Dealing With the Cults

What I have done is to do a doctrinal series about what we believe. Then you can compare and contrast what others believe differently. For me the best tone was to major on what the Bible teaches and then talk about "our friends the mormons believe this about Jesus... God ... the Scripture or whatever".

But I wouldn't spend a whole sermon on why the mormons are wrong. Talk about what the Bible says about particular doctrines. I liked to always talk about witnessing to them by not trying to point out where the group is wrong, but to talk about sin, the deity of the Lord Jesus and His death and resurrection.

(by the way, I use the word "friends" to describe the others because our people had neighbors who were outstanding neighbors. and didn't want them to see their neighbors as enemies, but as opportunities to witness)

You do always receive criticism for pointing out errors in what the cult groups believe. Praying for you all.

 

I would broadbrush anything nonchristian as simply a cult. Most nonchristian religions that aren't cults. Referring to them as cults in conversation doesn't lend much to one's credibility ot witness. I'm also surprised that you would put 7th day adventists in that same category. 7SA's are categorically Christian. They're just legalistic on some things.

 

The question to ask yourself is, What will the person you witness to best remember? If we critical of them, that is all they remember. If we talk of Jesus, and what Jesus has done in our lives, they will probably go away with that. Other doctrines can be taught at a later time.

Cheers,

Jim

 

Personally I know, but from the pulpit. I would like to one day.

We must not tolerate stuff like that in my opinion.

 

As far as cults go, you must call a spade a spade. I have see too much of these things in my life. The town I live in is the world HQ for three or four pentecostal "denominations", plus all the other screwballs around (JWs, Mormons, 7th Day Adventists). Just down the road between here and Chattanooga lies Collegedale and the Southern Adventist University... a whole college town of Adventists. Hoo-boy...

Cults prey on church members. They look for the unhappy, the uninformed, the weak in faith. By all means name names! Expose the corrupt by contrasting it with the truth. Once you ine the teachings of these groups up with the Scriptures most will be flabbergasted at the sheer audacity of the cults.

 

naming names

John and Paul, apostles, naming names.

(2 Tim 1:15) This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.

(2 Tim 2:15-18) Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. {16} But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. {17} And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, {18} who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some.

(2 Tim 4:10) for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica; Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia.

(2 Tim 4:14-15) Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. {15} You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words.

(3 John 1:9-10) I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us. {10} Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church.


(Rev 2:20-23) "Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. {21} "And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. {22} "Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. {23} "I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.

 

Tom Bryant's answer is sage wisdom indeed.

I believe the most dangerous Christian in the church is the one who can name what the cults believe but not what Baptists believe. So present truth. It's the best remedy for error. Let truth defend itself the way a caged lion does. Turn him loose :smilewinkgrin: (Spurgeon's great quote)

 

Many years ago, I went to a cult conference at a Baptist church, and the "expert" they brought in espoused a fairly liberal viewpoint of Kenosis, and seemed to lead in a Sabellian direction on a couple of points. God, save us from experts.

PS, an expert is a normal person who is speaking 100 miles or more from home.