The term cult has many different meanings to many different people today. For this article we will explore what are the common hallmarks of a cult and examine those in some detail. As always using Gods Word for truth, we can also compare some modern day religious denominational groups (as examples) and their possible cult ways.
As people who stand for the entire Word of God, reject man made religion, preach Christ's New Testament church model and the narrow road of eternal life that Jesus spoke of; we are often accused of being a cult like group by our denominational religious enemies, which are many. It is not uncommon to suffer lies and persecution as the people of Christ. In the book of 2 Timothy 3 it says this:
But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Throughout the ages we know that men and religious groups have killed and tortured millions in Christ's name over biblical truth. We consider it a joy to be accused or lied about for the name of Christ! We would be remiss if we did not remind you that both the Apostle Paul and Jesus Himself were accused of starting or promoting a cult/sect group or having demons. In these verses below we read the following:
But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect,(heresy) so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets. Acts 24:14
Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. John 8:52
Because of this persecution and false accusation of being like a cult; we thought it would be wise to take a look at what are the main characteristics of a cult and test ourselves against it. Then we can also test other groups (like the Roman Catholics or Baptists) to see how they fair against the general cult ways list below.
The followging list below is a common description of cult like ways from a biblical perspective. (There are other common cult like ways that we will discuss later in the article that are biblical.)
1) cults worship/lift up its leaders… instead of, as much or more than Jesus Christ Himself.
2. cults quote their leaders… instead of or more than the Bible.
3. cults believe only part of the Bible.
4. cults uses other books/means for Divine truth then the bible.
5. cults teach allegiance to the leaders not to Jesus
6. cults teach new truth; not found in Gods Word the bible
7. cults emphasize money/donations and the leader controls it.
8) cults may say they are the only way to eternal salvation
9) cults/ their leaders are above reproach or testing/correction
10) cults teach and practices many things not found in God's Word or the early New Testament church
When we consider these 10 cult-ish ways above; we are happy to report that we (people who strive for the biblical NT church ways).... do not have ANY of the cult issues listed. You can scour our website and our teachings and you will NOT find any evidence of these cult like ways.
What this proves is that our enemies lie about us over and over and in so doing they are breaking command #9 (Exodus 20 / bearing false witness) and they are doing a abomination before God ( Prov 6 ) by having a lying tongue! It needs to be noted that when we confront them about their lies; they cannot back up what they say using God's Word and so the truth is NOT in them. Here is that 10 point cult list answering with our beliefs / ways next to the points (by number) explained for you to see clearly:
1) We have no leader.... except the Lord Jesus Christ
2) We quote only.... God's Word
3) We strive to keep all of.... Gods Word
4) We use only.... God's Word for truth
5) We teach obedience to Christ.... not man
6) We have no NEW truth ....only God's Eternal Word
7) We take ....NO money as we are self supported
8) We are not the only way to salvation... Jesus Christ is!
9) We ask to be corrected.... always using God's Word alone
10) We cling ONLY to what we learn from God's Word ( no man made spiritual traditions)
We are not really surprised to learn we are not a cult.(smiles) We simply model ourselves to the first century church that Christ ordained so of course; it is NOT a cult regardless of what our enemies may say.
The Apostle Paul said this in Galatians 4:16
Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?
Most people who oppose us do it not because of who we are but because of what we proclaim and how we live. We proclaim a biblical gospel that preaches repentance, obedience / holiness, the keeping of the New Testament church model and the fact that we expose man made denominational religion as false. We are called to do so and we will continue until we leave this world or Christ comes back for His true church.
We need to note that here are some other signs of a cult that are commonly stated::
*separation from family/friends
*being closer to your group members then blood relatives
*believing in a narrow (few will find it) path to eternal life or just one way to heaven
We will have to admit that yes.... we do have/practice these ways in our teachings but let us explain.
While there are some strange error filled cults that do practice these things in a very unbiblical manner; we must be careful to call these ways "cult like" as Jesus Christ Himself told us His followers will indeed be like this in His name. Please see the following verses that clarifies this:
On separation ... Jesus told us He came to divide in Matt 10
“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household. He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.
*Does that sound like separation to you?
*Regarding being closer to your spiritual family then to blood relatives Christ said this in Matthew 12
While He was still talking to the multitudes, behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him. Then one said to Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You.” But He answered and said to the one who told Him, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”
*Do you see Christ saying His faithful believers where closer to Him then His blood relations?
