They say that bank tellers study money really well so that they know the real thing when they are handed it. If someone tries to pass them counterfeit money, they know it’s not real.
We should study the Bible like that, so when false doctrine pops up, our spirit antennas go up and alert us to the error. The cults are classified cults because they either add works to salvation or deny the deity of Christ. The end for them isn’t good: eternity in Hell is their lot. If I didn’t warn you that you are headed to Hell, I wouldn’t be very nice. I’ll risk you thinking I’m not tolerant to try to save you from that destination.
“It comes down to a question of truth. Every false religious expression is a religion of darkness. That doesn’t mean there are no good things in that faith. It’s not an effort to fail to notice the value of these things. But if Jesus is to be taken seriously when he says, ‘No one comes to the Father but through me,’ every other proposal is one of darkness.”
– Paige Patterson
To be considered Christian, the doctrine must not add works to salvation, it must affirm the resurrection and the trinity/deity of Christ. If it blows it in any one of these, it’s a cult and it isn’t a saving faith or part of the true church.
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.”
Matthew 7:13 (Jesus speaking)
Here’s a list of some of the cults:
Jehovah’s Witness have changed the words of the Bible to eliminate the trinity. They claim Jesus is Michael the archangel. Jehovah’s Witness are really bad at hermeneutics; they mishandle Scripture always misinterpreting practically everything. They claim the 144,000 in Revelation is the people who will be saved. Well that is bad news for the people who have already passed. They are out of luck. Unfortunately not even 144,000 Jehovah’s Witness will see Heaven; 0 will because they deny the deity of Christ.
Mormons believe that Jesus and Satan are brothers from a god from another planet. It’s science fiction, not historical Christianity. Their founder was a horse thief among other things and met his demise at the hands of an angry mob. Mormons believe they are the one true church and consider everyone else gentiles. Sorry Mormons, the church of Jesus Christ has been around since Pentecost. They added another document: the Book of Mormon. It has so many historical and geographical errors that it can’t even be classified as literature. Yet, Mormons base their faith on it. The cities in it can’t be located, the facts are way off and it even gets the birth of Jesus wrong. Mormons believe they become gods and they add works by abstaining from tobacco, alcohol and caffeine. Mormons are very devoted but very lost. Joseph Smith predicted a temple would be built in Independence, MO in his lifetime and this didn’t happen; this makes him a false prophet.
Catholics think they are Christians but they don’t take the time to study Scriptures to understand what a Christian is.
Baptism is the first and chief sacrament of forgiveness of sins because it unites us with Christ, who died for our sins and rose for our justification, so that “we too might walk in newness of life”
(Catechism of the Catholic Church, par. 977).
No! Wrong.
Justification has been merited for us by the Passion of Christ. It is granted to us through Baptism. It conforms us to the righteousness of God, who justifies us. It has for its goal the glory of God and of Christ, and the gift of eternal life. It is the most excellent work of God’s mercy.
(Catechism of the Catholic Church, par. 2020)
Also no! Baptism doesn’t make a person saved. It doesn’t justify us. Faith justifies us. The cross did that when we trusted in Christ. If the foundation of the religion is wrong, the religion is wrong. The catechism also says that charity yields grace. No again. Grace is UNMERITED FAVOR.
Their idea of penance is antibiblical. God forgives when we ask Him. It’s that simple, we don’t need to do Hail Mary’s and Our Fathers and ask a priest for forgiveness. Jesus is our High Priest.
Basically much of the Catechism goes against Scripture. It’s not a saving faith. It mimics Christianity but it is off the mark. Catholics will be surprised that their purgatory is their final destination and they missed their chance for Heaven. I say this is love. Catholics repent and find a Bible believing church asap.
Oneness Pentecostals add works; they add tongues and baptism in Jesus’ name. They also think the Father=Son. They deny the trinity which is a big no for Christianity. They deny that Jesus was preexistent with the Father in the beginning.
Seventh Day Adventism is a tricky one. They aren’t just Christians who worship on a different day. They share our trinitarian view and regard for Scripture as the authority for our faith. They believe in the virgin birth, the deity of Christ and the fallen state of man. They add some unbiblical elements which are deal breakers. They hold in high regard a prophetess by the name of Ellen White. Her accuracy was not 100% but they hold her words with authority. They have had other false prophets. Biblical Christianity doesn’t leave room for false prophets.
According to SDA, they don’t believe Jesus was equal with God. They keep the Sabbath and Jewish dietary laws.
The best summary of the requirements for salvation is found in the counsel Jesus gave the rich young nobleman (Mt. 19:16–22), “If thou wilt enter into life, (1) keep the commandments…and (2) follow me.” There is no other hope of salvation. By the standard of God’s holy law we shall be judged in the day of reckoning. (pp. 32–34)
in Just What Do You Believe About Your Church, Fordyce Detamore
This is the crux of the problem. They have not transferred their trust from themselves to the Saviour. They are relying on their law observance and not grasping the freedom we have in Christ. They will be found inadequate because no one can keep the law perfectly; all SDA will be found guilty. That’s not a saving faith. It differs from Biblical Christianity which relies on grace.
Many New Agers identify as Christian and attend church, but New Age is not a Christian counterfeit but a false religion – from pagan roots. All pagans will go to the lake of fire at the end of their life unless they turn to Jesus.
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know you the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: and every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God.”
1 JOHN 4:1-3
Are you a counterfeit or are you the real thing?
Following Jesus 