A Cult vs. A Church

[Esphes45]

Now I was thinking about this today. What is the difference between a cult and a church. Some people think they are actually in a church when it actually is a bible based cult.

So my question is how can you tell the difference between a bible based cult and a church?

Not trying to be funny but I personally know a church that I believe is a cult or at least has some properties of being one. I think this is actually is a good topic to discuss to educate people.

If there is a dictatorship rule (my way or hell) is that a cult or a church? 1 Corinthians 11:1?

Thoughts?

[thephnxman]

Originally Posted by Esphes45

Now I was thinking about this today. What is the difference between a cult and a church. Some people think they are actually in a church when it actually is a bible based cult.
So my question is how can you tell the difference between a bible based cult and a church?
Not trying to be funny but I personally know a church that I believe is a cult or at least has some properties of being one. I think this is actually is a good topic to discuss to educate people.
If there is a dictatorship rule (my way or hell) is that a cult or a church? 1 Corinthians 11:1?
Thoughts?

In a church, or in THE Church?

How many churches are there: and how many religions?

[thephnxman]

Originally Posted by Esphes45

Now I was thinking about this today. What is the difference between a cult and a church. Some people think they are actually in a church when it actually is a bible based cult.
So my question is how can you tell the difference between a bible based cult and a church?
Not trying to be funny but I personally know a church that I believe is a cult or at least has some properties of being one. I think this is actually is a good topic to discuss to educate people.
If there is a dictatorship rule (my way or hell) is that a cult or a church? 1 Corinthians 11:1?
Thoughts?

In a church, or in THE Church?

How many churches do you suppose are there: and how many religions? Put
them all in a circle, have them all point to the one on their right, and...that's
how many "cults" exist...

to the one on the left, that is!

[Michael The Disciple]

Any group that veers from the teachings and practice of the Apostles is a cult.

[thephnxman]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

Any group that veers from the teachings and practice of the Apostles is a cult.

That's a little vague, Beloved. That's waiting for all those "legalists" to call
traditionalists "LEGALISTS"! Or to ask: "Is it a heaven or hell issue if.....?"

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by thephnxman

That's a little vague, Beloved. That's waiting for all those "legalists" to call
traditionalists "LEGALISTS"! Or to ask: "Is it a heaven or hell issue if.....?"

To get specific would take all day or longer.

Here is a very general statement.

No 1 Bible based cult.

Catholic Church

No 2 Bible based cult.

Evangelical Protestant Church

These are the largest. A great number of Pentecostal, Charismatic and Apostolic Churches are cults in the sense they dont teach truth in all aspects.

[Livelystone]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

To get specific would take all day or longer.

Here is a very general statement.

No 1 Bible based cult.

Catholic Church

No 2 Bible based cult.

Evangelical Protestant Church

These are the largest. A great number of Pentecostal, Charismatic and Apostolic Churches are cults in the sense they dont teach truth in all aspects.

Who does teach the truth in all aspect?

None that I know of and I have looked for a long time

How would you know if a church is worshipping in truth?

For sure they would be doing the same miracles as the first century church

But not the dog and pony show stuff we see on TV but real miracles of terminal diseases being cured and blind persons being made to see without medical intervention

[Esphes45]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

Any group that veers from the teachings and practice of the Apostles is a cult.

That is very vague.


I would say any group that practices and preaches non-biblical opinions and that also forces, pressures people in believing those non-biblical opinion.

Remember God gave you the Holy Ghost too. Not just them.

I actually think cults exists because somehow we were lead to believe (and some still do) that we need to follow one imperfect man to the promise land.

[thephnxman]

Originally Posted by Livelystone

Who does teach the truth in all aspect?
None that I know of and I have looked for a long time
How would you know if a church is worshipping in truth?
For sure they would be doing the same miracles as the first century church
But not the dog and pony show stuff we see on TV but real miracles of terminal diseases being cured and blind persons being made to see without medical intervention

The Church of the Lord Jesus teaches "the truth in all aspects".

It's good that you are looking: but don't be pulling as you go! The denoms are
causing us (the Church) to pull; and we are pulling away from each other
instead of allowing the Spirit to DRAW us together. Each member of the body
has something to contribute: and we should be spiritual enough to "...take
forth the precious from the vile...", and become the Lord's mouthpiece.
Instead, we seem to be sounding our own trumpet.

"Come, and let us reason together..."

[shazeep]

see the double entendre in
a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together