1.) Biblical inspiration, authority, and sufficiency
This means that the Bible is more than a book written by average people. Its source is divine. It is the written authoritative source for the practice of our faith and is sufficient for all of our needs in living the Christian life (II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20; 3:15-16).
If you are told that there is another book, also inspired but apart from the Bible, then you can know that scripture’s authority and sufficiency is being attacked. If you are told that the Bible is not the Word of God, or that it only contains some of the Word of God, then its inspiration is being attacked. This is a common attack by Mormons against the Bible.
2.) Jesus’ incarnation
This means that the fullness of God dwelt in a human body, in Jesus, from conception (Luke 1:35; Colossians 1:19). Attacks against Jesus’ incarnation are popular with Muslims. Attacks against the virgin birth are also attacks against incarnation.
3.) Jesus’ humanity
This means that Jesus was fully human in addition to being fully divine (Luke 2:52; I Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 5:8).
4.) Jesus’ deity
Both the Old Testament and the New Testament reveal that Jesus was God in human form (Psalm 110:1; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1, 8:58; Colossians 1:19). Jehovah’s Witnesses regularly dismiss Jesus’ deity, referring to him instead as a glorified angel. Muslims also dismiss Jesus’ claims to deity.
Jesus’ crucifixion is a historical fact, but some religions deny it took place. This is especially true of Muslims and the Quran, which state that Jesus was never crucified.
6.) Jesus’ substitutionary atonement
Substitutionary atonement is the doctrine that Jesus took our place, our punishment for sin (Isaiah 53:5; II Corinthians 5:21, I Peter 2:24). Forgiveness of sin is made possible because of what Jesus did on our behalf. Atonement is not a picture or type, it is a real event. Without atonement there can be no forgiveness.
7.) Jesus’ bodily resurrection from the dead
Some religions teach that Jesus rose from the dead spiritually. The Bible denies this and states clearly that Jesus rose bodily (physically) from the dead, never to die again (Luke 24:12; 24:39-43; I Corinthians 15:3-8).
8.) Jesus’ Lordship (authority)
Lordship is not something that many Christians fully understand. In essence, it means that Jesus Christ has sovereign authority over all things (Matthew 28:18). He has the right to do with us whatever it is that he deems to do, according to his good pleasure. He is Lord (Acts 2:36; Romans 6:23, 10:9; II Corinthians 4:5). Religions which deny Jesus’ deity usually deny his lordship as well.
9.) Sin
Every religion has a view of man as good, but misguided, or uneducated, or unenlightened, etc. Only the Bible portrays man as having a sin nature that is in rebellion against God (Romans 3:23, 5:12; Ephesians 2:3). Therefore, only God can provide a solution to our sin problem. He did that in sending Jesus to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Denying the doctrine of sin denies the need for forgiveness and salvation, which guts the Gospel. Also, watch out for redefinitions of sin, popular in Buddhism and other eastern religions.
10.) Salvation by grace
This means that it is only by God’s grace that man receives forgiveness of sin. There is nothing that we can do to earn salvation or forgiveness. Salvation is a gift (Ephesians 2:5). Every religion, apart from Christianity teaches a works-oriented salvation of some kind. Only the Bible teaches a grace model.
A false religion does not need to deny all ten of these doctrines to be revealed as a false religion. Some groups teach a few points, some teach others. However, by denying these things as true, such groups place themselves outside of orthodoxy and are therefore, without salvation, without a relationship with God.
But what about…?
Most religions believe in helping the poor, recognizing a spiritual or other-worldly realm, and doing good works. But these things do not differentiate the true from the false. What is the difference between a Buddhist or a Muslim or a Christian giving money to a homeless guy? None. Their acts of mercy, by themselves, don’t verify the claims of their founders. Therefore, it goes to the fundamentals of their faith. What do they believe about the Divine, about salvation, about sin, etc.? Those religions which deny these truths cannot lead a person to God.
Cults, like Mormonism and the Watchtower mainly redefine these fundamentals to include things that are outside biblical truth. In this way they appear genuine, but in reality are just as false as Buddhism, or Islam, or any other non-Christian faith. For instance, the term, Son of God may be used by Mormons. But what that means is different from the biblical usage. The Bible refers to Jesus as an uncreated, divine being. But Mormons refer to Jesus as a created being, the spirit brother of Lucifer. This denies Jesus’ uniqueness.
