| − | The word "Apostasy" and "Apostate" ''does '''not''' properly apply'' to anyone or to any church that (still) claims the name of Christian, however false their claim to be Christian might be. For example, those whom Paul called "''false brethren, false apostles''" (Galatians 2:4; 2 Corinthians 11:12-15). They may have departed from the truth, they may be guilty of formal and material heresy, they may have rejected every Christian doctrine, belief and practice in their teaching and preaching, they may be liars, they may be virtual atheists, but if they have been [[Baptism|baptized]] and have not renounced the name of Christian they have not actually committed apostasy—even if some have ignorantly and improperly abused this word by saying they are "apostates". | + | The word "Apostasy" and "Apostate" ''does '''not''' properly apply'' to anyone or to any church that (still) claims the name of Christian, however false their claim to be Christian might be. For example, those whom Paul called "''false brethren, false apostles''" (Galatians 2:4; 2 Corinthians 11:12-15). They may have departed from the truth, they may be guilty of formal and material heresy, they may have rejected every Christian doctrine, belief and practice in their teaching and preaching, they may be liars, they may be [[Practical atheism|virtual atheists]], but if they have been [[Baptism|baptized]] and have not renounced the name of Christian they have not actually committed apostasy—even if some Christian commentators have ignorantly and improperly abused this word by saying they are "apostates". |