I was pondering on where the term heretic originates from.
In viewing scripture on this subject helped to clear things up for me.
1) heresies are a "work" of the flesh Gal 5:20
2) Paul was called a heretic in Acts 24;14 by the jews of his day. The religious views of his day rose up against Paul because he was preaching Jesus. The current view of the jews were in their minds based on the Old Testament - their view of the word of God.
3) Peter say in 2Peter 2:1..that there were people bringing in damnable heresies which was denying the Lord who bought them. ( in other words they were denying the finished work of Jesus on their behalf and their complete dependence on what He has done)
When Martin Luther told his day that " We are saved by grace through faith and not through works "...the modern ( Christian ) religious world had told everyone for 100's of years that they had to do this..do that.....always do what the pope and priest told you to do.... .in order to be saved.
The current religious thinking of Luther's time would say to him - this is heresy! You are a heretic! We have been doing what God has said for 100's of years. They were against the heretic Luther because of their view of the word of God. It was their traditions that blocked their ability to see Jesus.
Thank God that Luther did not listen to the current view of the Christian world and followed the Holy Spirit revealing the truth of salvation by grace alone!
So the modern view of Christianity does not necessarily mean that it is truth. Just because we have believed in something for 100-200 years..does this mean it is necessarily truth?
What is the answer then? Always base all things on the scriptures. Not necessarily what we were taught in church or what we believe that scripture says.
Base interpretations of scripture through the "lens" of the New Covenant and what Jesus did for us in His finished work on the cross and resurrection on our behalf.
Remember, it's actually very easy to identify the difference between old and new covenant teachings. Just ask yourself if the teaching is putting the emphasis on what you have to do or what Jesus has done already? Does it make you introspective, always looking to yourself and how you fared or failed - or does it make you turn your eyes away from yourself to look upon Jesus?
The heretic is one that is saying things that are against what the current religious thought says is the interpretation of the word of God and that violates what they were taught.
Peter says the true heretic is the one who denies the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ and does not depend on what He has already done for us! 2 Peter 2:1
Let's search the scriptures and rely on the Holy Spirit to reveal the things of Jesus to us and walk in the knowledge of Him no matter what the cost.
In viewing scripture on this subject helped to clear things up for me.
1) heresies are a "work" of the flesh Gal 5:20
2) Paul was called a heretic in Acts 24;14 by the jews of his day. The religious views of his day rose up against Paul because he was preaching Jesus. The current view of the jews were in their minds based on the Old Testament - their view of the word of God.
3) Peter say in 2Peter 2:1..that there were people bringing in damnable heresies which was denying the Lord who bought them. ( in other words they were denying the finished work of Jesus on their behalf and their complete dependence on what He has done)
When Martin Luther told his day that " We are saved by grace through faith and not through works "...the modern ( Christian ) religious world had told everyone for 100's of years that they had to do this..do that.....always do what the pope and priest told you to do.... .in order to be saved.
The current religious thinking of Luther's time would say to him - this is heresy! You are a heretic! We have been doing what God has said for 100's of years. They were against the heretic Luther because of their view of the word of God. It was their traditions that blocked their ability to see Jesus.
Thank God that Luther did not listen to the current view of the Christian world and followed the Holy Spirit revealing the truth of salvation by grace alone!
So the modern view of Christianity does not necessarily mean that it is truth. Just because we have believed in something for 100-200 years..does this mean it is necessarily truth?
What is the answer then? Always base all things on the scriptures. Not necessarily what we were taught in church or what we believe that scripture says.
Base interpretations of scripture through the "lens" of the New Covenant and what Jesus did for us in His finished work on the cross and resurrection on our behalf.
Remember, it's actually very easy to identify the difference between old and new covenant teachings. Just ask yourself if the teaching is putting the emphasis on what you have to do or what Jesus has done already? Does it make you introspective, always looking to yourself and how you fared or failed - or does it make you turn your eyes away from yourself to look upon Jesus?
The heretic is one that is saying things that are against what the current religious thought says is the interpretation of the word of God and that violates what they were taught.
Peter says the true heretic is the one who denies the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ and does not depend on what He has already done for us! 2 Peter 2:1
Let's search the scriptures and rely on the Holy Spirit to reveal the things of Jesus to us and walk in the knowledge of Him no matter what the cost.
