What Is the Great Apostasy Doctrine?

The belief that the original Christian church and its authority were lost after the death of the apostles, necessitating a restoration.

By Garret Merkley · Explainer · Jun 2, 2026

Branched from Restoration Theology

Quick take

The Great Apostasy doctrine describes a widespread departure from the original Christian church's teachings and authority.
Many traditions believe this loss occurred after the apostles' deaths, leading to corruption in doctrine and church structure.
It implies a need for a "restoration" of the original church, its priesthood, and its true doctrines in a later age.
This concept is central to the theology of several Christian denominations, particularly Restorationist movements.

The Great Apostasy doctrine is the belief that the original Christian church, established by Jesus Christ and His apostles, experienced a widespread departure from its foundational truths, divine authority, and organizational structure shortly after the apostolic era. This deviation, often seen as a loss of pure doctrine and priesthood power, is believed to have continued for centuries.

The Loss of Authority and Doctrine

Proponents of the Great Apostasy doctrine argue that after the death of the apostles, who held unique keys of divine authority, there was no clear, unbroken succession of that specific authority. This led to a gradual corruption of Christian teachings, practices, and ordinances. Without direct revelation or apostolic guidance, human interpretations and traditions began to overshadow original divine commands, altering core beliefs about God, salvation, and the nature of the church itself.

Signs and Causes of the Apostasy

Various factors are cited as evidence or causes of the apostasy. These often include internal dissension, persecution from outside forces, the blending of pagan philosophies with Christian thought, and the desire for political influence within the Roman Empire. Specific changes frequently highlighted include alterations to baptismal covenants, the loss of spiritual gifts like prophecy and healing, and the establishment of ecclesiastical hierarchies without divine authorization, moving away from a more decentralized, prophet-led structure.

The Great Apostasy doctrine is significant because it provides a theological justification for the establishment of new religious movements, particularly those known as Restorationist churches. For these groups, understanding the apostasy explains *why* a "restoration" of Christ's original church was necessary in a later age, rather than simply reforming existing Christian traditions. It underpins their claims of unique divine authority, rediscovered truths, and a direct re-establishment of the primitive church, distinguishing them from other Christian denominations.

Is the Great Apostasy doctrine accepted by all Christian denominations?

No, it is primarily held by Restorationist movements like The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Most mainstream Catholic and Protestant traditions believe in an unbroken line of apostolic succession or that the essential truths of Christianity were preserved through scripture and tradition.

When is the Great Apostasy believed to have occurred?

While there's no single agreed-upon date, it's generally understood to have begun shortly after the deaths of the original apostles (1st-2nd century AD) and continued for many centuries, leading up to the "Restoration" period in the 19th century for some denominations.

What evidence do proponents use to support the doctrine?

Proponents often cite biblical prophecies about a future falling away (e.g., 2 Thessalonians 2:3, Acts 20:29-30), historical accounts of early Christian doctrinal disputes, and the absence of certain spiritual gifts and practices in later historical records compared to early Christian accounts.

Does the Great Apostasy mean Christianity was completely lost?

No, the doctrine typically suggests a loss of *purity*, *authority*, and *fullness* of truth, not a complete disappearance of Christian belief or scripture. Many traditions believe that elements of truth, goodness, and belief in Christ persisted, but the true church structure and divine authority were absent.