It is very difficult, if not dangerous, for us to attempt accurately to define the words used by the Holy Ghost in the Scripture of truth. Great as increasing acquaintance with the word of God may prove to us the nicety of the expressions used by the sacred Penmen, yet as they are things and facts which the Holy Ghost presents to faith, we are not left to philological distinctions, but the unlearned is led by the Spirit's teaching to gather the meaning of any word from the context. It is very well for us, who see through a glass darkly, to define the terms we use, lest in attempting to communicate anything to others, we should darken counsel by words without wisdom. In the case, for example, of the two words proposed for our consideration, we are persuaded there is a real moral distinction which verbal accuracy would by no means meet. And we would remark that as the term Apostasy often occurs in this publication, we would avail ourselves of the present opportunity to show the sense in which it is used. And first of all, the word itself, "Backslider," does not occur in the New Testament; although there are expressions equivalent to it. Neither is the word "Apostasy" to be found in the Old Testament; although the thing is evidently described: and therefore there will be places where Backsliding may mean the state we would characterize as Apostasy.
The word most usually translated Backsliding, which so often occurs in the prophet Jeremiah, simply means "to turn or return": its moral sense being gathered from the context. Thus Josh. 22:1616Thus saith the whole congregation of the Lord, What trespass is this that ye have committed against the God of Israel, to turn away this day from following the Lord, in that ye have builded you an altar, that ye might rebel this day against the Lord? (Joshua 22:16), "What trespass is this that ye have committed against the God of Israel to turn away from following the Lord, in that ye have builded you an altar, that ye might rebel against the Lord (see also v. 29)." And in the next chapter we find the word without any adjunct, used thus morally, -(vv. 11, 12,) "Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the Lord your God; else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the Remnant of these nations, &c." From these expressions the meaning of Backsliding may be gathered; although the term is not used. There is another word more rarely translated Backsliding only. Hos. 4:1616For Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer: now the Lord will feed them as a lamb in a large place. (Hosea 4:16), " Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer;" and in the margin Zech. 7:1111But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. (Zechariah 7:11), "They gave a backsliding shoulder." In other places it is translated "stubborn," "rebellious," "revolters." Deut. 21:18-2018If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them: 19Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place; 20And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard. (Deuteronomy 21:18‑20), "If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, &c." "I have spread out my hands all the day to a rebellious people (Isa. 65:22I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts; (Isaiah 65:2))." "They are all grievous revolters (Jer. 6:2828They are all grievous revolters, walking with slanders: they are brass and iron; they are all corrupters. (Jeremiah 6:28))."
In the 5th of Jeremiah both the words are used; and it will help to show us that a backsliding state is one of degree; and in this may be said to differ from Apostasy, which is one of fixed and settled purpose. This chapter sets forth the Apostasy of Jerusalem and the way she was led into it. "Run ye to and fro the streets of Jerusalem, and see now and know and seek in the broad places thereof, if you can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh truth." Then the charge is, "Thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou lust consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction, they have refused to return." And this was no, partial but a general defection. "I will get me unto the great men and will speak unto them, for they have known the way of the Lord and the judgment of our God: but these have altogether broken the yoke and burst the bonds." Then their fearful judgment, because their transgressions are many and their backslidings are increased, or strong. Lastly, "This people hath a revolting and rebellious heart, they are revolted and gone (v. 23)." In 5, we have, "Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return." Had not the backsliding been continuous, it might have been remedied; but they went on from bad to worse. From these instances we may safely conclude that Backsliding is the subject of chastisement and warning, but Apostasy, of judgment. So far therefore as the state is one in which God continues to deal with in the way of correction, it is Backsliding; but when God says, "Why should ye be stricken any more, ye will revolt more and more" (Isa. 1:55Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. (Isaiah 1:5))," it becomes a state of settled departure from God -"they are gone away backward." It is Apostasy -and only to be dealt with in judgment, according to the word, "He that, being often reproved, hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy (Prov. 29:11He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. (Proverbs 29:1))." It is important to remark how constantly backsliding is connected with a refusal to hear. And this, when it becomes habitual, brings about that moral state most hateful in the sight of God, and which He gives up to judgment; as it is written Deut. 21:18-2018If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them: 19Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place; 20And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard. (Deuteronomy 21:18‑20), "If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father or the voice of his mother, and when they have chastened him will not hearken unto them, they shall say unto the Elders of the city, this our son is stubborn and rebellious; he will not obey our voice, -all the men of his city shall stone him with stones that he die." Here is the direct contrast to the one in born God was well pleased, even the obedient son; whose constant language was, "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."