All religions share two things of importance: a person and a practice. The religion reveres its founder and prescribes a set of practices to follow in order to obtain salvation or a higher state of existence. Christianity is different. It has observances like the Lord’s Supper and baptism, but the observances themselves carry no saving power. They point to something higher, the person of Jesus, who alone has saving power. When it comes to good works like helping the poor and oppressed, other religions require such work to earn salvation. But in Christianity these works have no saving power. In other religions, observances and practices are necessary for salvation, or ascension, or enlightenment. Essentially, this is works oriented and a denial of number ten, salvation by grace. Properly understood, we do these works in response to what Christ has already done for us, but not to obtain salvation, which is unobtainable apart from God’s grace.
All ten of these things are exclusive. The Bible demands exclusivity in its truth and prescriptions. In other words, you can’t believe in the inspiration of the Bible and Book of Mormon, or the Quran since they contradict one another. Divine inspiration is for the Bible only. You can’t believe in Buddhist rebirth and resurrection, they are mutually exclusive (Hebrews 9:27). You can’t believe in Jesus’ authority and Mohammad’s authority, or Buddha’s authority. Jesus’ authority is exclusive; and so on. Jesus condemned the blending of false religion and its practices with faith in him (Exodus 32:4,19-20; Revelation 2:14-15). This is called, syncretism, and it is always condemned in the Bible.
I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing8 you, and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed (Gal. 1:6-9).
Paul called this teaching “another gospel,” which resulted in followers deserting Christ. A curse is pronounced upon those who proclaim this “new gospel.” I think we can safely say that the term “cult” is not only appropriate, but even gracious, in the light of Paul’s appraisal of the Galatian heresy. It is a restatement of the error of the Judaizers in Acts 15.
From the vantage point of evangelical Christianity, we can make a more specific definition: A cult is a perversion of the gospel, based upon an unholy devotion to a person, a principle, or both.
It is important for us to understand the difference between what is a “cult” and apostasy. A cult tends to be a rather small group, committed to a few very highly regarded principles, often led by a very “charismatic” (enthusiastic, dynamic, attractive) person. The cultist tends to view everyone outside the group as unbelievers. The cult is usually marked by a very strong, centralized authority. Apostasy is more easily defined in terms of what it is not. Apostasy denies authority, the authority of the Person of Christ and the Scriptures. Apostasy tends to shy away from anything firmly believed, other than the right to believe what you wish. While the cultist sees himself as one of the elect few, the apostate sees himself as one of the many, the majority. Both the cult and apostasy can lead a man to a Christless eternity. The former strongly believes the wrong thing; the latter believes in little or nothing. By this definition, the Unitarian movement would be an apostate religion; the Moonies are a cult.
It is not difficult then to understand why the “sect” of the Pharisees found in Acts 15:5 should be called a cult. Their commitment was more the preservation of Judaism than anything else. In the process of seeking to preserve Judaism, the Judaizers either deliberately or unwittingly perverted the gospel of Jesus Christ from a gospel of salvation by faith to one of faith plus works. As we consider the characteristics of this “sect,” we find that these same earmarks are evident in the cults of subsequent generations.
The Characteristics of a Cult
THE MEN OF THE CULT
The men who came to Antioch from Judea were true Christians, members of the strict Pharisee sect (Acts 15:1,5). There are two striking features of these men which seem to be typical of the cultist. First, these men were dogmatic. The message they presented was a mandate: “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved” (v. 1). The same authoritarian tone can be seen in verse 5: “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses.”
Because of their dogmatism, they were unassailed by the strong resistance of Paul and Barnabas (15:2). From verse 5 I conclude that their defense was based upon their Pharisaic interpretation of the Old Testament Law. Verse 24 strongly implies that these men either implied or claimed apostolic approval of their message and ministry. The authority which these men falsely claimed, and their dogmatism implied, seemed convincing to some.
Arrogant dogmatism has always characterized false teaching. Satan did not suggest that God might be wrong in forbidding Adam and Eve to eat of the forbidden fruit; he dogmatically denied that Eve would die: “And the serpent said to the woman, ‘You surely shall not die!’” (Gen. 3:4). The same arrogant confidence is to be found in Satan’s counterfeit apostles:
But what I am doing, I will continue to do, that I may cut off opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the matter about which they are boasting. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ (2 Cor. 11:12-13).
… Wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions (1 Tim. 1:7).
And especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, they do not tremble when they revile angelic majesties, whereas angels who are greater in might and power do not bring a reviling judgment against them before the Lord (2 Pet. 2:10-11).
In 2 Corinthians 11 Paul tells us two things about the false apostles which are very instructive:
For you bear with anyone if he enslaves you, if he devours you, if he takes advantage of you, if he exalts himself, if he hits you in the face. To my shame I must say that we have been weak by comparison (2 Cor. 11:20-21a).
First, these false apostles were authoritarian, even though they were neither authentic nor authoritative. In contrast, those who are authoritative are meek. Moses was the “meekest man on the face of the earth” (Num. 12:3). Our Lord said that He was “meek and lowly in heart” (Matt. 11:29). Paul could appeal to the Corinthians in “the meekness and gentleness of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:1). Paul told Timothy to deal with those who went astray with gentleness (2 Tim. 2:25). Peter taught elders not to “lord it over” those under their care (1 Pet. 5:3).
Second, the false apostles were authoritarian because the Corinthians liked to be “led” that way. The Corinthians loved to be lorded over. They took great pride in the one who led them (cf. also 1 Cor. 1:12). Then, as now, many identified a leader by his “macho,” rather than by his meekness. This is why many of those who choose a cult do so because of the domineering leader by whose authority the cult is held together.
One of the strongest attractions of the cults—authoritarian leadership—is also one of the clearest evidences of error. People are attracted to the cults because they find authoritarian leadership, a leadership which they desire, but which is unbiblical. The difficulty is that all too often truly evangelical churches and causes are led in the same dictatorial fashion as the cults. In an article entitled “The Power Abusers,” Ronald Enroth has written:
The popularity of evangelical gurus, new-age cults, and superpastors says a number of things about our society as well as rank-and-file evangelicalism. First, there are many people in our rapidly changing and often confusing world who have real dependency needs. They are attracted to authoritarian movements, Christian or otherwise, because these movements offer black and white, clear-cut answers (or systematized approaches) to life’s problems. Moreover, the leaders of such organizations convey a sense of solidity, a feeling of being on top of problems, of being in control of the situation. In a word, these groups offer security. For people who have lacked positive structure in their lives, who have difficulty making decisions or resolving conflicts or who are just plain uncertain about the future, these movements/churches/programs are a haven.10
Biblical leadership is as different from cultic leadership as authoritarian leadership is from that which is authoritative. The ministry of our Lord and of His apostles was authoritative, but not authoritarian. Do you remember the response of the crowds after hearing our Lord Jesus?
The result was that when Jesus had finished these words, the multitudes were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes (Matt. 7:28-29; cf. also 9:8; Luke 4:32).
As Jesus finished the Sermon on the Mount, the response of the crowd was recorded in the above passage. Jesus had authority; the scribes were authoritarian. What is the difference? It wasn’t that Jesus pounded his fist harder and yelled louder. Indeed, one finds Jesus “preaching” little and “teaching” much. He never demanded that people follow Him.
Jesus found His authority in the Scriptures and in the fact that He was obedient to the will of His Father, while the scribes maintained their authority as the interpreters of the Scriptures. Jesus had authority because He was in submission to authority. He was in submission to the will of the Father. He neither did nor taught anything contrary to the will of His Father (cf. John 8:29, 38, 42, 54). He was also subject to the law (cf. Matt. 17:24-27; Gal. 4:4). He acknowledged the authority of the government, even to carry out execution (John 19:8-11). Jesus even spoke of the scribes and Pharisees as having certain authority (Matt. 23:1-3).
The scribes and the Pharisees, on the other hand, seemed to acknowledge no authority other than their own. As Jesus said, they had “seated themselves in the chair of Moses” (Matt. 23:1). When our Lord’s teaching contradicted that of the scribes and Pharisees, they challenged “by what authority” He acted and taught (Matt. 21:23; Mark 2:7; 11:28; Luke 20:2). In their arrogance, they refused to acknowledge even the present reality of their bondage under Roman rule (John 8:33).
