Should We Welcome Heretics Into Our Churches in the Name of Love?

Heretic: Someone who teaches heresy, which is teaching that is contrary to the orthodox foundational doctrines of the Christian faith, such as: The Trinity; the virgin birth of Christ; the incarnation of Christ; the return of Christ; the death and resurrection of Christ; salvation in Christ alone through faith alone; the bodily resurrection of both believers and unbelievers; the judgment of the lost; heaven and hell (lake of fire); the eternal kingdom of the new heaven and new earth; etc.

No heretic is a born–again Christian. Some may believe they’re Christians, while others know they’re not. Some may believe that what they teach falls under the banner of Christianity (“just different interpretations”), while others know that they don’t. Some may deliberately deceive people, while others do it out of ignorance.

Regardless of the type of heretic they are, they all teach false doctrine. When I say teach, this may be in ordinary conversation, or in a more organized capacity, such as in a small group within a church. It doesn’t matter—because in the context of the local church where true believers in Christ gather, these people present a danger to the church, especially among new Christians or among Christians who aren’t properly grounded in the truth.

Introduction

This is a subject we don’t hear much about today in our churches, which is baffling to me since the Scriptures have so much to say about it. I’m referring to the reality of heretics (false teachers), and the things they teach. Read what Darryl Dash (“Be Careful About Calling Someone a Heretic,” TGC) says about heretics and the heresy they teach (bold mine):

Quote:

When I was in seminary, we loved to debate theology. It wasn’t uncommon for theological arguments to break out or for accusations of heresy to be pronounced.

One day, our church history professor, Dr. Michael Haykin, stopped us and reminded us of the seriousness of the charge we were leveling. To call someone a heretic isn’t the same as arguing that they are wrong. Calling someone a heretic means that they have departed from orthodox Christianity so far that they are undermining the faith and can no longer be considered a brother or sister in Christ.

“A person who embraces heresy is not a Christian according to Christian tradition,” writes Haykin. “If a person knowingly teaches heresy and as such is a heretic, then, by the way Christianity has defined ‘heresy,’ this person cannot be a Christian.

Unquote

As already explained, heretics are false teachers, who are not true Christians. Some may be more extreme than others, but what they all have in common is that they teach doctrines that are out of harmony with orthodox Christianity (historical Christianity). They know they believe and teach things that are not in line with mainstream Christianity, even if they regard what they believe to be just “different interpretations.”

What’s dangerous about these people is that they may infiltrate our Christian assemblies, who then spread their false teaching, leading true Christians astray, especially those who are younger in the faith. As long as they are outside our churches, they don’t have much influence, unless they happen to have a podcast, and newer Christians are watching, thinking that they’re dependable Bible teachers. While Christian podcasts can be very helpful for learning, there’s also that downside of false teaching by many. Just because people may refer to themselves as Christians, doesn’t mean that they are. Just because someone teaches in the name of Christianity, doesn’t mean that it is. Young Christians may not realize this. It’s easy to get duped nowadays with so much information out there in the name of Christianity.

As the following Scriptures reveal, heretics come into our churches and appear as one of us:

(Galatians 2:4-5 – CSB) — [4] This matter arose because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus in order to enslave us. [5] But we did not give up and submit to these people for even a moment, so that the truth of the gospel would be preserved for you.

(Jude 1:3-4 – CSB) — Dear friends, although I was eager to write you about the salvation we share, I found it necessary to write, appealing to you to contend for the faith that was delivered to the saints once for all. [4] For some people, who were designated for this judgment long ago, have come in by stealth; they are ungodly, turning the grace of our God into sensuality and denying Jesus Christ, our only Master and Lord.

When heretics “infiltrate” our assemblies, they can endanger the flock of Christ with their poisonous teachings. Not every situation is going to be the same, and their motives may not be exactly the same, but heretics do have certain things in common. They all present themselves as Christians. They talk about Jesus like Christians do. They talk about God and the Bible like Christians do. But the meaning behind their words is vastly different. They have just enough truth to deceive people. This is true of cults like Mormonism and Jehovah’s Witnesses.

The most glaring of their false teaching is who they believe God is. They all deny the Trinity in one form or another. Some deny that it even exists, while some pervert the Trinity with false understandings about it. Some even have very bizarre and demonic understandings about God. Mormonism is a perfect example of that, who believe in many gods, that they themselves will become gods in the next life. Yet, they all talk about the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit. However, who they believe each Person is, is completely different from how we as orthodox Christians know them to be.

