Heresy

"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies..." (Galatians 5: 19, 20 KJV)

"Heresy" is from the Greek word "hairesis" and means, according to Strong, an "act of taking, capture: e.g. storming a city; choosing, choice" or "that which is chosen" or "a body of men following their own tenets (sect or party)" or "dissensions arising from diversity of opinions and aims."

In the New Testament (KJV) it is translated "sect" five times and as "heresy" four times.

According to Vine it denotes "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, Gal 5:20 (marg., "parties"); such erroneous opinions are frequently the outcome of personal preference or the prospect of advantage."

Heresies involve sectarianism, partyism, and divisiveness. Heretics are schismatics and controlled by a factious party spirit. An "heretic" and the "heresy" (sect or party) he/she represents, is characterized by some false teaching that is contrary to fundamental bible teaching, by the introduction of some new doctrine that undermines the Christian faith, the riding of some sectarian "hobby horse," some tenet that is unique to the party.

Thus, in the New Testament we read of "the sect of the Sadducees" (Acts 5: 17) and of "the sect of the Pharisees" (Acts 15: 5). Two references refer to the Christian "sect" (so called by others).

"For we have found this man (Paul) a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes" (or Christians - Acts 24: 5).

"But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against." (Acts 28: 22)

These two verses report that the enemies of the Christians were often referring to Christians as a "sect," or "party," or "heresy." This led Paul to preface his preaching by saying:

"But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets." (Acts 24: 14 KJV)

Paul is not admitting that Christians were a "sect," or "heresy," or party faction, but is simply acknowledging that Christians were so styled by their opposers. In fact, he counters the charge of being a "sect," or "cult," or deviant religious group, by saying that he "believed all things written in the law and in the prophets," the very thing that real "cults" do not do.

"Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee." (Acts 26: 5)

"Straitest" is from the Greek word "akribēs" and means "exact" or "careful." Paul is saying that he was, as a Pharisee, "of the strictest sect," a party known for its "precise and rigorous interpretation of the Mosaic law," 'observing even the more minute precepts of the law and tradition." (Strong)

By "our religion" Paul alludes of course to the Hebrew religion, the religion of his fathers, of the Jewish nation. He acknowledges that the "Jews religion" (Galatians 1: 13, 14) had its "sects," or "party divisions," being chiefly made up of Sadducees and Pharisees, but of other minor groups also. Paul said that he was of the Phariseeic party prior to becoming a Christian.

"But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable (or 'destructive') heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction." (II Peter 2: 1 KJV)

Paul, in our opening verse, identified "heresies" as being a "work of the flesh (or 'sinful nature')."

"These (heresies) are works of the flesh, for they spring from a corrupt and carnal mind, and are propagated with carnal views, as popular applause, worldly advantage, and indulging the lusts of the flesh." (Gill)

"Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them." (Acts 20: 30 KJV)

"I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not." (III John 1: 9 KJV)

"Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind." (Colossians 2: 18 KJV)

Those who promote heresies, being the leaders of heretical sects and cults, are characters that are religous imposters, men who do not preach Christ sincerely (Philippians 1: 15-17), but who only pretend to Christian faith, in order that they might gain a following, or financial gain. (Titus 1: 11) These heretics are governed by their pride and lust for power, as the above verses demonstrate.

"If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself." (I Timothy 6: 3-5 KJV)

"Doting" is from the Greek word "noseō" and means "to be sick," and "metaphorically of any ailment of the mind." It is "to be taken with such an interest in a thing as amounts to a disease, to have a morbid fondness for." It speaks of a kind of religious or spiritual "delirium," where the mind is foolishly fixated on non-essential points, or on some falsehood, it becoming the only point that matters, the veritable "hobby horse," which detracts from the more vital truths and work of the gospel of Christ.

"Evil surmisings" - "groundless suspicions" or "wicked opinions." The heretic or cult member is one who may be identified by certain traits or characteristics. In the above words of Paul, he connects apostates from the faith (heretics) not only with pride and with a mental disease, with being in a mental cloud or fog, and with a doting spirit, but also with a spirit that desires to "lord it over" others, that loves strife and contention, that seeks self promotion by demeaning and debasing others, and with a "corrupt mind" and springing from their depraved carnal natures, or the sinful flesh, and from spiritual blindness and ignorance.

"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them." (Romans 16: 17 KJV

"A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject." (Titus 3: 10 KJV)

Heretics are to be "marked" and "admonished." They are also to be "rejected" and "avoided." An heretic is known first by his "contrary" teachings and activities, and by his "contrary" mind, as has been observed. Heretics have a "cultic mentality."

"I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another (of a different kind) gospel: Which is not another (of the same kind); but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other (of a different kind) gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other (of a different kind) gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." (Galatians 1: 6-9 KJV) (Acts 24: 14 KJV)

Heretics of the Christian faith are apostates, having "removed" themselves from the doctrine of Christ, and the gospel. Heretics are advocates of "perversions" of the true gospel, being promoters of "counterfeit" schemes and seductive philosophies.

"Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished." (I Corinthians 15: 12-18 KJV)

"And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some." (II Timothy 2: 17, 18 KJV)

The above are some examples of early "heresies" that "crept into" the church and that were refuted by the apostles.

Heresies are doctrines which Christ hates, because they are contrary to the truth of God and holy scripture. (See Revelation 2: 15)

"If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds." (II John 1: 10, 11 KJV)

Those who pervert the gospel and word of God, and who subvert the teachings of Christ, are evil people involved in "evil deeds." All who support these heretics, with money or otherwise, are "partakers of" the heretic's evil deeds, and will receive a like judgment.

"For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you." (I Corinthians 11: 19 KJV)

God allows or suffers the church to have to deal with heretics and with heresies. Why? First, he does it to test the professing members in regard to the sincerity or genuineness of their professions. The Lord did the same in the Old Testament with his ancient people.

"If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul." (Deuteronomy 13: 1-3 KJV)

Thus, "there MUST be heresies" among the Christian community, for it serves God purpose in "testing" or "proving" the people in separating the genuine from the false, the real believer from the hypocrite, thus demonstrating and revealing who are the real followers of Christ.

The heretics reveal that they follow the flesh, and not the Spirit, and that they are NOT "approved" of God, but disapproved and rejected by him. On the other hand, those who adhere to the "doctrine of Christ," and who do not follow the heretics, cultists, and apostates, in their wicked meanderings, show that they are the true "approved" of God.