What Is a Sect?

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The word sect is used in Martin's1 version to render the Greek word αἵρεσις the meaning of which word is well known. It is used (except in the Acts of the Apostles where it is found six times), once only in the Epistle to the' Corinthians, once in the Epistle to the Gal. 5:2020Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, (Galatians 5:20), once in that of Peter. (2 Peter 2) In the Epistle to the Corinthians, it is translated by the word heresy (1 Cor. 11:1919For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. (1 Corinthians 11:19).) It signifies a doctrine or a system either of philosophy or of religion whose followers are united to adopt it.
The meaning of the word is a little modified now because the professing church (at least the greater part of it) has taken the name of Catholic, that is to say, universal. Titus any religious body, or Christian congregation, not belonging to this community (so-called Catholic), is called by it a sect. Hence the word has become a term of reproach. All Christian bodies are sometimes called sects, in the sense of divisions, when they are separated from Christians as a whole, or from those who bear that name.
The word sect, however, in itself always imparts more or less what is at fault by the idea it gives that those who compose it are united by some special doctrine or denomination. One must say that this way of looking at it is entirely false; the application may be, but not the idea itself. But the important thing for us to discover is, what makes an assembly of Christians truly deserve this name. Now as it applies to congregations or Christian bodies, in order to judge of them, we must understand the true principle by which we can join together. Whatever is not founded on this principle is really a sect..;, Many Catholics (so-called) have made a bad use of this truth; but it is not the less true that the unity of the church is a truth of the last importance for Christians, whether the unity of all individually, manifested in the world, John 17, or that of the body of Christ formed by the Holy Ghost come down here, Acts Cor. 12:13. Thus in chapter 17 of the Gospel of John, the Lord asks the Father, with respect to those who should believe through the apostle's word, “that they also may be one in us, that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” (John 17:2121That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. (John 17:21).) That is the practical unity of Christians in the communion of the Father and the Son. The apostles should be one in intent, thought, and action, by the operation of one Spirit, as the Father and the Son are in the unity of the divine nature. (Ver. 11.) Those who should believe through their word should be one in the communion of the Father and the Son. (Ver. 21.) We shall be perfect in the unity of glory. (Ver. 22.) But we ought to be one now, that the world may believe. (Ver. 21.) Further, the Holy Spirit come down from heaven on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2), has baptized all believers from that time into one body united to Christ as a body is united to its head, and manifested on the earth in this unity.
(1 Cor. 12:1313For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:13).) We see clearly that it is on the earth in chapter 12 of 1 Corinthians, where it is said: “If one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it.” We do not suffer in heaven. But then he adds: “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.''
The whole chapter shows the same truth; but these verses are sufficient to show that it concerns the church on earth. This then is true unity formed by the Holy Ghost; that is, the unity of brethren one with another, and the unity of the body.
A sectarian spirit exists when there is a desire to unite disciples on any ground outside this unity, and when an opinion unites those who profess it, that they may be united by means of this opinion. Such unity is not founded upon the principle of the unity of the body, nor of the union of brethren. When such persons are united into a corporation, and mutually recognize one another as members of the corporation, then they formally constitute a sect, because the principle of union is not the unity of the body; and if the members are united, it is not as members of the body of Christ, if even they be such, but as members of a particular body. All Christians are members of the body of Christ, an eye, a hand, a foot, &c. (1 Cor. 12:13-2513For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 14For the body is not one member, but many. 15If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 16And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 17If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 18But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 19And if they were all one member, where were the body? 20But now are they many members, yet but one body. 21And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 22Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 23And those members of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. 24For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked: 25That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. (1 Corinthians 12:13‑25).) The idea of being the member of a church is not anywhere found in the word. The Holy Ghost compares the church on earth to a body of which Christ is the Head. (Eph. 1:22, 2322And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Ephesians 1:22‑23), Col. 1:1818And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. (Colossians 1:18).)
Now every Christian is a member of this body, or of Christ. But to be a member of a particular body is quite a different idea. Now the Lord's Supper being the expression of this union of the members, as it is said (1 Cor. 10:1717For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. (1 Corinthians 10:17)), when a body of Christians only recognizes the right of receiving its own members, there is a unity directly opposed to the unity of the body of Christ. It is possible that it may be by ignorance, possible that these Christians may never have learned what the unity of the body really is. and that it is the will of God that this unity would be manifested on the earth; but as a matter of fact they form a sect, an utter denial of the unity of the body of Christ. Many of those who are members of the body of Christ are not members of this particular corporation; and the Lord's Supper, though the members participate in it piously, is not the expression of the unity of the body of Christ.
But now a difficulty presents itself: the children of God are scattered; many pious brethren are attached to such an opinion or to such a body, and in many respects, even in religious things, mixed up with the worldly-minded. There are alas! many who have no idea of the unity of the body of Christ, or who deny the duty of manifesting this unity on the earth. But all this does not overthrow the truth of God: those who so join together, as I have already said, are but a sect in principle. If I recognize all Christians as members of the body of Christ, if I love them, if I receive them most heartily at the Lord's Supper provided that they walk in holiness and truth, calling on the name of the Lord out of a pure heart (2 Tim. 2:19-2219Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor. 21If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. 22Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (2 Timothy 2:19‑22); Rev. 3:77And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; (Revelation 3:7)), then I do not walk in a sectarian spirit (even though I cannot reunite all the children of God), because I am walking according to the principle of this unity of the body of Christ and seek practical union amongst the brethren. If I join with other brethren to take the Lord's Supper, as a member of the body of Christ only, not as the member of a church, whatever it may be, but truly in the unity of the body, ready to receive all Christians who walk in holiness and in the truth, I am not the member of a sect, I am a member of nothing less than the body of Christ.
But to join together on any other principle, in whatever way it may be, to make a religious corporation, is to form a sect. The principle is very simple. The practical difficulties are sometimes great on account of the state of the church of God, but Christ is sufficient for all; and if we are content to be little in the eyes of men, the thing is not so very difficult.
A sect is therefore a religious body united on another principle than that of the unity of the body of Christ. It is absolutely such, when those who compose that particular body are regarded as being the members of it. A sectarian spirit is shown when these alone are recognized in a practical manner, without calling themselves properly the members of a body. We do not speak of the discipline which is exercised in the bosom of the unity of the body of Christ, but of the principle on which we assemble. The word of God does not recognize such a thing as being a member of a church; it speaks always of the members of the body of Christ. But those are to be firm in manifesting unity as they walk together. We may quote Matt. 18:2020For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20) as a precious encouragement in these times of scattering, in these sorrowful times of the last days in which the Lord promises His presence where two or three are assembled in His name. He gives us 2 Tim. 2:2222Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (2 Timothy 2:22) to direct us in the path of His will, in the midst of the confusion which reigns around us.