Sat, Dec 6th - 9:39PM

SIGNS THAT A RELIGIOUS GROUP IS ON THE WRONG TRACK

Here we will examine characteristics of cults. However, it should be noted that these characteristics are signs that any church is on the wrong track.

A LACK OF HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

Some groups claim that Christians were all in darkness for eighteen or nineteen centuries and now they alone possess the truth. Certainly, there have been times in Christian history when some truths were more or less widely known or understood than other times, but God has always had dedicated believers to represent him that, although imperfect and not all-knowing, preserved the faith, safeguarded the truth, and upheld the authority of Scriptures. For example, long before Martin Luther began teaching the doctrine of justification by faith there were already Christians in the mountains of Germany teaching justification by faith. (Consider Ephesians 4:11-15)

DISTORTED VIEW OF THE HOLY BIBLE

“But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11:3) Second Corinthians 11:3 shows us why the inerrancy and authority of Scripture is so often attacked and denied. Satan continues to come up with new versions of "Yea hath God said ...," and "For God doth know that...." (Genesis 3:1, 5; Revelation 12:9) The Genesis account serves to warn us to expect Satan to deceive by twisting, distorting, and casting doubt upon the Word of God and denying or distorting Bible teachings, especially important or essential doctrines and standards, and this demonstrates that neglect, indifference toward, or ignorance of God's Word makes us vulnerable. (Compare Genesis 2:16-17 & Genesis 3:2-5 & note the difference.)

How is it that cult members and liberal theologians sincerely believe obvious heresies even though they often appear to study more than most? The problem lies with what they respect as the final authority or the standard of truth. When someone puts the words of men above the word of God, they naturally interpret Scriptures in relation to publications and human theories instead of interpreting Bible passages in relation to context and the whole Bible. (1 Timothy 1:5-7; 2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Peter 3:16)

While Acts 8:30-31 does indicate that people occasionally need help understanding Scripture, where in this passage is there any indication of an organization? Did Philip use the Bible alone to expound upon the meaning of Scripture, or did he use additional literature? If the Bible alone was sufficient for Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch, doesn't this indicate that the Bible itself is sufficient for us also? First-hand Bible knowledge from independent Bible study is essential. While we do need ministers, teachers, Christian fellowship, and Christian literature to help us, and there are difficulties in the Bible, the Holy Bible is the final authority and for the most part the Bible is self-explanatory and self-interpreting when one is familiar with its contents. (Psalm 119:130; Proverbs 2:3-6; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17; Ephesians 4:11-15; 1 Peter 2:2. Note that Matthew 24:45-47 is a parable and not a prophecy, as some claim, and gives no indication that any organization is the sole channel of God’s truth.)

Christ deliberately bypassed the religious elite and highly educated to reveal truths to ordinary people, and the Apostles commended and encouraged independent study and discernment. The Bible was written to be read and understood by ordinary people and God's truth is not hidden from everyone except for a few clever individuals. The Bible is the complete word of God and the final authority, and the truth can withstand questions and criticism. So why should we assume that God intended for us to accept the teachings of people claiming to have some special key to understanding Scripture without independent study and discernment on our part to verify their teachings? (Acts 17:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16)

“But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.” (1 John 2:27) As is true today, when John wrote the First Epistle of John there were a lot of divisions, programs, heresies, and fads spreading throughout Christian society and many false teachers working to corrupt the churches. (Acts 20:29-30; 2 Corinthians 11:14-15; 2 Peter 2; Jude) Deceivers often claim to have a special enlightenment or illumination, superior insight, or special key to understanding, or claim that one needs a superior spirituality or special revelation (which they claim to have) to know the truth, which is the reason for the warning in 1 John 2:27. While there is more to life in Christ than the initial experience (new birth) that occurs at faith and repentance, and God does bestow wisdom and spiritual gifts to make someone more effective in the Lord’s work, this does not mean that some have a special key to understanding Scripture that other genuine believers do not have.

“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinthians 2:14) Deceivers like to use this passage to insist that it takes a special enlightenment or key to understanding (which they claim to have) to understand Scripture. This passage does not say the Bible can only be understood by certain gifted individuals, it says that though natural men can understand what the words in the Bible mean they decide that what the Bible says is foolish. A good example of this can be seen when atheists argue with what they know and acknowledge that the Genesis account of creation says, it means nothing to them because of their lack of spiritual discernment.

ANOTHER JESUS

“For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” (2 Corinthians 11:4) We are warned about "another Jesus," a Jesus who differs from the Jesus presented in Scripture, because we only know God through Jesus Christ. Pseudo-Christian cults like to initially present themselves as just another Christian denomination and often use the same terminologies as Christians. False teachers often disguise themselves as representatives of Jesus Christ, so do not expect false teachers to tell you up front that their Jesus is not the Jesus presented in Scripture. (2 Corinthians 11:13-15) Faith, like love, always has an object, and it is essential that the right Jesus Christ is the object of one's faith, which means the virgin birth, the sinless life of Christ, the complete deity of Jesus Christ, the bodily resurrection, and the second coming of Christ in bodily human form are essential teachings. If you leave this life putting your faith in the wrong Jesus, you will be wrong for all eternity.

ANOTHER SPIRIT

We are warned about "another spirit." (2 Corinthians 11:4) The warnings about "another Jesus" and "another spirit" are related to other Bible warnings about "other gods" and denial of the true God. (Exodus 20:3; Jude 4) Not only does this indicate the importance of recognizing the personhood and deity of the Holy Spirit but also indicates the importance of the incarnation of Jesus Christ and the correct identification of Jesus Christ. (1 John 4:1-3; 2 John 7. Beware of modern translations that change “is come” [Greek: Erchomai] into past tense. Consider that even atheists and Muslims and oner non-Christians acknowledge that Jesus Christ “came” in the flesh.)

