What are some ways to tell the difference between a cult and a legitimate Christian church?
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Some simple criteria are listed below for examining a group"™s beliefs, attitudes, and actions.
CRITERION ONE: Rejection of the doctrine that has been passed down from the beginning through the apostles and the inspired authors of Scripture ( 2 Timothy 1:13-14 ; Titus 1:9 ).
Jesus said:
[ul]I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber (John 10:1). [/ul]
Does the group accept the Bible as the written Word of God, or does it consider other documents of equal or greater importance than Scripture? Does Scripture provide the basis for its doctrine and the values of its members, or do leaders arbitrarily set the standards? The principles of Christian liberty and the priesthood of the believer can only be honored when Scripture is the ultimate judge of values.
A group that denies such basic doctrines as , the deity of Christ, the reality of a bodily resurrection, and salvation by grace alone through faith in Christ is clearly a cult. CRITERION TWO: Unbiblical leadership
Jesus said:
[ul]Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep"™s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them (Matthew 7:15-20). [/ul]
Superficially, cult leaders may appear trustworthy. However, on closer examination they are disturbed men or women of questionable motives and methods"” unscrupulous, manipulative, authoritarian, and immoral. They claim excessive personal authority, deny the principles of Christian liberty and the priesthood of the believer, and ignore the pattern Jesus established for settling conflicts within the church ( Matthew 18:15-17 ). Closer observation usually reveals that they are enslaved to sin in some obvious way: adulterers, liars, intimidators, slanderers, sexual addicts, substance abusers. CRITERION THREE: Unhealthy group pressure and hostility to the truth
No group of people is perfectly dedicated to the truth. The corruption of the "the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does" ( 1 John 2:16 ) infects every congregation to some degree. Further, because every church is made up of a variety of people with a wide range of backgrounds, interests, and capacities, each will have a unique perspective. Differences in viewpoint and occasional errors are to be expected. But beyond such predictable imperfections, there are reasonable expectations that any legitimate church should fulfill.
A healthy church will deal with criticism or questions regarding its point of view openly, honestly, and patiently. (Some churches can be cult-like in their rigidity and defensiveness without being full-blown cults.) Cults, on the other hand, are defensive, evasive, or belligerent to an extreme when reasonable questions are raised. They foster an atmosphere of spiritual bondage through legalism and group intimidation ( 2 Peter 2:1-20 ). Many cults forbid their members to read literature that questions or disagrees with their own unique point of view. 1 CRITERION FOUR: Does the group separate itself from outsiders on the basis of arbitrary, unbiblical standards?
A healthy Christian group practices biblically defined separation from the world ( Matthew 5:20; John 17:15 ; 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 ). Cults,in contrast, often encourage their members to isolate themselves from the world in unbiblical ways. They will often encourage members to avoid contact with other Christians or even family members who don"™t belong to their particular group. They will define membership on the basis of an arbitrary list of "do"™s and don"™ts." Anyone not willing to agree to the list is treated as an outsider.
The apostle Paul expressed a biblical attitude toward cultural truth when he said:
[ul]Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible (1 Corinthians 9:19). [/ul]
All the standards listed above are important, but some are more essential than others. The first is crucial. Any departure from confidence in the authority of Scripture, orthodox doctrine, or salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone is a sure sign of a cult. Groups that fail the first test will almost always fail the last three as well. On the other hand, some groups that are not cults in the strictest sense due to their formal adherence to the first standard might be seriously deficient in one or more of the last three. In such a case the group should still be considered "cultic" or "cult-like," and avoided.
a dear john letter
alex i must admit i was not to surprised
to find yet another satemet to get your views expressed against what or who you dislike .i must admit you are getting better at it but knowing of your opinions of the past its not to hard to isolate justwho your targeting in your slant on Cults and Christian Churches
i would like to draw your attention to this which is at the bottom of your post
All Paths - Same Destination Islam Buddha Jehovah's Witnesses
Enlightenment Unity Discouragement Halloween
come on now Alex you could at lest have the common decency of editing what you copy and paste and take the pointed bigotry, of which you seem to hold, off the page.
something to enlighten you
Are
Jehovah"™sWitnessesaCult?
