Topical Encyclopedia
A "sect" in biblical terms refers to a group or faction within a larger religious context that holds distinct beliefs or practices. The term is often used to describe divisions or schisms that arise due to differing interpretations of religious teachings. In the New Testament, the Greek word "hairesis" is commonly translated as "sect" or "heresy," indicating a choice or a faction that deviates from accepted doctrine.
Old Testament ContextWhile the specific term "sect" is not used in the Old Testament, the concept of religious division is present. The Israelites were repeatedly warned against adopting the practices and beliefs of surrounding nations, which could lead to divisions within the community of God's people. For example, the worship of foreign gods and the influence of pagan practices were seen as threats to the unity and purity of Israel's faith (
Deuteronomy 13:1-5).
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the term "sect" is more explicitly used. The early Christian community faced various sects that challenged apostolic teaching. The most notable sects mentioned include the Pharisees and Sadducees, two prominent Jewish groups with differing interpretations of the Law and beliefs about the resurrection and the afterlife (
Acts 5:17,
Acts 23:6-8).
The Apostle Paul, before his conversion, was associated with the Pharisees, a sect known for its strict adherence to the Law (
Philippians 3:5). After his conversion, Paul encountered various sects that threatened the unity of the early Church. In
Acts 24:5, Paul is accused of being a "ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes," a term used by opponents to describe the early Christians.
Sects and Heresies in the Early ChurchThe early Church faced numerous challenges from sects that introduced heretical teachings. The Apostle Peter warned against false teachers who would introduce destructive heresies, leading many astray (
2 Peter 2:1). Similarly, the Apostle Paul admonished the Galatians for turning to a "different gospel," which he deemed a perversion of the true gospel of Christ (
Galatians 1:6-7).
The early Church Fathers continued to combat heresies and sects that threatened the doctrinal purity of Christianity. The development of creeds and councils was, in part, a response to these challenges, aiming to preserve the apostolic faith against divergent teachings.
Theological ImplicationsFrom a theological perspective, the existence of sects within the biblical narrative underscores the importance of doctrinal purity and unity within the faith community. The New Testament writers emphasize the need for sound teaching and the dangers of deviating from the truth of the gospel. The call to "contend earnestly for the faith" (
Jude 1:3) reflects the ongoing struggle against sectarianism and the imperative to maintain the integrity of Christian doctrine.
Modern ReflectionsIn contemporary Christianity, the term "sect" can carry a pejorative connotation, often used to describe groups perceived as unorthodox or outside mainstream Christianity. The challenge of maintaining unity while addressing doctrinal differences remains relevant, as believers seek to uphold the truth of Scripture in a diverse and pluralistic world.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(Gr. hairesis, usually rendered "heresy",
Acts 24:14;
1 Chronicles 11:19;
Galatians 5:20, etc.), meaning properly "a choice," then "a chosen manner of life," and then "a religious party," as the "sect" of the Sadducees (
Acts 5:17), of the Pharisees (
15:5), the Nazarenes, i.e., Christians (
24:5). It afterwards came to be used in a bad sense, of those holding pernicious error, divergent forms of belief (
2 Peter 2:1;
Galatians 5:20).
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A cutting; a scion.
2. (n.) Those following a particular leader or authority, or attached to a certain opinion; a company or set having a common belief or allegiance distinct from others; in religion, the believers in a particular creed, or upholders of a particular practice; especially, in modern times, a party dissenting from an established church; a denomination; in philosophy, the disciples of a particular master; a school; in society and the state, an order, rank, class, or party.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
SECTsekt (hairesis): "Sect" (Latin, secta, from sequi, "to follow") is in the New Testament the translation of hairesis, from haireo, "to take," "to choose"; also translated "heresy," not heresy in the later ecclesiastical sense, but a school or party, a sect, without any bad meaning attached to it. The word is applied to schools of philosophy; to the Pharisees and Sadducees among the Jews who adhered to a common religious faith and worship; and to the Christians. It is translated "sect" (Acts 5:17, of the Sadducees;Acts 15:5, of the Pharisees;Acts 24:5, of the Nazarenes;Acts 26:5, of the Pharisees;Acts 28:22, of the Christians); also the Revised Version (British and American)Acts 24:14 (the King James Version and the English Revised Version margin "heresy"), "After the Way which they call a sect, so serve I the God of our fathers" (just as the Pharisees were "a sect"); it is translated "heresies" (1 Corinthians 11:19, margin "sects," the American Standard Revised Version "factions," margin "Greek: `heresies' "; the English Revised Version reverses the American Standard Revised Version text and margin;Galatians 5:20, the American Standard Revised Version "parties," margin "heresies"; the English Revised Version reverses text and margin;2 Peter 2:1, "damnable heresies," the Revised Version (British and American) "destructive heresies," margin "sects of perdition"); the "sect" in itself might be harmless; it was the teaching or principles which should be followed by those sects that would make them "destructive." Hairesis occurs in 1 Maccabees 8:30 ("They shall do it at their pleasure," i.e. "choice"); compare SeptuagintLeviticus 22:18, 21.
