Cults Cults Cults Cults Dictionary Definition Cult: A religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious. unorthodox unorthodox unorthodox A Christian Perspective Cult: A group claiming to be true to the Bible while holding doctrines contrary contrary contrary contrary to biblical Christianity.
World Religions Sermon Series World Religions Sermon Series World Religions Sermon Series World Religions Sermon Series Part 6 of 7 Part 6 of 7 Part 6 of 7 Part 6 of 7
Why Study World Religions? Why Study World Religions? Why Study World Religions? Why Study World Religions? We want to be Christians Christians Christians Christians who know God’s truth truth truth truth and share it with grace grace. grace grace 1 Peter 3:15 1 Peter 3:15 1 Peter 3:15 1 Peter 3:15- - - -16 16 16 16
1 Peter 3:15 1 Peter 3:15- -16 16 1 Peter 3:15 1 Peter 3:15 - - 16 16 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer Always be prepared to give an answer Always be prepared to give an answer Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the to everyone who asks you to give the to everyone who asks you to give the to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. reason for the hope that you have. reason for the hope that you have. reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak a clear conscience, so that those who speak a clear conscience, so that those who speak a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in maliciously against your good behavior in maliciously against your good behavior in maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. (NIV) Christ may be ashamed of their slander. (NIV) Christ may be ashamed of their slander. (NIV) Christ may be ashamed of their slander. (NIV)
History of Mormonism History of Mormonism History of Mormonism History of Mormonism The Visions of Joseph Smith • 1820 1820 1820 1820 – Received first vision from God • 1823 1823 1823 1823 – Moroni’s visit and the golden plates • 1827 1827 1827 1827 – Writing of the Book of Mormon
History of Mormonism History of Mormonism History of Mormonism History of Mormonism Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints • 1830 1830 1830 1830 – Established church • 1835 1835 – Doctrine and 1835 1835 Covenants written • 1838 1838 1838 1838 – Smith jailed over polygamy and killed in a gunfight
History of Mormonism History of Mormonism History of Mormonism History of Mormonism The move to Utah • 1847 1847 1847 1847 – Brigham Young leads them to the Valley of the Great Salt Lake • 1890 1890 1890 1890 – Practice of polygamy rescinded but not the doctrine
History of Mormonism History of Mormonism History of Mormonism History of Mormonism Mormonism Today • Over 10 million worldwide members • Fastest growing cult in America • An estimated 75% 75% 75% are former 75% Protestants
Beliefs of Mormonism Beliefs of Mormonism Beliefs of Mormonism Beliefs of Mormonism 1. God: The success story of Elohim Elohim Elohim Elohim
Beliefs of Mormonism Beliefs of Mormonism Beliefs of Mormonism Beliefs of Mormonism 2. Jesus: Firstborn Firstborn Firstborn Firstborn spirit-child of God
Beliefs of Mormonism Beliefs of Mormonism Beliefs of Mormonism Beliefs of Mormonism 3. Salvation: Working toward godhood godhood godhood godhood “As man is, God once was. As God is, man may become.” --Apostle James Talmadge
Beliefs of Mormonism Beliefs of Mormonism Beliefs of Mormonism Beliefs of Mormonism 3. Salvation: Working toward godhood godhood godhood godhood “You have got to learn to become Gods yourselves… the same as all Gods have done before you—namely, by going from one small degree to another.” -- Joseph Smith
Beliefs of Mormonism Beliefs of Mormonism Beliefs of Mormonism Beliefs of Mormonism 4. Scripture: Four Four Four Four inspired books • The Books of Mormon • Doctrine and Covenants • The Pearl of Great Price • The Bible
Beliefs of Mormonism Beliefs of Mormonism Beliefs of Mormonism Beliefs of Mormonism 5. Revelation: Complete faith Complete faith Complete faith Complete faith in their first prophet, Joseph Smith “I have more to boast of than ever any man had. I am the only man that has ever been able to keep a whole church together since the days of Adam. A large majority of the whole have stood by me. Neither Paul, John, Peter, nor Jesus ever did it. I boast that no man ever did such a work as I. The followers of Jesus ran away from Him; but the Latter-day Saints never ran away from me yet.” -- Joseph Smith
