Introduction to Cults and False Doctrine


Cult:


- "Cult" is the past pass of "colere", which means "to cultivate, dwell, worship"; anything to do with worship or ritual.

The Dictionary gives us several definitions:

1.
1. A religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader.
2. The followers of such a religion or sect.
2. A system or community of religious worship and ritual.
3. The formal means of expressing religious reverence; religious ceremony and ritual.
4. A usually nonscientific method or regimen claimed by its originator to have exclusive or exceptional power in curing a particular disease.
5.
1. Obsessive, especially faddish, devotion to or veneration for a person, principle, or thing.
2. The object of such devotion.
6. An exclusive group of persons sharing an esoteric, usually artistic or intellectual interest.


- A "religious cult", is a sect with religious "rituals"... if there are no "rituals" of worship, it is a "sect", not a "cult"
- Like the Sect, "a Cult" was not founded by God, but by a person, with a known date and place.
- The "leader" often claims divinity or superhuman powers, like Moon... "brainwashing", or "mind control", may be used, and the word "exclusive" is an important hook: The only ones who know the truth, the only ones who will be saved!, and everyone outside the cult is inspired by Satan... - For "recruitment", they use false promises of joy, riches, love-bombing... to register as legitimate student organizations.. to work against drugs, or crime... to save the world...
- In religion and sociology, a cult is a group of people (often a new religious movement) devoted to beliefs and goals which may be contradictory to those held by the majority of society. Its marginal status may come about either due to its novel belief system or due to idiosyncratic practices that cause the surrounding culture to regard it as far outside the mainstream. (courtesy of http://biblia.com/christianity2/religion.htm#Cult)

The warning:

"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."
Jesus. Matt. 7:15

"For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
wolves"
Paul. Acts of the apostles 20:29

"Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."
2 Timothy 3:5

"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them."
Romans 16:17

"Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience."
Ephesians 5:6,

"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ."
Colossians 2:8

"But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction."
2nd Peter 2:1

"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world."
1st John 4:1

"But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed."
Galatians 1:8, 9


"But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. "
2 Corinthians 11:3-4

"So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate."
Revelation 2:15

"I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel"
Galatians 1:6

"Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive"
Ephesians 4:13-14

"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devil
1 Timothy 4

Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
(Touch not; taste not; handle not Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
Colossians 2:20-22

As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
1 Timothy 1:3

For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
1 Timothy 1:10

If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
1 Timothy 4:6


Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
1 Timothy 4:13


Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
1 Timothy 4:16

If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
1 Timothy 6:3-5

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2 Timothy 3:16

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
2 Timothy 4:2

Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Titus 1:9


But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
Titus 2:1


In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
Titus 2:7


Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

Hebrews 13:9