HERESY, SECT

"Heresy" takes its rise from the Greek, hairesis (nine times in the N.T.). Originally, the term meant simply "to choose" (Lev. 22:18, 21 -- LXX). Then it came to signify a choice, i.e., an opinion -- especially a destructive opinion in the N.T. (2 Pet. 2:1). The term also takes on the sense of a sect that adopts an opinion contrary to divine revelation. Both the Pharisees and the Sadducees were "sects" that distorted the law of Moses (Acts 5:17, 15:5). The early Christians were charged with being a "sect" (Acts 24:14; 28:22) as they were erroneously perceived to be but an off-shoot of Judaism. The expression also can be used for a factious element (that follows an opinion, or dominate leader) within the church (1 Cor. 11:19; Gal. 5:20).