It’s difficult to identify heretics until you realize what they really believe. They will normally give clues about themselves and what they believe as we get to know them. Eventually we’ll see that there’s something not quite right about what they believe. That’s when we must ask a lot of probing questions to find out.

Church leaders need to be watchful for such people (1 Ti 1:3-7; Tit 1:10-14; Jude 1:3–4). When it becomes clear who they are and that they’ve been talking to the believers under their care about their beliefs, they need to take appropriate action against them, which normally means banning them from their assembly.

We as Christians (esp. church leaders) need to be aware and watchful about such situations in our assemblies. We should never assume that it doesn’t exist or won’t spring up at some point. It’s when we let our guard down and we’re not paying attention that false teaching may have its way among many in our churches. Seasoned Christians, who have a good grasp of the Scriptures, will not be fooled. However, younger (newer) Christians can be easily fooled by things that sound plausible, but are lies from the devil. Either way, we must be watchful for such people. When it becomes known, then they must be silenced, which again, will normally mean expulsion from the church. This has to be done in order to protect the true flock of Christ.

Some Christians may respond: “But shouldn’t we allow them to stay so they can hear the true teaching of Christianity? Isn’t that the loving and compassionate thing to do? The answer is NO. Love and compassion must be properly directed. God Himself has given us certain priorities within the local church. Love must first be directed toward God and toward the truth—then toward our true brothers and sisters in Christ. Compassion too must first be directed toward them, not toward heretics who lead people astray:

(Galatians 6:10 – NIV) – Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Some Christians view the local church to be a spiritual hospital for the unsaved. Many years ago I was in churches where Sunday mornings were designed for the unsaved. Nearly every Sunday was like a Billy Graham crusade, where the gospel of Jesus Christ was boldly and loudly proclaimed to any lost person who may be present in the services. However, that is not the primary purpose of the local church. While churches certainly can be a spiritual hospital for those who need Jesus, and while the gospel of Christ should be proclaimed to the lost, that’s not the primary reason the local church exists.

The universal Church is composed of born-again believers in Christ. The mission of the universal Church is carried out in local churches, which are likewise composed of born-again believers in Christ, which is for the purpose of corporate worship and praise, teaching, prayer, the Lord’s Supper (communion), fellowship, and serving one another among followers of Christ:

(Ephesians 4:11-13 – BSB) – [11] And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, [12] to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ, [13] until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ.

(Acts 2:41-47 – BSB) – [41] Those who embraced his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to the believers that day. [42] They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. [43] A sense of awe came over everyone, and the apostles performed many wonders and signs. [44] All the believers were together and had everything in common. [45] Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need. [46] With one accord they continued to meet daily in the temple courts and to break bread from house to house, sharing their meals with gladness and sincerity of heart, [47] praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

(Hebrews 10:23-25 – BSB) — [23] Let us hold resolutely to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. [24] And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. [25] Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

(1 Corinthians 12:12-14,18-19,27 — BSB) — [12] The body is a unit, though it is composed of many parts. And although its parts are many, they all form one body. So it is with Christ. [13] For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink. [14] For the body does not consist of one part, but of many. [18] But in fact, God has arranged the members of the body, every one of them, according to His design. [19] If they were all one part, where would the body be? [27] Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a member of it.

We see from the above Scriptures that God ordained the local church to be for the worship and edification of those who belong to Christ. When we read the New Testament, we see that it’s primarily written to and for the benefit of those who follow Christ as Lord and Savior. The unsaved are always welcome to join us in our Sunday services, but we must realize that we exist for each other as fellow believers in Christ. While there’s no better place for the unsaved to learn about Christ and the teachings of Christianity, we must never lose sight of our primary purpose as local assemblies. We assemble as believers.

Yes, we’re to love the unsaved. That includes people who teach heresy. Yes, we’re to try to influence them toward the truth. But normally, this should not be done in the context of the assembly of believers. Allowing them into our churches should be conditional. If such people agree not to share their false beliefs to the people in our particular church, if they are sincerely open to learning the truth, if they’re willing to submit to church leadership, then I think they should probably be allowed to stay, but on a trial basis. They should be monitored carefully to see how things go.

