Encountering Cults and False Religions

The following groups are cults, dangerously heretical, or false religions due to significant theological deviations from orthodox Christianity.

Jehovah’s Witnesses

JWs reject the Trinity, teaching that Jesus is a created being (Michael the Archangel) and the Holy Spirit is a force, not a person, contradicting the Reformed Baptist belief in the Triune God. Their view of salvation, requiring works like door-to-door evangelism and strict obedience to the Watchtower Society, clashes with sola fide. The centralized control, shunning of dissenters, and rejection of orthodox Christian doctrines (e.g., eternal hell, immortal soul) lead us to see JWs as a cult with a false gospel.

Oneness Pentecostals

Oneness Pentecostals reject the Trinity, advocating a modalist view (God as one person manifesting in three modes—Father, Son, Holy Spirit), which Baptists consider a denial of the biblical Triune God. Their emphasis on speaking in tongues and baptism “in Jesus’ name” for salvation is seen as adding works to faith, contradicting sola fide. Their ecstatic worship and legalistic practices (e.g., dress codes) further alienate them from orthodoxy.

Adventists (Seventh-day Adventists)

While Seventh-day Adventists (SDAs) are Trinitarian and closer to orthodoxy, their emphasis on Ellen G. White’s prophetic writings as near-scriptural, violates sola scriptura. Their focus on Sabbath observance (Saturday worship) as essential and dietary laws (e.g., vegetarianism) can be seen as legalistic, undermining salvation by faith alone. The SDA doctrine of “investigative judgment” (Christ’s ongoing atonement) is viewed as unbiblical and heretical.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS/Mormons)

LDS theology rejects the Trinity, teaching that God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are separate gods, with humans potentially becoming gods, contradicting monotheism. Their reliance on additional scriptures (Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants) violates sola scriptura. Salvation through faith, works, and temple rituals clashes with sola fide. The LDS Church’s authoritarian structure and unique doctrines (e.g., pre-mortal existence) lead us to view it as a non-Christian cult.

Islam

Islam is a distinct religion, not a Christian sect, and we should view it as false because it denies the divinity of Jesus, reducing Him to a prophet, and rejects the Trinity, affirming strict monotheism (Tawhid). The Quran is seen as contradicting the Bible, violating sola scriptura. Salvation in Islam, based on submission to Allah and good deeds, conflicts with sola fide. Its rejection of Christ’s atonement and crucifixion (Quran 4:157–158) is a fundamental denial of the gospel.