Unity & Heresy

By Doug Cook

 The Lord is coming back for a church not having spot or wrinkle, holy and without blemish (Ephesians 5:27).  By this definition, the Body of Christ must, at that moment in time, be demonstrating spiritual unity “With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Eph. 4:2-3.  Paul goes on to expand and define this unity stating in verse 4-6, “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” 

If you look at what is called the “church” today, it’s anything but unity.  It’s replete with brothers and sisters condemning other fellow believers who don’t believe the same doctrines and traditions, boldly claiming they only associate with other “like minded believers.”  Are we missing something here? Shouldn’t a “like minded believer” be anyone who has surrendered their lives to the Lord Jesus Christ?  Doesn’t “one body” include all believers associating and fellowshipping with all other believers, “forbearing one another in love?” Re-articulating this phrase, we should allow other brothers and sisters in the Lord the right to have different beliefs as God works out the details to bring unity in the faith.  And for the black/white personalities whose pendulum just swung the opposite direction; please don’t try to take my last statement out of context claiming I’m including fellowship with unrepentant sinners or other religious beliefs.  I said “other brothers and sisters in the Lord,” which narrows the scope to only true born again believers in Christ who are manifesting fruits of their salvation.

Before proceeding further, I would like to scrutinize the true biblical definition of heresy.  An older version of Webster’s unabridged dictionary uses the statement, “1. A fundamental error in religion, or an error of opinion respecting some fundamental doctrine of religion.” However, if you keep reading all of what Mr. Webster says in this version he goes on to state, “In Scripture and primitive usage (1600’s when the King James was written), heresy meant merely sect, party, or the doctrines of a sect, as we now use denomination or persuasion, implying no reproach.” So if you take all of what Mr. Webster has to say in proper context, we would need to use the last part of his definition to accurately translate what the bible is saying as the use of the English word heresy has changed over the centuries as has many English words.  Most all in “the church” now days are using the current dictionary definitions and calling those with so called “false doctrine” heretics which is a misapplication of the word as is used in the bible, making themselves heretical also by their own false understandings.  This is why we should never use a recent dictionary characterization to interpret biblical truth by English words written over four hundred years ago..

Nelson’s biblical dictionary uses words like “faction, factious, division or divisive.”  Strong’s Concordance defines the Greek word “hairesis” as “properly a choice, that is, a party or disunion, heresy, sect.”  In fact, the King James translates this Greek word more often as sect than it does heresy.  In the first chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul was chastising the church for denominating according to men “I am of Paul, I of Apollos, and I of Cephas.”  A little further in Chapter three of this same book he states about those that divide by following different preachers, “For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions (denominations), are ye not carnal, and walk as men?  For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?”  Then he states later on in Chapter 11 verse 18, “For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved (those not causing faction or denominating) may be made manifest among you.”  Paul used heresy and division in the same context, not implying false doctrines but focusing on a divided body with different sects within the church of Corinth, supporting his original chastisement from chapter 1.  ANY Christian yoked to ANY factious man made division, calling themselves by any other name than the body of Christ is not spiritual but walking in carnality because of the isolation from the body of Christ they are committing.

With a little biblical research, one can easily discern that heresy is the act of causing division in the body of Christ, it might, but doesn’t necessarily need to, include a “false doctrine.”  You can be following a true doctrine and still be in heresy.  Effectively, any and all believers promoting or following any specific denominational type divisions are practicing heresy, including home church and “non-denominational” denominations.  The Greek word “apostasia” Strong’s defines as “defection from truth, falling away, forsake.” If you find it necessary to label a doctrine as false, then the proper biblical word to use would be apostasy, not heresy.  If you refer to someone as a heretic, you are implying they have a factious, sectarian or religious spirit and are causing strife and division and denominating within the body.  You’re not saying they believe a false doctrine.

With the true understanding of heresy, we can see that unity and heresy are polar opposites of each other.  Unity is about coming together in spite of differences – heresy is the practice of separating and dividing because of differences.  Unfortunately, most Christians, in what is called the church today, are practicing heresy.  Brethren, this ought not be so. 

Many of these denominational Christians have gone so far apostate as to take a stance that their doctrines are the only ones that’s right, which means everyone else’s is wrong, of course.  A few of these stereotypical people sometimes believe they have a call of God on their lives to go around and correct everyone else’s doctrine, but there is no biblical support for this specific “calling.”  There is an office that is called to be “stewards of the mysteries of God,” but only for edify the body, not to use as a club of religion to beat them in line.  

The doctrine corrector’s are sometimes inaccurately referred to as “heretic hunters” by some in the church.  This label is not true because it’s the “heretic hunters” themselves that are the true biblical heretics because of the strife and division they create within the body.  If we look at the 7 “abominations” that the Lord hates in Proverbs 6, we find that the seventh one is “…he that soweth discord among the bretheren.”  The Christian that causes strife and division among the brethren is committing a sin that is called an “abomination” by God.  Not only that, these believers are usually operating in pride which is the first abominable sin listed in this passage.  Not a good place to be in the eyes of the Lord.