JESUS CHRIST was accused of being a drunkard, a glutton, a Sabbath breaker, a false witness, a blasphemer of God, and a messenger of Satan. He was also accused of being subversive."”Matthew 9:34; 11:19; 12:24; 26:65; John 8:13; 9:16; 19:12.
After Jesus"™ death and resurrection, his disciples were likewise the target of serious accusations. One group of first-century Christians were dragged to the city rulers by people crying out: "˜These men have overturned the inhabited earth."™ (Acts 17:6) On another occasion the apostle Paul and his companion Silas were taken to the authorities and charged with greatly disturbing the city of Philippi."”Acts 16:20.
Paul was later accused of being a "pestilent fellow and stirring up seditions among all the Jews throughout the inhabited earth" and of trying "to profane the temple." (Acts 24:5, 6) The principal men of the Jews in Rome accurately described the situation of Jesus"™ followers when they acknowledged: "For truly as regards this sect it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against.""”Acts 28:22.
Evidently, this new group established by Jesus Christ was considered by some to be a religious group with radical views and practices that clashed with what was accepted in those days as normal social behavior. Undoubtedly, many today would have considered the Christians a destructive cult. The accusers were often prominent and respected members of the community, and this seems to have added weight to the allegations. Many believed the accusations against Jesus and his disciples. Yet, as you probably know, every one of these charges was false! The fact that people said these things did not make them true.
What about today? Would it be accurate to refer to Jehovah"™s Witnesses as a religious group with radical views and practices that clash with what is accepted as normal social behavior? Are Jehovah"™s Witnesses a cult?
Jehovah"™s Witnesses are few in number compared to some religions. However, recall what Jesus said: "Narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are the ones finding it.""”Matthew 7:13, 14.
The Witnesses are far from being a small fringe cult. In the spring of 2004, more than
16 097000people attended the Witnesses"™ Memorial of Christ"™s death. But more important than their number are their moral character and exemplary behavior, which have brought them worldwide commendation. Undoubtedly this has been a factor in countries that have given them official recognition as a known, bona fide religion.
Outstanding is a recent ruling by the European Court of Human Rights. It declared that the Witnesses should enjoy freedom of thought, conscience, and religion and that they have the right to speak about their faith and teach it to others. This would hardly be the case if Jehovah"™s Witnesses were known to use deceptive and unethical techniques to recruit members or if they used manipulative methods to control the minds of their followers.
"Absorbed
inHumanity"
Cult members often isolate themselves from family, friends, and even society in general. Is that the case with Jehovah"™s Witnesses? "I do not belong to Jehovah"™s Witnesses," wrote a newsman in the Czech Republic. Yet he added: "It is obvious that they [Jehovah"™s Witnesses] have tremendous moral strength. . . . They recognize governmental authorities but believe that only God"™s Kingdom is capable of solving all human problems. But watch it"”they are not fanatics. They are people who are absorbed in humanity."
And they do not live in communes, isolating themselves from relatives and others. Jehovah"™s Witnesses recognize that it is their Scriptural responsibility to love and care for their families. They live and work with people of all races and religions. When disasters strike, they are quick to respond with relief supplies and other humanitarian assistance.
More important, they are engaged in an educational program that has no comparison. How many religions have an organized system to pay personal visits to every individual in their community? Jehovah"™s Witnesses do this in more than 200 lands and in more than 200 languages! Clearly, Jehovah"™s Witnesses are "absorbed in humanity."
