Apostasy

Definition and Meaning

The Korean term for apostasy, baegyo (背敎), combines the characters for "to turn one's back on" (背) and "teaching" (敎). It refers to the abandonment of the faith by someone who once professed it, whether by converting to another religion or by denying the Christian faith itself. The Greek term is apostasia, meaning "a standing away" or "defection." Apostasy is distinguished from heresy, which teaches certain points of doctrine differently, and from discouragement, in which a person's life of faith has weakened through trials or disappointment.

Biblical and Historical Background

The New Testament contains several passages warning against falling away from the faith. 2 Thessalonians 2:3–4 states that "a falling away" must come first, before the end. Hebrews 10:26–31 and 2 Peter 2:20–22 issue solemn warnings against turning away after having known the truth. Demas, a co-worker of Paul, is recorded as having forsaken Paul, "having loved this present world" (2 Timothy 4:10). His case is often cited as an example of apostasy, though interpreters differ on whether he abandoned the faith itself.

In the early church, persecution by the Roman Empire gave rise to the problem of apostasy. During the persecution under Emperor Decius in the mid-third century, many believers took part in pagan sacrifices or obtained certificates of sacrifice. A controversy reportedly arose between Cyprian and Novatian over whether the church could readmit such persons.

Theological Understanding and Denominational Differences

• Presbyterian and Reformed churches: Following the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints, these churches hold that God preserves true believers to the end. Those who finally abandon the faith are understood never to have been true believers in the first place, a view supported by appeal to 1 John 2:19 and John 10:27–29.
• Methodist, Holiness, and Nazarene churches: In keeping with the traditions of Wesleyan theology and Arminianism, these churches hold that even a true believer can fall from salvation by willfully rejecting grace. They teach, however, that such a person may return through repentance.
• Baptist churches: Views vary from church to church. Among Korean Baptist churches, the understanding that "salvation once received cannot be lost" is reportedly widespread.
• Full Gospel (Assemblies of God): These churches are generally understood to lean toward the view that a believer can fall away from the faith.

Practice in Korean Churches

In Korean church history, apostasy is closely bound up with the issue of Shinto shrine worship during the Japanese colonial period. After liberation, the dispute over how to repent of and resolve participation in shrine worship became one of the factors behind the schisms within Korean Presbyterianism. Today, when church members convert to another religion or join a heretical group, church discipline may be exercised or their names removed from the church membership roll in accordance with each denomination's constitution and church regulations. In preaching and pastoral counseling, the issue of apostasy is frequently addressed together with assurance of salvation.