*As for the path of salvation being narrow and only having one way. In Matthew 7 and John 14 the Lord said this:
Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
*Do you see a narrow path, only one way to God and that few will find it in these words of Christ?
Based on the Words of our Lord and Savior; we will proudly claim these so called cult like ways and we do it for His glory. Any group that does not practice such ways; are disobedient and outside of the Holy Word of God.
Now that we have tested our own ways; lets be fair and test both the roman catholic faith and the Baptist system to these 10 cult like ways.
Lets see how Roman catholicism does when tested to the 10 points. We have listed the 10 points below with the RC explanation next to each point.
1) The pope is their leader and who they will bow before
2) The RC system often is quoting their popes as infallible, even with or above God's Word
3) The RC system only uses some of the bible in its ways
4) The RC system has added to Gods Word and uses traditions and its so called holy men for more truth
5) The RC system requires total allegiance to the pope and their system
6) The RC system is often making up new rules and ways via the pope / counsels
7) The RC system is all about taking peoples money and is one of the riches organizations on earth!
8) The RC system says you must be part of it to be saved in the end
9) The RC system and its leaders are seemingly above correction or reproach... esp the pope
10) The RC system has many man made pagan ways not found in Gods Word at all
If we base the roman catholic system on these 10 cult like points; sadly they fail on every single point!
In truth and love we say.... they are indeed a cult to be lovingly rebuked and rejected for God's glory! We witness the gospel truth to every RC person we can as their false gospel (man made ways) cannot save anyone. Please see our link on the RC false ways here:
http://www.dontperish.com/roman-catholicism.html
Next.... lets test the Baptist system to see how they fair against the 10 point cult ways test:
1) While the Baptist system does not have one main leader; their modern pastor is lifted way up which is very unbiblical.
2) The Baptist system will often quote men like Luther and Calvin; who are VERY unbiblical (they are murderous men/see our link here for that: http://www.dontperish.com/martin-luther.html )
3) The Baptist system does not teach ALL of God's Word as they have left out much to favor itchy ears.
4) The Baptist system does say they cling to only God's Word but they have allowed man made traditions into their ways each week.
5) The Baptist system often requires that you have allegiance to a lording over modern pastor which is very unbiblical.
6) the Baptist system does not teach new truth though most are now swept up in various new false ways to please people... not God.
7) The Baptist system does push the unbiblical tithe and are ALL ABOUT taking your money weekly!
8) The Baptist system in general does not teach they are they only way but some modern pastors teach the Baptist way... is the only way.
9) The Baptist system most often has modern pastors who act like they are above correction or reproach which is very sinful.
10) The Baptist system says they are all about God's Word but they practice many unbiblical traditions that they took with them from.... the roman catholic pagan system at the time of the reformation.
In truth; the Baptist system fairs only a bit better then the roman catholic systems when looked at through God's Holy Word. The truth is all of the denominations have the same unbiblical man made errors as well. They have MANY unbiblical / false ways and when confronted in love; sadly they cling to error vs truth. You can test them and your own religious body on our website that teaches on many topics. Here is our 10 point test for religious bodies: http://www.dontperish.com/test-your-faith.html
In closing ...we are happy to say again... when tested we are NOT a cult (smiles) but we are striving to be very biblical. We rejoice that as we follow Gods Word closer daily; the lost world / false religious people will often lie and call us such. Rather then come into the light of Gods Word they hide in the dark and in that they are condemned. John 3:19-21
We have a standing offer to ANY modern pastor or religious man who claims we are a cult or teach false ways...come on to reason in the Word. You can be part of a John 424 radio recording and you can state your case clearly unedited for all to hear. Then.... we will test what you are saying and ask you to go to the Word with many biblical questions for you. See that challenge here from our website: http://www.dontperish.com/challenge-for-modern-pastors.html
see our john424 rado link here:
http://www.dontperish.com/john-424-radio-teachings-audio.html
So far over the years not ONE modern pastor or ANY man has taken the challenge to come reason in the Word and correct us publicly from our so called cult ways they claim? Based on Gods Word either they don't love us enough (1 John 2) or they are full of man made false ways and thus have not the truth in them (Colossians 2:8)
We will let you decide which one it is? We must redeem the time for our Lord ( Ephesians 5) and continue on in the truth. Always be on guard for cult like ways but be warned! Always make sure you are judging rightly ( Matthew 7 ) and NOT lying if you call someone something they clearly are not; as that is sin before a Holy God!
