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INTRODUCTION
First, let us identify what we mean by a cult: a
counterfeit Christian organization that is not preaching the truth about
how to get to heaven.
"But though we,
or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which
we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." (Galatians 1:8)
So then, in order to identify a cult, we need to show
that they are preaching a false gospel, a false message of salvation. To
identify a false gospel, we must first know what the true Gospel is.
According to the Holy Bible, the true Gospel is the message that only the
substitutionary death of Jesus Christ (plus NOTHING) can cleanse us of
our sins and save us from eternal separation from God in Hell. Because
the Bible says that "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and
that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man
should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9). Any religious institution that
adds ANY other criteria for salvation to this message is preaching
another gospel! Christ's work is now complete. We sinners have nothing to
offer God that will in any way contribute to our salvation. Many other
Bible verses back up these statements such as Titus 3:5, Romans 5:8, and
Isaiah 64:6.
THE KEY TO DETECTING COUNTERFEITS
God has given true believers His Spirit and His Word,
the Holy Bible, to guide the true Church and protect the true Church from
heresy and apostasy. If we, like the Bereans mentioned in Acts 17:11,
study the scriptures CAREFULLY, we will find out how to distinguish
between the genuine and the counterfeit. As with money, a good
counterfeit is not easy to spot. You must be looking for it to find it.
Likewise, a false church preaching a false gospel will not always appear
false on the surface. We may have to ask probing questions and dig deep
to find out how a false church's doctrine conflicts with the true Gospel.
"Beloved,
believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God:
because many false prophets are gone out into the world." (1 John 4:1)
True Bible-based Christianity is truly unique and its
message of salvation is of immeasurable value and like many genuine
things of great value, there are many who wish to counterfeit it. At the
same time, there are many who don't like the plan of salvation that God
provided so they have invented a kind of salvation more to their liking
with lots of bells and whistles to disguise the fact that they are
hopelessly lost sinners without Christ. Likewise, there are many who
believe and preach that mankind can somehow save himself or at least
contribute to his own salvation.
"Beware lest
any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition
of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." (Colossians 2:8)
True Christianity is not just another legitimate
religion in the vast smorgasbord of world religions. It is positively ONE
OF A KIND. It is the only religion where God truly revealed Himself (in
person) to mankind and where God Himself became man's Savior. This is
dramatically different from all the man-made world religions which are
just man's attempt to define God and to specify man's own idea of
salvation. God already made the rules. He has already outlined the plan
of salvation. He already earned salvation for those He intends to save
since He knew we were incapable of meriting it.
"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." (2 John 9)
Any religious organization whose teachings are not in
agreement with the true Gospel mentioned above, is a false religious
system in the eyes of God and people who follow these false religions, trusting
in them and their unbiblical teachings for salvation, are headed for
hell.
HOW NARROW IS THE ROAD TO HEAVEN?
"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the
gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there
be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the
way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." (Matthew 7:13-14)
Fundamental biblical truths are those characteristics
of Bible-based Christianity that make it unique from all other religious
systems. They are the doctrines of the Christian faith that support
Christ's claims that there is only one narrow road to heaven, faith in
the substitutionary death (and resurrection) of Christ alone as the sole
means of a person's salvation.
"God is a
Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in
truth." (John 4:24)
Considering that the Bible says we must worship God in
spirit and in truth, it is important for people to know what the truth
is, especially with regards to God's precious gift of eternal life and
with regards to the simple plan of salvation described in the Bible.
Unless a Christian really understands how God saved them, they will not
know who to pray for (with regards to salvation) or who to share the
gospel with. A Christian's job is to share the true Gospel with those who
are lost so that through the scriptures, God can reveal to the lost that
they are truly lost.