And now to turn to the New Testament, we have the words, η Αποστασια, the Apostasy (2 Thess. 2:33Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; (2 Thessalonians 2:3)); and it is only here used in the sense we popularly attach to it. It occurs in one other place, Acts 21:2121And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs. (Acts 21:21), "And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses:" Αποστάσιαν απο Μωσεως. Here we see the kindred idea of the first word we considered in the Old Testament, to depart from. We have the root from whence the noun is derived, often occurring in the New Testament, and used both in a good and bad sense. "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits (1 Tim. 4:11Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; (1 Timothy 4:1))." Again, Luke 8:1313They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. (Luke 8:13), "Which for a time believe, and in time of temptation fall away." And in 1 Tim. 6:55Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. (1 Timothy 6:5), "From such withdraw thyself." 2 Tim. 2:1919Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. (2 Timothy 2:19), "Let every one that nameth the name of Christ, depart from iniquity." These examples would show the impropriety of attempting a verbal definition, at the same time that they convey most distinct ideas to our mind. There is one verse, Heb. 3:1212Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. (Hebrews 3:12), which may he said to be God's own definition of Apostasy; "An evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God." In this indeed backsliding is included.
The Corinthians had declined, in respect of the purity of their communion -i.e., they had gone back from the standard they had previously attained (1 Cor. 5); also in respect of love in ministering to the Saints (2 Cor. 13:1010Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction. (2 Corinthians 13:10)). And as such were in the one case the subjects of the Apostles' severe animadversion and threatening of heavy chastisement; and in the other, of his earnest exhortation; but these were not cases properly of Apostasy. In both cases there appears to have been warning, the warning was received, and led to repentance (2 Cor. 7); and the exhortation stirred up love (Rom. 14:26). So the language of the Apostle to the Galatians, "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from Him that called you (Gal. 1:66I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: (Galatians 1:6));" and "ye did run well," v. 7. proves a sliding back both in faith and practice, and the Apostle's fears and hope; at one time, "I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain;" at another, "I have confidence in you through the Lord," prove that while he saw the Apostasy in which their departure might issue, he looked on that departure as remediable. The evil heart of unbelief was not confined in departing from the living God. They were not beyond warning, and being reclaimed, as the Jews were, to whom the Apostle addressed himself in the language of the Prophet Isaiah, giving them over to judicial blindness (Acts 28:77In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously. (Acts 28:7)). But where we shall see the distinction most clearly marked, is in the case of the seven Churches (Rev. 2; 3). These were so constituted that the Great Head of the Church, and its Bishop, would own them as Churches, and deal with them as He who walked in the midst of the Churches as the Son of Man judging them. With His eyes of flaming fire He was quick in detecting their backslidings and exposing them -backslidings in practice, which if not repented of, would lead to Apostasy, and the removal of the candlestick. Hence the message invariably is, "I know thy works." These Churches were in a state to be dealt with in exhortation, warning, and reproof, and chastisement. But if there was no ear to hear what the Spirit said to the Churches, they would be brought to the state already mentioned, as described in Jeremiah, "They would not hearken," and therefore would only be dealt with by the Son of Man in judgment. "Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love (Rev. 2:44Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. (Revelation 2:4))." Here is Backsliding, not Apostasy; but if the warning be not followed by repentance, there follows Apostasy, and thereupon judgment. "Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen and repent, and do the first works, or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of her place, except thou repent." Here we see the first declension in practice, and in the Church of Laodicea the last stage of backsliding verging on Apostasy; a state not beyond the reach of rebuke and chastisement, but just ready to be spued out of the mouth of the Lord. Now what is remarkable is, that the Lord Jesus Christ, as Son of Man, does not appear again till Rev. 14:1414And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. (Revelation 14:14); i.e., the Harvest and the Vintage. He could exercise direct judicial authority as Son of Man, and as the Bishop of the Church, up to a certain point, but when His message by the Spirit was rejected, then was Apostasy consummated, and He could only recognize the visible Church as that which He would meet in judgment. When therefore we speak of the Apostasy of the Church, we mean that settled departure from the principles of its original constitution by its Head, so that He cannot directly administer to it as the Church, because to do so would be to give the sanction of His name to evil, Now the constitution of the Church, is the abiding presence of the Comforter; He is the foundation of its authority, the dispenser of its ministrations, the source of teaching, the author of holiness, the cement of its unity; in a word, its only strength. Now we have seen Backsliding in those several particulars and warning against it, but they would not hearken; and now the Church has settled down on another basis, which may in general terms be asserted to be the rejection of the Holy Ghost, in authority, ministration, teaching, and power; and substituting either fleshly order or popular election in its stead. The evil heart of unbelief has issued in departing from the living God. And the misery is, that we are so little sensible of the Apostasy -so little recognize the removal of the candlestick, that the necessity of an establishment of some sort is generally assumed by Christians as an axiom. Where can we see anything like a candlestick under the immediate ordering of the Son of Man? The very claim to be so now, carries with it the stamp of Apostasy. Will any now be so bold as to claim the sanction of the Lord's name for the avowed evils of their respective systems?
Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not, and come and stand before this house which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations? Is this house which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold even I have seen it saith the Lord (Jer. 7:9-119Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not; 10And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations? 11Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the Lord. (Jeremiah 7:9‑11)).
When therefore we assert the Apostasy of the visible Church, we mean that it has ceased as a whole to be God's witness in the earth except for judgment. But it must be ever borne in mind that to be in an Apostasy, is not necessarily to be an Apostate. In the preceding dispensation, as Apostasy was setting in, God raised up His witnesses against it, in the persons of the Prophets who were multiplied as it increased, and to them the poor of the flock gave heed. Even in Babylon, Daniel existed in all the individual blessing of his dispensation. And so from the time of the Lord's removing the candlestick, He has never left Himself without a witness; the Spirit in individuals has ever been found protesting against false doctrine or corrupt practice: and the Lord has made provision of blessing for them in their little strength. But not to pursue this here, we would remark three things.
I take it that in Thyatira a division had taken place, as indicated in Rev. 3:24 by "the rest." This does not affect the fact that there is one assembly in a city. Putting aside the bearing of "the rest," there may be two or three gathered together unto Christ's name (Matt. 18:2020For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20)) in a town or city, but they are not the assembly in the city as if other Christians in that city are not part of the assembly in that place. But the two or three are gathered together unto Christ's name, the ground on which all should be gathered, unless excluded by Scripture discipline.
For some reading on the subject of the assembly in a city, see the Index to the Letters of J. N. Darby, under Assembly -in a city, the.)
1st. That it has been God's method to own the partial truth held by any association gathered even in the name of man, as a testimony against the prevailing evil of the Apostasy, hardly any one will be disposed to deny that the Society of Friends, however defective in doctrine, did raise a most decided testimony to the presence and power of the Spirit, and thus were capacitated to testify against truth held in ungodliness on the one hand, and a mere routine of formal ceremonies on the other. The same might be said of other associations, which however they might assume the name of a Church, did not stand in the place of the candlestick ordered by the Son of Man, although His grace would recognize any portion of truth they held in righteousness, or any zeal for His name The Lord "hewed" His fallen people by the Prophets (Hos. 6:55Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth. (Hosea 6:5)); but the Prophets did not constitute the nation of Israel, and analogous to their ministry has been either that of individual testimony by the power of the Spirit, or the associations arising from it; but that does not make them the Church.