The issue of authority versus authoritarianism was one that our Lord spoke often about with His disciples. Their authority as His apostles was to be evident in a different kind of leadership:
“You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. But it is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all” (Mark 10: 42-44).
The kind of leadership our Lord summoned was such that no man would take upon himself the authority, the honor, or the obedience which was due Him:
“But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ” (Matt. 23:8-10).
Peter conveyed this same spirit when he exhorted Christians to submit to constituted authority (1 Pet. 1:13,18; 2:1; 5:5), and instructed leaders to be sensitive and gentle in their oversight (3:7; 5:3).
The life and ministry of the Apostle Paul is an excellent example of biblical authority. Paul’s teaching was authoritative, but not authoritarian. It was not based upon fleshly appeal or flashy devices (1 Cor. 1:17; 2:1). He did not come in arrogant confidence, but in “fear and trembling” (1 Cor. 2:3). Paul did not insist upon his rights as an apostle (1 Cor. 9:1-18). His ministry was one of self-sacrifice and gentleness (cf. Acts 20:33-35; 2 Thess. 3:6-9). His relationship to the church could be likened to that of a nursing mother to her child (1 Thess. 2:7).
The attitude of men toward authority provides us with a significant clue as to their authenticity as servants of our Lord. It was one of the strongest appeals Paul could make in defending his claim of apostleship against those who were false apostles (cf. 1 Cor. 4; 2 Cor. 11). Those who are authoritarian should be immediately suspect. Those whose authority is based upon the Word of God and which is evidenced by humility and gentleness are much more likely to be authentically Christian.
Unfortunately, some evangelical leaders are authoritarian in their roles as pastors or elders. An authoritarian pastor only conditions the weaker members of the flock to look for a strong central leader who can tell them how to act, make their decisions for them, provide them with security, and do their thinking for them. This practice is wrong, because it is an unbiblical method of leadership.
But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.”- 1 Corinthians 10:20-21 KJV
From time to time, I have people ask me about Freemasonry and whether or not a Christian should be a member of the Masonic Lodge. This is especially popular among those who want to better themselves and be a better person and hoping to express religious efforts.
Whether Freemasons admit it or not, two high-level Masons, Albert Pike and Albert Mackey opening speak of the religious aspects of Freemasons. Albert Pike states: “Every Masonic Lodge is a temple of religion and its teachings are instructions in religion.” Albert Mackey stated: “The religion of Masonry is not Christianity.”
In spite of that, some Christians insist that they can be both a Christian and a Mason. Please consider the following reasons why no Christian should be a Mason:
REASON #1) JESUS FORBIDS THE SWEARING OF SECRET OATHS
One of the requirements of being a Mason is swearing an oath that involves some pretty bizarre language. Here is one example from the First-Degree oath of a Mason in which after swearing a long list of promises, you must conclude by repeating the following…
“To all of which I do solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, without any hesitation, mental reservation, or secret evasion of mind in me whatsoever; binding myself under no less a penalty than that of having my body severed in twain, my bowels taken thence, and with my body burned to ashes, and the ashes thereof scattered to the four winds of Heaven, that there might remain neither track, trace nor remembrance among man or Masons of so vile and perjured a wretch as I should be, should I ever knowingly or willfully violate this, my solemn Obligation of a Master Mason. So help me God and make me steadfast to keep and perform the same.”
Pretty bizarre, huh?
In Matthew 5:34-37, Jesus plainly stated: “But I say unto you, SWEAR NOT AT ALL; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: FOR WHATSOEVER IS MORE THAN THESE COMETH OF EVIL.”
Pay attention to the last part of that statement from our Lord, “…whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” If you can’t just say yes or no, but must be bound by an oath that you must swear to secrecy, you need to beware. The Lodge gets pretty evil pretty fast.
The apostle James took this very serious as well and said…
“BUT ABOVE ALL THINGS, MY BRETHREN, SWEAR NOT, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; LEST YE FALL INTO CONDEMNATION.” (James 5:12)
One characteristic of a cult is its secrecy. This should cause warnings when you are demanded to swear to secrecy on all levels of the Lodge.
