How To Identify A Cult

The Apostle Peter provides us with a detailed description of false teachers and their followers in 2 Peter 2:1 - 22. I suggest you read this chapter and familiarize yourself with its contents. The following list is based upon Dave Breese's book KNOW THE MARKS OF CULTS. Knowing this list is important but when someone comes knocking on your door there are two things you should do. One, ask the the question, "Who do you believe Jesus Christ is?" If they do not confess Jesus Christ as the the Son of God come in the flesh, equal with God, the second person of the trinity [1 John 4:1 - 4], you should do the second thing scripture requires - do not let them in your house, do not engage in an attempt to witness to them. Why because while they are on their evangelistic forays, the time spent with you is part of their works salvation and serves to encourage them to continue knocking on doors. [2 John 7 - 11] The best time to witness to a cult follower is in an informal one on one conversation when they are not in their evangelistic mode. While they are in their evangelistic mode they are taught to let you speak but not listen and then go on with their presentation. Ask the right question and if you don't get the right Biblical response, shut the door sending them on their way. All cults do not demonstrate equally all these marks but marks #1, #2, and #5 are found in and identify all cults.

1. EXTRA BIBLICAL REVELATION: False doctrine based upon another source of authority other than the Bible - example: Christian Science uses a companion book to the Bible -  Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy.
 
2. SALVATION BY WORKS: Usually teach a form of salvation by works or combination of works plus faith.  The works usually are associated with advancing the teaching of the cult.

3. UNCERTAIN HOPE: because salvation is based upon works, the members of the cult can never be sure they have done enough to be saved. 

4. PRESUMPTUOUS MESSIANIC LEADERSHIP: Usually the leader[s] is the final authority and control everything the group does.

5. DEFECTIVE CHRISTOLOGY: Denial of the Deity or humanity of Christ. Part of this defective Christology leads to the denial of the Trinity.

6. SEGMENTED BIBLICAL ATTENTION: Ignoring the whole counsel of God.

7. FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION:  2 Peter 2:3 says they make merchandise of others

8. DENUNCIATION OF OTHERS: The believe their the only group that is right and all others are false. 

9. SEXUAL EXPLOITATION:  Often group members are sexually exploited their leader[s].  

10. SYNCRETISM:  They usually draw a some their teachings from a number of groups but the real problem is that they use the same terminology as mainline Christians but with an entirely different meaning.

11. RELIGIOUS ENSLAVEMENT:  This is an outgrowth of #8 and they demand of their members that they make the group their number one priority.

12. ENTANGLING ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE: The is no salvation outside the group. 

For more detailed information read: KNOW THE MARKS OF CULTS by Dave Breese