May God be praised and let us know how we can assist you.
www.dontperish.com
As people who stand for the entire Word of God, reject man made religion, preach Christ's New Testament church model and the narrow road of eternal life that Jesus spoke of; we are often accused of being a cult like group by our denominational religious enemies, which are many. It is not uncommon to suffer lies and persecution as the people of Christ. In the book of 2 Timothy 3 it says this:
But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Throughout the ages we know that men and religious groups have killed and tortured millions in Christ's name over biblical truth. We consider it a joy to be accused or lied about for the name of Christ! We would be remiss if we did not remind you that both the Apostle Paul and Jesus Himself were accused of starting or promoting a cult/sect group or having demons. In these verses below we read the following:
But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect,(heresy) so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets. Acts 24:14
Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. John 8:52
Because of this persecution and false accusation of being like a cult; we thought it would be wise to take a look at what are the main characteristics of a cult and test ourselves against it. Then we can also test other groups (like the Roman Catholics or Baptists) to see how they fair against the general cult ways list below.
The followging list below is a common description of cult like ways from a biblical perspective. (There are other common cult like ways that we will discuss later in the article that are biblical.)
1) cults worship/lift up its leaders… instead of, as much or more than Jesus Christ Himself.
2. cults quote their leaders… instead of or more than the Bible.
3. cults believe only part of the Bible.
4. cults uses other books/means for Divine truth then the bible.
5. cults teach allegiance to the leaders not to Jesus
6. cults teach new truth; not found in Gods Word the bible
7. cults emphasize money/donations and the leader controls it.
8) cults may say they are the only way to eternal salvation
9) cults/ their leaders are above reproach or testing/correction
10) cults teach and practices many things not found in God's Word or the early New Testament church
When we consider these 10 cult-ish ways above; we are happy to report that we (people who strive for the biblical NT church ways).... do not have ANY of the cult issues listed. You can scour our website and our teachings and you will NOT find any evidence of these cult like ways.
What this proves is that our enemies lie about us over and over and in so doing they are breaking command #9 (Exodus 20 / bearing false witness) and they are doing a abomination before God ( Prov 6 ) by having a lying tongue! It needs to be noted that when we confront them about their lies; they cannot back up what they say using God's Word and so the truth is NOT in them. Here is that 10 point cult list answering with our beliefs / ways next to the points (by number) explained for you to see clearly:
1) We have no leader.... except the Lord Jesus Christ
2) We quote only.... God's Word
3) We strive to keep all of.... Gods Word
4) We use only.... God's Word for truth
5) We teach obedience to Christ.... not man
6) We have no NEW truth ....only God's Eternal Word
7) We take ....NO money as we are self supported
8) We are not the only way to salvation... Jesus Christ is!
9) We ask to be corrected.... always using God's Word alone
10) We cling ONLY to what we learn from God's Word ( no man made spiritual traditions)
We are not really surprised to learn we are not a cult.(smiles) We simply model ourselves to the first century church that Christ ordained so of course; it is NOT a cult regardless of what our enemies may say.
The Apostle Paul said this in Galatians 4:16
Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?
Most people who oppose us do it not because of who we are but because of what we proclaim and how we live. We proclaim a biblical gospel that preaches repentance, obedience / holiness, the keeping of the New Testament church model and the fact that we expose man made denominational religion as false. We are called to do so and we will continue until we leave this world or Christ comes back for His true church.
We need to note that here are some other signs of a cult that are commonly stated::
*separation from family/friends
*being closer to your group members then blood relatives
*believing in a narrow (few will find it) path to eternal life or just one way to heaven
We will have to admit that yes.... we do have/practice these ways in our teachings but let us explain.
While there are some strange error filled cults that do practice these things in a very unbiblical manner; we must be careful to call these ways "cult like" as Jesus Christ Himself told us His followers will indeed be like this in His name. Please see the following verses that clarifies this:
On separation ... Jesus told us He came to divide in Matt 10
“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household. He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.
*Does that sound like separation to you?
*Regarding being closer to your spiritual family then to blood relatives Christ said this in Matthew 12
While He was still talking to the multitudes, behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him. Then one said to Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You.” But He answered and said to the one who told Him, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”
*Do you see Christ saying His faithful believers where closer to Him then His blood relations?
*As for the path of salvation being narrow and only having one way. In Matthew 7 and John 14 the Lord said this:
Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
*Do you see a narrow path, only one way to God and that few will find it in these words of Christ?
