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Cult or Church of Christ? Introduction: Most communities do not have a "church of Christ" in them. In many parts of this country there are no church buildings with a sign saying "church of Christ." Either they meet in a house, store front, a rented room, or simply do not exist. Therefore, when news comes across about the "church of Christ" people are in the dark as to what they believe. In March of 2006 Mary Winkler killed her husband, Matt in the state of Tennessee. It made the national news because Matt was a preacher for t he church of Christ and Mary was his "loving wife." One news program in trying to explain why Mary would have done such a thing labeled the church of Christ as a cult. Why would they think such? Are we a cult? What are some lessons we can learn from these charges and how should we respond? I) Remarks Have Often Been Made About the Church A) Almost immediately Christians were persecuted by the Jews, Acts 4.18 B) Charges were made, some totally false and other misrepresenting the truth, Acts 13.45; 17.13 C) At Ephesus there was a near riot, Acts 19.26-27,28,29 D) At Jerusalem, Acts 21.26-30 parts truths and partly jumping to conclusions. E) In the summer of 64 A.D. July 19th -24th, the city of Rome was burnt. Nero was accused of setting the city on fire; and when he failed, by means of bribes and religious sacrifices, to ally suspicion, he charged the 'most despised sect of the hated Jews' with the crime. Tactitus says, 'In order to put down the rumour, he set up as objects of accusation and punishment those whom, already hated for their wickedness, the people called Christians." Church History for Busy People, page 126. II) Why Would People Think of the Church of Christ As A Cult? A) Cults do exist and usually the publicity is bad 1. Branch Davidians lead by David Koresh, was an off shoot of the Seventh Day Adventist. a. They moved to Waco, Texas saying it was Mount Carmel. They were accused of having under age brides, physically abusing children, and having illegal fire arms. b. They were all killed when their compound burned to the ground. 2. The People's Temple lead by Jim Jones a. He lead a group to Guyana and established a place called "Janestown." b. They were accused of physical abuse, and having a "mass suicide plan," Jim Jones was accused to being on drugs. c. About 1000 members committed mass murder/suicide in 1978. B) It is a prejudicial term with a broad and ambiguous defintion 1. What is a cult? Is it any group that is odd or unusual? 2. Does wearing strangle clothes and talking differently make them a cult? Like the Amish or "Christians" 1 Peter 2.9 "peculiar people" KJV
C) Some people think all religious groups are cultic by nature 1. Jesse Ventura described religious people as "weak minded people" 2. To lead credence to this view is the belief that all religions are ultimately the same. One is no better than another. a. We realize not all "churches of Christ" are the same. b. Crossroads, Ultra-liberal, ultra-conservative, and everything in between. Unfortunately when one group does something wrong we all get labeled. D) Members of Christ's church are different, John 15.18-19 1. Christians are different, 1 Peter 4.4 spiritually minded instead of spiritually minded; living for Christ instead of self. 2. Christians condemn the world by their righteous conduct, Hebrews 11.7b. III) Reasons Why Christians Are Not A Cult A) We follow Christ instead of men or a man, Ephesians 1.22 1. We should never place anyone ahead of Christ, not a preacher, a spouse, children, or anyone else. 2. He is the one and only Son of God, Immanuel, Matthew 1.21 B) We do not claim to have any "special revelation" 1 Corinthians 1.4.6 1. Cults often claim to have received some special message from God. 2. If you cannot find it in the Bible, don't believe it, 2 Peter 1.3 C) We do not manipulate or pressure people to do what the Bible says, Isaiah 1.18 1. We are to encourage one another, Galatians 6.1-2 2. We are to warn, exhort, and be concerned with each other. D) We do not isolate ourselves, Matthew 5.13-14 1. Our greatest influence is in the world as long as we do not become like the world 2. Be ready to give an answer for the hope within us, 1 Peter 3.15 IV) Signs of Having A Cult Mentality A) We quit being open minded to the scriptures 1. We refuse to study, thinking we already have all the answers. 2. We become afraid of examining what we believe and why. B) Our zeal becomes the end and not the means to an end 1. We replace knowledge with zeal and feelings, Romans 10.2 2. Zeal can be a great aid or hindrance to learning the truth. C) Our unity and beliefs become man centered instead of Christ centered. Conclusion: 2 Peter 1.10 we are to make our calling an election sure. What does that mean? God before the world began realized man would sin. He sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins. Those that obey His word will be saved. That is the "elect." It is up to us to accept Jesus, repent, confess, be baptized into Christ, and remain faithful. That is how we make our election sure. |