MAJOR SIGNS OF A CULT AND WHY APOLOGETICS! PDF in 8×10 form or in Tract form
Warning! Can Cause Spiritual Death!
Wrong Doctrine
- Denial of the deity of Jesus Christ
- Denial of the deity or personality of the Holy Spirit
- God is falsely reduced to an elevated or evolved man
- Man is falsely inflated with deity-potential
- Salvation is received by doing something (works)
- Repentance of personal sins minimized
- Adding to the Bible with other publications or revelations
- The Bible is reinterpreted to suit group doctrines
- Belief that there is more than one God
- Belief that they are the only true church
- Belief that their church is the only source of salvation
Wrong Practices
- One leader or group of leaders always right
- Questioning of doctrines, leaders etc. discouraged
- Individuality eroded & conforming to the group promoted
- Denial of the Priesthood of All Believers
- Outside information about group discouraged/forbidden
- Contact with Family or Friends discouraged
- Fear & guilt used to control members
- Group schedules so busy no life outside the group
HOW TO AVOID BEING DECEIVED BY A CULT
- Be familiar with what the Bible actually teaches
- Have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ
- Invite the Holy Spirit to be your companion & guide in all things
- Fellowship regularly with other Disciples of the Lord Jesus.
WHY APOLOGETICS?
WHAT IS CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS?
Defending the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Christian faith.
Apologetics is from the Greek word “apologia”. Apologia means a speech in defense of something.
Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you.
Acts 22:1
To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.
Acts 25:16
Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,
1 Cor 9:3
At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.
2 Tim 4:16
Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.
Phil 1:7
The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: {17} But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. {18} What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
Phil 1:16-18
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
1 Pet 3:15
This is what the Bible tells us to do.
Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Tim 2:15
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
2 Tim 4:2
Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
Jude 1:3
WHAT IS A CULT?
A Cult is any religious group that will cause you to miss salvation if you follow their teachings.
The Bible is not enough!
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, {2} Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
Heb 1:1-2
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: {17} That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
2 Tim 3:16-17
Salvation by Works
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: {9} Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Eph 2:8-9
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Gal 2:16
Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Rom 3:28
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Rom 6:23
Exalted Human Leaders
For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
Gal 1:10
The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
Prov 29:25
Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.
Jer 17:5
A Doctrinal Statement that is not clear
or Radical changes in Doctrine.
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Eph 4:14
They Claim to possess Secret Information.
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. {2} And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. {3} And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
2 Pet 2:1-3
They Preach 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 Cor 11:4
They exert Bondage and Manipulation on members of the group.
Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
2 Cor 3:17
Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
1 Cor 7:23
For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
Gal 1:10
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Gal 5:1
Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
1 Pet 5:3
They Claim to Possess Exclusive Truth and as a result Other groups are attacked.
Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.
Rom 14:13
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
1 Cor 4:5
REVIEW QUESTIONS
- What is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY toward Christian APOLOGETICS?
- What do you think is the most important characteristic of a Cult?
- What are some more characteristics of cults?
- What are some important Bible doctrines to keep in mind when witnessing to cults?
Our ministry offers many resources on a variety of subjects. The following tape set is a very valuable resource tool in the area of apologetics. Please check out our web site for a complete listing of resources available or write us for a packet of information with a list and free tracts.
Presented By:
Pastor David Carrico and Pastor Leslie E. Tabb Jr.
90 Min. CASSETTE TAPES AVAILABLE: (Converting them to CDs asap)
# 1-WHY APOLOGETICS – David
# 2-UNIFICATION CHURCH – Les
# 3& 4-FREEMASONRY – David
# 5& 6-JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES – Les
# 7 & 8-NEW AGE MOVEMENT – David
# 9 & 10-MORMONS – Les
# 11-SCIENTOLOGY – David
# 12-CHRISTIAN SCIENCE CHURCH – Les
# 13 & 14-ATTRIBUTES OF GOD – David
# 15-DEITY OF JESUS CHRIST – David
# 16-DEITY & PERSONALITY OF HOLY SPIRIT-Les
# 17-TRINITY IN OLD TESTAMENT – David
# 18- TRINITY IN NEW TESTAMENT – Les
$40.00 /12 Tapes or $4.00 ea. Tape love gift
We also offer many cassette tapes from our current Short Wave Radio Program “PERILOUS TIMES REPORT” on WRMI 7.385 Christian Media Network every Tuesday – 6-7 PM. Central time. Here are a few titles:
PT8 – Structure and Order of NT Church 2/18/2003
How the foundation of God’s original plan of Apostolic and Prophetic ministry has been destroyed by modern apostasy
PT18 – Model Church 4/29/2003
God’s model church knew the reality of enduring tribulation, persecution, and speaking the truth uncompromisingly. God’s model is the exact opposite of the modern apostate church.
PT23 – What makes an Apostate Church? 6/3/2003
The difference between the Church and the Kingdom of Heaven. The five leavens mentioned in Scripture that will make your church part of the whore instead of part of the Bride.
PT25 – Satanic Quadrangle 6/17/2003
This tape shows that the Mystery of Iniquity has been Lucifer’s plan from even before the time of his fall to become the fourth person of the Godhead. This revelation enables us to see throughout the history of the Bible that Satan’s kingdom has always been divided into four parts (quadrangle). This tape is a must to under stand how Lucifer is now being worshiped as the fourth person of the Godhead under the guise of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM).