A Discussion of Christian Cults
It has become apparent that there may be at least one
Christian cult forming in SL. For this reason, we felt it necessary to begin
educating our members on the issue of Christian cults.
Christian cults are outwardly Christian in that they appear
to teach basic Christian doctrine. This overall doctrine may or may not fit in
with the basic beliefs that have, over the years, become accepted as the
standard for all truly Christian organizations. Those basic beliefs are stated
in a statement of faith at the end of this discussion.
The primary difference between these cults and a Christian
Church fully participating in the Body of Christ is based on Paul’s discussion
of love in 1 Corinthians 13 where he says 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It
does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not
self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. These are
the characteristics of a person who has been prepared by God for ministry. Such
a pastor will not be proud or arrogant. He will not act rudely to his followers
and treats them all with the utmost respect. This pastor is in no way
interested in personal glory, but only interested in the Glory of God.
If you encounter
someone calling themselves a pastor, who does not act as this scripture
describes, run the other way. Have no part in their ministry. By their fruit
you will know them as it says in Matthew 7:16-20 16 By their fruit you will
recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?
17 Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
There are several ways that this failure to walk in love
might manifest. The characteristics or ‘fruit’ described in the following
paragraphs clearly classify a group as a cult. Take care though; early stages
in the development of these cults may not be as obvious or overt as stated here.
In a Christian cult you might find a personality cult has
developed, or is developing around the group leader. When this occurs, the
leader is considered to be infallible by his/her followers. Any criticism of
this “Man of God” (or less often a woman of God) is considered as rebellion
against God Himself. People who dare to criticize the character of the leader
are threatened, browbeaten into submission, or exiled from the group. All
privileges in the group are then removed. They may even be publicly defamed and
their disagreement labeled as just ‘sour grapes’. In extreme cases, if someone in the group attempts to continue a
friendship with the one who has been kicked out, they themselves come under
fire from the leader.
There need not be a single group leader, however and even
the cult leader described above seldom stands alone. In these cults a
totalitarian or authoritative attitude of the group leadership develops. In
this situation, there becomes tight control by the group leadership in the lives
of the individuals. The leaders deicide what is best for each individual
member. Members are no longer free to
go where they wish or do what they wish or even think as they wish.
The power these cults enjoy is built on fear and
intimidation. If you are a Christian and you are close to or involved in one of
these cults, you will be able to tell by the leading of the Holy Spirit within
you. Something will just feel wrong about the situation or people involved. You
might even get a bad feeling just being around these people. We urge you to
follow this leading of the Holy Spirit and, no matter the cost, leave the
group. Then, pray earnestly for them that God in His mercy might turn them from
their sin.
Statement of Faith
1. As believers
who come from a variety of denominations and backgrounds, we acknowledge that
we have differences in our traditions and liturgies. But together we believe in
these absolute and undeniable truths of the Christian faith:
2. We believe in
the Triune God, or God in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
3. We believe in
the two sacraments of the Christian church: Baptism and, as it is called in
different traditions, The Lord's Supper or Holy Communion.
4. We believe in
the absolute authority of Scripture as the inspired Word of God in all matters
of faith and life.
5. We believe that
Jesus Christ was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, was
crucified, died and was resurrected.
6. We believe that
Jesus Christ was both 100% God and 100% man and that He never sinned.
7. We believe that
all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. And that the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is
eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
But that God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were
yet sinners, Christ died for us. And
that whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved. (taken from
Romans 3:23, 6:23, 5:8, 10:13)
8. We believe that
the death of Jesus on the cross provided complete atonement for all the sins of
the world therefore cleansing those who choose to be cleansed from their sin to
then receive the Holy Spirit and by receiving the Holy Spirit becoming
"Born Again" and being Born Again becoming children of God. Children
in the family of God and as children in a personal relationship with their
Father who is God above all and as children also inheritors in the Heavenly
Kingdom of Jesus the kingdom that is without end.
9. We believe that
Jesus is the judge of all of mankind's thoughts, intentions and actions and
that He is just and wise in His judgment. As judge, Jesus will judge the unjust
to everlasting condemnation while to the righteous He will give of His life,
His gifts, and His glory.
May God Richly Bless you!!!
Yours in Christ, we are,
Pastor Benjamin Psaltery- Pastor of ALM Cyber Church
Pastor Marlon Brocco – Pastor of Ruach Ministries
Pastor Rick Liveoak- Senior Pastor of Jesus House