What gives Jesus more credibility as God than a modern cult leader (e.g. Jim Jones)?

Question

This question is not meant to be nearly as offensive as it sounds, But I was wondering what it was that makes people think that Jesus is God, rather than an cult leader who claims to be God?

Matt 28:18-20
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power(authority) is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Matt 10:37
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

Matt 19:29
And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

Matt 12:30
He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

Didn't Jim Jones claim to have healing abilities also? Didn't his followers believe so whole heartedly in him - like the followers of Jesus?

Aztra - Thats not very Christian of you isn't it?

Answer 1

There are a number of factors that separate Jesus from anyone else:

1) His actions - He lived a life without sin. Even His enemies could not refute Him. Jim Jones, David Koresh and others lived a life far away from God's standards. Take a look at what Jesus said and what He did - He was sinless. No other religious leader in any capacity has claimed or can claim the same. This is no small deal - He claimed to be God and backed up His words by everything He did. No person of any intelligence could ever accuse Jesus of being a hypocrite or anything less than of the highest character.

2) His miraculous conception and miraculous resurrection. The resurrection, in particular, shows His victory over death. The resurrection story is so amazing...the evidence supporting his resurrection (the appearance of the wrapping cloths, His many appearances, the many eyewitnesses, the changing of the apostles) is overwhelming. As a sucessful trial lawyer once said - many have been convicted on much less evidence than this.

3) Jesus' fulfillment of prophecy. Cult leaders will likely find it hard to fulfill one or two NT prophecies for Jesus' return. Try fulfilling HUNDREDS of OT prophecies. Impossible (except through God).

Answer 2

There were certainly some who regarded him that way. Acts 5:34-39 records a speech by a Jewish leader in which he compared Jesus with previous cult leaders. "But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law, respected by all the people, stood up in the Council and gave orders to put the men outside for a short time. And he said to them, "Men of Israel, take care what you propose to do with these men. For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined up with him. But he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census and drew away some people after him; he too perished, and all those who followed him were scattered. So in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God."

Answer 3

Miracle after miracle. Jesus did not have a home. He did not do it for the money. He did it because He loves us. Im not saying all religious leaders are on the up and up but some still are. He came as a servant to man. And He left as our savior. Once you have a relationship with the Lord you feel His presence. It can not be explained it has to be experienced then you know. Hope this helps. God Bless you and Peace out......

Answer 4

simple comparison.

Jones gave his people some Kook-Aid and they died because he put poison in it.

Jesus fed thousands, healed the sick and cripples, blind people and even brought some back to life,after they had died.

Jesus died on the cross so that I would NOT have to pay the price of my own sin.

Jesus rose again from the grave and there were over 500 witnesses to this fact.

Jesus is sitting at the right hand of the Father, because Jesus is God.

Jones, just a wacko who successfully fooled many people into their own destruction. Kind of like what happens to those who follow the cult leader called evolutionism or atheist-ism.

Answer 5

First, Jesus never claimed to be God. He himself stated that the father is greater than he.
Second, Jesus is God's Son, and is not a cult leader in any sense of the meaning.
Read John 8:42; Phil. 2:10,11

Answer 6

There are distinct prophesies in the OT that point to Jesus as the Messiah.

Reporters of that day who were non-believers spoke of Jesus as a 'special' leader and Christians who were willing to die for what they believed.

The Resurrection and the empty tomb, also recorded. The Shroud of Turin holds the image of Christ with the wounds He allowed, so we could claim forgiveness in Him.

Answer 7

Jesus rose from the dead, raise the dead, healed the sick, fed people, lastly fasted to fulfil is messianic assignment and Modern Cult leader can't do one tenth of what Jesus did.

Answer 8

Jesus was a healer, not a murderer.

EDIT: Charles Manson had followers who believed in him also...what does that have to do with anything?

Answer 9

You have got to be kidding...HOW on earth could you ever compare GOD & Jim Jones in the same breath???

Answer 10

I object to this question not b/c it offends me, but b/c you're giving people an outlet to say a bunch of ignorant stuff about Peoples Temple.........
Jones was unhinged.......bad things happened........