Based on the Words of our Lord and Savior; we will proudly claim these so called cult like ways and we do it for His glory. Any group that does not practice such ways; are disobedient and outside of the Holy Word of God.
Now that we have tested our own ways; lets be fair and test both the roman catholic faith and the Baptist system to these 10 cult like ways.
Lets see how Roman catholicism does when tested to the 10 points. We have listed the 10 points below with the RC explanation next to each point.
1) The pope is their leader and who they will bow before
2) The RC system often is quoting their popes as infallible, even with or above God's Word
3) The RC system only uses some of the bible in its ways
4) The RC system has added to Gods Word and uses traditions and its so called holy men for more truth
5) The RC system requires total allegiance to the pope and their system
6) The RC system is often making up new rules and ways via the pope / counsels
7) The RC system is all about taking peoples money and is one of the riches organizations on earth!
8) The RC system says you must be part of it to be saved in the end
9) The RC system and its leaders are seemingly above correction or reproach... esp the pope
10) The RC system has many man made pagan ways not found in Gods Word at all
If we base the roman catholic system on these 10 cult like points; sadly they fail on every single point!
In truth and love we say.... they are indeed a cult to be lovingly rebuked and rejected for God's glory! We witness the gospel truth to every RC person we can as their false gospel (man made ways) cannot save anyone. Please see our link on the RC false ways here:
http://www.dontperish.com/roman-catholicism.html
Next.... lets test the Baptist system to see how they fair against the 10 point cult ways test:
1) While the Baptist system does not have one main leader; their modern pastor is lifted way up which is very unbiblical.
2) The Baptist system will often quote men like Luther and Calvin; who are VERY unbiblical (they are murderous men/see our link here for that: http://www.dontperish.com/martin-luther.html )
3) The Baptist system does not teach ALL of God's Word as they have left out much to favor itchy ears.
4) The Baptist system does say they cling to only God's Word but they have allowed man made traditions into their ways each week.
5) The Baptist system often requires that you have allegiance to a lording over modern pastor which is very unbiblical.
6) the Baptist system does not teach new truth though most are now swept up in various new false ways to please people... not God.
7) The Baptist system does push the unbiblical tithe and are ALL ABOUT taking your money weekly!
8) The Baptist system in general does not teach they are they only way but some modern pastors teach the Baptist way... is the only way.
9) The Baptist system most often has modern pastors who act like they are above correction or reproach which is very sinful.
10) The Baptist system says they are all about God's Word but they practice many unbiblical traditions that they took with them from.... the roman catholic pagan system at the time of the reformation.
In truth; the Baptist system fairs only a bit better then the roman catholic systems when looked at through God's Holy Word. The truth is all of the denominations have the same unbiblical man made errors as well. They have MANY unbiblical / false ways and when confronted in love; sadly they cling to error vs truth. You can test them and your own religious body on our website that teaches on many topics. Here is our 10 point test for religious bodies: http://www.dontperish.com/test-your-faith.html
In closing ...we are happy to say again... when tested we are NOT a cult (smiles) but we are striving to be very biblical. We rejoice that as we follow Gods Word closer daily; the lost world / false religious people will often lie and call us such. Rather then come into the light of Gods Word they hide in the dark and in that they are condemned. John 3:19-21
We have a standing offer to ANY modern pastor or religious man who claims we are a cult or teach false ways...come on to reason in the Word. You can be part of a John 424 radio recording and you can state your case clearly unedited for all to hear. Then.... we will test what you are saying and ask you to go to the Word with many biblical questions for you. See that challenge here from our website: http://www.dontperish.com/challenge-for-modern-pastors.html
see our john424 rado link here:
http://www.dontperish.com/john-424-radio-teachings-audio.html
So far over the years not ONE modern pastor or ANY man has taken the challenge to come reason in the Word and correct us publicly from our so called cult ways they claim? Based on Gods Word either they don't love us enough (1 John 2) or they are full of man made false ways and thus have not the truth in them (Colossians 2:8)
We will let you decide which one it is? We must redeem the time for our Lord ( Ephesians 5) and continue on in the truth. Always be on guard for cult like ways but be warned! Always make sure you are judging rightly ( Matthew 7 ) and NOT lying if you call someone something they clearly are not; as that is sin before a Holy God!
May God be praised and let us know how we can assist you.
www.dontperish.com