Grace Thoughts
Order in the Court of the King! (Heresies)
Part of our ‘struggle’ as God’s people is ‘against heresies.’ Standing up against heresies is an important part of glorifying God and finishing the work God has given us to do.
Defining A Heresy
The words ‘heresy,’ ‘heretic,’ and ‘heretical’ are often used in churches, online, and in academic venues. First, question to answer is whether they are words used in the Bible. The short answer is, yes. The longer answer is that ‘they’ are not always used the way we might think.
The Greek word αἵρεσις (hairesis) is used nine times in the New Testament. However, English translations vary on whether to use a transliteration (heresies) or a translation (sect, faction). So, let’s look quickly at the nine uses of the word from two translations: the NKJV and the NIV. The reason for that is to demonstrate how a literal translation (NKJV) and a dynamic translation (NIV) translate the Greek word hairesis. If you use a different New Testament translation, you can look up the verses in your Bible to see how the word is translated.
Acts 5:17
Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation – NKJV
Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy – NIV
Acts 15:5
But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses – NKJV
Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, ‘The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses’ – NIV
Acts 24:5
For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes – NKJV
We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect – NIV
Acts 24:14
But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets – NKJV
However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets – NIV
Acts 26:5
They knew me from the first, if they were willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee – NKJV
They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I conformed to the strictest sect of our religion, living as a Pharisee – NIV
Acts 28:22
But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this sect, we know that it is spoken against everywhere – NKJV
But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect – NIV
1 Corinthians 11:19
For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you – NKJV
No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval – NIV
Galatians 5:20
idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies – NKJV
idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions – NIV
2 Peter 2:1
But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction – NKJV
But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves – NIV
It’s interesting how the same Greek word is translated differently depending on context and English translation.
The English word ‘heresy’ is defined as “adherence to a religious opinion contrary to church dogma” (Merriam-Webster), “(the act of having) an opinion or belief that is the opposite of or against what is the official or popular opinion, or an action that shows that you have no respect for the official opinion” (Cambridge Dictionary), and “Heresy is a belief or action that most people think is wrong, because it disagrees with beliefs that are generally accepted” (Collins English Dictionary).
Those are examples from just three dictionaries. You can check your favorite English dictionary to see how it defines ‘heresy.’
A Strong Opinion and Choice
The Greek word hairesis, from which we get the English ‘heresy’ and ‘heresies,’ means “choice, strong opinion.” It comes from the word αἱρέω (haireó), which means “to take, choose, prefer.” The idea of a ‘sect,’ for example, is that of people who made a choice based on a strong opinion. People with opposing and strong viewpoints may refer to people of that ‘sect’ as ‘heretics.’ Calling someone a ‘heretic’ means you are claiming that they have made a ‘choice based on strong opinion’ that differs from yours.
The words ‘heresy’ and ‘heretic’ are usually found within opposing religious groups. Christians may view Jews and Muslims as heretics. Jews may view Christians and Muslims as heretics. Muslims may view Jews and Christians as heretics. All three have made religious choices based on strong opinions. Those strong opinions differ from people with different opinions.
False Teachers and Prophets
I’ve already addressed false teachers and prophets in many other articles and eBooks, so I’ll look at just a small number of examples for the purpose of understanding ‘heresies.’
Moses taught the children of Israel how to know the difference between a true prophet and a false prophet (Deuteronomy chapters 13 and 18). Jeremiah addressed the issue of false prophets several times in Jeremiah and once in Lamentations. Ezekiel also mentioned false prophets. ‘Lying spirits’ in the mouths of prophets is mentioned in 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles. The lies told by false prophets could be regarded as ‘heresies.’
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said – “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves” (Matthew 7:15). Jesus Christ said that at the end of the age – “many false prophets will rise up and deceive many” (Matthew 24:11). The Apostle Paul dealt with a ‘false prophet’ in Paphos (Acts 13). The Apostle Peter mentioned ‘false teachers’ or ‘false prophets’ in his second letter. The Apostle John addressed ‘false prophets’ in his first letter and ‘the false prophet’ in Revelation.
The idea of ‘false’ teachers and prophets would certainly fit with the idea of heretical beliefs, practices, and teachings. One of the best examples of that is in 2 Peter 2:1-3 –
But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.
Notice some key words that help us understand ‘heresies’ as pertains to Christian churches, denominations, Bible colleges, seminaries, and conferences. We need to be cautious to use the term correctly as it relates to other people and their preaching, teaching, or writing.
- First, the words ‘secretly bring in’ (παρεισάγω). Heretics often present themselves as ‘brothers in Christ.’ They may be members of a church, a pastor, a worship leader, a youth director or children’s leader, a denominational leader, famous author, or seminary professor. They have an appearance of being ‘trustworthy,’ but ‘secretly bring in’ false teachings. The Apostle Paul wrote in Colossians 2 that some people in the church were ‘cheating’ the believers by subjecting them to false ‘regulations.’ Paul wrote in verse 23 – “These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.”
- Second, the words ‘destructive heresies’ (αἵρεσις ἀπώλεια). The idea of the Greek word ἀπώλεια is that heretical teaching would bring about ‘destruction, ruin, loss.’ It comes from the word ἀπόλλυμι, which means ‘cut off completely, sever completely.’ That is why heresy is so dangerous in the Church. It can cut people off from the saving truth of the Gospel. That leads to spiritual ruin and destruction.