ANOTHER GOSPEL

We are warned about "another gospel." (2 Corinthians 11:4; Galatians 1:8) The Gospel Preached by Christ, the Apostles, and Bible-believing Christians throughout Christian history is the death, burial, and literal resurrection of Christ through which repentant sinners are declared righteous through faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ. (John 3:13-15; Acts 4:15-19; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; etc.) Denial of the bodily resurrection is calling Jesus accursed, for this would mean that he died under judgment of sin and is still under that judgment. (1 Corinthians 12:3) The Bible clearly teaches the physical resurrection of Christ and all dead. (Job 19:25-27; Isaiah 26:19; Luke 24:36-43; John 5:28-29; 2:19-21; Acts 24:15; Romans 10:9-10; 1 Corinthians 15:13-18, 42-49; Philippians 3:21; Revelation 20:12-13) The resurrection was central to the preaching of the Apostles, and there is no Christian faith without the bodily resurrection. (Acts 3:15; 4:1-2; 10:39-41; 17:18; 24:15; 1 Corinthians 12:12-20) There is no hope of eternal salvation without the bodily resurrection of Christ. (Romans 5:8-10; 10:8-9) Without the bodily resurrection of Christ there is no blood atonement, and there is no salvation without the blood atonement. (Leviticus 17:11; Isaiah 53:5-6; Romans 5:8-11; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 9:14; 10:12-14; 1 Peter 1:18-21; 2:24)

A DESIRE TO CAUSE DIVISION

In a war it often makes sense for a country to ally with other countries that are fighting for the same cause. We can apply this principle to Christian work and spiritual warfare. We should be careful not to hinder the cause of Christ through a spirit of competition.

The purpose of the church is to exalt Christ in the community and the world and spread the message of Christ, and Bible-believing, Gospel-preaching churches that agree on fundamental doctrines and moral absolutes should be considered allies. (Personally, I have never met anyone with whom I always agree on every minor point.)

This does not suggest that we compromise truth and convictions or compromise with heresy, but rather this is a reminder that it is often possible to tolerate differences without compromising truth and convictions. For example, if we lead a lost soul to Christ and he conscientiously chooses to join another Bible-believing church this is still cause for rejoicing.

In the Old Testament, ancient Israel was not one tribe but was divided into different tribes so that the different tribes would cheque and balance each other; this is an obvious reason for different denominations. (e.g., to prevent centralized corruption)

Jesus is the way, not a human organization. (John 14:6) While we should not compromise with heresy or immorality, and churches should require moral and ethical standards of leaders and teachers, be wary of those who teach us-only pride or a we-versus-they complex and are continually criticizing and condemning Bible-believing, Gospel-preaching ministers and teachers. (Psalm 119:63; Mark 9:38-42; Acts 20:29-30; Romans 16:17-18; Philippians 1:18)

UNBIBLICAL FORMS OF SEPARATION

 Many insist that the Bible doctrine of separation means that Christians must be neutral concerning everything outside of church activities. But the separation taught in the Bible is separation unto God and godly distinctions, conduct, and relationships within society, not isolation from society or neutrality concerning politics and community affairs (or even war). (Romans 13:1-7; Ephesians 5:3-11; 1 Timothy 3:7; 1 Peter 2:11-12)

Should we interpret the words of Christ in Matthew 6:9-11 to mean that Christ was promoting idleness and laziness? No, a good job should be considered the answer to prayers for necessities. Likewise, the exhortation to pray for all men and all that are in authority does not imply neutrality or pacifism concerning politics and community affairs; opportunities to influence society and government and participate in public affairs should be considered answers to such prayers. (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

The Christian community is often divided over whether it is important to evangelise or important to impact the culture around us for righteousness. This is not a problem of whether the Bible teaches one or the other, the Bible teaches both: Soul winning is important, and it is important to influence the society in which we live for righteousness; it is important to witness and it is important to take a stand on issues. Man is a natural-born sinner, inherently depraved; man is not a sinner because he sins, he sins because he is a sinner. It is not human government that is evil but rather the fallible humans that comprise human government, which is why Christian influence is essential. Christians are the salt of the earth and the light of world. Salt cleanses, purifies, preserves, and makes people thirsty, and light dispels darkness. Christians are supposed to be a cleansing and illuminating influence on society, impacting society and culture for righteousness. (Matthew 5:13-16; 1 Timothy 2:1-4; 1 Peter 2:11-12; etc.) Christians should not be dominated by history, trends, culture, or society; they should be shaping these. (2 Corinthians 10:4-6; 1 John 5:4)

TENDENCY TO MAJOR ON MINORS

Be wary of those that are so preoccupied with riding religious hobby horses and proving they are right and everyone else is wrong or are against so much that they are not really for anything, that they lose perspective on the basic truths and message of the Bible. (Matthew 23:23-24; Romans 14; 1 Timothy 1:3-7)

RETURN TO PAST ERRORS

Be wary of those that insist on disputing teachings that were settled, not by force but by diligent and prayerful studies and discussions ages ago, such as the virgin birth and complete deity of Christ, the physical resurrection of Christ and all dead, the triunity of God, salvation through the blood, etc. You should study and be prepared to defend the clear teachings of Scripture, and you should question the motives behind a return to past errors.

P.S. I owe thanks to Richard W. De Haan, who wrote the RBC Booklet “How To Recognize A Good Church,” and in the booklet outlined five marks of a cult. That booklet inspired me to write this blog article.