Apostasy; Apostate
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Apostasy; Apostate in the Bible?
Apostasy describes the act of renouncing one's faith, often driven by external persecution, internal moral failure, or adherence to false teachings. Biblical accounts identify figures such as King Saul, Amaziah, Demas, Hymeneus, and Alexander as examples of individuals who abandoned their religious commitments.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding apostasy clarifies the biblical emphasis on steadfastness, illustrating the narrative tension between divine loyalty and human frailty while providing context for warnings against spiritual drift in epistolary literature.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
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Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.