Some of these mislead Christians usually do have a vast knowledge of the bible and have done a lot of study.  But, the scriptures declare that we “know in part” and “we see through a glass darkly” (1 Corinthians 13:9-13).  It also says in 1 Corinthians 8:1-2 “Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.”  There is not one of us that know everything, we only know parts.  I believe God gives us each a different part so that we will have to come together in unity to get the whole picture.   But yet there are those with their vast intellectual knowledge of the scriptures that have allowed themselves to be puffed up with pride, just as this scripture says.

Matthew 15:18, “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.”  One of the signs of this “puffed up” knowledge is these Christians are usually argumentative, judgmental and some will use labels or call other Christians names like false prophet, false apostle, heretic, Armenianist, Calvinist, etc.  The deep rooted reason they use labels is to put other believers down so they can “puff” themselves up in their mind placing themselves at some sort of superior level.  This is the consequences of a prideful heart that is in rebellion against the Lord.   If you dig deep enough, in most all cases you will discover a factious or religious spirit that is tormenting these fellow believers behind the scenes.  Most of the time, they will not fellowship with anyone who believes different from them, making statements like “The bible says not to associate with people who have false doctrines,” or using other excuses that reinforces their disassociation from other believers. 

Let’s take a look at what the bible says about associating with fellow believers with “false” doctrines.  Rom. 14:1-6 says, “Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.   Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master (JESUS) he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.  He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.”

Verse 1 say’s that if someone’s faith is in a different place, RECEIVE them and don’t argue about it.  It doesn’t say separate from them.  It tells us not to judge another brother because it’s our master (Jesus) that determines whether our doctrine will stand or fall.  It also says if one believer want’s to keep a special “Sabbath” day and another looks at every day alike, so be it.  Both of them are doing it unto the Lord.  But yet we have denominations that separate and divide over how to observe “the Sabbath.”

Later in verse 10 of this same passage it goes on to say, “But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought (esteem less, look down on) thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.”  Continuing in verse 12 “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.”  Every one of us is going to have to give an account to God for our own actions and beliefs, not to some other Christian.   When Christians try to judge other Christians because of their doctrines, they are in effect trying to take God’s place, and when they cause strife and look down on a brother they are “putting a stumbling block” in their way which may cause others to fall.

The bible is clear that we will never establish unity in the spirit if we divide and argue over doctrines.  We can all discuss them in love, each allowing expression of one another’s opinions and beliefs, but when the discussion gets heated, it’s time to stop.  If we separate and divide over the discussion, then we’ve gone way too far overboard. Titus 3:9-10 says, “But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.  A man that is an heretic (denominational, sectarian, factious) after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.”  It is unprofitable to argue doctrines, and when encountering a true biblically defined heretic – someone who argues, divides and separates over doctrines – we are to try to reach them in love twice, but no more.  The reason is, if they keep arguing after you have cautioned them twice, they don’t have ears to hear, so it’s unprofitable to continue, understanding that they are entangled in sin (pride, and causing discord among the brethren).

The common thread that connects all the denominated Christians is they don’t understand true biblical love or how to operate in it.  “Forbearing one another in love” is like a sentence from a foreign language to them.  Repentance is rarely seen, and turning the other cheek is a seldom practiced art form.   If a remnant believer with a heart for unity encounters one of these separatist, the best thing they can do is show them love, because underneath all that defensive pretentiousness, control and strife they’re creating, it’s what they are really searching for.  Just like any wavering Christian, our goal should be restoration to the body with unity for these fellow believers, no matter how many labels or names they attempt to affix to us.  Also remember the driving force behind this is usually a spirit of religion.  As you pray for them, this spirit may need to be bound to help this believer experience a breakthrough.  And don’t refer to them by anything other than their own name, brother in the Lord, or fellow believer.  We also need to refrain from using the label heretic as the so called believers who are using it the most are usually the ones that are the true biblical heretics and the ones most ignorant of the factual biblical meaning of the word.

One thing that also must be considered in all the strife and division is that truth cuts right to the heart of a matter!  Jesus said in Matthew 10:34-36 “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.  For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.  And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.”  There will be strife and division among believers in the church because of the truth of God’s Word.  As an elder in the body, I have run across this issue many times.  I am required by God to deliver the pure truth of the Word and there are many believers who can not handle pure truth because of the conviction it brings upon them, so they get angry with the messenger.  They try to blame the messenger of not “walking in love” and “stirring up strife among the brethren” when it is the Word of God that is stirring up the strife… The messenger is just the delivery man.

Brothers and sisters, these are the last days.  We don’t have a lot of time before the Lord Jesus returns for His bride, and the remnant will be operating in unity before He gets here.  That means all of us fellowshipping with each other as one body.  God’s judgment “must begin at the house of God” for the purpose of cleansing his church “that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.”  God will be doing the separating, not man.  Only He knows the heart of each Christian.

We must be “endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit,” before we will ever get to the unity of the faith (all believing the real truths of scripture).  Trying to correct everyone’s doctrines without fellowshipping in unity with ALL other believers is like putting the cart before the horse.  God has His assigned offices set aside for the specific purpose of “the perfecting of the saints” and “edifying the body,” “till we all come in the unity of the faith.”  But few are willing to listen to those elders He’s put in place.  Unless we humble ourselves and follow peace and unity in the Spirit, most of the church will never get to a point where they embrace God’s appointed ministers who are anointed to bring forth the unity of the faith. (Ephesians 5)

Your servant in Christ.