There are two English words which sound alike, but when you look at their origin they come from two different sources. Both of these words or the concepts behind them have been used by others to apply to Christianity. The two words are “heresy” and “hearsay.” The truth is that Christianity is neither heresy nor is it hearsay, and we should be so thankful.
The word “heresy” is a Greek word which has adapted to become an English word. The Greek word is hairesis and was transliterated (brought over almost letter by letter) to become the English word “heresy.” It was applied by the Jews to the first-century church. They referred to the church as the hairesis of the Nazarenes (Acts 24:5) because Jesus came from Nazareth. Those Jews in Rome told Paul they did not know much about the church, but that it was a “hairesis…that is spoken against everywhere” (Acts 28:22).
The word indicates a belief or movement that is part of a larger movement outside of what is popularly believed. It is used of both the Pharisees and Sadducees (Acts 5:17; 15:4). When Paul was defending himself before Felix, his accusers described him as “…a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect (hairesis) of the Nazarenes.” Paul’s defense was the church was not a sect but something far different. It was the “…Way which they call a sect.” This reflects Jesus’ words, when He said that He was “the Way” and no man could come to the Father except through this Way (John 14:6). Christianity was not a sect, a section of Judaism; it was the way, the only way to God.
Neither is Christianity “hearsay.” We understand this concept, for it is used in the courts of our land. A witness cannot simply say they heard someone say something. It must be based on the mouth of two or three witnesses. Christianity is not based on this—it is based on those who actually heard the words spoken.
Peter said, “We did not follow cunningly devised fables…but were eyewitnesses of His majesty…we heard this voice which came from heaven.” That voice said, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased” (2 Pet. 1:16-18). Add to this the testimony of John, “We have heard…we have seen…our hands have handled…we declare unto you” (1 John 1:1-3).
Christianity is not based on inadmissible evidence. It has both eyewitnesses and “ear-witnesses.” It is not heresy, for God says it is the Way. There are those who may call it a sect, one of the many ways to God, but they are wrong. Remember that Jesus did not say He was “a” way to God. Jesus said He was “the” Way to the Father. It is founded on Immanuel, God who came in the flesh, to show us the path to heaven.