Beliefs of Mormonism Beliefs of Mormonism Beliefs of Mormonism Beliefs of Mormonism 5. Revelation: Complete faith Complete faith Complete faith Complete faith in their first prophet, Joseph Smith “Mormonism must stand or fall on the story of Joseph Smith. He was either a Prophet of God, divinely called, properly appointed and commissioned or he was one of the biggest frauds this world has ever seen. There is no middle ground. If Joseph was a deceiver, who willfully attempted to mislead people, then he should be exposed, his claims should be refuted, and his doctrines shown to be false...” --LDS President Joseph Fielding Smith
Know the Biblical Gospel Know the Biblical Gospel Know the Biblical Gospel Know the Biblical Gospel • There is only one true gospel of grace of grace of grace of grace Galatians 1:3- Galatians 1:3 -4 4 Galatians 1:3 Galatians 1:3 - - 4 4 God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense
Know the Biblical Gospel Know the Biblical Gospel Know the Biblical Gospel Know the Biblical Gospel • There is only one true gospel of grace of grace of grace of grace Galatians 1:3 Galatians 1:3- -4 4 Galatians 1:3 Galatians 1:3 - - 4 4 Grace: the distinctive distinctive distinctive distinctive of biblical Christianity
Know the Biblical Gospel Know the Biblical Gospel Know the Biblical Gospel Know the Biblical Gospel • Others will teach different gospels different gospels different gospels different gospels Galatians 1:6- Galatians 1:6 -7 7 Galatians 1:6 Galatians 1:6 - - 7 7 Romans 11:6 Romans 11:6 Romans 11:6 Romans 11:6 But if it is by grace, it is no But if it is by grace, it is no But if it is by grace, it is no But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of longer on the basis of longer on the basis of longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace works; otherwise grace works; otherwise grace works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. would no longer be grace. would no longer be grace. would no longer be grace.
Know the Biblical Gospel Know the Biblical Gospel Know the Biblical Gospel Know the Biblical Gospel • The Bible is the only standard only standard only standard only standard of truth Galatians 1:8- Galatians 1:8 -9 9 Galatians 1:8 Galatians 1:8 - - 9 9 - Don’t be led away by influential teachers influential teachers influential teachers influential teachers Matthew 24:11 Matthew 24:11 Matthew 24:11 Matthew 24:11 And many false prophets will arise And many false prophets will arise And many false prophets will arise And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. and lead many astray. and lead many astray. and lead many astray.
Know the Biblical Gospel Know the Biblical Gospel Know the Biblical Gospel Know the Biblical Gospel • The Bible is the only standard only standard only standard only standard of truth Galatians 1:8 Galatians 1:8- -9 9 Galatians 1:8 Galatians 1:8 - - 9 9 - Don’t be fooled by visions of angels visions of angels visions of angels visions of angels 2 Corinthians 11:13 2 Corinthians 11:13- 2 Corinthians 11:13 2 Corinthians 11:13 - -15 - 15 15 15 … for even Satan disguises himself … for even Satan disguises himself … for even Satan disguises himself … for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light… as an angel of light… as an angel of light… as an angel of light…
Know the Biblical Gospel Know the Biblical Gospel Know the Biblical Gospel Know the Biblical Gospel • The Bible is the only standard only standard only standard only standard of truth Galatians 1:8- Galatians 1:8 -9 9 Galatians 1:8 Galatians 1:8 - - 9 9 - Don’t be tricked by your heart your heart your heart your heart Jeremiah 17:9 Jeremiah 17:9 Jeremiah 17:9 Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, The heart is deceitful above all things, The heart is deceitful above all things, The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? and desperately sick; who can understand it? and desperately sick; who can understand it? and desperately sick; who can understand it?
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