SeeHERESY.
W. L. Walker
Greek
5330. Pharisaios -- a Pharisee, member of a Jewish religioussect... a Pharisee, member of a Jewish religious
sect. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: Pharisaios Phonetic Spelling: (far-is-ah'-yos) Short Definition
...4523. Saddoukaios -- a Sadducee, a member of a Jewish religious...
... a Sadducee, a member of a Jewish religioussect. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: Saddoukaios Phonetic Spelling: (sad-doo-kah'-yos) Short...
3532. Nikolaos -- Nicolaus, a Christian, probably not connected...
... 3531, 3532. Nikolaos. 3533 . Nicolaus, a Christian, probably not connected
with thesect bearing the same name. Part of Speech: Noun...
139. hairesis -- choice, opinion
... Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: hairesis Phonetic Spelling:
(hah'-ee-res-is) Short Definition: a self-chosen opinion, asect Definition: a self...
Library
Nicolaus and theSect Named after Him.
... Book III. Chapter XXIX."Nicolaus and theSect named after him. 1. At
this time the so-calledsect of the Nicolaitans made its...
TheSect Everywhere Spoken Against
... CHAPTER XLII THESECT EVERYWHERE SPOKEN AGAINST. IT is very difficult to separate
truth from legend in the stories of other conversions related by Nicholas....
AnotherSect of the Esseni: the Pharisees.
... Book IX. Chapter XXIII."AnotherSect of the Esseni: the Pharisees. There
is then another order of the Essenes who use the same...
Sect of the Elchasaites; Hippolytus' Opposition to It.
... Book IX. Chapter VIII."Sect of the Elchasaites; Hippolytus' Opposition
to It. The doctrine of this Callistus having been noised...
Character of the Times in which the Christian Religion was...
... THE EVIDENCES OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION.SECT. IV. Character of the times
in which the Christian religion was propagated. I. Character...
Of God and his Attributes.
... ADDITIONAL DISCOURSES.SECT. I. OF GOD AND HIS ATTRIBUTES. Qui mare et terras
variisque mundum Temperat horis: Unde nil majus generatur...
The Providence of God.
... ADDITIONAL DISCOURSES.SECT. III. THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD. Tisu carentem magna pars
veri latet . Sen. in Oedip. Great part of truth is hidden from the blind....
The Worship of God.
... ADDITIONAL DISCOURSES.SECT. IV. THE WORSHIP OF GOD. Religentem esse sportet,
religiosum nefas. Incerti autoris apuid. Aul. Gell....
Immortality of the Soul, and a Future State.
... ADDITIONAL DISCOURSES.SECT. X. IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL, AND A FUTURE STATE.
"Inter silvas academi qu??rere verum. Hor. lib. II. epist.2. v.45....
Death and Judgement.
... ADDITIONAL DISCOURSES.SECT. XI. DEATH AND JUDGEMENT. TO THE AUTHOR OF
THE GUARDIAN. Sir,. THE inclosed is a faithful translation...
Thesaurus
Sect (10 Occurrences)... 14; 1 Chronicles 11:19; Galatians 5:20, etc.), meaning properly "a choice," then
"a chosen manner of life," and then "a religious party," as the "
sect" of the
...Heresy (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary From a Greek word signifying (1) a choice, (2)
the opinion chosen, and (3) thesect holding the opinion....
Ebionites
... OF THE PRIMITIVE CHURCH 1. Christology of the Early Church 2. Paulinism of the Early
Church LITERATURE General Statement: The Ebionites were asect of heretics...
Ebionism
... OF THE PRIMITIVE CHURCH 1. Christology of the Early Church 2. Paulinism of the Early
Church LITERATURE General Statement: The Ebionites were asect of heretics...
Sectarian (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (n.) Pertaining to asect, or to sects; peculiar to asect; bigotedly attached
to the tenets and interests of a denomination; as, sectarian principles or...
Nicolaitans (2 Occurrences)
... NICOLAITANS. nik-o-la'-i-tanz Nikolaitai): 1. TheSect: Asect or party of evil
influence in early Christianity, especially in the 7 churches of Asia....
Nicolas (1 Occurrence)
... Some of the church Fathers (Irenaeus, Hippolytus, Pseudo-Tertullian) state that
he was the founder of thesect called NICOLAITANS (which see) (Revelation 2:15...
Nicolaus (1 Occurrence)
... Some of the church Fathers (Irenaeus, Hippolytus, Pseudo-Tertullian) state that
he was the founder of thesect called NICOLAITANS (which see) (Revelation 2:15...
Christian (41 Occurrences)
... They are also called Disciples of Christ, and Campbellites. 4. (n.) One of asect
(called Christian Connection) of open-communion immersionists....
Wait (223 Occurrences)
... wait for the hope of righteousness" (Galatians 5:5). From various references in
the New Testament there seems to have been in the days of Jesus asect in whose...
Resources
What is the difference between a sect and a cult? | GotQuestions.orgWhy are there Christian sects? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the different sects of Judaism? | GotQuestions.orgSect: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
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