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. A word of
warning concerning the cults. If you don't know your Bible, you will be easily
deceived. J. Vernon McGee said, "Satan never gets very far from the Bible. And
every one of the cults, even Satanism, uses the Bible." That's why we need to be
mindful of Paul's warning in 1 Corinthians 11:13 -15: "For such are false
apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of
Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the
ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works."
Satan's game plan is one of deception. He pretends to be what he and his
followers are not - ministers of righteousness.
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
