Are We A Cult?

Acts 24:1-16

WHY IS THIS ACCUSATION MADE?

Prejudice (pre-judgment) is a common problem.

Even though we say, “don't judge a book by its cover”, we tend to do exactly that.

Many will see what we do (and DON'T do) and thereby judge us without taking the time to investigate why we do it.

Paul has been misjudged, and he is willing and able to point it out.

Everyone has a bias and runs the risk of being closed-minded.

Nathaniel had a bias against Nazareth (John 1:46).

We will always have to assess the mindset that we have been raised with and compare it with the truth in order to see how it matches up.

Remember – when WE work hard to defeat our own prejudice, we stand a better chance of avoiding prejudice against us.

The Church will always been misconstrued and misunderstood.

In Acts 24, the Jews level some pretty serious accusations against Paul, which actually are untrue.

Tertullus describes Paul as a “creator of dissension” worldwide - political overtones in order to raise trouble with the Romans.

One could draw the conclusion that riots tend to break out because of Paul’s preaching - Modern day equivalency of “hate speech”, because there is no evidence that Paul had an intent on causing riots.

Tertullus describes Paul as a “ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes”. This serves to distance him from the Jews and at the same time frame his religion as a cult.

Tertullus claims Paul “tried to profane the temple” - The Roman policy was to allow Judaism free expression, and this charge is likely meant to add to the idea of Paul as a troublemaker.

Paul says, “after the Way which they call heresy, so I worship the God of my fathers...”

No hatred or bitterness in his words – just a simple statement of the truth.

Mark 3:22,28,29 - Jesus was accused by the Jews of healing others with the power of Beelzebub, but this was only blaspheming against the Holy Spirit.

WHAT IS A CULT?

Cult - “A religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader.” (American Heritage Dictionary)

This is the best definition concerning these groups. We don't have to run around calling every group we disagree with a “cult”, but we can see some commonalities.

A cult is typified by a powerful, “charismatic” leader that corrals the group into whatever goals are set, and claims a particular, special revelation from God / knowledge of life that no one else has.

Often resemble a pyramid; “recruits” at the bottom, with the leadership and head at the top.

Ernst Troeltsch and Howard P. Becker's work

Troeltsch's “church-sect typology” - Three behavior types within religion - “churchly, sectarian and mystical”.

Becker divided the first two types into four: “church” into “ecclesia” and “denomination”, and “sect” into “sect” and “cult”.

Becker's interpretation of cult behavior centered around small, private groups lacking in organization and emphasizing autonomy.

Both Troeltsch's and Becker's philosophies concerning cults don't seem to take into account the secretive nature of many of them, as well as the commonality of a central leader for these movements. This is possibly because many cults popped up in the 60s-80s that had a very public presence, after both of these men had died.

Many ancient societies were secretly ruled by cults.

Ancient Priests/Scientists were able to analyze the movements of the stars, and figured out when eclipses would occur. These people could hold much power, and was one way that many false prophets of the Bible would operate (Ezekiel 13).

THE DANGER OF CULTS

The group typically has complete control of its members.

There is little or no toleration of thinking as an individual.

Often, cult groups will require an oath to be taken (sometimes on pain of death) in order to be admitted.

They will often separate you from your church.

If there is sufficient resistance they will push to separate you from your family.

There will often be some material level of control, idol worship.

Deception and secrecy is valued.

Those starting out at the bottom have very little idea about the true nature of the organization.

Many cults will encourage an isolation of their members from the rest of the world, even separating families in the process.

Often, these cults will teach different doctrines for different people within the group. One teaching for the common or simple people (“exoteric”; outside of the inner circle), and another, different teaching for the leadership (“esoteric”; inside the inner circle)

Man is put in the place of God.

Many cult rituals involve worship to its leader, who is central to its cause, and the followers do whatever he/she says.

Examples of cults in ancient and modern society

Asherah/Baal worship in OT

Dionysus/Pagan/Emperor worship in NT

The Templars

The Freemasonic Lodge / The Shriners

The Rosicrucians

The Jesuits

The Order of the Golden Dawn

The Jacobins (French Revolution)

Theosophy / The New Age movement / Nazis

The Church of Satan

Progressivism (Religious and Secular)

Understanding what a cult is and what it does helps us understand that this is simple projection. Those who must resort to calling the true Church a “cult” are in a self-defeating position.

THE CHURCH IS NOT A CULT

Truth, not deception, is the primary motivator for the Church. Isaiah 1:18; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; John 17:14,15, 18:20; Matthew 5:13,14; 1 Cor. 5:9-10

Reasoning is used in teaching others, not manipulation.

Isaiah 1:18a Come now, and let us reason together...

Christians do not claim a special message given only to THEM by God. His Word is for all (2 Timothy 3:16-17)!

We are not isolated from the world, but in it without being OF it (John 17:14,15;Matthew 5:13,14).

John 18:20 Jesus answered him, I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in the synagogue and in the temple, where the Jews always resort, and I have said nothing in secret.

1 Corinthians 5:9–10 I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world.

God expects us to serve Him as individuals, not conforming to the GROUP, but conforming to HIM. 1 Cor. 4:6; 2 Tim. 2:15; Col. 2:18-23; Rom. 14

1 Corinthians 4:6 And these things, brothers, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that you might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, so that no one of you may be puffed up against one another.

2 Timothy 2:15 Study earnestly to present yourself approved to God, a workman that does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.

Colossians 2:18-23

The Apostles never taught blind acceptance of whatever the group says. In fact, Paul teaches that we can have different ideas about our lifestyles and work together even while being different (Romans 14).

There is no human leader of the Church upon the earth; only Jesus. Eph. 1:22; Matthew 16:18; 1 Peter 5:1-3; Acts 14:23

Ephesians 1:22 And He has put all things under His feet and gave Him to be Head over all things to the church,

Elders are given authority over the flock, but it is a LIMITED authority (Matthew 16:18; 1 Peter 5:1-3; Acts 14:23)!

Acts 14:23 So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

REMEMBER:

The truth about the Church that Jesus bought with His blood will always be misunderstood by the world (John 1:5 – darkness doesn't comprehend the light)

There is a true danger in being involved with a cult – don't let emotion cloud your mind. Know the beliefs of these groups and expose them! (Ephesians 5:11)

Seek to be a true ambassador for Christ; know the Truth and proclaim it!

1 Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things, hold fast to the good.

Sources

1) http://hirr.hartsem.edu/ency/cult.htm

2) American Heritage Dictionary