“But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets.”
(Acts 24:14, NKJV)
This Scripture in Acts is truly a revelation about the word ‘sect’; Paul actually states that through what certain people termed a sect he came to know the Living God. Considering a faith community as sectarian is often unfair and functions as a convenient slander term in branding those that differ from you.
Interestingly enough, even despite the democratisation of faith the traditional (closed) systems of faith are still those that are accepted as the norm. When it comes to formal functions, like Scripture studies on radio or television, opening official functions of the mayor, the translation of the Bible, etc, the members of the closed faith community will always be chosen. As in the time of Acts alternative groupings are often silenced by the official grouping if they dare speak up, and relegated to the position of sect (see Acts 28:22). Thus Acts speaks of the sect of the Sadducees (5:17), the sect of the Pharisees (26:5), and even the sect of the Nazarenes – “For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.” (Acts 24:5). Historically we also know of the Essener-sect, who was responsible for writing the Dead Sea-scrolls.
For this reason Paul gladly defends the ‘sect’ to which he belongs – “But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets.” (Acts 24:14). The basis on which Paul defends the so-called sect of which he is a member, is nothing but that which is “written in the Law and in the Prophets”. The Word remains the only point of reference. The Word said it. I believe it. That settles it.
Today many theological arguments take as their starting point the context of the Biblical customs and cultural considerations, and interpret all Scripture accordingly. Anyone who understands and accepts Scripture in its entirety is branded as fundamentalist, a term generally not smiled upon. Yet we have no choice, despite living in a postmodern era, to believe exactly that – “The entirety of Your word is truth …” (Ps 119:160); “Every word of God is pure” (Prov 30:5a); “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim 3:16-17). Indeed it is true – “Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.” (Ps 119:89).
A sect has made a compromise between the truth of the Word and their inherited traditions, because they have not incorporated the “present truth” (2 Pet 1:15) into their closed system. Sela.
- Sela: What are the implications of the last paragraph?
- Read: 2 Kings 25; Jer 26; 2 Cor 9
- Memorise: 2 Cor 9:6
