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What is a cult

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rockytopva

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I would classify a cult as following a man. Even men such as John Calvin or some other popular name. The Apostle Paul also dealt with this in his time....

12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. - 1 Corinthians 1:12-15
 

rockytopva

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For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. - 1 Corinthians 1:17

Commendable to the Apostle Paul there was not a following that cascaded down in his name.
 

Sai

Well-Known Member
Doesn't the Catechism of the Catholic Church serve the same function as the Watchtower ... a final statement of what all "true believers" hold to be true?

While I do not think it is a cult, the Book of Concord serves that function for Lutherans.

The Book of Mormon is completely new revelation ... a New New Testament, so that is in a league all by itself.

I believe that Paul described it.

“But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth.”
‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭4:1-3‬ ‭ASV‬‬

That sounds very much like the Catholic Church.


Joy unspeakable full of glory
 

church mouse guy

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I believe that Paul described it.

“But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth.”
‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭4:1-3‬ ‭ASV‬‬

That sounds very much like the Catholic Church.


Joy unspeakable full of glory

Hi, Sai! RCC is Christian but watered down with custom and tradition. A lot of them are nice people.
 
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Mikey

Active Member
Do they believe that--I don't hear anything about her.

The issue is that often the institutions downplay their more suspect aspects of their theology, so they may be accepted by the wider Christian faith. The SDA do underplay the significance of Ellen G. White and her teachings but they are there and do not condemn them.

Im sure there are also individual SDA churches/individuals that do not teach/know Ellen G. Whites teachings.
 
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church mouse guy

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We have to be careful with that particular yardstick ... a lot of Hindus are "nice people", too.

I already said that the RCC are Christian--they recite and believe the Nicene Creed, one of the oldest creeds of the Christian Church, as you know. A lot of Baptists say that the RCC is not Christian but I am not one of them.
 

Van

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Cult leaders will always demote and/or degrade the Bible as being untrustworthy for someone to read on their own - pointing that person back to the cult leader(s) to provide the interpretation - which always contradicts itself in other parts of Scripture

Beware of those who degrade the "Priesthood of Believers" saying individual study leads to error, so stick with our creeds and confessions.
 

Yeshua1

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Beware of those who degrade the "Priesthood of Believers" saying individual study leads to error, so stick with our creeds and confessions.
Creeds and Confession are fine as statement of beliefs, but never over the scriptures!
 

atpollard

Well-Known Member

Beware of those who degrade the "Priesthood of Believers" saying individual study leads to error, so stick with our creeds and confessions.
I agree.

When your kindergartener brings you a note, you don’t stop to redline their grammar and spelling.

I think it is similar with God. Sure, individual study will lead to lots of errors (Internet Christian boards are living proof of that), but I suspect that God doesn’t sweat the small stuff nearly as much as we seem to. Doctrinal error from misinterpreted scripture is NOT the “unpardonable sin”. If we can keep our focus on Jesus and love, we can only get so far off track. I mean that covers the Law and Prophets and Salvation, so how many more “essentials” can there really be?
 

Mikey

Active Member
Right, believe as I believe and not what you might understand through study. Got it...

i don't know why you are so against creeds and/or confessions? All they are are a summary of beliefs that are held by a group/church. Every church has a summary of their beliefs, called a statement of faith. A statement of faith is a Confession.
 

Van

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i don't know why you are so against creeds and/or confessions? All they are are a summary of beliefs that are held by a group/church. Every church has a summary of their beliefs, called a statement of faith. A statement of faith is a Confession.
I don't know why YOU are so against self study. Scripture tells us to study to show ourselves approved. Scripture says to test the spirits.

I helped write the "What we believe" statement for our church, many years ago. The purpose was to provide prospective members with our take on various doctrines. If someone held a differing view, they could look for another church more consistent with their understanding of scripture. It certainly was not intended to be a litmus test.
 
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Mikey

Active Member
I don't know why YOU are so against self study. Scripture tells us to study to show ourselves approved. Scripture says to test the spirits.

I helped write the "What we believe" statement for our church, many years ago. The purpose was to provide prospective members with our take on various doctrines. If someone held a differing view, they could look for another church more consistent with their understanding of scripture. It certainly was not intended to be a litmus test.

The purpose of "What we belive" is the same purpose as confessions, "What we believe" is a confessional statement.

The allegation that i am against self study can be made towards you, as you were involved in writing confession for the church. Are YOU against self study because you hold to an official "what we believe" confessional statement? Scripture tells us to study to show ourselves approved. Scripture says to test the spirits.
 

Mikey

Active Member
I helped write the "What we believe" statement for our church, many years ago. The purpose was to provide prospective members with our take on various doctrines. If someone held a differing view, they could look for another church more consistent with their understanding of scripture. It certainly was not intended to be a litmus test.

Would it be more accurate to say that you are against some ways which creed/confessions are viewed and/or used, rather than the creeds/confessions in of themselves?

If so then we might be in agreement.
 

Mikey

Active Member


Is there a difference between Sects and Cults?

Normally I make a distinction between the two. A Sect would be a religious group which departs and teaches against the core Christian beliefs. eg. Mormons, Oneness Pentecostals. Whilst a Cult includes that but is also controlling and/or secretive, and separates their believers from society/family. eg. Jehovah Witnesses

Thoughts?
 
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