Characteristics Of Cults 2

Before I became saved while listening to Christian radio I had been in a cult for more than two decades. I stayed in the cult for a few months after I was saved for a couple of reasons. One reason was that the Pastor was leaving. I thought the Lord had saved me to fill the pulpit until a new Pastor was called.

Many of these characteristics were given to me by my Bible teacher, Pastor Leonard Bullock.

They believe that Mary was always a virgin and that she was always perfect.
They pray to Mary and other dead humans.
They believe they can vote dead individuals into sainthood. (Many books of the Bible are addressed to saints, who were not dead and who were obviously expected to read those books).
They believe in purgatory.

Hebrews 9:27: And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

They believe in soul-sleep.

2 Corinthians 5:8: We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

They have woman preachers and teachers.

1 Timothy 2:12: But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

They believe there is spiritual value in traditions.

Matthew 15:2-3: Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. 3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?

Mark 7:8-9, 13: For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. 9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. . . . 13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

Colossians 2:8: Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

1 Peter 1:18: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

They might read the Bible but they do not come to Christ.

John 5:39-40: Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

John 6:37: All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

They believe they can buy indulgences.
They believe in transubstantiation. (That grape juice and bread become the body and blood of Christ.)
They believe that ceremonies, candles and smoke improve their standing with God.
They observe the Sabbath.
They believe that Jesus got saved.
They believe that God was a man like us.
They believe that we will become Gods.
They are anti-government.
They are anti-preacher.
They believe there is no Heaven or Hell.
They believe God is not a Trinity.
They believe in polygamy.
They believe certain undergarments bring them spirituality.
They believe there will only be 144,000 people in Heaven.
They base their beliefs on trances and visions.
They believe in situational ethics.
They believe that Jesus and Satan were brothers.
They believe that Christ was married.
They believe that man was pre-existent.
They put personal experience and emotions above the Bible.
They persecute or kill individuals who do not join their cult or who leave it.
They deny the Deity of Christ.
They believe that man is perfect.
They believe that there is no real sin.
They believe they can predict Christ*s return.
They tolerate obvious sin in the lives of their leaders.
They believe their leaders are infallible.
They have writings or people they consider to be equal or superior in authority to the Bible.

Care to discuss Characteristics Of Cults 2 with Ron?

He'd also like to hear your prayer requests