Bible Verses About Heresy

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

Most direct Bible passage on false teachers and damnable heresies.

A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;

Explicit rejection of a heretic after admonition.

Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

Direct apostolic exhortation to contend for the faith.

Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

Direct warning against diverse and strange teachings.

If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

Different doctrine and sound words fit the warning pattern.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

Sound doctrine warning.

Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

False teaching from within the church.

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

Departing from the faith through deceiving spirits.

Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

Hold firm and rebuke contradiction.

Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.

Silencing false teachers.

But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

Heresies among the church as a test.

Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

Lists heresies among sinful works.

Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

Error that overthrows faith.

Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

Doctrine of Christ as boundary marker.

And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

Mark and avoid divisive doctrine.

So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.

Doctrinal group hated by Christ.

But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

Gangrene imagery for false teaching.

Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

False ways causing public reproach.

And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.

Locust imagery may inspire later typology, but not direct heresy passage here.

And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months.

Same as above; not directly about heresy.

The sword is without, and the pestilence and the famine within: he that is in the field shall die with the sword; and he that is in the city, famine and pestilence shall devour him.

No direct connection to heresy.

And your spoil shall be gathered like the gathering of the caterpiller: as the running to and fro of locusts shall he run upon them.

Typological insect imagery only.

Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me. But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.