Spotting a Cult
“Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints” (Jude 3 NASB).
Cult. The word is certainly used in a wide variety of ways. Some might use it to mean “any group of people with beliefs that I disagree with.” The word can also be used in describing group behavior. People united on certain common ideas and values that are typically outside and, perhaps even, taboo in the mainstream of society may be considered a cult. An avant-garde artist who has a significant number of admirers can be said to have a cult following. A new religious group may be considered a cult in this sense; albeit, if it continues to exists over a long period of time, and it gains significant acceptance from the mainstream, it would no longer be considered a cult.
The word cult is used in a different in Christian apologetics. A cult, from this perspective, has a sociological dimension in that it refers to a religious group or sect gathered together around a teacher or group of teachers. They are often kept together through psychological intimidation. They typically cut themselves off from family, friends, and the world—anyone who does not hold their ideology.
There is also a theological dimension to a cult. A cult of Christianity, for example, might profess to be “Christians;” yet, they would out right deny one or more of the essential doctrines of the historic Christian faith. The essentials of the faith include:
The Bible is God’s inspired and infallible Word. It is the supreme authority for faith and practice. (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
The Trinity: The belief in one God who is revealed in three coeternal coequal persons—The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit (Deut. 6:4; 1 Cor. 13:14).
Man is created in God's image both male and female (Gen. 1:27); yet, on account of Adam’s fall, all people is a sinner separated from God (Gen. 2:1ff; Rom. 3:9-20; 5:12).
Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man (Rom 1:3-4; Col. 1:15-20; 2 Pet. 1:1). He existed with God in eternity past and stepped down from His Heavenly Glory through the incarnation (John 1:1, 12). He was born from a virgin, crucified, buried, and rose again (Phil. 2:6-11; Mark 10:45). Through that work He offers to sinful man the hope of salvation (Jn. 3:16; Rom. 5:8; 6:23; 1 Cor. 15:1-3).
Salvation is a gift of God received by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. It is neither earned nor deserved (Eph. 2:8-9).
The Holy Spirit indwells the believer giving them new spiritual life, power to share their faith, and guidance in life (Jn. 16:13-15; Acts 1:8).
The Church: There is one holy Universal Church that consists of all believers and is headed by Christ (Acts 2:47; Col. 1:18).
The Second Coming: Jesus Christ will one day physically return to Earth from Heaven to judge the living and the dead (Acts 1:11; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; Heb. 9: 27-28; 1 John 3:2). When Jesus returns, the righteous shall be raised to eternal life and the unrighteous to eternal condemnation (John 5:28-29; 1 Cor. 15:51-52; Dan. 12:1-2).
These truths are clearly taught in the Bible and by them all Christians can unify. And these are the very truths that cultist outwardly deny (Jehovah’s Witnesses teach Jesus was a God but not the God, Mormons teach we can all become gods!) Jude teaches us to guard these truths for many false teachers enter into the fellowship of believers to deceive them into abandoning these very truths. Thus we must always be careful to examine every teaching in light of Scriptural truth.
Cult. The word is certainly used in a wide variety of ways. Some might use it to mean “any group of people with beliefs that I disagree with.” The word can also be used in describing group behavior. People united on certain common ideas and values that are typically outside and, perhaps even, taboo in the mainstream of society may be considered a cult. An avant-garde artist who has a significant number of admirers can be said to have a cult following. A new religious group may be considered a cult in this sense; albeit, if it continues to exists over a long period of time, and it gains significant acceptance from the mainstream, it would no longer be considered a cult.
The word cult is used in a different in Christian apologetics. A cult, from this perspective, has a sociological dimension in that it refers to a religious group or sect gathered together around a teacher or group of teachers. They are often kept together through psychological intimidation. They typically cut themselves off from family, friends, and the world—anyone who does not hold their ideology.
There is also a theological dimension to a cult. A cult of Christianity, for example, might profess to be “Christians;” yet, they would out right deny one or more of the essential doctrines of the historic Christian faith. The essentials of the faith include:
The Bible is God’s inspired and infallible Word. It is the supreme authority for faith and practice. (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
The Trinity: The belief in one God who is revealed in three coeternal coequal persons—The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit (Deut. 6:4; 1 Cor. 13:14).
Man is created in God's image both male and female (Gen. 1:27); yet, on account of Adam’s fall, all people is a sinner separated from God (Gen. 2:1ff; Rom. 3:9-20; 5:12).
Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man (Rom 1:3-4; Col. 1:15-20; 2 Pet. 1:1). He existed with God in eternity past and stepped down from His Heavenly Glory through the incarnation (John 1:1, 12). He was born from a virgin, crucified, buried, and rose again (Phil. 2:6-11; Mark 10:45). Through that work He offers to sinful man the hope of salvation (Jn. 3:16; Rom. 5:8; 6:23; 1 Cor. 15:1-3).
Salvation is a gift of God received by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. It is neither earned nor deserved (Eph. 2:8-9).
The Holy Spirit indwells the believer giving them new spiritual life, power to share their faith, and guidance in life (Jn. 16:13-15; Acts 1:8).
The Church: There is one holy Universal Church that consists of all believers and is headed by Christ (Acts 2:47; Col. 1:18).
The Second Coming: Jesus Christ will one day physically return to Earth from Heaven to judge the living and the dead (Acts 1:11; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; Heb. 9: 27-28; 1 John 3:2). When Jesus returns, the righteous shall be raised to eternal life and the unrighteous to eternal condemnation (John 5:28-29; 1 Cor. 15:51-52; Dan. 12:1-2).
These truths are clearly taught in the Bible and by them all Christians can unify. And these are the very truths that cultist outwardly deny (Jehovah’s Witnesses teach Jesus was a God but not the God, Mormons teach we can all become gods!) Jude teaches us to guard these truths for many false teachers enter into the fellowship of believers to deceive them into abandoning these very truths. Thus we must always be careful to examine every teaching in light of Scriptural truth.
Amen Warren, from someone seeking the truth.
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