Practically every cult has certain characteristics that can tell the careful observer that something is wrong.
For instance, what does a group think about Jesus? Jesus Christ is God, Lord of all, the only source of salvation. Invariably, a cult will put something else on an equal footing with Christ. It will have a ritual that is equal to Christ, or it will have a doctrine equal to Christ, or it will have a leader who is equal to Christ. In other words, even if it acknowledges Christ as Savior, it will say that you need something else before you can get into heaven. Cults teach that salvation comes through Christ, plus their little unique way. Some cults do not acknowledge Christ at all. They may make Him coequal with their religious teachers or with certain great men of history. The quickest way to recognize a cult is by its treatment of Jesus.
Second, cults frequently attempt to instill fear into their followers. The followers are taught constantly that salvation comes only through the cult. "If you leave us, you will lose your salvation," they say.
The third area has to do with the exaltation of the leader of the cult. Cults often center around a man or woman who is trying to gain power, money, or influence from manipulating people. This appears to be the case in the Unification church with Sun Myung Moon. In the Children of God, Moses David Berg is an autocratic leader. In the People's Temple, Jim Jones drew attention to himself and asked his followers to die with him. A true leader who serves Jesus Christ has one goal, and that is to exalt and manifest Jesus. When someone says he has unique insight into God or is the special one that God has anointed to reach the world, you are dealing with cultic behavior.
A final mark of a cult is the unwillingness of the leaders to let the people grow up. A true shepherd will do everything he can to bring Christian people to maturity as quickly as he can. He will not seek to avoid necessary teaching, nor will he try to keep people from maturity. Many cults perpetuate spiritual dependence so that their followers lose the ability to make independent, rational decisions. Often techniques of brainwashing are used to create robotlike behavior.
Although there are other marks of cultic behavior, these seem to be the ones that stand out.
Editor's Note: This is a very personal issue with me. I got caught in their web of lies and it almost cost me my salvation. I was cursed out, told to go to hell, demanded that I steal money to tithe OR to divorce my husband immediately if I did NOT give money to this one church --- I am not afraid to say it --- the SDA church (which is also listed on the right-hand side) and also told that I don't have the Holy Spirit because I cannot speak in tongues by yet another. Well, to be honest, I can speak in tongues and so can you. Say Hallalujah over and over and it will seem as if you speak in tongues. It can be learned. You don't learn or earn Spiritual gifts. Salvation is clear in First Corinthians 15:1-4. The Godhead is clear AND the Bible is all you need. I promise you on Judgment Day you will not be asked what some random verse meant that does not deal with Salvation through GRACE. Feel free to disagree, keep believing the lies but do the rest of us a favor, keep them to yourself, please. I promise you that the Holy Spirit will guide every believer into ALL truths. Let God do HIS job! However, if you believe in a different "Jesus," how can you have His Spirit? Think about it! None of these teachings were ever taught by the Apostles, only 6 of the 10 Commandments are listed in the NT, no mention of tithing but rather cheerfully giving. A greater commandment is given...Love thy neighbor as thyself...out of the mouth of Christ Jesus. The 4th Commandment is not given in the NT. It is FINISHED! Jesus Christ is our Sabbath Rest and yes, I worship on the traditional Sabbath, I just don't do anything different on that day. I simply cannot love Him more, worship Him more and I try to keep ALL days HOLY. Isn't that the whole point? Just saying....
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