"...AS CONCERNING THIS SECT, WE KNOW THAT
EVERYWHERE IT IS SPOKEN AGAINST."
Acts 28:16-22
By David J. Riggs
Intro.
A. The last two chapters of the book of Acts records Paul's
perilous voyage to Rome, where he was being carried as a
prisoner, as the result of his devotion to and labors in the
cause of Christ.
1. When he was brought into Rome, it is recorded - Acts
28:16-22.
B. The course pursued by these Jews is somewhat different from the
people of our time.
1. Today, many people say, "We do not wish to hear you,
because your group is everywhere spoken against."
C. Those Jews were saying to Paul, "We know that the group to
which you belong is spoken against, but we are not willing to
form our opinion by what others say."
1. Also, "Your enemies may not fairly represent you; therefore,
we desire to hear from you, yourself."
D. As the result of this attitude, some were converted - Vs.
23-24.
I. THE TERM "SECT" IS USED IN THE SCRIPTURES, AS WELL AS RELIGIONS
HISTORY, IN A BAD SENSE.
A. The Greek word translated "sect," is hairseis, which occurs
nine times in the N.T., and in the KJV, it is translated
"heresy" four times, and "sect" five times.
1. Thus, the King James translators used the words
interchangeably.
B. Paul lists "sects" or "heresies" as a work of the flesh. Gal.
5:20
1. Most of the modern versions translate this, "factions." See
also 2 Pet. 2:1
2. Vine defines the word as, "a choosing, choice (from
haireormai, to choose); then, that which is chosen, and
hence, an opinion, especially a self willed opinion, which
is substituted for submission to the power of truth, and
leads to division and the formation of sects..."
3. Webster defines the word "sect" as, "1. A body, or number
of persons, united in tenets, chiefly in philosophy or
religion, but constituting a distinct party, by holding
sentiments different from other men. 2. A cutting, scion..."
a. Our English word "section" comes from the same root
word, which means a part separated or cut off from the
rest.
4. Hence, the inspired writers used the word which is rendered
"sect" or "heresy" to represent a part cut off or separated
from the true church of our Lord.
a. This is why we oppose "sectarianism" or
"denominationalism" whether in the church or out of it.
b. We believe that the body of Christ is one body, and no
one has a right, through self-willed opinions, to draw
away disciples and form another group. Acts 20:30;
Jude 19; 1 John 2:19
II. THE JEWS IN OUR TEXT SAID THAT THIS SECT WAS EVERYWHERE SPOKEN
AGAINST.
A. It seems that all parties, Jews and Gentiles, united in
opposing this group.
1. Though they could agree in nothing, and though they were at
swords' point on every other subject, they dropped
everything, for the time being, and united in effort to
poison public opinion regarding this group.
a. Example: Sadducees and Pharisees.
2. It is likewise true of denominationalism today.
B. Many hard things were said of the early Christians. Let's
notice a few of them.
1. They were charged with worshiping God contrary to the
law. Acts 18:12-13
a. This is a very serious charge.
b. If one is accused today of introducing forms of worship
contrary to the old established usages of the church,
much trouble will result.
c. However, this was said of Paul and his fellow workers.
2. They were charged with heresy. Acts 24:5,14
a. Notice that Paul said that after the way which they call
heresy so I worship the God of my fathers.
b. Just because one labels something as heresy (or false)
doesn't make it so.
3. They were charged with teaching customs not lawful for
others to observe. Acts 16:20-21
a. Now this was no small matter. For this charge Paul and
Silas were beat with many stripes and thrown into a
dark dungeon.
b. Even in our time, the rules and customs of many
religious bodies are stereotyped, and their forms have
been fixed.
c. Introduce new religious customs, or a new religion
Christianity, and the cry will be, "New customs not
lawful for us to observe!"
4. They were charged with turning the world upside down.
Acts 17:5-6
a. We look at this as commendation, because we know
that the world needs to be turned upside down, for it is
wrong side up.
b. However, it was not meant to be a commendation, but a
very severe charge against the righteous.
c. They were saying that these people were trouble-
makers, disorganizes, overthrowing religious customs,
disturbing the quietness of society, unsettling everyone.
5. Remember, all these things and more were said of the true
religion of Christ.
III. WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THE PASSAGES WE HAVE CONSIDERED?
A. Make sure we are with the right group.
1. The group Paul was with was accused of teaching heresy,
worshiping God contrary to the law, teaching customs not
lawful for others to observe, and turning the world upside
down; yet, they were the true group.
a. This group was everywhere spoken against; yet, it was
the only one God approved.
2. Remember the Jews of our text, even though it was
everywhere spoken against, they wanted to hear Paul
concerning it.
a. If you were one of those Jews in Paul's day, what would
have been your attitude?
3. Since God approved only one group, the very one
everywhere spoken against, it behooves us to know the
distinguishing characteristics of that one group.
a. The name, ordinances, organization, work, and
requirements for membership all become very important.
B. Learn to identify faithful teachers as opposed to the wrong
kind.
1. It is those who cause divisions contrary to the doctrine of
Christ who are to be marked and avoided. Rom. 16:17-18; 2
Pet. 2:1-3
a. We should not be deceived by a deep show or religious
piety. Matt. 7:15
2. 2 Cor. 4:2-5 shows us how to identify the true teachers.
a. Paul says they "renounced the hidden things of
dishonesty."
(1) They used no unlawful means to make converts.
(2) They used no carnal appeals to make converts. 2
Pet. 2:18
b. They did not "walk in craftiness."
(1) They used no cunning trickery to seduce people
into their group. Eph. 4:14
c. They did not "handle the word of God deceitfully."
(1) They did not make the word teach something
different from what the author intended.
d. They commended themselves to everyone's conscience.
(1) They exemplified faithful, godly living. 1 Thess.
2:3-6,10
e. They preached not themselves. Vs. 5
(1) There is an illustration of two men being asked to
speak to a student body on Abraham Lincoln.
After the first speech, the unanimous consent of
the student body was, "Our speaker was a great
speaker." After the second speech, the consensus
was, "Abraham Lincoln was a great man." Which
one did his job? Paul said, "We do not preach
ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord."
C. Be steadfast regardless of opposition.
1. Remember, even though the early Christians were
everywhere spoken against, God acknowledged them.
2. Thus, when your friends, neighbors, relatives, or even
brethren call you all kinds of ugly names and persecute you,
so did they of God's people in the beginning.
3. Remember these verses: Rom. 8:31; Matt. 5:10-12; 1 Pet.
4:12-16; 2 Tim. 3:12; Luke 6:26.
Concl.
A. We have noticed several passages wherein the early church was
everywhere spoken against, yet was approved of God.
B. We have made some general applications from those passages.
1. Make sure we are with the right group.
2. Learn to identify faithful teachers as opposed to the wrong
ones.
3. Be steadfast, regardless of opposition.