Cults Cults Cults Cults Dictionary Definition Cult: A religion - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Cults Cults Cults Cults

Dictionary Definition

Cult: A religion regarded as unorthodox unorthodox unorthodox unorthodox or spurious.

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-

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1 Peter 3:15 1 Peter 3:15 1 Peter 3:15 1 Peter 3:15-

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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

• f 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 1835 1835 – Doctrine and 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% 75% are former 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
• f grace
• f grace
• f grace

Galatians 1:3 Galatians 1:3 Galatians 1:3 Galatians 1:3-

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4 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
• f grace
• f grace
• f grace

Galatians 1:3 Galatians 1:3 Galatians 1:3 Galatians 1:3-

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4 4 4 Grace: the distinctive distinctive distinctive distinctive

• f 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 Galatians 1:6 Galatians 1:6-

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7 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
• nly standard
• nly standard
• nly standard of truth

Galatians 1:8 Galatians 1:8 Galatians 1:8 Galatians 1:8-

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9 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
• nly standard
• nly standard
• nly standard of truth

Galatians 1:8 Galatians 1:8 Galatians 1:8 Galatians 1:8-

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9 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-

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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
• nly standard
• nly standard
• nly standard of truth

Galatians 1:8 Galatians 1:8 Galatians 1:8 Galatians 1:8-

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9 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?

Discern False Teaching Discern False Teaching Discern False Teaching Discern False Teaching LDS: LDS: LDS: LDS: Elohim is one of many gods. BIBLE: BIBLE: BIBLE: BIBLE: There is only one true God forever.

Isaiah 43:11 “You are my witnesses,” declares Isaiah 43:11 “You are my witnesses,” declares Isaiah 43:11 “You are my witnesses,” declares Isaiah 43:11 “You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and that you may know and believe me and that you may know and believe me and that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was understand that I am he. Before me no god was understand that I am he. Before me no god was understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me. I, I am formed, nor shall there be any after me. I, I am formed, nor shall there be any after me. I, I am formed, nor shall there be any after me. I, I am the Lord, and besides me there is no savior. the Lord, and besides me there is no savior. the Lord, and besides me there is no savior. the Lord, and besides me there is no savior.

Discern False Teaching Discern False Teaching Discern False Teaching Discern False Teaching LDS: LDS: LDS: LDS: God was once a man. BIBLE: BIBLE: BIBLE: BIBLE: God has been God eternally.

Psalm 90:2 Psalm 90:2 Psalm 90:2 Psalm 90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or Before the mountains were brought forth, or Before the mountains were brought forth, or Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, ever you had formed the earth and the world, ever you had formed the earth and the world, ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. from everlasting to everlasting you are God. from everlasting to everlasting you are God. from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

Discern False Teaching Discern False Teaching Discern False Teaching Discern False Teaching LDS: LDS: LDS: LDS: Jesus is the firstborn spirit child of Elohim and Lucifer is his brother. BIBLE: BIBLE: BIBLE: BIBLE: Jesus is eternally begotten of the Father, the second person of the triune God, fully God and fully man.

John 1:1 John 1:1 John 1:1 John 1:1-

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Discern False Teaching Discern False Teaching Discern False Teaching Discern False Teaching LDS: LDS: LDS: LDS: Man can become god. BIBLE: BIBLE: BIBLE: BIBLE: Man’s great sin is wanting to be God.

Genesis 3:5 Genesis 3:5 Genesis 3:5 Genesis 3:5 For God knows that when you eat of it For God knows that when you eat of it For God knows that when you eat of it For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will your eyes will be opened, and you will your eyes will be opened, and you will your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” be like God, knowing good and evil.” be like God, knowing good and evil.” be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Discern False Teaching Discern False Teaching Discern False Teaching Discern False Teaching LDS: LDS: LDS: LDS: Perfect obedience is required in order to merit salvation. BIBLE: BIBLE: BIBLE: BIBLE: Salvation is only available as a gift.

Ephesians 2:8 Ephesians 2:8 Ephesians 2:8 Ephesians 2:8-

• 9 For by grace you have been

9 For by grace you have been 9 For by grace you have been 9 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your saved through faith. And this is not your saved through faith. And this is not your saved through faith. And this is not your

• wn doing; it is the gift of God, not a
• wn doing; it is the gift of God, not a
• wn doing; it is the gift of God, not a
• wn doing; it is the gift of God, not a

result of works, so that no one may boast. result of works, so that no one may boast. result of works, so that no one may boast. result of works, so that no one may boast.

Discern False Teaching Discern False Teaching Discern False Teaching Discern False Teaching LDS: LDS: LDS: LDS: The Bible is unreliable. BIBLE: BIBLE: BIBLE: BIBLE: The Bible is inspired and trustworthy.

2 Timothy 3:16 2 Timothy 3:16 2 Timothy 3:16 2 Timothy 3:16-

• 17 All Scripture is breathed

17 All Scripture is breathed 17 All Scripture is breathed 17 All Scripture is breathed

• ut by God and profitable for teaching, for
• ut by God and profitable for teaching, for
• ut by God and profitable for teaching, for
• ut by God and profitable for teaching, for

reproof, for correction, and for training in reproof, for correction, and for training in reproof, for correction, and for training in reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be righteousness, that the man of God may be righteousness, that the man of God may be righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. competent, equipped for every good work. competent, equipped for every good work. competent, equipped for every good work.

Discern False Teaching Discern False Teaching Discern False Teaching Discern False Teaching LDS: LDS: LDS: LDS: Joseph Smith was a holy prophet. BIBLE: BIBLE: BIBLE: BIBLE: Joseph Smith preached a gospel contrary to Scripture.

Galatians 1:9 As we have said before, so now I Galatians 1:9 As we have said before, so now I Galatians 1:9 As we have said before, so now I Galatians 1:9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a say again: If anyone is preaching to you a say again: If anyone is preaching to you a say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let gospel contrary to the one you received, let gospel contrary to the one you received, let gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. him be accursed. him be accursed. him be accursed.

Discern False Teaching Discern False Teaching Discern False Teaching Discern False Teaching LDS: LDS: LDS: LDS: Joseph Smith will be our final judge. BIBLE: BIBLE: BIBLE: BIBLE: Jesus Christ will be our final judge.

2 Timothy 4:1 2 Timothy 4:1 2 Timothy 4:1 2 Timothy 4:1 I charge you in the presence of God and of I charge you in the presence of God and of I charge you in the presence of God and of I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the Christ Jesus, who is to judge the Christ Jesus, who is to judge the Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead… living and the dead… living and the dead… living and the dead…