Sect: 

1. A faction, schism, party or group of people forming a distinct unit within a larger group by virtue of certain refinements or distinctions of belief or practice.

2. A religious body or dissenting clique, especially one that has separated from a larger opposing body.

3. A faction united by common interests or beliefs which follow a particular leader, creed or authority, or attached to a certain opinion. 

Considering the above definition of sect, it should be very clear that the religious world is full of sects. Sects exist in all major religions, including Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism and Christianity. 

In the days of the writing of the New Testament, only one church existed. It consisted of all believers in Christ, those humble persons who were born of the Spirit of God into the family of God. As sinners were being converted and saved for their sin, they were added to this one church. Working together as one united body, with Christ as their only Head, they turned the then known world completely upside down. Motivated by their love for God and for lost mankind, the Gospel was preached to every person, according to Colossians 1:23. Many people accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. 

But things did not remain as God has intended.  

People began to lose their love for God, for truth and for each other. Men began lifting up one another and unscriptural hierarchical positions were introduced into a religious setting. Bishops were selected to rule over the local elders and soon Archbishops were selected to rule over the Bishops. This apostasy continued until the religious system known today as the Roman Catholic Church was created, with the Pope as the ruling head.  

Now, instead of one united church, two existed. One was the genuine church, the other was fictitious. The first “Christian” sect was created, which in fact was not Christian at all. As time went on and the apostasy continued, the Roman Catholic Church gained great influence within the political systems of men and a time of open wickedness soon developed. As has been said, absolute power corrupts absolutely. So evil were the actions of the first religious, so-called Christian sect that historians refer to this period as the Dark Ages. Many true Christians were tortured and even burned at the stake for resisting the Roman Catholic Church and her teachings. The “Church” was killing the church! 

In AD 1054, this same religious sect split into two parts. This “Great Schism”, as it is commonly referred to by historians, resulted in the medieval Church being further divided into two competing parts, the Western (Latin) Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern (Greek) Eastern Orthodox Church. 

In the early years of 1500s, people began to openly protest against the evils of the Roman Catholic Church and they therefore became known as Protestants. These Protestants formed many churches and modern-day sectism was birthed.  

Where was the true church during this time? God has always had a church but at times she has not been as visible as she has been at other times. You see, while carnal men divide and produce more sects, God’s church has always remained one because she is composed of every born again believer. As long as there is one saved person, the church is present. 

The best that sectism religion can produce is more sects. Every sect includes sinners (non-Christians), but God’s church is the only church where every member is a true Christian. No other church can make such claim. 

Since the early days of Protestantism, sect making has become commonplace. If you can’t find a church that you like, you can start your own. There are literally thousands of denominations and loosely tied sects that exist today. The Great Awakenings spawned many new sects, including holiness sects.  

As a Christian, God would have His people be free from all sects and from the spirit of sect making.  If you are made a member of God’s church by virtue of a born again experience, why it is therefore necessary to join up with a sect? If all Christians would abandon their sects and allow Christ to lead and guide them, we would return to the same state that existed during the writing of the New Testament. We would be one collective body, working together for a common cause, the salvation of lost souls and the building up of the kingdom of God. 

Ask yourself this question. Am I in a sect? Go back and read the definition of a sect and if you find yourself in a sect, ask God if He is pleased with you remaining in such. 1Corinthians 1:10  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. Can this ever be true of sectism? No, never. 

The Bible clearly teaches that the church, the body of Christ, is but one body. Further, 1Corinthians 12:25  lets us know that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 

The call today is for Christians to come out of all sects and be united in love one to another. Love is a strong bond. We will never see true revival while we are busy building up the kingdoms of man rather than the kingdom of God. 

‘Twas sung by the poets foreseen in the Spirit, a time of refreshing is near.
When creeds and divisions would fall to demerit and saints in sweet union appear. 

Oh Glory to Jesus, we hail that bright day, and high on our banners salvation display,The mists of confusion are passing away.