Is the Church of Christ a Cult?

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Is the Church of Christ a Cult?
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What is a Cult?
1. a particular system of religious worship,
especially with reference to its rites and
ceremonies. 4. A group or sect bound together by
veneration of the same thing, person, ideal,
etc. (Random House Dictionary, 2012)
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What is a Cult?
6. A religion considered to be false, unorthodox,
or extremist, with members often living outside
of conventional society under the direction of a
Charismatic leader. (Random House Dictionary,
2012)
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What is a Cult?
What usually comes to mind? David Koresh (Branch
Dividians 1993, Waco, TX) Jim Jones (Jonestown,
Guyanan, 1978) Sun Yung Moon (Moonies) A dynamic
leader who uses mind control tactics and whose
followers engage in unorthodox practices, etc.
While such extremes may not be stated, the use of
the term is intended to produce prejudice and
scare people away from investigating whether or
not what we teach is the truth!
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Attacking the Truth

• Christians have been attacked and misrepresented
  since the beginning
• Jesus warned His apostles, disciples John
  1518-21, Matt. 1022, John 161-3

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Attacking the Truth

• Jesus was vehemently attacked and maligned by His
  enemies - Called Beelzebub - Matt. 1224,
  1024-25- Called a blasphemer Matt. 93, Jn.
  1033

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Attacking the Truth

• His disciples were attacked
• John 745-52, 1242 the crowd called ignorant and
  accursed
• Acts 245, 2821-22
• Sect, a???se?? (hairesies) heresies. A choice
  esp. a self-willed opinion (Vines)

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Attacking the Truth

• We are warned!
• 1 Pet 412-16 suffer as a Christian
• Matt. 510-12 - Persecuted for kingdoms sake,
  spoken against
• 2 Tim. 312

The point When we stand for the truth, we will
be spoken against, called names and have false
charges made against us!
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Why are we called a cult by some?
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• DANGER The Church of Christ Cult David J.
  Stewart, The Church of Christ is a false
  church.  They require good works for
  salvation. The Church of Christ is just as
  dangerous as Catholicism, Jehovah's Witness, or
  the Mormons, because they claim to be
  "Christian" BUT they are not!  Whereas religions
  like Islam and Black Muslim openly deny the
  Christian faith the Church of Christ claims to
  be Christian, and so Satan uses them to seduce
  people into Hellfire.

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• Common Sense Questions a Church of Christ
  preacher cannot clearly answer, David Martin (a
  Baptist preacher) The religious sect known as
  the "Church of Christ" has many peculiar and
  aberrant doctrines that are contrary to the word
  of God. It is a most deceptive and dangerous
  cult. Their teaching of baptismal regeneration is
  an age-old heresy that has damned millions to
  hell, and is still doing so today. The idea that
  they are the one, true and restored church of
  Jesus Christ puts them in the same league with
  the Mormon and Roman Catholic churches.

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• The way to determine if a group is a cult is
  solely by their teachings, and if those doctrines
  conform to the teachings of the Bible and
  historic Christianity. There are many doctrines
  which differ among Christian denominations, but
  they all share teachings that are essential to
  the Christian faith In those areas, all
  Christian churches are in agreement. Something
  to Consider,

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• Some of those doctrines are that there is
  only one true and living God and that the one God
  is manifest in three persons, the Father, Son and
  Holy Spirit that the Bible is the infallible
  word of God and that salvation is a gift of God,
  by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
  When a group differs in these areas from
  historic, Biblical Christian doctrine, then it
  falls into the area of being classified as a
  cult. Something to Consider, Proclaiming the
  Message Ministry

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We are called a cult because

• We reject salvation by faith only
• How is one saved? Belief John 316, Mark
  1616 Repentance Acts 238 Confession Rom.
  109-10, Ac. 837 Baptism Ac. 238, 1 Pet.
  320-21, Gal. 327,

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We are called a cult because

• We reject salvation by faith only
• Faith only , James 224
• Furthermore, obedience does NOT negate Gods
  grace nor our faith!

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We are called a cult because

• The Bible teaches there is only ONE true church!
• 1 Cor. 110-13
• Matt. 1618 - MY church!
• The church consists of individuals, not
  congregations 1 Cor. 1212-13, 27

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We are called a cult because

• The Bible teaches there is only ONE true church!
• The concept of denominations is foreign to
  scripture!
• The Bible DOES give us a pattern for worship,
  work, organization, etc.
• Cf. Heb. 85

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We are called a cult because

• We understand that God demands faithfulness
  throughout our lives
• Gal. 54, 2 Pet. 220-22, 1 Cor. 927, etc.

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We are called a cult because

• To the denominational world, such doctrines are
  extreme and unorthodox, and they differ from
  historic, Christian doctrine.

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The Bible CAN be understood!

• We reject denominationalism because they teach
  error on numerous subjects we have discussed
• We do NOT differ just for the sake of difference.
  God demands unity Jn. 1720-21, 1 Cor. 110

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The Bible CAN be understood!

• Gods word CAN be understood Eph. 33-5, 517
• Applies to all Matt. 2818-20
• Comes from God Gal. 111-12, 2 Tim. 316-17
• Is complete 2 Pet. 13, Jude 3

It is truly sad that some believe obeying the
commands of Gods word are not necessary for
salvation! Some in essence say, God doesnt care
what you do as long as you believe in Him.
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Was Jesus a cult leader?

• He was charismatic and dynamic in His teachings
  cf. Matt. 219
• He claimed to be the Son of God John 1033
• He claimed spectacular powers Matt. 91-2
• His teachings were unorthodox and extreme Matt.
  151-2
• He sought followers!

His teachings were different, but they were the
TRUTH! John 831-32 John 539-47 Will you follow
Him?
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Will you follow Jesus and His word, regardless of
what others say about you?