. 8: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ: shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril or sword? v.8 "Nay in all these things we are more than conquerers through him who loved us.V.10" "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" Our position in Christ is a personal bond which cannot be broken. We are placed in the body by adoption and are given eternal life by God himself. In other words, once we are in a family, our subsequent behaviour cannot affect our position which is secured by the new birth. All believers according to 1 Cor. 12:13 and 27. The church which is his body does not have any imposters. However, in contrast the local church which consists of professing believers can be infiltrated by those who are "tares" They look like a Christian, they appear to live like a Christian, talk like a Christian and walk like a Christian; however, in the end we find that they were never in the family of God by the new birth. Church History has shown us in part the fulfilment of the scriptures you have qoted from 1 Timothy and Titus. As the church grew, it was it many years before humans made a mockery of the simplicity which is in Christ Jesus. False teachers and false doctrines became prevalent and it appeared that the true gospel was lost. I believe the apostates where ones who understood the truth intellectually, appeared to accept it, but were never rooted in Christ. In Acts 8:13 we read of Simon the sorcerer who "himself believedalso and was baptised..." It appeared that Simon's profession was genuine. The thing which God alone knew were his motives. We find that he hoped to add the gift of "laying on hands" to add to his repretoire of powers. He even offered them money for the gift.V18-19 Sadly, Peter exposed him for what he was: "Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because you thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money, Thou has neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right with God" 19,20 In my life time I have known people who profess to be Christians and are part of Christian organizations. Their motive appears to more for self-exaltation and for positions of control; than to live for the glory of Christ. Our profession is not worth a dime if it is not anchored in Christ. It appears that in last day teaching much is said regarding professing Christendom. After Jesus takes his people away, there will be still professing Christians on the earth who appear to blend in with the falling away as the man of sin is reavealed. 2 Thess 2:3-12 In fact Paul teaches us that that spirit doth already work in the world, but is held back by the Spirit of God in the church. 2 Thess2:7 When this influence is removed those who have a profession, but no possession will believe the lie of the Anti- Christ "That they all might be damned who believed not the truth..." v.12 Believers at times can get cold in heart, deny the Lord and live far away from him and yet as the father of the prodical son, he is always are father who watches with open arms to forgive us when we come home. If we should die in this condition of coldness, I believe we are still Sons. Our eternal life is dependent upon the work of Christ on Calvary and is not dependent on our works after we are saved. Our works after we are saved are motivated by devotion and love to him and are the external evidence that we belong to him. Praise his name. Peace in his Name Robert |