While the above scenario may be acceptable, I don’t believe most heretics would be willing to submit to such requirements. I don’t believe they would normally be willing to set aside their belief system to learn the teachings of mainstream Christianity. Reason being, in order to believe and teach what they do, they would normally already have a basic and workable knowledge of the teachings of Christianity. Thus, I think for them to be open to learning things contrary to what they believe, would be rare.

We have to keep in mind what the heretic’s mission is—it’s to teach or share with people their own beliefs, not to learn the beliefs of others. Such people would typically have a superior opinion of themselves, who would also regard what they teach to be more enlightened. Such arrogance does not yield the humility that is necessary to go along with such an arrangement, as suggested above. I believe they would already have to be rethinking their beliefs to agree to such terms. Therefore, being willing to comply with the requirements established by the leadership in a particular church, would not normally be desirable for them, or to their benefit.

With that said, in rare situations, church leadership may think that it’s worth making the offer. Perhaps they have reason to believe that they (heretics) may be open to their conditional terms for staying.

Applicable Scriptures

Now we need to consider other Scriptures to read what they have to say about dealing with heretics (false teachers). We’lll see that these passages back up everything said in the introduction. This will not be an indepth explanation of each passage, but basically just expanding on the main points a little. These are not dealt with in any particular order, except for the first two:

(2 Corinthians 6:14-18 – BSB) — [14] Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? [15] What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? [16] What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” [17] “Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” [18] And: “I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

We’re going to start with this one, because it’s one of the most important and clearly stated passages in the entire New Testament about how to deal with heretics. In the book of 2 Corinthians, Paul was dealing with false apostles, whom he referred to as “super apostles” (2 Cor 11:5; 12:11). These were among the types of heretics Paul had to deal with. What we read in this passage are the very commands of God Himself, as Paul quoted the Old Testament. He applied it to their own situation as followers of Christ. What was the primary command to obey? It was to “come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord.”

Why? Because we have no fellowship with such false teachers, who are also false believers. We are children of light and children of God. We belong to Christ; they do not. There is no harmony between light and darkness. It’s impossible for the two to mix. It’s either one or the other. Where there’s total light, it’s not possible for darkness to exist.

Therefore, what sense does it make to allow workers of darkness to have their way in our churches? NONE!

(Acts 20:28-31 – BSB) — [28] Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood. [29] I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. [30] Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them. [31] Therefore be alert and remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.

This is another clear passage about how we’re (church leaders) to deal with heretics, and why. The shepherds that God has ordained to oversee the flock of Christ are always to be alert for false teachers in their midst. Is that for the purpose of observing them and allowing them to have their way? Of course not. Church leaders are to be alert for heretics for the purpose of silencing them:

(Titus 1:10-11– ESV) – [10] For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. [11] They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach.

(2 Corinthians 11:3-4 – ESV) – [3] But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. [4] For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.

We must always be on the alert for those who teach “another Jesus” and a “different gospel” than the true gospel of the true Jesus that we have embraced. If we’re not diligent about protecting the flock of Christ, young Christians in the faith may be “deceived” and be “led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.”

(2 Corinthians 11:19-21 – BSB) — [19] For you gladly put up with fools, since you are so wise. [20] In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or exalts himself or strikes you in the face.

The Corinthian Christians that Paul was dealing with, were taken in by false apostles (false teachers). They “put up” with them, allowing them to “take advantage of them.” They allowed false teaching to influence the Christians in their assembly. That’s not the way we deal with heretics. This is an expansion of what Paul said a few verses earlier in the same chapter:

(2 Corinthians 11:12-15 – BSB) – [12] But I will keep on doing what I am doing, in order to undercut those who want an opportunity to be regarded as our equals in the things of which they boast. [13] For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. [14] And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. [15] It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions.

False teachers want to be “regarded as equals” with other church leaders and other Bible teachers. But these people are actually servants of Satan, who appear as “angels of light.” That’s why Paul worked so hard to warn against such deceivers. His concern was always for the true flock of Christ. That should also be our primary concern, as well. If there’s a true opportunity to teach the truth to a heretic, then great, we should do so, if they’re open to it. But they should never be our primary concern. We must keep our churches pure of false teachers and false teaching.

