HOW
TO DEAL WITH AN HERITIC!
Titus
3:8-11
8
This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly,
that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works.
These things are good and profitable unto men.
9
But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings
about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
10
A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;
11
Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of
himself.
I’m
not sure why
this was the first Biblical phrase that clattered around in my head this
morning! It is strange but when my feet hit the floor it was my first thought.
Although we have many in our church that are still learning Christian dogma, I
don’t think we have any heretics as we commonly think of them. So why does God
seem to want me to research this phrase? When I have questions like these I
always dig deeper into the meaning and context of the words.
What
is the context?
In chapter three, Paul’s advice to pastor Titus was regarding civil and church
order. He said we are to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey
magistrates, to be ready to every good work. So the circumstances framing
Paul’s teaching was civil obedience and Christian life. Specifically, we are to
be good citizens even when our government seems to be a bit out of control. We
are also urged to continue doing good.
What’s
the problem?
The local chapter of the “moron’s Bible study” was causing trouble in the church.
I say this because the word “foolish” is the Greek moros which
actually means moron. These blockheads (this is an actually description
from Strong’s Concordance!) were arguing over unimportant items in the law.
Rather than searching for the truth, their moronic activity was for the purpose
of appearing intelligent. It wasn’t working! Paul said it was unprofitable. The
result was strife.
What’s
a heretic?
We commonly think a heretic is one who holds to a flawed or incorrect belief.
However, the word heretic actually means “choice.” This person is schismatic,
one who is contentious, quarrelsome, and removes himself from the teachings,
meetings and fellowship of the church. This person is acting in opposition to Acts
2:42 “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and
fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” They were not steadfast
in traditional teaching, they were absent from fellowship and they were not
even participating in the breaking of bread. They were heretics!
We wish we did not have "problem
people" in our churches; but wherever there are people, there
can be problems. In this case, Paul warned Titus to avoid people who like to
argue about the unimportant things of the faith; "one who makes a choice,
a person who causes divisions." This is a self-willed person who thinks he
is right, and who goes from person to person in the church, forcing people to
make a choice. "Are you for me or for the pastor?" This is a work of
the flesh (see Gal 5:20). Such a person should be admonished at least twice,
and then rejected.
(from
The Bible Exposition Commentary. Copyright © 1989 by Chariot Victor Publishing,
and imprint of Cook Communication Ministries. All rights reserved. Used by
permission.)
What’s
to be done?
Nouthesia is the Greek word for admonition and it means “mild
rebuke or warning.” Christian counseling is often referred to as neouthetic
counseling, made popular by Dr. Jay Adams. So, we are to mildly rebuke and warn
this schismatic moron once or twice and then reject him. Now, the word “reject”
is the Greek word paraiteomai and actually means “to beg off, to
deprecate or denounce, and to shun.”
Dear
Lord, let me clearly understand your teachings so that I may admonish those who
cause divisions. Let me never, ever, be one of them! AMEN
No comments:
Post a Comment