If Christianity Is Lived Out
***SOUND DOCTRINE BOARD (303) 680-7209 24HRS 8,N,1 300/1200 BAUD*** IF CHRISTIANITY IS LIVED OUT IT WILL LOOK LIKE A CULT! {The reason your church doesn’t look like a cult, is that it has lost it’s saltiness}
The following takes a sarcastic approach to the word “cult”.
MARKS OF A CULT?
According to the definition of a cult below, hopefully you can find the true marks of a cult simply by taking a look at your church. If not, you must honestly ask yourself and your church if you are really living true Christianity. The following is a review of the Scriptures which show true Christianity to be a cult. Why aren’t these characteristics a part of the church today? Simply because the church has gotten so far away from true Christianity. How far away? So far away that it can no longer rightfully be called Christianity. Read on and see for yourself what the signs of a true cult are.
DEFINITION: Webster’s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary, page 443. C U L T :
“4. a group of followers; sect.
3. devoted attachment to, or extravagant admiration for, a person,
principle, etc..” B E O N T H E L O O K O U T ! T H E S E A R E T H E M A R K S O F A C U L T !
[ 1 ]
Everybody you talk to says it is a cult. So it must be true. “But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect.” -Acts 28:22
[ 2 ]
Everywhere this cult/sect goes, we hear that trouble follows. This group just enjoys causing trouble! “We have found this man to be a trouble maker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world.” -Acts 24:5 “These men who have caused trouble all over the world have come here now.” -Acts 17:6
[ 3 ]
One man seems to be the leader who stirs up all this trouble. The poor people just blindly follow him. They are brainwashed. “…He is the ringleader of the Nazarene sect {cult} and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.” -Acts 24:5-7 “No, But this mob that knows nothing of the law – there is a curse on them.” -John 7:49
[ 4 ]
No orthodox church has accepted this group. “the Pharisees retorted. ‘Has any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him?'” -John 7:48
[ 5 ]
They even admit that they belong to a group others call a cult? “However, I admit that I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect, I believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets.” -Acts 24:14
[ 6 ]
The leadership of this cult seems to have too much authority. “And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.” -2 Corinthians 10:6 “What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a whip, or in love and with a gentle spirit?” -1 Corinthians 4:21
[ 7 ]
It is strange, but they all think alike on Biblical issues. Someone is washing their minds.
“All the believers were one in heart and mind.” -Acts 4:32
[ 8 ]
They really put the pressure on for everyone to think alike. There just doesn’t seem to be any room for one’s personal opinion. “I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.” -1 Corinthians 1:10 “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like- minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.” -Philippians 2:1-2
[ 9 ]
If you do voice your opinion, they just quote you something out of Proverbs. “A fool finds no pleasure in understanding, but delights in airing his own opinions.” -Proverbs 18:2
[ 1 0 ]
They think they’re so right, that that gives them the right to cram it down your throat. They think you have to agree with them today. Come on, it takes some people a little more time than others. “Then Agrippa said to Paul, ‘Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?’ Paul replied, ‘Short or long- I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.” -Acts 26:28
[ 1 1 ]
They think that you have to accept only their message. And if you don’t accept their message they say you’re going to hell – that you ought to be condemned. “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!” -Galatians 1:8 “…one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all…” -Ephesians 4:5
[ 1 2 ]
They really challenge each other about sin. “Let a righteous man strike me – it is a kindness; let him rebuke me – it is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it.” -Psalm 141:5 “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” -Proverbs 27:17 “When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong … When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all…” -Galatians 2:11 & 14 “So if I come, I will call attention to what he is doing…” -3 John :10
[ 1 3 ]
They expect you to be at church whenever they meet. It is just a way to control your life and mind. “Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.” -Acts 2:46 “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing but let us encourage one another – all the more as you see the Day approaching.” -Hebrews 10:25
