From: John & April Correia <[email protected]>
Subject: Encouragements From The Heart - June 16, 1998
Date: Monday, June 15, 1998 22:27 PM

ARE THERE CULTS IN CHRISTIANITY?

What do you think of when the word "cult' is mentioned? Do you automatically think of David Karesh and the Waco incident? Or do you conjure up thoughts of the 29 bodies from the Heavens' Gate suicides. Maybe your thoughts turn to the Jonestown tragedy. These are all unfortunate incidents of cults. But there are more subtle cults as well. The dictionary defines cult this way: "cult: noun, a system of religious belief." Another word, persuasion, comes up in the thesaurus as a replacement word for cult. The dictionary defines persuasion as such: "persuasion: noun, an idea or judgement held as true or valid." This brings me to my opening question, "What do you think of when the word "cult" is mentioned?" In Christianity there are essentials to doctrine, that if deviated from - form a "new" teaching that is why Paul and John strongly encourage us to "test all things (spirits) in light of Scripture. 1 Tim 4: 1,2 warns, "The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared ar with a hot iron."

What makes a cult? When the teachings differ from that taught in the Bible. This is why we must test everything in light of Scripture (Acts 17:11; 1 Thess. 5:21; 1 John 4:1). Just because a preacher/teacher has a Bible verse to go with what they say doesn't validate what they're teaching. They must (I must, you must) measure up to the "final court of arbitration" - The Holy Bible; all Scripture must be in context. The apostle Peter said: "There were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Sovereign Lord who bought them... . Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up... . " (2 Peter 2:1-3)

Above I mentioned that there are essentials to the Christian Faith that we must follow for they are our foundation. They are broken down into basic categories, thus the teachers that teach different from the Bibles essentials are teaching "doctrines of demons", for the Lord has not taught so.

Here is a list of the categories of the essentials of the Christian Faith (we will look at each category closer in upcoming encouragements From The Heart):

+ The Authority of Scripture
+ The Nature of God
+ The Trinity
+ The Creation
+ Humanity
+ Sin
+ Jesus Christ
+ The Holy Spirit
+ Angels
+ Satan & demons
+ The Church
+ The Things to Come

What we believe is demonstrated inevitably in how we live. Paul warned Timothy "watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers." (1 Tim. 4:16)

Beloved, don't be conformed to this world, what it offer's and to the teahcers' who say they don't "tickle" ears yet teach, "God doesn't want you to be poor, God doesn't want you to go without ..." (you fill in the blank); this type of teaching does tickle the ears - and appeals to the lust of our flesh. Two Timothy 2:22 them beloved, ("Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart."). For the way of the world leads to spiritual death. So, turn from false doctrines, the doctrines of demons, and turn back to the Truth that sets men free.

I'll close with these deplorable words, "The angels spoke the words of the covenant to her [Mary]. She pondered them in her heart, and those words became the seed. And the Spirit of God hovered over her and generated that seed, which was the Word that the angel spoke to her. And there was conceived in her, the Bible says, a holy thing. The Word literally became flesh." ("The Abrahamic Covenant" [Fort Worth, TX: Kenneth Copeland Ministries, 1985] audio tape #01-4405, side 2)

researched by A. L. Correia June 1998
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The above message (poem, story, etc.) is sent to you as a ministry of encouragement. Please feel free to pass the encouragements on to others. If you'd like to be added to the mailing list reply to [email protected] Subject: "add to" Encouragement's From The Heart.

Have a joyous and bountiful day in the Lord!
April Correia
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