by Keith Sharp
In January, 1972, Robert F. Turner and W. Carl Ketcherside had an exchange during the Florida College Lectures on the subject of fellowship. Ketcherside asserted, “If you love one another as you should, you will not divide or fuss or fight.” But the Lord sternly warns us about “false teachers …, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies” (2 Peter 2:1-3) and commands us to “avoid them” (Romans 16:17-18). What do the Scriptures teach about heresy and heretics?
What Is Heresy?
The term translated “heresies” in Second Peter 2:1 occurs nine times in the New Testament. In the New King James Version of the Bible it is translated “sect” (Acts 5:17; 15:5; 24:5, 14; 26:5; 28:22), “factions” (1 Corinthians 11:19), and “heresies” (Galatians 5:20; 2 Peter 2:1). The word “heretick” in the King James Version of Titus 3:9 is rendered “divisive man” in the New King James Version.
Opinions
The primary meaning of the Greek word “hairesis,” which made its way into the English language as “heresy,” is
“‘a choosing, choice’ …; then, ‘that which is chosen,’ and hence, ‘an opinion,’ especially a self-willed opinion, which is substituted for submission to the power of truth, and leads to division and the formation of sects” (Vine. 303).
Everyone has opinions, “a belief or judgment that rests on grounds insufficient to produce complete certainty” (Dictionary.com). My opinion is that “the Day” of Hebrews 10:25 is the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. I can offer what I consider good reasons for this view, but I cannot prove it as scripturally certain, so I don’t ask anyone to believe it. The obligation of preachers and teachers is to “speak as the oracles of God” (1 Peter 4:11), to “preach the word” (2 Timothy 4:2), which “is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). I must leave my opinions out of my preaching and teaching and present “book, chapter, and verse” for what I ask people to believe and practice. Those who preach and teach what they cannot prove by Scripture are guilty of teaching “heresies” (2 Peter 2:1).
Sects
The most common usage of the word “hairesis” in the New Testament is “sect” (Arndt & Gingrich. 23). The various parties of the Jews were called “sects” (Acts 5:17; 15:5; 24:5, 14; 26:5; 28:22). These Jewish sects were formed around human opinions rather than Scripture (Matthew 15:1-9), they were identified by sectarian names (Acts 5:17; 15:5), and they were jealous of other sects and of those who adhered to the doctrine of Christ (Acts 23:6-10). They were parallel to modern denominations in Christendom.
In two New Testament passages “hairesis” denotes a party or sect formed from within the Lord’s church (1 Corinthians 11:18-19; Galatians 5:19-21). These sects are formed upon human opinions, whether it be damnable error (2 Peter 2:1-3), such as the premillennial denial that Christ now reigns on the throne of David (cf. Acts 2:29-32), or an innocent opinion raised to the level of the word of God and made a test of fellowship (Titus 3:9-11), such as the opinion that all in the worship assembly should drink the fruit of the vine in the Lord’s Supper from the same drinking vessel. (The one “cup” is the contents, not the container. – 1 Corinthians 10:16)
Sects choose sectarian names to set them apart (1 Corinthians 1:11-13). I don’t want to be identified as either “conservative” or “liberal,” names unknown to the New Testament used to identify members of factions. Feel free to call me a “disciple” (Acts 9:1), “saint” (Acts 9:13), “Christian” (Acts 11:26), or “member” (1 Corinthians 12:27).
Jealousy abounds between such factions and toward those who simply follow the doctrine of Christ (3 John verses 9-10).
Church of Christ Not a Sect
The Jews of the first century viewed the Lord’s church as a sect of Judaism (Acts 24:5,14; 28:22). They contemptuously called members of the church “Nazarenes” (Acts 24:5), since the Lord was from the despised village of Nazareth (John 1:45-46). But the church found in the New Testament follows only the Scriptures (1 Timothy 3:14-15; 2 Timothy 3:16 – 4:5; 1 Peter 4:11) and is known by divinely given descriptions rather than a sectarian name (Acts 9:2; Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 1:2; Hebrews 12:22-24). It has no reason to be jealous of sects, for it has no rivals (Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:4; 5:23).
Causes
What causes heresy (sectarianism)? Hatred and wrangling among brethren can lead to the formation of sects (Galatians 5:20). When Christians behave as politicians, seeking their own way, their own advantage, positions of power or influence (2 Corinthians 12:20), they sin and form sects. Promoting opinions and speculating about unrevealed things can also lead to the formation of factions (Titus 3:9-11). Teaching false doctrine can also (2 Peter 2:1-3). A very common cause of sectarianism is unscriptural loyalty to men (1 Corinthians 1:11-13). I don’t care what “Brother so-and-so,” who is the finest preacher you ever heard, says. What do the Scriptures teach?
Attitude Toward
What should be our attitude toward heretics, those who cause factions to arise by promoting their opinions or false doctrine? They destroy both themselves and those who follow them (2 Peter 2:1-3), they shall not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19-21), and, after repeated admonitions, we must reject them (Titus 3:9-11).
Conclusion
“Heresy,” sectarianism, is damnable. We must scrupulously avoid it. Do not preach, teach, or promote opinions. Do not place loyalty to any man or group above Scripture. Make sure what we teach and accept is scriptural. Avoid the party spirit, loyalty to a group above loyalty to Christ. Refuse party labels. Mark and avoid those who persist in this sin. We must carefully watch our hearts, tongues, and lives to remain free of heresy.
Works Cited
Arndt, W.F. and F.W. Gingrich, An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words.
Dictionary.com
Vine, W.E., Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old ad New Testament Words.