[ 1 4 ]
With everyone meeting together like that you will loose your private life. I have heard that they know everything about you. That if you trip up a little bit, everyone will know about it before you even get home. “If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” -1 John 1:6
[ 1 5 ]
Why, I have even heard that they’ve broken up some nice lovely families. Even their leader, who is now dead, said he came to tear up families. “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter- -in-law against her mother-in-law; a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.'” -Matthew 10:34-36
[ 1 6 ]
This man named Jesus would not even let one of his followers go home to bury his good Jewish religious father, who had served God all his life. “Another disciple said to him, ‘Lord, first let me go and bury my father.’ But Jesus told him, ‘Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.'” -Matthew 8:21-22
[ 1 7 ]
I have heard them say and do some pretty unloving things. “If anyone does not love the Lord – a curse be on him.” -1 Corinthians 16:22 “…he rebuked Peter. ‘Get behind me, Satan!’.”-Mark 8:32 “Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.” -1 Timothy 1:20
[ 1 8 ]
They expect you, when you go to their church, to make all your things community property. “No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.” -Acts 4:32
[ 1 9 ]
The people who go to this cult even lay their money at the feet of the leadership! “For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet… Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas, which means Son of Encouragement, sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostle’s feet.” -Acts 4:34-37
[ 2 0 ]
This cult just has no respect for a dollar. “Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” -Matthew 6:24
[ 2 1 ]
They are hypocrites because I have heard them speak so much against money, yet they spend a fortune on “evangelistic work”. Why, that money could have gone to the poor! “But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him objected, ‘Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” -John 12:5
[ 2 2 ]
Their teaching is so hard and narrow. In fact, it is downright offensive! “On hearing it, many of his disciples said, ‘This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?’…From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.” -John 6:60 & 66 “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door…” -Luke 13:24 “Brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished.” -Galatians 4:11 “Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, ‘Does this offend you?'” -John 6:61
[ 2 3 ]
Their message says that you have to beat your body or something.
“No, I beat my body and make it may slave…” -1 Corinthians 9:27
[ 2 4 ]
If you don’t agree with their teaching, they will not have anything to do with you. “Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him.” -2 John :9 “…let him acknowledge that what I am writing you is the Lord’s command. If he ignores this, he himself will be ignored.” -1 Corinthians 14:37-38
[ 2 5 ]
You have to live up to a certain standard or they will not tolerate you being in the group. “…having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.” -2 Timothy 3:1-5 “Therefore do not be partners with them.” -Ephesians 5:7 “Keep away from them.” -Romans 16:17 “After that have nothing to do with him.” -Titus 3:10 “In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.” -2 Thessalonians 3:6
[ 2 6 ]
In fact, they do an awful lot of judging. And if there is one thing we know for sure, Jesus said you are not to judge! “With such man do not even eat. What business is if of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?” -1 Corinthians 5:11-13
[ 2 7 ]
Why, I have even heard that one of their leaders thinks he can judge without hearing both sides of the story – that he can judge everything. “Even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. And I have already passed judgement on the one who did this, just as if I were present.” -1 Corinthians 5:3 “The spiritual man makes judgements about all things…” -1 Corinthians 2:15
[ 2 8 ]
Why, I even heard that they killed two of their own church members because they fell into a little sin. And we all make mistakes! Jesus wants us to be patient! “When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died…At that moment she fell down at his feet and died.” -Acts 5:5 & 9
[ 2 9 ]
That sort of thing can’t be of God. I mean, it makes people afraid to join the church. And we all know that Jesus came to love us, not to make us afraid. “No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people.” -Acts 5:13
[ 3 0 ]
Why, if you don’t live up to the standards they set, then the leadership will not even let you help out in ministry work.
