Departing From "The Faith"

(1 Timothy 4:1) "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith ..."

Other New Testament scriptures also tell of this great apostasy. Paul uses the words "latter times" to express this departure as a foregoing action. In 2nd Thessalonians 2:7 he says that this mystery of iniquity is already working and will continue to work until time shall be no more.

Notice that this departure will be "from the faith." The word "faith," as used here, is the body of truth revealed in the New Testament and was delivered into the hands of "faithful men who shall teach others also." (2 Timothy 2:2) Jude puts it like this in Jude 3: "Beloved ... I was constrained to write unto you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints." False teachers and men seeking prominence in the kingdom would arise in every generation and tear at the faith which was once for all time delivered. (Acts 20:29) "For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock."

We, as God's people, must be able to recognize false teaching, and contend earnestly [fight the battle] for purity of the faith. Their "mouths must be stopped" (Titus 1:11) and this must be done not with carnal weapons but with "... the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6:17).

The battle for truth continues. Daily there are new departures added to the voluminous amount that has already accumulated. Let's put into practice that which is just the lip service of many, "Let's (really) go back to the Bible" to prove that our faith is the "one faith" (Ephesians 4:5) of the New Testament.

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