43-How to Identify a Cult - KJV

1. Jesus Warned Us of False Teachers and Prophets.
Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

2. Truth in and Through Jesus Sets Us Free.
John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

3. Identifying Feature #1 - Cults Usually Have One Powerful Person Who Becomes the Cult's Leader and Even Source of Salvation.
Psalms 146:3 Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.

4. Jesus Is the Sole Source of Our Salvation.
Isaiah 45:22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.

5. Identifying Feature #2 - a Cult Leader's Teachings Become Absolute Truth.
Mark 7:7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

6. Identifying Feature #3 - Each Cult Uses Pressure Tactics to Coerce Its Members into Submission.
Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

7. Identifying Feature #4 - Each Cult Denies the Central Truth of the Gospel That Jesus Is the Divine Son of God.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

8. Identifying Feature #5 - Cults Often Urge Their "Converts" to Leave Their Families.
1 Corinthians 7:13-14 And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. [14] For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

Ephesians 5:22-23 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. [23] For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

9. Many Will Be Deceived Because They Did Not Receive the Truth.
2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. [11] And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: [12] That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

10. Jesus Is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Discovering Jesus Results in Discovering His Way of Life.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

11. Our Only Safety Is to Walk in the Light of His Word As He Reveals It.
John 12:35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.

Psalms 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Next Bible Study: 44-Why So Many Denominations

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