MODERN DAY CULTS
"Howbeit in
vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of
men." (Mark 7:7)
Some of the major so-called Christian groups that
preach false gospels of Christ (our definition of a cult for this
discussion) are listed here along with some of their writings that they
elevate above the authority of the Bible:
- Mormons
(Latter Day Saints) - the book of Mormon and other writings of
Joseph Smith and Brigham Young
- Jehovah's
Witnesses (Russellites) - Awake magazine, Reasoning From The
Scriptures and other publications of The Watchtower Society
- Seventh-Day
Adventists (Millerites) - The Great Controversy and other writings
of Ellen G. White
- Christian
Science - writings of Mary Baker Eddy
- Unification
Church (Moonies) - the teachings of Sun Myung Moon
- International
Church of Christ (the Boston movement) - the teachings of Chuck Lukas
and Kip McKean and the original Churches of Christ
- Roman
Catholic Church - various Catechisms and the decrees of popes and
Vatican Councils
- the
Catholic-like Orthodox churches (Eastern, Greek, Russian, etc.) -
decrees of Ecumenical Councils, writings of various
"Saints" and "Church Fathers"
All the above religious organizations teach that you
must DO something to obtain salvation from sin, primarily: follow the example
of Jesus Christ or the teachings of some prophet, prophetess or
some church/cult founder. True Christianity has to do with trusting in
NOTHING BUT the FINISHED work of Christ on the cross on behalf of those
He came to save:
"For the Son
of man is come to save that which was lost." (Matthew 18:11)
..."He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that
believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on
him." (John 3:36) ... "But if we
walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with
another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all
sin." (1John 1:8) ... "Neither by the blood of goats and
calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place,
having obtained eternal redemption for us." (Hebrews 9:12)
Salvation according to true Christianity and according
to Jesus Christ is not a matter of human effort (i.e. following some
doctrine or creed or tradition). In fact, Christ repeatedly made this
point very clear:
"Then came
to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, Why do
thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not
their hands when they eat bread. But he answered and said unto them, Why
do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?" (Matthew 15:1-3)
In contrast, the Bible teaches that salvation is a
gift that is not earned by man (because Christ earned it) and that a
person receives salvation in this lifetime:
- "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that
not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man
should boast." (Ephesians
2:8-9)
Upon receiving the gift of salvation, a person becomes
able to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ - able to follow those
teachings the way that Christ intended as compared to how the unsaved
follow Christ:
"For they being
ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own
righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of
God." (Romans 10:3)
MODERN DAY FALSE PROPHETS
"For there shall
arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and
wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very
elect." (Matthew 24:24)
Some of today's false prophets in Christian circles
who preach false gospels involving miracles, prophecies, prosperity,
positive thinking, visions, 'words of knowledge', etc. include:
- Edgar
Cayce
- Kenneth
Copeland
- Paul
Yonggi Cho
- Morris
Cerullo
- Paul
Crouch
- Kenneth
Hagin
- Marylin
Hickey
- Benny
Hinn
- Norman
Vincent Peale
- Frederick
Price
- Oral
Roberts
- Pat
Robertson
- Robert
Schuller
- Robert
Tilton
You may wonder why the above people have such large
ministries with so many people following them and supporting them. The
answer is found in the Bible:
·
"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;" (2 Timothy 4:3)
"The prophets prophesy falsely,
and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it
so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?" (Jeremiah 5:31)
NON-BIBLICAL BELIEFS OF RELIGIOUS CULTS
"There is a
way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of
death." (Proverbs 14:12)
The beliefs listed below are not necessarily the beliefs
of individuals but rather teachings of their organizations. All false
Christian-like organizations subscribe to at least one of the beliefs
listed. This list is by no means complete, but it covers many of the most
common and significant conflicts with Scripture - things that cults and
false churches do or preach because they do not understand or believe in
the sufficiency of Christ's finished work of salvation.
1. They deny the inerrancy of the Word of God (the
Holy Bible) directly or indirectly by elevating someone or something such
as traditions, customs, or private revelations of some individual, above
God's word. They may have some books or writings that they believe have
equal or greater weight than the Bible. This belief is contrary to
Psalm 138:2. See also Matthew 15:5-9 & Mark 7:13.
2. They preach that something in addition to the
completed work of Christ is required for salvation, most often something
unique to their organization. This may include having to be baptized,
being a member of their organization, some kind of works or rituals or
human effort of some kind. This belief is contrary to Ephesians 2:8-9,
Titus 3:5, and Colossians 2:10.
