In the Garden, the Lord gave instructions concerning a certain tree saying…“Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” (Genesis 2:16-17) In Genesis Chapter 3, Satan (serpent) addressed these instructions with Eve. Here we witness the birth of apostasy, along with the three steps Satan used for its conception! Step l: Genesis 3:1 – Satan (serpent) questioned God, causing doubt of His authority. Step 2: Genesis 3:4 – Satan called God a liar, making His Word suspect. Step 3: Genesis 3:5 – Satan cleverly disguised his deceit by interjecting a ‘little’ truth into his damning falsehoods. Now, as we examine a few apostatized biblical doctrines, these three steps become quite visible when tested against God’s Holy Word!

Salvation: Recently the Pope announced that one can go the Heaven without believing in God despite God’s infallible Word instructing that “…. if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that GOD hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” (Romans 10:9) Easily understood words distorted by varying lies that contend an atheist can enter Heaven, or a man can earn salvation through good works, or baptism, or affiliation with a certain church, or, or, or! Salvation’s simplicity is being corrupted! “For by grace are ye saved through faith……not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Predestination: If we have no control over our eternal destination, why does the Bible say “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”, or “….that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (Romans 10:13; John 3:16b) God knew even before time who would and who would not make the choice of accepting His Son, but He DID NOT do the choosing! His foreknowledge did not activate predestination. If it had, how would ‘whosoever’ be appropriate, and why would we be instructed to witness and pray for the lost? (Acts 26:15-18) These actions would be useless! Jesus died for the entire world with NO exception! (John 3:16; I John 2:2)

Hell/Lake of Fire: Apostasy leads us to think contrary to God’s Word. Satan said “Ye shall not surely die.”, yet God said “Thou shalt surely die (spiritual death).” (Genesis 3:4; 2:17) Because purveyors of apostasy tickle the ears with candy coated theologies such as receiving final redemption after death, reincarnation, eventual annihilation or absolute nothingness, millions are being persuaded that God would not let anyone perish, let alone suffer throughout eternity. Yet Jesus Himself preached about eternal punishment and warned of its consequences! (Matthew 18:8-9; Mark 9:43-49)

Humanism: “The denial of any power or moral value superior to that of humanity “. “The fool has said…there is NO God.” (Psalm 14:1) Therefore, the fool accepts science’s explanation of creation (Evolution), and believes there are no moral absolutes except those which man establishes. Biblical teachings against homosexuality, abortion, fornication, sexual depravity, lying, cheating, etc. (The Ten Commandments), are considered worthless! What a welcomed doctrine for those who want to live life according to their own desires while not being accountable to anyone, including The Mighty Creator.

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth…” (II Timothy 4:3:4) That time is NOW!

“…thy (God’s) word is truth.” (John 17:17b)