How do you tell the difference between a cult and the Christian religion? There are many ways, but the best ways are as follows.
I. Their Views on the Bible
A. The Christian faith
1. It was written by men supernaturally inspired.
2. It is truth without error.
3. It is the complete and final revelation of God.
4. It is the rule and order of life.
B. The cults are such if they differ in any way from this teaching.
II. Their Views Concerning God
A. The Christian view
1. There is one God.
2. There is the trinity, made up of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. These three constitute the Godhead and, one God.
3. God is omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, and eternal.
B. The Cults
1. They believe that God is found in anything and everything.
2. They worship idols as gods.
3. They worship more than one God.
4. They believe men become gods.
III. Their Views Concerning Redemption and Eternity
A. The Christian’s believe that salvation is purely by grace plus nothing minus nothing.
B. The cults believe in salvation by works. (baptism, ritual, etc.…)
IV. Their View Regarding Christ
A. The Christian view
1. He is the Son of God.
2. Virgin born
3. Sinless
4. He died for our sins, was buried and resurrected on the third day for our justification.
B. The Cults
1. He was spirit being
2. He was only man
3. He was a prophet
4. He was a fake
V. The Birthdays of the Cults
A. Mormon – 1830 in America, the founder was Joseph Smith.
B. 7th Day Adventists – 1831 in America, the founders were Ellen White and William Miller.
C. Christian Science – 1879 in America, the founder was Mary Baker Patterson Eddy (Grape Nuts)
D. Jehovah’s Witness – 1885 in America by Charles Russel
E. Unitarians – 1889 in America, the founders were Mr. and Mrs. Charles Filmore.
VI. God’s Answer to False Prophets and Cults.
A. Naming the name of Christ does not impress God, unless it is done in the right way.
B. Unless we are prepared to lean entirely upon Christ for our salvation, God will have no part of us.
