How to Tell if a 'Christian' Group is a Cult
Q: Some people came to our door recently and offered to explain the Bible to us, which we let them do since we'd never thought much about God. But how do I know if they are a cult? I don't want to get sucked into a cult, but they're friendly and have interesting ideas. - R.B.
A: I'm thankful you and your wife now want to find out about God. He has put this desire in your hearts, and I pray you won't be satisfied with anything less than knowing Him. Jesus' promise is for you: "Seek and you will find" (Luke 11:9).
But I also pray you won't take the wrong road in your search - which you'd be doing if you allowed yourself to be led astray by a cult. How can you tell if this group is a cult? For one thing, cults often claim that the Bible isn't sufficient, and they add other books to it (usually written by their founder). Cults also claim that they, and they alone, know the way of salvation, and you must be part of their group in order to be saved.
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The most serious disagreement between Christianity and cults, however, concerns Jesus Christ. The Bible clearly teaches that Jesus was God's unique Son - fully human and fully divine - sent from heaven to save us from our sins by His death on the cross. As the Bible says, "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). Cults, however, deny this.
The most important step you will ever take is to turn to Jesus Christ and by faith commit your life to Him. Then ask Him to guide you to a church where you can learn more about Jesus and His great love for you. God bless you.