“You have no part or share in this ministry….” -Acts 8:21
[ 3 1 ]
The leadership even thinks they can know what is in your heart. Only God knows what is my heart. And he knows that I love him, even though I can’t live up to their standards. “You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God.” -Acts 8:21 “Then Peter said, ‘Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart…?” -Acts 5:3 “The man who says, ‘I know him’, but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” -1 John 2:4
[ 3 2 ]
It is as if they try to make people feel guilty. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” -Acts 5:28
[ 3 3 ]
Then, when these people get mad and lash out at them they are happy about it. They act as if they are serving God by making people feel guilty. But there is one thing I know for sure: It is God’s job to convict people of sin. Yet they seem to be really happy that they get people mad at them. “The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.” -Acts 5:41 “Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy…” -Luke 6:22-23 “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.” -2 Corinthians 12:10
[ 3 4 ]
If this were not a cult then more people would belong to their church. As it is they do not have very many in number. God just can’t be in such a small church. After all, this is a religious town. We have a church {idol} on every corner. “While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see the city was full of idols….I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD…At that, Paul left the Council. A few men became followers of Paul and believed.” -Acts 17 “I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars- I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you.” -Revelation 3:7-13 “Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets.” -Luke 6:26 “But Lord”, Gideon asked, “how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” -Judges 6:15
[ 3 5 ]
One of their primary leaders hates women. Why, he will not even let a woman teach a man. And he says that is God’s will. He even teaches that it is shameful for a woman to talk in church. I think maybe he has got a weird mental problem. “A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or have authority over a man; she must be silent.” -1 Timothy 2:11 “As in all the congregations of the saints, women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission as the Law says….for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.” -1 Corinthians 14:33-35
[ 3 6 ]
It is bad enough that they teach women should be silent and submissive. But they make them wear a towel thing on their head as a “sign” that they are to be in submission to men. “For this reason and because of the angels, the woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head.” -1 Corinthians 11:10
[ 3 7 ]
This cult/sect also condemns a lot of other churches and groups. They tell others to leave their particular church or religious teachings. “Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man both will fall into a pit.” -Matthew 15:14
[ 3 8 ]
I have talked to others who went to their church, and they say it is cult? In fact, a lot of people have left that church. “At my first defense, no one came to my support, everyone deserted me.” -2 Timothy 4:16 “You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me…” -2 Timothy 1:15 “I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.” -Acts 20:29 “So if I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, gossiping maliciously about us.” -3 John :10 “I have been in danger…from false brothers.” -2 Corinthians 11:26 “They produced false witnesses, who testified…” -Acts 6:13
[ 3 9 ]
These cults always make you do something to get to heaven. This cult “orders” people to be baptized. Cults always make salvation a works program and so require their people to do something…to “prove” themselves saved. “Then Peter said, ‘Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have. So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus.” -Acts 10:47 “…I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.” -Acts 26:21 “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but no deeds? Can such a faith save him?” -James 2:14
[ 4 0 ]
I have heard this cult/sect condemn whole churches and groups of people. “Even one of their own prophets have said, ‘Cretan are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.’ This testimony is true. Therefore, rebuke them sharply…” -Titus 1:12
[ 4 1 ]
The reason everyone is so controlled by this group is that they destroy their good self-esteem. No one around there thinks very well of themselves. “May I never boast about myself, except about my weakness.” -2 Corinthians 12:5 “Why do you call me good?”, Jesus answered, “no one is good, except God alone.” -Luke 18:19
[ 4 2 ]
This cult/sect acts totally different from the rest of us. From holidays to everyday life they act completely different than the rest of us. “You must not live according to the customs of the nations I am driving out before you.” -Leviticus 20:23 “They did not destroy the people as the Lord has commanded them, but mingled with the nations and adopted their customs.” -Psalm 106:34-35 “‘Therefore come out from them and be separate.’ says the Lord” -2 Corinthians 6:17 “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: …and to keep oneself form being polluted by the world.” -James 1:27 W H A T T O L O O K F O R
In measuring whether something is a “cult” or not, the only reliable source you can go to is God. For true Christianity, if it is lived out, will look on the outside to be very much like a cult. In short, if your heart is as good as you say that it is, then you will not condemn the innocent, nor acquit the guilty. Indeed, if a church claims to represent Christianity, yet does not look like a cult, don’t go to that church. It is not true Christianity!
There are two things you can do.
[1] Stop asking whether something is a “cult” or not and start asking whether it is a heresy or not. A heresy, is a teaching that does not go along with the Bible. “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.” -2 Timothy 4:3 “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them because if you do you will save both yourself and your hearers.” -1 Timothy 4:16
Pray hard that if you think a church is a cult that it is just not the voice of your flesh not wanting to pick up a cross and follow Jesus.
[2] Guard carefully that you are not being influenced and poisoned against a
church by others. “But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.” -Acts 14:2 C O N C L U S I O N
If you should find a cult like this. J o i n them T O D A Y ! “Jesus said, “For judgement I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.” -John 9:39
F R E E
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