Beware of Apostasy

Posted on April 29, 2026, 9:26 a.m. by Rev. Shobayo Kayode The Gospel Study Centre

There is an emerging frightening slogan trending online among some Christians. It is called “Yes to God, No to Church” The slogan reflects a desire for a direct relationship with God over traditional church attendance. A desire to separate faith in Jesus from the structural traditional church settings. It is a frightening slang because it is a subtle way the Satan uses to lure Christians away from God. The Bible tells us that the early Christians continued with one accord in the temple praising God and having favour with all the people. (Acts.2:46-47) In doing this, they manifested their fellowship as one body of Christ. Jesus says the temple is the house of prayer. (Matt.21:13) The temple is now the Church where believers gather together. It is being argued that the people behind the slogan are those that may have had a bad experience with the organised Christian organization or those who may have been deceived and disappointed by those whom Jesus describes as ‘ravenous wolves’ (Matt.7:15) Notwithstanding, “No to Church” is a dangerous desire that can cause believer to fall away from the grace of God, known as Apostasy. Such individuals gradually begin and continually refuse to follow and obey the Christian faith until they formally abandon the faith. At that point they are no more backsliders because they have not merely fallen into sin but have rebelled against Jesus. The bible refers to apostasy as insulting the Spirit of grace. (Heb.10:29) Apostasy is a spiritual danger leading to unbelief and separation from God. Those that are separated from God are considered to be ‘twice dead’ (Rev.20:14) They are those who are already dead in sin and destined for the second death because they turned away from Jesus. The Bible warns that it is impossible to renew such people who have experienced the saving grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit and then denounced Christ. (Heb.6:4-6) It means they crucify Christ by themselves again thereby give opportunity for the unbelieving world to mock the body of Christ. When Christians gather together, they are responsible for encouraging one another to remain faithful to the Lord and consider one another for the purpose of stirring up love and good works towards themselves. (Heb.10:24) Those who abandon the assembly of the saints expose themselves to the danger of apostasy because they miss the counsel and encouragement of other believers as a result of lack of fellowship with them. The Bible says, where there is no counsel, the people fall. (Prov.11:14a) The Bible warns that believers should not forsake the assembly of themselves together. (Heb.10:25a) Church is where believers assemble to stir up love and activate good works towards themselves and the community in which they live in addition to praying and praising God. King David gave a courageous mindset concerning going to Church. He says, “I was glad when they said to me, let us go into the house of the Lord.” (Psalm.122:1) He was referring to the excitement of the annual journey to Jerusalem where the temple was. His gladness was because it was a journey to go and fellowship with like-minded people. Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, it is profitable to take delight in obeying the word of God. God’s word says, do not forsake the assembling of yourselves together. Let us be obedient to the word. Just as the temple in Jerusalem brought a sense of security and peace to the people of Israel, (Psalm.122:6-9) the Church remains a place of security and peace where true Christians should be glad to go to. Take note: “No to Church” slogan is Satan’s strategy to separate you from God, do not be deceived. Evangelism A united and active believers encourage unbelievers to aspire to become a member of the body of Christ. Inspire an unbeliever into the church today. Rev. Shobayo Kayode The Gospel Study Centre