43-How to Identify a Cult - RSV

1. Jesus Warned Us of False Teachers and Prophets.
Matthew 24:24 For false Christs and false _prophets_ will arise and show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if _possible_, even the elect.

2. Truth in and Through Jesus Sets Us Free.
John 8:32 And you will _know_ the truth, and the truth will _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_, in a son of man, in whom _there_ is no help.

4. Jesus Is the Sole Source of Our Salvation.
Isaiah 45:22 "Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and _there_ is no _other_.

5. Identifying Feature #2 - a Cult Leader's Teachings Become Absolute Truth.
Mark 7:7 In vain do they worship me, _teaching_ as doctrines the _precepts_ of men.'

6. Identifying Feature #3 - Each Cult Uses Pressure Tactics to Coerce Its Members into Submission.
Joshua 24:15 And if you be _unwilling_ to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, _whether_ the gods your _fathers_ served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

Revelation 22:17 The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come." And let him who hears say, "Come." And let him who is _thirsty_ come, let him who _desires_ take the water of life without price.

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 free gift of God is _eternal_ life in _Christ_ Jesus our Lord.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through _faith_; and this is not your own _doing_, it is the gift of God--

8. Identifying Feature #5 - Cults Often Urge Their "Converts" to Leave Their Families.
1 Corinthians 7:13-14 If any woman has a husband who is an _unbeliever_, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. [14] For the unbelieving husband is consecrated through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is consecrated through her husband. _Otherwise_, your _children_ would be unclean, but as it is they are holy.

Ephesians 5:22-23 Wives, be _subject_ to your husbands, as to the Lord. [23] For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is _himself_ its Savior.

9. Many Will Be Deceived Because They Did Not Receive the Truth.
2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 And with all wicked deception for those who are to perish, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. [11] _Therefore_ God sends upon them a strong delusion, to make them believe what is false, [12] so that all may be _condemned_ who did not believe 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 said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one _comes_ to 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 Jesus said to them, "The light is with you for a little _longer_. Walk while you have the light, lest the darkness _overtake_ you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes.

Psalms 119:105 Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a _light_ to my _path_.

Next Bible Study: 44-Why So Many Denominations

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