CommandmentKeepers International Who is the Heretic? Read Article... Jonathan Vandor

 The term 'heretic' is used only once in the whole Bible. The passage is found in Titus 3:10, "A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject" In the context of this verse the term denotes one who causes factions or divisions due to the following of false doctrine. Understanding this definition, one can appreciate the previous verse, Titus 3:9, "But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain." Clearly this verse is talking about avoiding the promotion of false doctrine and unscriptural laws. How can I be sure? Because the Bible says that God's Law and true doctrine is profitable...

Joshua 1:7, "Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest."

1 Kings 2:3, "And keep the charge of YHWH thy God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, and His commandments, and His judgements, and His testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself"

Psalm 1:1-3, "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of YHWH; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."

Isaiah 48:17, "Thus saith YHWH, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am YHWH thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go."

Isaiah 55:11, " So shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."

2 Timothy 3:16-17, "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 perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."

This is important to understand because in this day and age those who stand upon the Word find themselves, more often than not, in the minority. They are often mislabeled with being the heretic of Titus 3:10. Such misapplication of this verse reflects the accuser's ignorance of God's Word. However, should you find yourself in the position of defending the Word of God to the point of possibly causing division... PRAISE GOD! This is also Scriptural, 1 Corinthians 11:19 says, "For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you."

Jonathan Vandor
I grew up in churchianity and lived like the world up until the day I heard a preacher say, "...listen to the voice of the Lord and do what He says!" It was then that the Light went on in my head and in my heart and I realized that the Bible was a book of instruction for today, that God's law still applies and that I had broken it. That was 4 years ago and YHWH continues to separate me and my family from the unscriptural traditions of men, sanctifying us by His Truth, His Word, His Commandments. We live in the beautiful country town of Cootamundra, NSW, Australia where we homeschool our three children and seek to proclaim His gospel in spirit and truth. I host a weekly gospel radio program, TRUTH2U, and keep a blog at col2v8.blogspot.com - Jono Vandor