Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898)
HER'ESY, Acts 24:14. _ This term, as generally used by the sacred writers, implies no judgment respecting the truth or error of the peculiar tenets but signifies a party or division. " The Pharisees, Acts 15:5; 26:5, and the Sadducees, Acts 5:17, as well as the Nazarenes, Acts 24:5, Acts 24:12, Lev 24:14, were denominated heresies. T. Church, but the true Church itself.
In 1 Cor 11:19; Gal 5:20, and 2 Pet 2:1 heresies are referred to in connection with the apostolic Church, and in the last two cases the implication is that they are departures from the fundamental truth of the gospel, and to be condemned. Early in the history of the Christian Church the word acquired the signification it now has, of a departure from the fundamentals of gospel truth.