It is no surprise that many people looking for the truth concerning life are put off because of the religious situation in our country today. Hundreds of denominations and sects and cults, new age movements, Eastern mysticism etc. Biblical Christianity universally judges false cults and denominations on the following three criteria: The Bible, Christ, and how to attain salvation.

1. Their attitude towards the Bible

The Bible claims time and again to be the Word of God, which is much different than it containing words about God. The former is the claim of true Christianity. God’s word is also final and complete so much so that the Bible ends with this warning to us:

‘I warn anyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.’ (Revelation 22:18, 19)

Now cultists are usually guilty of adding to the Word of God by suggesting that their leaders have more information than is found in the Bible and that the Bible does not contain all we need to know about God and what he expects from us.

Liberals, on the other hand, take away from the word of God by suggesting that some of it is not true and that it is only correct in part.

 

2. Their attitude towards Jesus Christ

True Christian teachers will proclaim that Jesus Christ is fully man, yet fully God. The Bible gives us a clear warning about this:

‘Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist.’
(1 John 2:22)

Again in 2 John: 7 we are told:

‘Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.’


Any person or religious group who deny Christ’s humanity, deity, virgin birth, sinless life, resurrection and ascension, should be rejected out of hand.

3. Their attitude towards salvation

Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us what we contribute to our salvation:

‘For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no-one can boast.’

All false religions teach that we can earn our salvation by doing good deeds or by other means. Only true biblical Christianity teaches that all people are helplessly lost in their sin and can do nothing to get themselves to heaven. Eternal life is ours for free if we put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ!

‘If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!’
(Galatians 1:9)

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