1
The Way Which They Call a Sect (Acts 2816-24)

• I. The Meaning of the Word Sect.
• A. Sect - hairesis - English word heresy
  classical meaning 1. act of taking, capture
  e.g. storming a city most common sense in
  non-literary papyri 2. choosing, choice lt a
  school of philosophical thought 3. that which is
  chosen 4. a body of men following their own
  tenets (sect or party) Josephus - divisions
  among Jews like philosophical schools of thought
  a. of the Sadducees, b. of the Pharisees, c. of
  the Christians, The sense of Heresy 5.
  dissensions arising from diversity of opinions
  and aims (Thayer).

2
The Way Which They Call a Sect (Acts 2816-24)

• I. The Meaning of the Word Sect.
• B. Various Uses.
• 1. Of the Sadducees. (Acts 514-18).
• 2. Of the Pharisees. (Acts 155). the sect of
  the Pharisees, (Acts 261-6).
• 3. Of Christians. Acts 2822 sect spoken
  against everywhere (Acts 241-14). Note they
  call
• a. Of Division among Christians. (I Corinthians
  1118,19 Galatians 519-21).
• b. Of False doctrine. (II Peter 21,2).
  (probably Gnosticism).

3
The Way Which They Call a Sect (Acts 2816-24)

• II. The Bible Does Not Identify the Lords Church
  as a Sect.
• A. Not a variety of choices to choose from. (I
  Cor. 417).
• B. Not a collection of schools of thought. (I
  Cor. 110-13).
• C. One Faith. (Ephesians 41-6).

4
The Way Which They Call a Sect (Acts 2816-24)

• III. The Lords Church.
• A. Learners of Christ - Disciples. (Matt
  2818,19).
• B. Workers for the Lord - Servants. (Rom
  616-19).
• C. In Relation to God - Children. (I John
  31,2).
• D. In Relation to others - Brothers. (Matt
  1246-50).
• E. In Relation to Our Hope - Heirs. (Rom
  814-17).
• F. In Relation to Earth - Pilgrims. (Heb
  1113-16).