3. They have false prophets who have made false
prophecies. This is a fulfillment of warnings in Matthew 24:23-24 and
1 John 4:1.
4. They deny the deity of Jesus Christ (that Jesus is
eternal God). This belief is contrary to John 1:1, Colossians 2:9 and
1 Timothy 3:16.
5. They claim man can become a god or god-like. This
is what satan said to Eve in the garden of Eden in Genesis 3:5.
6. They deny the existence of a literal hell - the
place of eternal judgment in torment of those whose names are not written
in the Book of Life (Rev 20:15). They might offer the 'annihilation
theory' as an alternative, where it is claimed that you cease to exist
when you die if you don't qualify for heaven. This belief is contrary
to Matthew 18:8-9 and Revelation 20:15 & 21:8.
7. They have a unique founder (who had his or her own
unique revelations) or they have their own messiah - other than Jesus
Christ. This belief is contrary to John 14:6 and Colossians 1:18.
8. They deny the existence of the Holy Trinity - God
manifested in 3 persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This belief is
contrary to Genesis 1:26, Isaiah 9:6, Matthew 3:16-17, 28:19, Luke 1:35
and 1 John 5:7.
9. They control what information members can access
and they usually tell followers that anything that is not official church
material is corrupt, of the devil, etc. They may also tell members not to
visit other 'unapproved' churches. This attitude is contrary to 1 John
4:1 which says we should test the spirits to see if they are of God.
10. They claim that the nature of man is basically
good rather than sinful. This belief is contrary to Isaiah 53:6 and
Romans 3:10-12 and Romans 3:23.
11. They claim that only certain elite individuals in
their organization are able to properly interpret the Bible for the rest
of the followers. This is a fulfillment of 2 Peter 2:1-3 and contrary
to 2 Peter 1:20.
12. They offer legalism, which is the earning of
salvation based solely upon obedience to a set of rules which they
determine. This is contrary to Matthew 15:17-20, Colossians 2:16 and
Titus 3:5.
13. They have a false concept of heaven such as:
A. it is a place for an elite few, who their
leadership usually specifies. This belief contradicts Deuteronomy
10:17.
B. it is a place where everyone will end up. This
contradicts Matthew 7:14.
C. it does not exist. This is contrary to John
14:2-3, Matthew 6:10 and Revelation 4:1.
14. They say the head of the 'Church' on earth is
someone other than Jesus Christ (i.e. THEIR leader). This is contrary
to Ephesians 1:22 and 5:23.
15. They say that the true 'Church' is some physical,
visible organization (i.e. THEIRS) rather than a world-wide group of
spiritually-born believers in Christ who are united by the Holy Spirit. This
belief is contrary to 1 Corinthians 12:13.
SUMMARY
It is important to remember that there may be some
people who have become truly, scripturally saved (born-again) and yet are
members of churches that subscribe to some of the unscriptural beliefs
listed above. These individuals must sooner or later, by the prompting of
the Holy Spirit, leave their corrupt churches and seek out born-again,
Bible-believing churches if they wish to be obedient to God who says His
worshippers "worship Him in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24).
If you have not yet realized your spiritual bankruptcy
before an infinitely holy God, then ask God to open your eyes to the
truth about your spiritual condition and about the one and only remedy,
Jesus Christ, for your lost sin-sick soul. No amount of good deeds or
self-righteousness can save you from the wrath of God. Only by Christ's
precious blood, can a person's sins be completely blotted out so that they
are made fit for heaven. Human effort of any kind saves no one. God must
do ALL the work. It is He alone who takes hearts of stone and turns them
into hearts of flesh, through the power of the Holy Spirit and the Word
of God. Cry out to God to have mercy on your sin diseased soul that he
might save you just as you are.
"And every
priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same
sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man [Jesus], after
he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right
hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his
footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are
sanctified." (Hebrews 10:11-14)
How do you know if this material you are reading is
true? Check the various Bible references and ask God, in prayer, to
reveal the truth to you. He will - in His time, if you seek Him and
search for Him with all your heart.
"And ye shall know the truth, and the
truth shall make you free" (John 8:32 )
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