2nd. As to individual Backsliding, the case is supposed in admonitions of this character. "Let us not he weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap if we faint not." "But to do good and to communicate forget not." And these are the correctives to meet the continual tendency in us to grow weary in the service to the Lord and to draw back. But here we must specially guard against the advantage that Satan might gain against us, in presenting to our view the energy we once had, and from which we have declined. Our wisdom is to discriminate between the energy of the flesh and power of the Spirit; that energy is soon gone when no results answering its expectations are realized: but in the Spirit there is continuance. Fruit to God is brought forth "with patience." The excitement of the flesh is often mistaken by novices for the power of the Spirit; and when it fails, they may be led into trouble of conscience from feeling that the buoyancy of spirit in which they were once carried on in service is gone. At the very time when in the judgment of a spiritual mind, their state may be more healthy, if they have exchanged carnal excitement for "patient continuance in well doing. " He that endures unto the end shall be saved. If it be asked, at what stage does backsliding become Apostasy? it may be answered, when discipline fails of reclaiming. It is hard for us to distinguish between the weakness of the flesh and settled purpose of the mind, as well as to enter into the great acquired power of Satan over those who by backsliding, have been taken captive by him at his will. In the pride of our self-conceit we might have branded Peter or Cranmer as an Apostate, and yet the Lord knew them as His. But were they not Backsliders in act? This we can judge of, and deal with in discipline; but the Lord knoweth the heart, and "the Backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways (Prov. 14:1414The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself. (Proverbs 14:14))." As such he is an Apostate, he is avowedly gone from his principles, and when such a case is clearly made out, we may apply the word; as for example, in the case of many of those who professedly being Presbyterians have fallen into Socinianism; This case is supposed as one that might happen. "A man that is an Heretic after the first and second admonition, reject; knowing that he that is such, is subverted and sinneth, being condemned of himself (Titus 3:10, 1110A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; 11Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself. (Titus 3:10‑11))." May it not therefore safely be said, that though every Apostate is a Backslider, not every Backslider is an Apostate; and that Backsliding refers to a state in which a Believer has been, and from which he has declined: but Apostasy is the settled renunciation of a profession once made. He that is born of God may be a Backslider, and hence the way in which the Scriptures are written as "profitable for correction and reproof; but he cannot be an Apostate, because "His seed remaineth in him." This may be gathered from the solemn warning (Heb. 6). Every possible attainment, short of a new creation, is there supposed as possible, and from these a falling away; but there says the Apostle, "Beloved we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak, for God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love {XXX}." "Every one that loveth, is born of God and knoweth God {XXX}." Most salutary therefore is it for us not to be resting in any of those attainments which might minister to our self-complacency, but to be exercised in that patient love, the work and labor of which always crosses the flesh, It is in this we are apt to be slothful, and to seek for knowledge, or some other gift, instead of the manifestation of God's own nature in US.
Lastly, we must bear in mind, that since that which was set up by God as His witness on the earth, even the visible Church, has failed of its purpose, and is in Apostasy, that the proper place of Believers and bounden service to the Lord, is testimony against the Apostasy of the professing body. As in the Apostasy, but not of the Apostasy, we must "go without the camp" {Heb. 13:1313Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. (Hebrews 13:13)}. Fidelity to the Lord now forces His people to enter their protest against whatever bears His name, but is not of Him. No plea of expediency, no dread of marring unity, ought to prevent our disowning the sanction of the Holy Name by which we are called, to whatever system virtually disowns Him as its only Legislator. "Let every one that nameth the name of Christ {"of the Lord") depart from iniquity {2 Tim. 2:1919Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. (2 Timothy 2:19),}-αποςητω απο ανομιας. It is actually so to depart in principle and practice, as an Apostate does from the truth as it is in Jesus. The iniquity may be covered up under seeming order, and may be even venerable by its antiquity, but it is sanctioned, and we cannot depart from iniquity without protesting against that which accredits it. The most aggravated form of evil, is glossing it over with the name of good, -the sure mark of Apostasy is calling evil good; saying, "we are delivered to do all these abominations," having the form but denying the power of godliness: "from such turn away." It will therefore be our wisdom to cultivate that Spirit which will make us of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord, in order to separate between "the precious and the vile"; and to allow no plea of personal convenience, no assumption of authority to interfere with our departing from that iniquity which the Lord will judge. -"I have told him that I will judge his house forever, for the iniquity which he knoweth: because his sons made themselves vile and he restrained them not (1 Sam. 3:1212In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end. (1 Samuel 3:12))." It is a solemn principle of judgment; a man might be walking apparently blameless before the Lord, and yet be sanctioning evil, helping on judgment. Let us beware of the sophistry of our own hearts, which are ever prone to palliate evil. It is to the workers of iniquity that the Lord says, "depart from me, I never knew you." And therefore whatever defmite application may be given to the call, yet it is our wisdom to look at it as continually addressed to ourselves,—"Come out of her my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues {XXX}."
The Christian Witness 2:145-153 (1835).