What is a Cult?

                                       What is a Cult?

Many people confuse a cult with the occult. It gets a little more confusing when the term is applied in different ways. Further
more, those in a Cult will sometimes apply the term Christian to themselves. It is still unclear after looking to the Dictionary.

For example, Random House Webster's College Dictionary states the following under cult:
2. a group that devotes itself to or venerates a person, ideal, fad, etc.
3. a. a religion or sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremist.
By the 2nd definition all of us who follow the Jesus of the Bible would be called a cult. Yet we would call others a cult because of
the 3rd definition.

Generally the occult is applied to those involved in witchcraft or Satan worshipers, although it also would apply to fortune telling,
Astrology, tarot cards etc. The confusing part comes when there are those that are not considered part of the occult, yet follow
practices, which can be defined as occult such as Masonry or Mormonism.

Random House Webster's College Dictionary 1996 describes occult:
1. of or pertaining to any system claiming use or knowledge of secret or supernatural powers or agencies.
2. beyond ordinary knowledge or understanding.
3. secret; disclosed or communicated only to the initiated.
4. hidden from view
It is the 3rd & 4th definition here that can be applied to Mormonism or Masonry due to the secret ceremonies that some are
involved in.

Generally speaking those religions that are considered a cult are those religions that do not believe or follow
Historic Christianity. The Protestant movement is a part of historic Christianity.

Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary Tenth Edition, 1993 defines Protestant
b: a member of any of several church denominations denying the universal authority of the Pope and affirming the Reformation
principles of justification by faith alone, the priesthood of all believers, and the primacy of the Bible as the only source of
revealed truth;

Let me explain a little bit of what we mean by Historic Christianity the Doctrines that we find taught in the Bible can be traced
throughout history. For Example we have the writings of the Early Church Fathers. These are the men that studied directly under
the Apostles and the men that studied under them. These men did a lot of writing. One such man is, Polycarp who studied
directly under the Disciple John whose writings is part of the New Testament. The writings of the Early Church Fathers are not
considered scripture, but they are valuable just the same. They confirm what the original Disciples taught and believed. It is a
good reference to verify if the church today is teaching the same doctrines as the original church that we see developed in the
book of Acts. When you study church history you can see that this is what the Reformation period was all about. The church that
we see developed in the Bible in the book of Acts evolved into the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church developed their own
doctrines or beliefs that were not taught by the original Disciples or found in the Bible. Later men, such as, Martin Luther
strongly protested those false doctrines and a movement breaking away from the Catholic church developed. As time went on
many denominations ended up developing due to doctrinal issue

There are today many denomination and non-denominational churches that are at the core Historic Christianity. What I mean is
they will all agree on the Major Doctrinal issues although, they will disagree on minor Doctrines. There are doctrines that are
emphasized more than others in the Bible. Keep in mind there are no denominations in heaven only believers in the
Lord Jesus Christ! (1 Cor. chapter 12) We do not need to be a theologian to go to heaven!

These are the Major Doctrines:
All Cults will deny one or more of the following doctrines to be true. Added to this they will often deny that Hell is a real
place of torment. Also they often claim to be the only true church. Major doctrinal issues would be things such as:
1. The authority of the Bible. 2 Tim.3:16, Is.40:7-8
2. The belief in only one true and living God. Is.44:8, Deut.5:7
3. The deity of Jesus Christ. (Jesus is fully God and Man) Jn.1:1&14, Phil.2:5-8, Jn.8:24
4. The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. Ps.16:10, Jn.2:19-22, 1 Cor.15:1-4
5. Salvation by grace apart from works. Eph.2:8-9, Rom.4:4-5, 11:6

These are the essentials of the gospel message and Historic Christian Doctrine. They cannot only be shown clearly in the
Bible, but in the writings of the Early Church Fathers, as well. Someone who does not believe these essentials should carefully
examine the scriptures because they do not believe the gospel taught in the Bible. There are warnings for accepting a false
Christ or gospel. Gal.1:6-9,Mt.24:5&11, Prov.16:25

There are many non-denominational churches and many Community Churches that teach these truths. There are also many
mainline denominations that believe these truths. I will name just a few of these, Assembly of God, Calvary Church, Baptist,
Pentecostal, Lutheran, 7th Day Adventist, Foursquare and Nazarene. These are all Christian churches that may disagree on
the minor doctrines. Yet they can still fellowship with one another because they believe the same major doctrines and worship
the same God.

There are many denominations that do not believe these essential truths and are considered Cults. I will also name just a few of
these, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons), Kingdom Hall (Jehovah Witnesses), Baha'i World Faith,
Christian Science, Scientology (L. Ron Hubbard), The Unification Church, Unity School of Christianity and The Way
International. You can write for more information on any of these. You can probably also find information on them under Cults in
your local Christian Bookstore.

Minor doctrinal issues would be such things as:
1. Is the gift of tongues for today?
2. Can a Christian eat meat?
3. Will the church be raptured before, during or after the tribulation?
4. Is Saturday or Sunday the day we should worship?

These are minor doctrines because no matter what you believe on these issues, it does not affect your salvation. In other words
you can still be a Christian and go to heaven no matter which side you take. These are not the essentials of the Gospel
message.