What Is a Cult?

In today's world we hear a lot of talk about cults. Let me define the word 'cult.' Simply put, cults have three distinct characteristics:

(1) Unbiblical teaching about the Person of Jesus Christ — most deny His deity. (2) Absolute allegiance to a leader. (3) An elitist attitude, which says, 'We are right; everyone else is wrong.'

Five Well-Known Cults in America Today

For your information, let me list five well-known cults in America today. Our posture should be not to hate but to pray earnestly for the millions trapped in these cultic beliefs. They are not our enemies; they are enemies of the cross of Christ. Please understand this important distinction.

Jehovah's Witnesses. Mormonism. Unification Church. Christian Science. Seventh Day Adventism.

I listed Seventh Day Adventism last because many are ready to refute this teaching. However, the first point in defining a cult includes the unbiblical teaching about the Person of Jesus. Adventism holds to the teaching of the Judaizers in the apostle Paul's day, which said, 'Salvation equals Jesus plus works.' They hold to a Saturday Sabbath, and believe that in addition to Jesus, they are also saved by observing several Old Testament laws. We hold to the teaching that salvation is 'by grace through faith only.'

Our Firm and Loving Stand

My friends, Bible-believing, Christ-loving people are often accused of being exclusive in their belief about Jesus being the only way to God and salvation. However, we maintain our belief with hearts full of love for those who remain lost. Jesus, Who we believe is the 'only begotten Son of God' (John 3:16), said in John 14:6, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.' We hold this to be non-negotiable!

And because we believe the Bible is God's inerrant, infallible, all-authoritative revelation to lost mankind, our constant prayer is that the Lord gives us opportunities to influence and love those in our sphere of influence, and to help guide them toward saving faith.

Do you have unsaved loved ones — those who are far from God? Let me encourage you to pray daily for their salvation. Remember, 'it's not God's will that any perish but that all come to repentance' (2 Peter 3:9). Keep praying!