An Alphabetical Analysis
Volume 6 - Doctrinal Truth - Page 200 of 270
INDEX
that vain, deceitful philosophy which is not after Christ and from that lie
of the devil who introduced sin and death into the world.
Articles bearing upon this important theme are Sleep7, as a figure of
death; Immortality (p. 316); and Soul7.
Heresy.
The way they call heresy, or the fear of forming a sect.
Some of the Lord's people who feel the need of fellowship with other
fellow -members of the Body of Christ have expressed hesitation to put their
desires into operation, fearing that by so doing they would be forming
'another sect'.  It is well to retain a tender conscience over all our
actions, but at the same time we must not allow an unscriptural fancy to
prevent us fulfilling what may be a Scriptural desire.
What is a Sect?  We read in Acts 5:17 of the sect of the Sadducees, and
in 15:5 of the sect of the Pharisees.  In Acts 24:5 we find the term, the
sect of the Nazarenes.  Here we have the same word used of two sects which
were manifestly not of God and also of one that was the true church of God.
The apostle uses the word taken up by Tertullius in 24:5, in his defence
saying:
'But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call
heresy (same word as sect), so worship I the God of my fathers' (Acts
24:14).
Hairesis = sect is derived from haireomai = to choose (Phil. 1:22; 2
Thess. 2:13; Heb. 11:25).  The Scriptural idea of a sect is 'self choice',
and is a word of the flesh (Gal. 5:20; 1 Cor. 11:19 heresies).  A company of
believers seeking to manifest their union with one another and with the risen
Lord cannot be guilty of forming 'another sect' by so doing.  Should
unscriptural practices, leaders, or ideas be allowed, these departures would
merit the undesired title, and it is these 'self choosings' we must shun.
One of the most important facts to remember in connection with any
attempt to form a meeting today is the condition that corporate Christianity
had reached in the days of the apostle Paul.  The second Epistle to Timothy
reveals a church in ruins, the foundation alone remaining and exposed to
view.  Consequently the discipline that was possible while the church was
standing can no longer be put into operation.  Instead of Timothy being
instructed to exercise his disciplinary powers upon others, he is urged to
exercise them upon himself.  The foundation itself bears the seal:
'Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity' (2
Tim. 2:19).
The personal note is sounded in such statements as:
'If a man therefore purge himself from these' (not purge others)
(2:21).
'From such turn away' (not turn others away) (3:5).
Timothy is told to 'shun' profane and vain babblings, to 'flee'
youthful lusts, to 'follow' righteousness, faith, love, peace with them that
call on the Lord out of a pure heart.  Foolish and unlearned questions he is
to avoid, knowing that they but gender strifes (2 Tim. 2:23).  These passages