• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

FAIR

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Come, Follow Me Old Testament Resources

  • Find Answers
  • Blog
  • Media & Apps
  • Conference
  • Bookstore
  • Archive
  • About
  • Get Involved
  • Search
You are here: Home / Archive / Publications / Biblical Evidences of an Apostasy

Biblical Evidences of an Apostasy

Critics of the LDS belief in an apostasy after the death and resurrection of Christ often cite Jude 1:3 as proof that no such apostasy took place. This passage speaks of the faith which was “once for all” delivered to the saints. Those critics believe that “once for all” (Jude 1:3, NIV) means that there will never be a need to restore the gospel… that it will never be taken from the earth or lost.

The word “once” as used in Jude 1:3 should be translated as “before” or “previously” to be more accurate. As proof of this, note that the same Greek word was used in verse 5 and was also translated in the KJV as “once.” The context used in verse 5 makes it clear that to interpret the use in verse two as “one time” is not correct. The KJV translates the Greek as “ye once knew this” (i.e. He knew it in the past but may have forgotten it). The New International Version confirms this by translating this same Greek word (once–verse 5) as “already,” meaning formerly.

Other scriptures confirm that many general apostasies have taken place, and that the gospel had been formerly delivered to ancient Israel following these apostasies… (Deuteronomy 9:7,25; 29:25; 30:15- 19; Judges 3:7; 1 Kings 11:2; 14:22; 2 Kings 17:7; 21:2; Psalms 106:36; Isaiah 2:8; 39; 24:5; 29:13-14; 59:2; Jerimiah 2:17; 7:11; 35:15; Ezekiel 2:3; 11:12; 22:26; Hosiah. 4:6, 17; Amos 8:11; Micah 3:11; Matthew 13:15; 15:9).

Paul taught the Galatians that “God… preached before the gospel unto Abraham” (Galatians 3:8) and in Hebrews 4:2 he declared that, “unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them [Israel in the days of Moses.. 1 Corinthians 10:4, Hebrews 3:16-17]: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it” (Hebrews 4:2). If the gospel was preached to Abraham in 2000 BC, to the people of Israel during the Exodus in 1350 BC, and then to Israel of Christ’s day, it was delivered more than one time. (See also Isaiah 40:9; 52:7; 61:1; Moses 5:58-59; 6:51-68; Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 59-61; Seaich, Mormonism, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the Nag Hammadi Texts, pp. 54-55).

It is clear that an apostasy was predicted by Jesus Christ and his apostles. Jesus taught that, “many shall come in my name, saying ‘I am Christ’, and shall deceive many” (Matthew 24:5). Paul declared, “Be not soon shaken in mind, or troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, not by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by many means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first.” (2 Thessalonians 2:2-3).

We should note that the Greek word apostasia was translated as “falling away” in the KJV. Thus Paul is saying that the early Christians should not be fooled by false Christs since there would be an unmistakable apostasy before Christ’s return. Consider also the following: Matthew 24:4, 9-13, 24; John 16:2-3; Acts 20:29-30; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13; Galatians 1:6-8; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Timothy 3:1-9, 12-13; 4:3-4; Titus 1:10-16; 2 Peter 2:1-3; 3:3; 1 John 2:18-19; Jude 3-4; Revelation 13:4-8.

Other Biblical verses such as Matthew 17:11; Acts 1:6-7; 3:19-21; Ephesians 1:10; and Revelation 14:6 confirm the LDS belief that a restoration of the gospel was prophesied to occur in these latter days.

Some may be tempted to cite the Protestant reformation as the fulfillment of these prophecies, but it is clear that the promised restoration was to be accomplished not through man’s effort but in spite of it (Daniel 2:44-45; Matthew 5:13; 1 Timothy 4:1-2; 2 Timothy 3:1-7; 4:3-4; Hebrews 6:4-8). Such a renewal came at the time of the Savior’s mortal ministry. Jesus Christ made no attempt to reform the doctrines and institutions of His day; He simply restored the true gospel to the Earth. It was taught not as reformed Judaism but rather as a new alternative to it. As Jesus taught, new wine cannot be put in old bottles or both the wine and the bottles will be lost (Matthew 9:16-17). The multitudes of Protestant churches existing today are proof of the fact that a reformation cannot succeed in restoring absolute truth. God has always accomplished this end through new revelation to his chosen prophets and not through self-appointed reformers.

 

Footer

FairMormon Logo

FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Our Friends

  • BYU Religious Studies Center
  • BYU Studies
  • Book of Mormon Central
  • TheFamilyProclamation.org
  • Interpreter Foundation
  • Pearl of Great Price Central

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • iTunes
  • YouTube

Donate to FAIR

We are a volunteer organization. We invite you to give back.

Donate Now

Donate to us by shopping at Amazon at no extra cost to you. Learn how →

Site Footer

Copyright © 1997-2022 by The Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

No portion of this site may be reproduced without the express written consent of The Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research, Inc.

Any opinions expressed, implied, or included in or with the goods and services offered by FAIR are solely those of FAIR and not those of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research (FAIR) Logo

FAIR is controlled and operated by the Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research (FAIR)