Strict
AdherencetotheBible
Jehovah"™s Witnesses believe that Jehovah is the almighty God and that Jesus is his Son, not part of a triune deity. Their faith is anchored in the belief that God"™s Kingdom alone can bring relief to suffering humanity. They warn people of the imminent destruction of this corrupt system of things. They preach about God"™s promise of an earthly paradise for obedient mankind. They do not venerate the cross. They do not celebrate Christmas. They believe that the soul is mortal and that there is no hellfire. They will not eat blood, nor will they accept blood transfusions. They abstain from involvement in politics and participation in warfare.
A Massachusetts newspaper, the DailyHampshireGazette, explains that Jehovah"™s Witnesses"™ "strict interpretation of the Bible forbids many activities others take for granted . . . , all in an effort to follow the example of first-century Christians and the word of the Bible." TheEncyclopediaofReligion agrees that "all that they believe is based on the Bible. They "˜proof text"™ (that is, supply a biblical citation to support) almost every statement of faith, taking for granted the authority of the Bible, which entirely supplants tradition." The book ReligioninAmerica states: "The group has never wavered from its focus on Bible study, and its teachings are supported by an elaborate system of references to scripture."
It is precisely because of this close adherence to Bible teachings that the veneration and idolization of human leaders so characteristic of cults today is not to be found among Jehovah"™s Witnesses. They reject the concept of a clergy-laity distinction. TheEncyclopediaofReligion aptly states about Jehovah"™s Witnesses: "A clergy class and distinctive titles are prohibited."
They follow Jesus Christ as their Leader and as Head of the Christian congregation. It was Jesus who said: "Do not you be called Rabbi, for one is your teacher, whereas all you are brothers. Moreover, do not call anyone your father on earth, for one is your Father, the heavenly One. Neither be called "˜leaders,"™ for your Leader is one, the Christ.""”Matthew 23:8-12.
It is clear that Jehovah"™s Witnesses are as far from being a cult as Jesus was from being a glutton and a drunkard. Admittedly, not everyone who was influenced by the false reports about Jesus and his disciples fell into the trap of slandering him. Some may simply have been misinformed. If you have questions about Jehovah"™s Witnesses and their beliefs, why not get to know them better? The doors to their Kingdom Halls are wide open to all who seek truth.
You can also benefit from their careful search for accurate Bible knowledge and learn how to worship God in harmony with Jesus"™ words: "The hour is coming, and it is now, when the true worshipers will worship the Father with spirit and truth, for, indeed, the Father is looking for suchlike ones to worship him.""”John 4:23.
I normally do not reply to these JW threads or posts. The reason for that is that I know them as only false teachers, and from such I turn away.
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They believe that the soul is mortal and that there is no hellfire.
What a wonderful way to believe . . .why even if we realize that we are wrong in many crucial points of truth, we can rest assured that our butts won't burn in an everlasting fire.
__________________ And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
Cult members often isolate themselves from family, friends, and even society in general.
I know of JW that have excommunicated their family members (sons, daughters, etc.) for refusing to accept the JW belief. Sounds like isolation to me.
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But more important than their number are their moral character and exemplary behavior, which have brought them worldwide commendation.
Hmmm, I don't know about in the USA, but in Mexico when the JW go knocking on doors, husband and wife do not go knocking together. They pair up with someone that is not their spouse. What is the result? Extra-marital affairs are common.
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How many religions have an organized system to pay personal visits to every individual in their community? Jehovah"™s Witnesses do this in more than 200 lands and in more than 200 languages!
From what I gather (this is my opinion), it seems to me that those personal visits to every individual in the community is not done for humanitarian reasons, but for selfish reasons. The more doors a JW knocks on, the more points they get, having a chance to get enough points to be one of the 144,000.
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When disasters strike, they are quick to respond with relief supplies and other humanitarian assistance.
We have been through several disasters in MS, but we have yet to see any JW organization respond in any kind of way.
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The group has never wavered from its focus on Bible study, and its teachings are supported by an elaborate system of references to scripture
Still haven't proven to me where the bible says that Jesus Christ is the Archangel Michael.
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A clergy class and distinctive titles are prohibited
Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
1Ti 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
1Ti 3:13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
__________________
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
Cults And Christian Churches
