Cultic Conformity Is Not Biblical Unity
Chris Barhorst
Sidney, OH
When dealing with members of a cult, it is often pointed out by
the cultist, that the churches of Christianity are divided in
their doctrinal belief. Whereas the group to which they belong
are the ones that area demonstrating true biblical unity.
Although Christian churches may very in their understanding of
minor doctrinal positions, there is biblical unity on the major
doctrines, such as the Deity of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians
3:11).
Admittedly, it does appear when one looks at many of the cultic
groups, they do seem to demonstrate a unity.
But upon a closer examination of this unity, one finds that the
unity the cults claim to exhibit is actually a conformity to a
system of rules. These rules or doctrinal positions are enforced
by the use of fear. Fear that the individual will be
excommunicated or disfellowshipped from the group that they have
come to believe is God’s organization or the one true church on
the earth today, should they deviate from group doctrine.
It could be pointed out to the cultist that Hitler had a
conformity in Nazi Germany that one could mistake as simple unity
for the cause. Those that did not conform were terminated, thus,
the fear factor kept them unified.
The situation over being in the right group also arose among the
disciples of Jesus in Mark 9:38-40. The disciples came to Jesus
informing Him that they had seen one casting out devils in His
name and that they forbade the individual because he did not
follow them, or in other words, was not in their group.
The typical cultic response would have been to encourage the
disciples that they had done the right thing, that one needed to
be a part of their visible group in order to be in the truth.
But take note of Jesus’ response in verses 39-40 of Mark chapter
nine.
“Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in
my name that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not
against us is on our part.”
Jesus was saying; that if one is operating under the outline of
scripture through the use of His Name, there is a relationship
with God that does not necessitate the individual being a part of
a specific, visible to the natural eye, group.
Help the cultists see that the unity their group exhibits is in
reality a fear-motivated conformity. A conformity to be in the
only true church or suffer the lose of salvation.
—————————————————————–
Copied with permission from the Watchman Expositor. For a free
subscription to this monthly newspaper write the Watchman
Fellowship office nearest you:
W A T C H M A N F E L L O W S H I P, I N C.
P.O. Box 13251 P.O. Box 19416 P.O. Box 7681
Arlington, TX 76094 Birmingham, AL 35219 Columbus, GA 31908
—————————————————————–
This article was written by Watchman Fellowship, Inc., who is
solely responsible for its contents. The owners of this computer
bulletin board, the host of this conference, and/or the person(s)
who posted this message on the bulletin board in no way
guarantees, warrants, or in any other manner insures the accuracy
of this article and accept no responsibility or liability for any
misrepresentations therein.
ÉÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ͵ CHRISTIAN BBS ABBA II ÆÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ»
º º
º This file passed through Abba II, where Christians find fellowship, º
º Information and Resources, and where non-christians can find honest, º
º reasonable answers about what (and why) Christians believe. º
º º
º ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ Providing High-Quality, Christian Files ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ º
º º
º þ Up-To-Date Christian News þ Bible Studies and Discussions º
º þ Abba II’s Christian Magazine þ Ministry Newsletters º
º þ Active Message Area þ On-Line Christian Directory º
º þ Specializing in Apologetics þ Christian Events Calendar º
º º
ÈÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ͵ Call Abba II at 619-487-7746 ÆÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍͼ