The Apostacy


Preaching the Gospel of Christ is God’s ultimate will amid contemporary challenges. The church must remain steadfast in proclaiming the unaltered truth of the Gospel despite living in a time when the Apostle Paul foresaw when people would reject sound doctrine and seek out teachings that suited their desires. This article delves into the importance of faithful Gospel preaching, the dangers of neglecting it, and the call for the church to stay true to biblical doctrine, even at the cost of popularity.

The Divine Mandate to Preach the Gospel

Preaching the Gospel is not merely a suggestion but a divine mandate. Jesus Christ, in His Great Commission, instructed His followers: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19–20). This command underscores the importance of spreading the Gospel to every corner of the earth, ensuring that all people can hear and respond to the message of salvation.

The Prophetic Warning of Apostasy

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up teachers for themselves; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables,” the apostle Paul predicts in 2 Timothy 4:3–4. This prophecy amply illustrates the spiritual difficulties the contemporary church faces.

This prophecy reflects the prevalence of feel-good messages, prosperity gospels, and watered-down teachings in many contemporary churches. These messages, while appealing, often stray from the core tenets of the faith and fail to address the need for repentance, holiness, and true discipleship.

The Modern-Day Church’s Departure from Sound Doctrine

The departure from sound doctrine in many churches is a grave concern. Instead of preaching the unaltered Word of God, some churches have resorted to fables and stories that entertain but do not edify. This shift is not only a disservice to the congregation but also a deviation from the will of God.

In Titus 1:9, Paul emphasizes the importance of holding fast to sound doctrine: “holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.” This verse highlights the dual purpose of sound teaching: to encourage believers and to correct those who oppose the truth.

The Danger of Neglecting the Gospel

Neglecting the faithful preaching of the Gospel has severe spiritual consequences. Jesus Himself warned about the dangers of spiritual lukewarmness in Revelation 3:15–16. “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” This vivid imagery underscores the repulsion that half-hearted commitment and diluted preaching evoke in the eyes of a Holy God.

Furthermore, in 2 Timothy 3:1–5, Paul describes the difficult times of the last days, marked by a form of godliness that denies its power: “But know this, that in the last days, perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”

The Call to Faithful Gospel Preaching

The church is commanded to stick to the Gospel despite the tendency to stray from sound doctrine. Paul’s exhortation to Timothy is equally relevant today: “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2). This call to preach the Word, regardless of the season or cultural climate, is a timeless directive for the church.

Staying the Course Amidst Opposition

Staying true to the Gospel will often come at a cost. In John 15:18–19, Jesus reminds His followers of the world’s inevitable hostility: “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” Faithful preaching may lead to unpopularity, opposition, and persecution, but it is a mark of true discipleship.

The Power and Necessity of the Gospel

The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes (Romans 1:16). It is through the faithful preaching of the Gospel that lives are transformed, sins are forgiven, and eternal destinies are secured. In 1 Corinthians 1:18, Paul states, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God.” Though a stumbling block to some, the cross remains the central message of salvation.

The Responsibility of Believers

Every believer has a responsibility to uphold and share the Gospel. In 1 Peter 3:15, Peter instructs, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.” This readiness to share the Gospel requires a deep understanding of the faith and a commitment to living out its truths.

The Eternal Impact of the Gospel

The Gospel’s eternal impact cannot be overstated. Its message brings hope, transformation, and eternal life. In 1 John 5:11–12, we read, “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” The Gospel is how this eternal life is made known and accessible to all.

The Church’s Role in Proclaiming the Gospel

As the body of Christ, the church has a crucial role in proclaiming the Gospel. Ephesians 4:11–12 emphasizes the purpose of the church’s leadership: “And He gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” The goal of this leadership is to equip believers to carry out the work of the ministry, which includes evangelism and discipleship.

Conclusion

Preaching the Gospel of Christ as God’s final will is crucial. Today, the church must fight the urge to water down the message to appease a generation hungry for more. Instead, it must remain steadfast in proclaiming the unaltered truth of the Gospel, holding fast to sound doctrine, and preparing believers for the coming of the Lord. The stakes are high as the eternal destinies of souls hang in the balance.

May the church rise to the challenge, preaching the Gospel with conviction and courage, fulfilling its divine mandate, and bringing glory to a Holy God.



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By Global Media Express

The Global Media Express mission is clear: to use the power of media and technology to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with the world.