A Supplimental Lesson on Heresy and Apostasy

2 Definitions

HERESY Opinion or doctrine not in line with the accepted teaching of a church; the opposite of orthodoxy

That’s our current usage

Biblical concept

αἵρεσις -εως, ἡ; (hairesis), n. faction; party; sect. Hebrew equivalent: נְדָבָה (2), מְכֵרָה (1). Noun Usage 1. sect — a religious group or a subdivision of it.

e.g. party of the Pharisees/ the sect of the Nazerines

Apostasy The act of abandoning or renouncing one's previously held religious beliefs or faith, often in favor of a different set of beliefs or non-belief

Apostasy (ἀπόστασις, apostasis, ἀποστασία, apostasia). A public denial of a previously held religious belief and a distancing from the community that holds to it. The term is almost always applied pejoratively, carrying connotations of rebellion, betrayal, treachery, or faithlessness

A Commonality

Heresy and apostacy seem to always be defined by the perspective of those calling out the heretic or apostate

From the perspective of the Pharisees, Jesus could have been called a heretic

The same group would have called Paul an apostate

A Look at the Letter from Jude

We could see the same basic concept in 2 Pete, though the methodology is somewhat different

Writer

Jude—a solid proponent of orthodox faith

Recipient

Believers…we could call them among the orthodox of the day

To again use the term kyregma—the body of teaching that was accepted by the apostles, essentially defining orthodoxy

Reason

A problem is brewing

Jude wants his readers to contend for the faith, to persevere against those who are sneaking in causing divisions

Are these false teachers orthodox? NO!

Are they heretics or are they apostates?

Are They Heretics or Apostates?

Define them on the grounds of 2 P.. 5-9