What is the difference between apostate and heretic

This first apostasy is the source of all further apostasy. We do not need to look much further into history to find the first heresies and, in fact, much of the Old Testament is a history of early heresies. The author then turns to the Church of Rome to show an example of a church that is both apostate and heretical, for she has both rejected doctrines she once believed and has added unbiblical beliefs to them.

Catholicism seeks to undermine Christianity not with an obvious frontal assault, but with careful, deliberate and veiled attacks. Francis Turrentin wrote:. The Pope denies Scripture alone is an adequate rule of faith, unwritten traditions must be attached. These traditions, together with Scripture, are to be equally adopted and venerated. They are to be held alike as the means of influencing godliness. In our estimation, the Pope wishes the authority of the Word to be derived from his Church. Christ wishes no supreme judge to be acknowledged in ruling on controversies other than God speaking through Scripture.

The Pope sacrilegiously claims this prerogative for himself. Yet the Pope forces innumerable mediators upon us. Mediators who, he says, are to reveal the way to heaven for us. Also, Christ testifies that there is no other sacrifice apart from His own; no other satisfaction by which we may obtain remission of sins and the reward of salvation.

But the Pope insists on human punishments and satisfactions, while demanding a new propitiatory sacrifice called the Mass.

Whereas Christ institutes only two sacraments, the Pope decrees seven. Christ ordains that no one but God be the object of cult and adoration, yet the Pope worships creatures as well. Antichrist will use a false religious system to deceive the masses in Israel, but the believing Jews will not be fooled.

Now, they are works-oriented, law-oriented. False teachers have slipped into their midst, and they did not guard themselves. How deceived they are! And millions of Christians are just as deceived today—anti-grace and pro-law!! In one succinct statement, let us summarize what we have said thus far. Apostasy, if we use the English Bible with the Greek Bible, is the moving from one doctrinal position to another.

One teaching has been abandoned in favor of another teaching. More specifically, it is a renouncing of the truth in order to embrace false doctrine. Apostasy is always a downgrade; never is it an improvement. Spiritual harm is the inevitable outcome of apostasy, and never forget it!

We can study the Bible, we can appeal to church history and secular history, and see that brought to pass many times over. Send questions to msgrpope osv. Did you enjoy this article? Subscribe now. Send feedback to us at oursunvis osv.

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