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NASB | 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no one in any way deceive or entrap you, for that day will not come unless the apostasy comes first [that is, the great rebellion, the abandonment of the faith by professed Christians], and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction [the Antichrist, the one who is destined to be destroyed], [Dan 7:25; 8:25; 1 Tim 4:1] |
Bible Question: What is the difference between "apostasy" and "heresy" (see 2 Thess 2:3 NASB)? |
Bible Answer: "Heresy" is actually a difficult term to nail down. Definitions include: unbiblical doctrine: this is the broadest definition of heresy that which denies one of the ecumenical creeds and councils: Nicene Creed, Apostle's Creed, Definition of Chalcedon, etc. A few others may be included, but these are most widely accepted. anything that has been condemned by the whole church in council: Pelagianism, Donatism, Manicheism, Montanism, Tritheism, Modalism, Gnosticism, etc. Since the church was only united as a single organization for a few centuries, most of these will be pretty old, but most of them are also hardy perennials, like weeds that you can't get rid of (Gnosticism and Pelagianism especially) Personally, I use "heresy" most frequently to refer to the last two, since there is so much unbiblical doctrine floating around. "Apostasy" is much easier to define. It is simply turning one's back on God. Thus, only a one-time Christian can be apostate. Pagan's cannot, for they were never in the covenant to begin with. Also, covenant children cannot ever be pagan, only apostate, since they started out inside the covenant. Hope that helps. |