- Third, the words ‘even denying the Lord who bought them’ (καὶ τὸν ἀγοράσαντα αὐτοὺς δεσπότην ἀρνούμενοι). That last word, ἀρνούμενοι, is translated as ‘denying.’ It means to say ‘no’ to something or someone or ‘refuse’ them. In this context it is the saying ‘no’ to or ‘refusing’ Jesus Christ in some way. The word was used for denying a statement or repudiating a belief or person. Paul wrote this to Titus – “They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.” Notice that these people in churches on Crete, some of them church leaders, professed to know God, ‘but in works they deny Him.’ They were ‘abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.’ Just because someone in a church or denomination or seminary says they believe in God, doesn’t make their statement true. ‘Secret heretics’ are known by their ‘works. They won’t fool Christians who are watching and listening carefully and comparing every word to the Word of God.
Heretics are Apostates
What Peter wrote about these ‘secret’ heretics fits well with what Paul wrote to Timothy and the Thessalonians –
Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 1 Timothy 4:1-3
Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4
The words ‘falling away’ come from the Greek word ἀποστασία (apostasia). The word means ‘defection, revolt, departure, apostasy.’ It’s the idea of ‘deserting’ something or someone. That’s what happens when false teachers and prophets ‘deceive’ people in churches across the world.
Paul said “some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy.” Notice the wording carefully. Some will ‘depart from the faith.’ The Greek word for ‘depart’ is aphistémi and means ‘to lead away, to depart from, to desert.’ The ideas of ‘falling away’ (apostasy) and ‘departing from the faith’ are similar in meaning.
Paul addressed heretics and apostates powerfully in his letter to the Galatians –
I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. Galatians 1:6-9
O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? Galatians 3:1-4
But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? You observe days and months and seasons and years. I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain … They zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them. Galatians 4:8-11, 17
You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is. And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased. I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off! Galatians 5:7-12
Paul’s letter to the Galatians is a great example of how to deal with ‘heresy’ in a church or denomination. Notice that Paul, Peter, John, and other apostles did not give an inch to heretics. Neither did Jesus Christ. Jesus called people to ‘follow’ Him, not be ‘led away’ from Him.
Led Away From Truth
How are people ‘led away’ from the truth of God’s Word? By false teachers and prophets who promote ‘deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy.’ A true ‘heresy’ most likely came from false teachers and prophets, so it would seem important that we learn how to tell the difference between a real ‘heresy’ and a difference of opinion that does not rise to being ‘doctrines of demons.’
We first need to know what’s true and what’s false. That means ‘rightly dividing the word of truth’ (2 Timothy 2:15). If you don’t know how to study God’s Word and handle it correctly, you are in no position to determine what’s heresy and what’s not. One concern I have is that the words ‘false teacher,’ ‘false prophet,’ ‘heretic,’ and ‘apostate’ are thrown out against the wrong people and teachings, and not used against the people who are the real ‘heretics’ in the Church. Heretics and apostates should be called out, but we need to be sure that we are right in calling them out. Otherwise, we may cause deep divisions within churches and families that are unnecessary and hurtful.
As I’ve written for many years, churches, denominations, Bible colleges and seminaries are filled with false teachers and prophets. If you are a careful student of the Bible, you will recognize them or at least have some questions or concerns about their teachings. They walk among us, often unrecognized as the heretics that they are. As Paul told the elders of the Ephesian church –
For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Acts 20:29-30
Some of the worst offenders are pastors and other church and denominational leaders who either allow heresies to abound among them, or even promote ‘doctrines of demons.’ As Paul wrote to Titus, church leaders – “must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it” (Titus 1:9).
Too Close to the Edge
One of the things that parents do is protect their children from harm. I remember when our sons were little and our grandchildren were young, my wife and I would keep them from getting too close to the edge. It might be too close to the edge of a drop-off, too close to the edge of a road, too close to the edge of a fire, too close to the edge of a hot stove, etc. Children tend to wander (or even run) toward dangerous things. Parents have to be vigilant to keep their children from getting too close to the edge of danger to keep them safe.
Pastors and other church leaders ‘should do’ the same thing. The word ‘pastor’ comes from the Greek word ποιμήν (poimén), which means ‘a shepherd.’ The job of a shepherd is to protect his flock from danger and keep them fed. The Bible uses the term many times to describe the work of ‘overseers’ in churches. The Psalmist called God the ‘Shepherd of Israel’ in Psalm 80:1. The Apostle Peter called Jesus Christ the ‘Chief Shepherd’ in 1 Peter 5:4. That’s insightful given what Jesus said to Peter in John 21. The Apostle Paul said that Jesus Christ gave ‘pastors and teachers’ to the Church –
… for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. Ephesians 4:12-16
The ‘gift’ and position of pastoring and teaching is to protect and feed the flock. That means keeping God’s children from getting ‘too close to the edge’ of heretical teachings – “that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting.” If your pastor and teachers are not doing that for you and other members of the church, find out why. Not protecting the people of God’s pasture is a serious dereliction of duty.
So we, Your people and sheep of Your pasture, Will give You thanks forever; We will show forth Your praise to all generations. Psalm 79:13
Next Time
We need to look carefully at God’s Word to determine which teachings are ‘heresy’ and which teachings are a difference of opinions on spiritual matters that do not rise to the level of ‘heresy.’ Fortunately, the Bible already gives us a lot of help in that area. We’ll look at some examples in the next part of our series, Order in the Court of the King!
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 1990-2024 GraceLife
apostasyapostateApostle PaulApostle PeterBible StudyChristianityfalse prophetsfalse teachersheresyhereticJesus Christ
Published by gracelifethoughts
Founder & Director of GraceLife Ministries View all posts by gracelifethoughts
