Introduction to Doctrine 2 - Heresy
"A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject;" (Titus 3:10)
The word heresy literally means "choosing one's own ideas", but now refers to that which is untrue. Even the New Testament church had false or heretical teachers who taught erroneous doctrine. Some epistles were specifically written to combat them (e.g., Galatians, 2 Thessalonians). Paul warned the Romans against identifying with those who promoted divisive, heretical teachings (Rom. 16:17). He advised Titus to reject heretics if they did not respond after two warnings. John warned that a heretic should not be admitted into a Christian's home (2 John 10).
Illustration: Not everyone who makes an incorrect doctrinal statement is a heretic. When Apollos was further instructed concerning the gospel, he grew into a mighty Christian leader (Acts 18:24-28). By contrast, Hymeneus and Philetus were heretics when they rejected God's truth and hurt the faith of some believers (2 Tim. 2:16-18).
Application: Christians should as much as possible dissociate themselves from every heretic so as to be unhindered in their Christian lives.
The word heresy literally means "choosing one's own ideas", but now refers to that which is untrue. Even the New Testament church had false or heretical teachers who taught erroneous doctrine. Some epistles were specifically written to combat them (e.g., Galatians, 2 Thessalonians). Paul warned the Romans against identifying with those who promoted divisive, heretical teachings (Rom. 16:17). He advised Titus to reject heretics if they did not respond after two warnings. John warned that a heretic should not be admitted into a Christian's home (2 John 10).
Illustration: Not everyone who makes an incorrect doctrinal statement is a heretic. When Apollos was further instructed concerning the gospel, he grew into a mighty Christian leader (Acts 18:24-28). By contrast, Hymeneus and Philetus were heretics when they rejected God's truth and hurt the faith of some believers (2 Tim. 2:16-18).
Application: Christians should as much as possible dissociate themselves from every heretic so as to be unhindered in their Christian lives.
posted by Andrew Brown at 8:05 PM
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