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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