Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

Cultic Oppression Selected Scriptures The Importance of Truth Truth is that which conforms to actual reality. Faulty perceptions can result in disaster

The Bible as the Source of Truth The Bible claims to be the Word of God. The Bible is historically accurate The Biblical writers were of the highest integrity Fulfilled prophecies attest to divine origin

The Bible as the Source of Truth The internal character and preservation of the Bible demonstrate God’s hand upon it. The Scripture’s description of the physical world reveals what could have only been known at that time by the creator.

Demonic Deception Claims of angelic origin must be matched by teaching that matches Scripture If it is different God, Jesus or gospel then it comes from a demon

Eastern Mysticism They claim you must know their hidden knowledge to know the truth and become what you want to be God has granted us the knowledge we need to know Him and how to live - 2 Peter 1:2-4

Cults Those who “adhere to an exclusive system of religious beliefs and practices.” “Any Christian sect that has a source of authority that it considers to be superior to the Holy Scriptures.”

Cults That authority may claim to supercede the Bible, or just be the only means to rightly interpret it. Cult members may think they are following God, but they are following either men or demons

Protection from the Cults Know the Bible well enough to recognize when something does not match it. Psalm 1 2 Timothy 2:15

Protection from the Cults Exposing Cult Doctrine Subtle doctrine may get by your first line of defense - be prepared to examine doctrine carefully Be like the Bereans - Acts 17:11 Any man can err; God’s word does not Christian cults prey on those who have a some nominal Christian background

Protection from the Cults Exposing Cult Doctrine Cults are experts at twisting the Scriptures to seem like only they that really understand it. They do not encourage people to be Bereans, but only to study the Bible according to their interpretation The goal of a cult is to get the victim to trust the cult as the source of truth and submit to their authority

Protection from the Cults Exposing Cult Authority Structure Legitimate churches may abuse authority, but there is a means to challenge it and call it back Biblically Church authority is in Christ as its head and then the elders as under-shepherds to oversee the flock

Protection from the Cults Exposing Cult Authority Structure Elders must have certain godly character qualities and sound teaching ability (1 Tim 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9) Deacons & deaconesses assist the elders and must have certain godly character qualities (1Tim. 3:8-12) 1 Peter 5:2-3 - Peter’s instruction to elders

Protection from the Cults Exposing Cult Authority Structure Acts 20:28-30 - Paul’s warning to elders to be on guard for the flock 2 Timothy 2:24-26 - Paul’s instructions to Timothy. Rebuking an elder - 1 Timothy 5:19-20 Hebrews 13:17 - Instructions to the congregation to obey its leaders - and the reasons why

Protection from the Cults Exposing Cult Authority Structure Cults are authoritative and generally do not allow correction or rebuke of its leaders They demand obedience based on authority position rather than the example of godliness

Protection from the Cults Exposing Cult Authority Structure Godly leaders look out for the flocks best interest while cult leaders exploit their flock Strong relationship bonds within the cult make it even more difficult to break free from it

Summary Know your Bible well Be a Berean and compare the teaching with the Bible Determine if the Bible is the group’s source of knowledge and authority or if it considers something else superior

Jehovah’s Witnesses Authority: New World Translation The Governing Body God: Reject trinity, deity of Jesus, and personhood of Holy Spirit Salvation: Faith + Works Living on an eternal earth for good annihilation for the wicked

Unification Church Authority: The Divine Principle & speeches of Sun Myung Moon God: Reject trinity, deity of Jesus, and personhood of Holy Spirit Salvation: Works Goal – to become like god

The Way International Authority: The writings of V.P. Wierwille God: Reject trinity, deity of Jesus, and personhood of Holy Spirit

Unitarian Universalists Authority: The individual himself God: Deny existence of God, deity of Jesus (if he existed), Salvation: None – reject concept of sin, heaven and hell

Christian Science Authority: Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures God: An impersonal, all powerful force. Deny Jesus’ death & resurrection Salvation: not deliverance from real sin, but “boundless freedom and sinless sense” to be realized, not obtained.

Conclusions Be on guard Acts 20:28-30 2 Peter 3:17

Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