Examining the Evidence
In Light of God’s Word
World English Dictionary (Collins)
Cult [kuhlt] — n 1. a specific system of religious worship, esp.
with reference to its rites and deity 2. a sect devoted to such a
system 3. a quasi-religious organization using devious
psychological techniques to gain and control adherents 4.
sociology - a group having an exclusive ideology and ritual
practices centered on sacred symbols, esp. one characterized by
lack of organizational structure 5. intense interest in and
devotion to a person, idea, or activity: the cult of yoga 6. the
person, idea, etc., arousing such devotion 7. a.) something
regarded as fashionable or significant by a particular group; b.) (
as modifier ): a cult show 8. ( modifier ) of, relating to, or
characteristic of a cult or cults: a cult figure [from Latin cultus
cultivation, refinement, from colere to till]
Word Origin & History (Etymonline)
Cult - 1617, "worship," also "a particular form of
worship," from Fr. culte, from L. cultus "care,
cultivation, worship," originally "tended, cultivated,"
pp. of colere "to till" (see colony). Rare after 17c.;
revived mid-19c. with reference to ancient or primitive
rituals.
Cultural Dictionary (American Heritage)
cult definition
In anthropology, an organization for the conduct of
ritual, magical, or other religious observances. Many
so-called primitive tribes, for example, have ancestor
cults, in which dead ancestors are considered divine
and activities are organized to respect their memory
and invoke their aid. A cult is also a religious group
held together by a dominant, often charismatic
individual, or by the worship of a divinity, an idol, or
some other object.
• Common religious groups in the US widely
considered as cults: Sun Myung Moon – Unification
Church (1940’s), Church of Scientology (1950’s), The
Way International (1950’s), Charles Manson (1960’s),
Anton Lavey – Church of Satan (1960’s), Family of
Love (1960’s), Church of Bible Understanding
(1970’s), The Raelians (1970’s), Jim Jones – The
People’s Temple (1970’s), Elizabeth Clare Prophet –
Church Universal and Triumphant (1970’s), Order of
the Solar Temple (1980’s), Cross Roads – Boston
Movement – ICC (1980’s), David Koresh – Branch
Dividians (1990’s), Heaven’s Gate (1990’s)
• Is the church of Christ a cult? This question is
sometimes asked of us (1 Pet. 3:15)
Churches of Christ are listed on the “Index of Cults
and Religions” of Watchman Fellowship
(watchman.org/index)
Websites are devoted to claiming that Churches of
Christ are actual cults (jesus-is-savior.com/F) or
close to it (chocd.org)
• There are religious groups using the name “Church of
Christ” that bare the marks of cults…
Church of Christ Jesus (ICC)
Church of Christ Consciousness (Center of the Light)
Church of Christ with Elijah Message
• We must not judge or be judged a “cult” by
appearance only or hearsay (Jn. 7:24; 15:18-21;
Acts 24:5)
• We must be on guard for anyone who would lead us
astray (Mt. 7:15; 24:11,23-26; 2 Pet. 2:1-2)
• Remember, the presence of a counterfeit implies the
presence of the truth
• Consider four issues related to cults: (1) authority,
(2) scripture use, (3) daily living, and (4) future
outlook
Cults
Self-styled, charismatic,
unproven leader
Question, neglect, or malign
Jesus Christ
Unproven, latter-day / extrabiblical revelations (in
conjunction with the Bible)
Unquestioned leadership
Lord’s Church
Proven Christ: Jn. 20:30-31
Jesus Christ is truly divine
and first (Col. 1:15-18)
Complete revelation:
Jn. 16:13; Gal. 1:6-9;
Col. 2:8; 2 Tim. 3:16-17;
2 Jn. 9; Jude 3
Test all things: 1 Thess. 5:21;
1 Jn. 4:1
Cults
Doctrinal ambiguity
Lord’s Church
Truth can be known
(Jn. 8:32; 17:17)
Private study and
Private study encouraged
investigation discouraged
(Jn. 5:39; Acts 17:11;
1 Tim. 4:13
Special help needed;
You can know the truth
“special discoveries” made (Eph. 3:4; 5:17)
Bible texts twisted and
Bible texts are kept in
distorted; use of specialized context (Mt. 4:5-6;
translations (NWT)
2 Tim. 2:15; 2 Pet. 3:16)
Cults
Lord’s Church
Total isolation, remove from We are the light of world:
family and friends, closed
Phil. 2:15 [no fellowship
fellowship
with worldliness, 2 Cor. 6:17;
no fellowship with worldly
members, 1 Cor. 5:1-13]
Secret and sometimes
Open, righteous example to
immoral practices
all: 1 Tim. 4:12; Tit. 2:7-8
Privacy denied;
Total commitment to God
accountability partner;
alone: Mt. 22:37;
financial exploitation; “total 1 Cor. 16:1-2
commitment”
Cults
Coercion; violence; stalking
in joining or leaving
Dishonest, manipulative
proselytizing methods
Psycological manipulation;
de-program; brainwashing;
mind control; drug use
Daily activities controlled,
limited, or removed
Lord’s Church
Invitation given, voluntary:
Ac. 2:41; Rev. 3:20
No dishonest methods:
2 Cor. 2:17; 1 Thess. 2:3-6
No psychological
manipulation: Rom. 1:16;
Acts 17:2
Activities such as work
(1 Thess. 4:11) and family
are encouraged (Eph. 5-6)
Cults
Lord’s Church
False basis of salvation
No false basis: 1 Pet. 1:3-4
Secret plots of destruction
preached
Physical preparations made
for Armageddon
Paradise on earth
No secret plots: 1 Pet. 4:16
No Armageddon: Rev. 16:16
No earthly home:
2 Pet. 3:10-13
• The label of “cult” against some churches of Christ is
slanderous. The Lord’s church is not a cult! It is not a
secret group that seeks to control your mind contrary
to your will or (more importantly) the will God.
• It has been demonstrated that the Lord’s church is
not a cult. The Lord’s church does not have the
common characteristics of a cult. Anyone who
charges otherwise is either ignoring the evidence
present here or is committing slander.
• Know the difference between a cult and the Lord’s
church! Don’t be fooled!
• The Lord’s church always welcomes your
investigation. We keep an open Bible, an open
schedule, and an open mind to study with anyone,
anytime, about any religious matter.