There’s a principle here that we’re to apply where Paul refers to “false brothers who had infiltrated their ranks.” He said that they “did not give up and submit to these people even for a moment.” Thus, the principle is this: we do not allow false brothers into our churches who bring false teaching, so that “the truth of the gospel would be preserved” for the true believers in our churches. If we remove the heretics, we remove the problem.

This is further confirmed in the following passages:

(2 John 1:7-11 – BSB) — [7] For many deceivers have gone out into the world, refusing to confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. [8] Watch yourselves, so that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be fully rewarded. [9] Anyone who runs ahead without remaining in the teaching of Christ does not have God. Whoever remains in His teaching has both the Father and the Son. [10] If anyone comes to you but does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home or even greet him. [11] Whoever greets such a person shares in his evil deeds.

[13] The children of your elect sister send you greetings.

In regard to the above passage, the Apostle John is likely addressing a local church, and not an actual person (lady, see verse 13), because it was a common practice in those days for believers to meet in someone’s home. However, even if John is, in fact, addressing our homes, the same applies doubly for our local assemblies, where our churches stand as a light in the community, who represent the truth about the true Christ and the true God and the true Christianity. Therefore, we cannot allow false teachers into our assemblies, not only because it would confuse and deceive true believers, but it would give the appearance of accepting their false teachings.

John gives another reason for confronting and dealing with “deceivers:” so that “you do not lose what we have worked for.” Pastors and other Bible teachers don’t work hard at teaching the people of Christ the truth, just to have someone come along and teach things that are contrary to those things—undermining the unity of faith that the leaders are trying to achieve and maintain.

(Titus 1:7-11 – BSB) – [7] As God’s steward, an overseer must be above reproach — not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for money. [8] Instead, he must be hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. [9] He must hold firmly to the faithful word as it was taught, so that he can encourage others by sound teaching and refute those who contradict it. [10] For many are rebellious and full of empty talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision, [11] who must be silenced. For the sake of dishonorable gain, they undermine entire households and teach things they should not.

Heretics “undermine” the true teachings of the Christian faith, which influences the beliefs of those who embrace those true teachings, which leads them astray, especially those who are still young in the faith, who are the most vulnerable.

As Paul “warned” the church in Ephesus (esp. the overseers), so must the people of Christ in our churches today be warned about heretics. That also means that those who are known to be false teachers in their midst, must be dealt with to eliminate the problem.

(2 Peter 2:1-3 – BSB) – [1] Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them — bringing swift destruction on themselves. [2] Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed. [3] In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep.

Heretics come in quietly. They’re very “secretive” about how they approach people. They present themselves as one of us, catching people off guard. That’s when they’re able to influence and deceive the vulnerable with their “destructive heresies.”

(1 Timothy 1:3-7 – BSB) [3] As I urged you on my departure to Macedonia, you should stay on at Ephesus to instruct certain men not to teach false doctrines [4] or devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculation rather than the stewardship of God’s work, which is by faith. [5] The goal of our instruction is the love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith. [6] Some have strayed from these ways and turned aside to empty talk. [7] They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not understand what they are saying or that which they so confidently assert.

This is a good passage to end this discussion with, because Paul’s instruction to Timothy regarding false teachers couldn’t be any more clearly stated than this. Timothy was to “instruct certain men not to teach false doctrines.” That’s it in a nutshell. Heretics are not to be allowed to teach or talk about their false beliefs in our churches. They must be silenced in order to maintain the unity and harmony and goals that our pastors and elders are trying to accomplish.

Conclusion

The chief objective of any faithful church is doctrinal purity. Therefore, church leaders, as well as the more mature Christians among us, must always be alert for heretics in our assemblies for the sake of the flock of Christ. We should never let our guard down, but always watchful.

Should we allow heretics into our assemblies in the name of love and compassion? Only if they give convincing evidence that they’re rethinking their beliefs, are open to learning, and willing to comply with the terms for staying in the church. This requires true humility, which will be rare to find among such individuals.

Love for God and love for the truth must always be our primary focus. After that, love and compassion is to be reserved primarily for the people of Christ. Once they’re fully protected from heretics and false teaching, then we can consider if there’s an opportunity to extend the same love and compassion to them (heretics). If they’re not open to learning and submission, then we can lovingly send them on their way. But we should never confuse what our priorities are before God.

Love for God, for the truth, and for the people of Christ must always be our first consideration.

Should We Welcome Heretics Into Our Churches in the Name of Love?