WHAT IS A CULT?

   What is a cult? The Bible tells us, "beware of 'Another Gospel'"
(Galatians 1:6-9; II Corinthians 11:3-15; II Timothy 3:1-16 and 4:3-4;
Colossians 2:8-23; Proverbs 14:12.)

                      The 'Marks' of a Cult
             (How YOU can Know One When You See One)

I. DEIFY MAN ...

   Man may become a god. Man only needs to 'progress' (as defined by
the cult and only with the cult's help) to become like God. (Genesis
3:1-13; Isaiah 14:9-19 [the same sin Satan was guilty of]; II Thess
2:3-4)

II. HUMANIZE GOD ...

   Deny that God is ONE eternally. Deny the Trinity. There are 'many'
gods, and redefine God to Man's image. (Romans 1:21-25; Isaiah
43:10-11 and 44:6-8; Psalm 90:2)

III. MINIMIZE SIN ...

   Instead of man's very nature being separated from God, sin is only
specific acts that through good works can be perfected. Hell is
redefined into bland or non existent punishment. (Romans 3:23; I John
1:8-10; Gal 3:10; Revelation 20:14-15)

IV. OSTRACIZE THE SCRIPTURES ...

   They will add additional scripture and claim that there is error in
God's Word. Continual change of meaning in scripture. (Luke 21:33;
Revelation 22:18-19; Isaiah 40:8; Acts 17:11)

V. A DIFFERENT JESUS ...

   Jesus is not the Son of God, but rather a son of A god - or He was
just a prophet - or a created god - or our elder brother - or just a
good man or a teacher. (Isaiah 9:6-7; John 1:1-14; Col 1:15-20;
Hebrews 1:1-12)

VI. A DIFFERENT SALVATION ...

   Deny Salvation by Grace, by the shed blood of Jesus on the Cross at
Calvary and by true repentance of sin by a sinner. Usually will not
see a cross on the cult's structures. Salvation must be by works, and
quite often by a system dictated by the cult. (Eph 2:8-10; Gal 3:1-26;
I Peter 2:24)

VII. DIFFERENT SPIRIT ...

   The Holy Spirit is changed into a 'good force' or impersonal
entity. Deny God the Spirit. Spiritism is, generally, rampant by
having visits from spirits, counterfeit miracles, etc. (I Timothy 4:1;
Deut 18:9-14; John 14:17)

VIII. MODERN DAY PROPHET ...

   Founded by man, followed by others, who claim to be God's one true
spokesman on Earth. Accountable to no one but God. Gives revelation
and scripture. (Jeremiah 23; Matthew 24:24; Hebrews 1:1-2; Deut
13:1-10 and 18:20-22)

IX. THE ONLY TRUE CHURCH ...

   Their group is the only true way to perfection. The word 'truth'
used over and over. Unless you are an active part of their
organization, you are lost. Deny the spiritual union of believers.
(Col 1:18; Eph 1:22-23; Romans 12:1-8)

X. SECRETS .. CLOSED TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD ...

   Secret rituals, temples and doctrines. Finances not public. No
communion with Christian body. All others are outsiders. No one knows
the truth as they (and their prophet) do. Persecution complex.

XI. CANNOT LEAVE ...

   Always testing loyalty of followers. Obedience (blind) is primary.
Leaders have all power - are followers intermediary with God - not
Jesus. Only way to leave is by excommunication, threats. Spiritual
bondage, fear and guilt most common. If you leave, you are cut off
from all in cult.

Computers for Christ - San Jose