Teaching on cults

[sojourner]

I'm curious to see what others have to say about this.

Last summer i taught a series on Wednesday nights on cults to our church folks. We did have a pretty good number of folks and visitors who wouldn't usually come on Wednesday nights come for this...but the older folks who "run" everything around here complained the entire time.

I was told i was "judging those other churches", and that we needed to spend more time studying God's Word because "We can never have too much of that"...even though i always gave a Biblical counterpoint to each of these cults teachings.

Has anyone else considered doing this with their congregations or have had this done in their churches, and if so, how was it taken?

in HIS grip
bobby

[bereanman]

I have asked my pastor to consider doing a series on cults. Apparently, he has done this a few years ago before we came to this church, but he will consider doing so again.

I believe that it is very important, yea, vital, to get well grounded in the Word and doctrine first. I think it would be somewhat dangerous to start studying any false doctrine with out the foundation of Christ and al the doctrines of the NT.

With that said, I believe that it is a good idea to teach about cults and false doctrine in the church. It is important to expose these and rebuke them. The reason why I believe this is found in 2 Tim 4:2:

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

There are many Christians, I've personally known, that don't have the first clue about most of these false cults. In fact, some of them think that some of these cults are "Christian" but with a different doctrine, whatever that means. I had a conversation with a lady at church not too long ago where she said "our Christian Scientist brethren." I had to stop right there and explain to her just some of the things that they believe. She was astonished to find out that it was indeed a cult and not Christian at all. I've heard similar statement referring to Church of Christ, and even JWs.

So I think it is important to teach on cults so that at least, brethren who may not know better will know to stay away from them and their writings.

This is just my opinion but I feel my opinion is biblically based.

Br. Tony

[Brother Ben]

A good example of your observation, Bro. Tony, once I heard a "Baptist" preacher get up and teach the false teaching, promoted among charismatics, called positive confession. He was as sincere as could be, unfortunately, he was sincerely wrong. He, being a novice with the word (that's why a biblical foundation is so important) taught something he heard and repeated it without confirming it. Thus many a spiritual "parrot" perpetuates cultic teachings through ignorance.

For those who don't know, positive confession is based on the FALSE teaching that faith is a force, and words are the vehicle that relays that force. So, thus their "name it and claim it" mentality. They think if they say, "I am rich!" money will start pouring in. And, likewise, if you say, "I feel sick," you might as well call the doc, because you are on your way down.

This is error and sin. Faith is believing the testimony of God, for even though the things of God many times are unseen, they are as concrete as the ground you are standing on.

Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

[bereanman]

Yes, preacherben, that's true. In fact I myself have discovered a few times that I was just repeating things that I thought were true and then discovered that they were in error. I am still learning, and I pray that I don't do that anymore but the only way to be sure is to study to show myself approved. Especially being in the ministry, God forbid that I should teach some error and become a stumblingblock!

It's always a learning process with God's infinite word, it is truly a mirror as well as a light, sometimes we see things about ourselves that we don't like, in light of God's word, but we must beg God to purge us of iniquity and error that we may be more effective for the cause of Christ.

Br. Tony

[sojourner]

Bro Tony, you are correct in saying that you need to be grounded in Biblical doctrines before trying to expose false doctrines.

When i have taught on cults...two different occassions in two different churches, i began be spending 2-4 weeks studying what i believe are the 4 major doctrines that a cult will usually try to twist: the doctrines of God, Jesus, Bible and Salvation.
This of course does come from me experience from witnessing to and trying to minister to members of cult groups.

And again, both of you are correct in the matter of not enough pew bugs know what the believe...or should believe.
Like i mentioned previously, i was told that i was judging those other churches...and when i pointed out how they violated Scripture i was told that it was still wrong of me to talk about them (the cult groups) that way.

The kicker...these were the older, established "saints" in the church who control everything that takes place in the church.
Those who were truly interested in learning about these groups and their teachings: parents of children in schools and those who are actively involved in various ministries in the church.

If anyone is interested in seeing some of the material i have put together (powerpoint slides), please let me know.

in HIS grip
bro bobby

[brobobby]

I'm the artist formally known as "Sojourner" and i still have these slides available for the study i did on cults.
If you would like to see them, or even use them for your own teaching...by all means, feel free too. Just email me at [e-mail]

I started with a 2 week study on 4 primary Christian doctrines (God, Jesus, Bible and salvation) and then looked at the following groups: 2 weeks of study on Mormons and Islam (Who they are and what they believe), followed by a 1 week study on Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Science, Scientology, Kabbalah, Wicca and the International Church of Christ.

In each case i also presented a Biblical answer to their common beliefs.
Feel free to contact me on these.

in HIS grip
bdd

[prv31wife]

I'm curious to know about the International Church of Christ. We have a friend who goes to a ICofC and she doesn't really talk about her church much. I used to constantly be asked to participate in a Bible study with them
I think the girls that kept asking(they were like very young 20 somethings) must have gotten tired of asking me so they quit. That was about 6 years ago or so. I thought the church was gone until I found out my friend goes there.

[Brother Ben]

Sister Regina,
Below are some fact about the ICC. But let me state in a word, they are a cult. Anyone who thinks that they are the only true church has entered the catagory...cult.

Bro. Ben

.............................
What does the
International Church of Christ teach?

The international Church of Christ is Orthodox in most of its theology.

It accepts and affirms the following doctrines.

The Trinity is one God and three persons: Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

The deity of Christ

The deity of the Holy Spirit.

The physical Resurrection of Christ

The Bible is the inspired word of God and the ultimate source of authority.

Baptism is for adults only.

there is a literal Hell.

Satan is a literal fallen Angel.

Aberrant Doctrines/Practices

Baptism, by emersion, is essential to salvation.

Baptism must be as a true "disciple" or it is not valid.

Baptism must be performed in the International Church of Christ to be valid.

Being a disciple is necessary to be a Christian.

There should only be one Church in each city or town.

The ICC is the true remnant of God's people as the true Church.

Only ICC baptized members are saved.

Sin lists of disciples are often kept.

Heavy influence into the personal lives of disciples.

Good article link
cnview.com/on_line_resources/international_church_of_christ.htm
Andy Nekkar the owner of this page is pro KJV, but the article he copied is by someone who is not. You'll notice his note at the bottom...they use the NIV.[CNV Editor--Using the NIV is not a positive aspect] Andy is straight on the KJV issue.

[prv31wife]

Thank you Bro Ben. That was a very informative article.

[brobobby]

One some of the basic tenets of Christianity...such as the nature of God, they are pretty much right on; but they have a LOT of other issues that lead them into the realm where i would also consider them a cult.

The "Bible studies" that they invite people too, mainly young college aged adults is a gateway into them becoming a "disciple". They believe that there are "Christians", who are like you and me and believe in Jesus...but heaven is reserved for "disciples" who are developed in the ICC system.
A Bible study leads to being hooked up with a discipler who basically has control over anything and everything their disciple does. The discipler says who they can talk to, how can they spend their money, if they can continue in relations with their family, etc.

I do have some powerpoints on this group, email me and i can send them to you...or check out watchman.org for some info.
This is a very dangerous group because of the amount of control the want over people's lives, especially young adults at a vulnerable time in their lives.