聖經用「異端邪說(heresy)」與「異端(heretic)」兩種,說明分兩類:
-⑴-保羅講到「各式各樣的派系」為「異端邪說」,即「分裂」(見林前十一19,欽定本與新國際版),
19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.(KJV)
19 No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval.(NIV)
歌林多前書 11:19 在你們中間不免有分門結黨的事,好叫那些有經驗的人顯明出來。
-ⓐ-在信徒當中有分裂。
-ⓑ-一個「屬世的信徒」若拒絕接受啟示的真理,便可以稱之為異端。
保羅如何在加拉太書五章19-20節中用這個字,在此他說一個「異端」(欽定本)或「派系」(新國際版)為「肉體的工作」。
加拉太書 5:19 情慾的事都是顯而易見的,就如姦淫、污穢、邪蕩、
加拉太書 5:20 拜偶像、邪術、仇恨、爭競、忌恨、惱怒、結黨、分爭、異端、
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,(KJV)
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions (NIV)
-ⓒ-而其他地方說一個異端的(欽定本) 或分裂者(新國際版)是背道與自我咒詛的。(多三10-11)
提多書 3:10 分門結黨的人,警戒過一兩次,就要棄絕他。
提多書 3:11 因為知道這等人已經背道,犯了罪,自己明知不是,還是去做。
10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; 11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself. (KJV)
10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. 11 You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned. (NIV)
-⑵-指那些在教義上嚴重偏差的人們。
**彼得提到「滅亡的異端」是「否認基督為主」。(彼後二1)
彼得後書 2:1 從前在百姓中有假先知起來,將來在你們中間也必有假師傅,私自引進陷害人的異端,連買他們的主他們也不承認,自取速速的滅亡。
**( Robert Bowman)說「異端」是:「一個教導直接與基督教機要信仰相反,所以真正的信徒必須與那些具有這樣意見的人分裂開來。」