What are some ways to tell the difference between a cult and a legitimate Christian church?

Answer 1

They are one and the same

Answer 2

A church that points to Jesus as Lord and Savior and glorifies God in the process and accepts the Bible as the inherant Word of God and follows what it says is probably a legitimate Christian church.

You can find that out by their "Statment of Faith." And often legitimate Christian churches state their acceptance of the Nicene Creed and the Apostle's Creed.

Christians are criticized for not walking the walk, and it's fair criticism. All of us are the same flawed, broken people. We all need the same Savior, Jesus Christ. Only difference is that a Christian has no doubt whatsoever where they will spend eternity... with God in heaven. The same free will that we have to choose Jesus or reject Jesus, we have to do right or reject right, even as a Christian.

If you had more questions, you could check out an Alpha Course, which is an introduction to the Christian faith. They are in most towns in the country and in over 150 countries of the world. They serve a free dinner, teach something about Christianity, then you have an opportunity to ask any question whatsoever, no matter how simple or how hostile. It's a chance to give opinions, discuss questions. I really love it.

Thanks, really good question. :o)

Answer 3

Cults follow living breathing people like the Branch Dividians in Waco, TX. Here you had a guy that was claiming to be Jesus and misleading people down a path that had nothing to do with the Gospel at all. Cults are very man-made, do not follow any written word, and only last as long as the guy lives.

The Christian Church however is built on ancient words that have withstood 1000's of years and millions of critics. The Gospel, which is the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ who later came back from the dead, is the crown jewel to it all. If it were not so, we wouldnt be talking about this right now. We would all be a bunch of pagans and new agers.

Answer 4

A cult is any group which teaches doctrines or beliefs that deviate from the biblical message of the Christian faith. It is very important that we recognize cults and avoid any involvement with them. Cults often teach some Christian truth mixed with error, which may be difficult to detect. There are some features common to most cults:
They do not adhere solely to the sixty-six books of the Bible as the inspired Word of God. They add their "special revelations" to the Bible as equally authoritative.

They do not accept that our relationship to Jesus Christ is a reality "by grace through faith" alone, but practice instead a salvation by works.

They do not give Jesus Christ, the divine Son of God, full recognition as the second Person of the Trinity, composed of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Some of these groups are Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, the Unification Church, Unitarians, Spiritists, Scientologists, and others.

Answer 5

One way to tell is that a cult will place some obstacle between God and man-like Mary, or the church.
Another way is that a cult will require some work or human effort to reach salvation.
Another way is to deny the deity of Jesus.

Answer 6

A cult is a religion that is said to be unorthodox or that emphasizes devotion according to prescribed ritual. Many cults follow a living human leader, and often their adherents live in groups apart from the rest of society.

The standard for what is orthodox, however, should be God’s Word, and adhere to the Bible.

Worship is a way of life, not a ritual devotion. Neither do they follow a human nor isolate themselves from the rest of society.

Answer 7

If everyone is drinking red Kool-Aid and dropping to the ground in convulsions, there's a good chance you might be involved in a cult.

If the lay leader is reloading his shotgun as the complex burns down around you, you might be in a cult.

If the Sacramental wine seems a little too thick, has a metallic taste, and has clots in it, you might be in a cult.

If people ask if you are prepared for the Second Coming, and you produce your Halle-Boppe Junior Skywatcher's Kit as proof, you just might be in a cult.

If the "admission forms" you signed begin with, "I, _____, being of sound mind and..." you might be in a cult.

If the lay leader selects you to bear the honor of carrying the new messiah and tells you that he is God's vessel, you could be in a cult.

Answer 8

One way is a cult usually has only supreme leader, who gives out his, or her, own doctrine, in conflict with the Bible. This leader demands loyalty to himself, not Jesus Christ. A true church teaches the Bible and that Jesus is Lord.

Answer 9

generally a "cult" that would put you in harms way, or could have dangerous connotations, is a group that holds the leader of the group in extremely high esteem, requires you to seperate form your friends & family, requires you to donate a large portion of your income. Issac Bonewits is a Pagan author who has divised a "cult danger evaluation frame" which works for both pagan & christan groups you can check it out here

http://www.neopagan.net/ABCDEF.html

so that you can decide for yourself. Good Luck to you & be safe!

Answer 10

All "Christians" were a Jewish cult for more than 100 years after the death of Jesus so you may not want to start pointing fingers!
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Answer 11

When they ask for the deed to your house, you know it's a cult.