I think a definition/description of "cult " is in order (after reading the question about Pentecostalism).

A certain Jim Sire says a cult is, "any religious movement that is organizationally distinct and has doctrines and/or practices that contradict those of the Scriptures as interpreted by traditional Christianity as represented byt he major Catholic and Protestant denominations, and as expressed in such statements as the Apostles' Creed." (Ruth A. Tucker, [i:204e6f2de0]Another Gospel[/i:204e6f2de0] (Grand Rapids: Acadamie Books, 1989), 16

Cults have certain characteristics.

Many cults are founded by, and continue to be led by, a "prophet"-leader.

They claim either directly, or by inference, that they are [i:204e6f2de0]Christian[/i:204e6f2de0]

Many (but not all) deny the divinity of Jesus Christ. [b:204e6f2de0]ALL[/b:204e6f2de0] disesteem the work of Christ in some way.

They either disesteem the Holy Scriptures or add to them.

Many have a distorted view of the Holy Spirit; some deny the Trinity.

In [b:204e6f2de0]ALL[/b:204e6f2de0], salvation is by works, rather than grace.

Many whitewash sin, its effects, and its consequences.

__________________
Willard (Bill) Paul, Pastor
Clear Creek Baptist Church (SBC)
Silverdale, WA

"It is not what a man says he will do, but what he does,
that determines his character and reveals his ethic."

My Blogs: http://www.livejournal.com/users/sundoulos and http://www.livejournal.com/users/thetheologue

Most cults, beginning with the Gnostics, claim to have a "secret" knowlege that can only be attained once you've reached a certain level withing the group.

Most of the time there are extra-biblical writings that are given near the same or equal authority to scripture.

Seventh Adventists are a good example of a denomination that seems to teeter back and forth between cult status. Even members can't seem to agree.

__________________
Bob Vigneault (Bawb Vēēn-yo)
I just know there's got to be a pony in here somewhere!

The Heartbeat of Heaven (blog) MySpace (Music), MySpace (Personal)
Member of Christ Presbyterian Church, Janesville, WI OPC www.christ-opc.org

Click to get: Board Rules -- Signature Requirements -- Suggestions?

The propositional statements made in the Apostles, Nicene, Athanasian and Chalcedon creeds define the limits of unbelief. Any community of faith that takes stands in opposition to the clear propositional statements found in these catholic creeds is cultic.

__________________
Thomas Yeutter,
Mason, MI
Member St. Patrick's Anglican Church, Comstock, MI

Ezra 7:10 For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to do it and to teach its statues in Isreal.

What is the difference between a cult and a false religion? Is there a difference? Would we refer to Islam as a cult?

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Bryan Maes (on Facebook)
Trinity Reformed Church (CREC mission)
Edgewood, NM

I don't agree with these definitions. A religion that denies the doctrines of the Nicene Creed or denies or adds to Scripture is [i:2e428b7bc6]false[/i:2e428b7bc6], which, for anyone who knows the truth, is condemnation enough.

The word "cult" has to do with how the group acts.

__________________
Aaron Armitage

Attends Temple Baptist Church in Kenosha, Wisc. (SBC)

Lives in Zion, Ill.

Knows that the ceiling of the Great Hall in the Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress is gilded with the most expensive precious metal circa the late 19th century -- aluminum.

Cults are small heretical groups

false religions are large heretical groups

sects are splinter groups from a larger Group

blade

__________________
Nathan Olaf Brandal
First Baptist Church of Kirkland

"Man is nothing: he hath a free will to go to hell, but none to go to heaven, till God worketh in him to will and to do his good pleasure"
GEORGE WHITEFIELD TO JOHN WESLEY

My Blog

To an extant not all but to an extant most all groups view themselves as having attained the most pure doctrine or fairly close to it.

Like the difference between credo and paedo each views themselves as having a more correct form of doctrine but the difference with these is that they dont view themselves as the source of salvation.

blade

__________________
Nathan Olaf Brandal
First Baptist Church of Kirkland

"Man is nothing: he hath a free will to go to hell, but none to go to heaven, till God worketh in him to will and to do his good pleasure"
GEORGE WHITEFIELD TO JOHN WESLEY

My Blog

Cults are those who deviate from established truth.
Mormons, United Pentacostals, Christian Science, Jehovah's Witnesses are cults of Christianity.
Bahai is a cult of Islam.

__________________
Thomas Yeutter,
Mason, MI
Member St. Patrick's Anglican Church, Comstock, MI

Ezra 7:10 For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to do it and to teach its statues in Isreal.

Cults are those who deviate from established truth.
Marxism, Mormonism, United Pentacostals, Christian Science, Jehovah's Witnesses are cults of Christianity.
Bahai is a cult of Islam.


[img:6790fe5f90]http://www.semperreformanda.com/images/ani_explode.gif[/img:6790fe5f90]


Yeutter,
Please update signature w/ name, resident location and church affiliation.
Thanks,
SPB

[Edited on 4-10-2004 by Scott Bushey]

__________________
Thomas Yeutter,
Mason, MI
Member St. Patrick's Anglican Church, Comstock, MI

Ezra 7:10 For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to do it and to teach its statues in Isreal.

Any sect within the Christian arena who claims to be the ONLY true church is also a cult and I think is the essence of what a cult is.

For example some have told me that if I don't speak in tongues then that means I don't have the Spirit and therefore destined to hell and to escape hell must go to their church for they have the only truth.

Thats a cult!:flaming:

[Edited on 4-18-2004 by Roldan]

__________________
Richard W. Roldan "Ricky"
Member and Teacher of Iglesia Presbiteriana Reformada Berea (PCA)
Winter Haven, FL.
Under Care of the Southwest Presb. (PCA)

Roldan,
Im assuming that this person was of a "full gospel" or "pentecostal extreme church" not that pentecostalism in and of itself is good.But there are key differences in how they handle themsleves.

blade

__________________
Nathan Olaf Brandal
First Baptist Church of Kirkland

"Man is nothing: he hath a free will to go to hell, but none to go to heaven, till God worketh in him to will and to do his good pleasure"
GEORGE WHITEFIELD TO JOHN WESLEY

My Blog