“The Way Which They Call a Sect”
Introduction. (Acts 28:16-24). In this text
the Jews unfamiliar with the new covenant of Jesus Christ speak of the
faith as if it one of the divisions of Judaism. Many today think of Christianity
as comprised of a vast variety of “sects.” This morning we are going to
look at this word “sect” as it is used in the Bible and consider what the
Bible teaches about it.
I. The Meaning of the Word “Sect.”
- Sect - hairesis - English word “heresy” “[classical
meaning] 1. act of taking, capture: e.g. storming a city; [most common
sense in non-literary papyri] 2. choosing, choice; [< a school of philosophical
thought] 3. that which is chosen; 4. a body of men following their own
tenets (sect or party); [Josephus - divisions among Jews like philosophical
schools of thought] a. of the Sadducees, b. of the Pharisees, c. of the
Christians, [The sense of Heresy] 5. dissensions arising from diversity
of opinions and aims” (Thayer).
- Various Uses.
- Of the Sadducees. (Acts 5:14-18).
- Of the Pharisees. (Acts 15:5). “the sect of the Pharisees,” (Acts
26:1-6).
- Of Christians. Acts 28:22 sect “spoken against everywhere”; (Acts
24:1-14). Note: “they call”
- Of Division among Christians. (I Corinthians 11:18,19; Galatians
5:19-21).
- Of False doctrine. (II Peter 2:1,2). (probably Gnosticism).
II. The Bible Does Not Identify the Lord’s Church as a
“Sect.”
- Not a variety of choices to choose from. (I Cor. 4:17).
- Not a collection of schools of thought. (I Cor. 1:10-13).
- One Faith.
(Ephesians 4:1-6).
III. The Lord’s Church.
- Learners of Christ - Disciples. (Matthew 28:18,19).
- Workers for the Lord - Servants. (Romans 6:16-19).
- In Relation to God - Children. (I John 3:1,2).
- In Relation to One another - Brothers. (Matt. 12:46-50).
- In Relation to Our Hope - Heirs. (Romans 8:14-17).
- In Relation to the Earth - Pilgrims. (Hebrews 11:13-16).