Jesus said, “I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and IN SECRET HAVE I SAID NOTHING.” (John 18:20)
REASON #2) – MASONS PROMOTES AN ECUMENICAL CHRIST-LESS RELIGION OF GOOD WORKS
In, The Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, on pages 618-619, Albert G. Mackey openly admits that Masons have their own religion. He says, “Freemasonry is NOT Christianity nor a substitute for it…but the religion of Masonry is not sectarian. It admits men of every creed within its hospitable bosom, rejecting none and approving none for his particular faith…Masonry is, indeed, a religious institution…”
This is tragic to say the least! Each member of the Lodge member is encouraged to find the best way to God – whichever works best for him. However, they are forbidden to pray in Jesus name. They are taught that heaven is gained by our own good works, while Christ’s redemption on the cross is never mentioned in anyway. But the Lord Jesus Christ said, “I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me” (John 14:6). Masonry does not worship the Father in spirit and in truth (John 4:23).
According to which Lodge you attend, you can see various religious/occultic icons and symbols displayed, many times alongside the Bible. The ideal that ALL religions are valid is an underlining belief within Freemasonry.
A 32nd and 33rd degree Mason swears their binding oath in the name of “Allah, the God of our Fathers”. Interestingly, you will see the crescent moon and star among the Shriners and their open arms to Islamic teachings. (Many of the Shrine Centers in other parts of the world have Arabic names.) And I’m not making that up, here is their own words…
The Oath of a Shriner!
“Candidates for induction into the Shriners are greeted by a High Priest, who says:
“By the existence of Allah and the creed of Mohammed; by the legendary sanctity of our Tabernacle at Mecca, we greet you.”
The inductees then swear on the Bible and the Koran, in the name of Mohammed, and invoke Masonry’s usual gruesome penalties upon themselves:
“I do hereby, upon this Bible, and on the mysterious legend of the Koran, and its dedication to the Mohammedan faith, promise and swear and vow … that I will never reveal any secret part or portion whatsoever of the ceremonies … and now upon this sacred book, by the sincerity of a Moslem’s oath I here register this irrevocable vow … in willful violation whereof may I incur the fearful penalty of having my eyeballs pierced to the center with a three-edged blade, my feet flayed and I be forced to walk the hot sands upon the sterile shores of the Red Sea until the flaming sun shall strike me with livid plague, and may Allah, the god of Arab, Moslem and Mohammedan, the god of our fathers, support me to the entire fulfillment of the same. Amen. Amen. Amen.”
(Excerpt from “The Origins and Influence of Masonry” by Lee Penn, SCP Journal Vol. 25: 2-25:
3, 2001)
“Be assured that God is equally present with the pious Hindu in his temple, the Jew in the synagogue, the Muslim in the mosque and the Christian in the church.” Albert Mackey, Mackey’s Revised Encyclopedia of Freemasonry
Sadly, without many members of Freemasons realizing it, Masons use secret symbols and rituals, all based on ancient pagan “mysteries religions” including Osiris, Mithras and Attis
REASON #3) – MASONRY TEACHES THE FALSE DOCTRINE OF UNIVERSALISM
I have had several people give me their copy of the Masonic Bible. All of them have the famous symbol on the cover (it also appears on their rings). When you read the introduction of their bible, here’s what it states…
“For Masonry knows, what so many forget, that religions are many, but Religion is one – perhaps we may say one thing, but that one thing includes everything – the life of God in the soul of man, and the duty and hope of man which proceed from His essential character. Therefore, it invites to its altar men of all faiths, knowing that, if they use different names for “the Nameless One of a hundred names,” they are yet praying to the one God and Father of all; knowing, also, that while they read different volumes, they are in fact reading the same vast Book of the Faith of Man as revealed in the struggle and sorrow of the race in its quest of God.”
This is the strongest statement of universalism you will read anywhere! This is the very foundation of what Freemasons believe. Here is a clear statement from Manly P. Hall, one of the most respected, high ranking Masons, who writes and confirms the heresy of universalism…
“The true Mason is not creed-bound. He realizes with the divine illumination of his Lodge that as a Mason his religion must be universal: Christ, Buddha, or Mohammed, the name means little, for he recognizes only the light and not the bearer. He worships at every shrine, bows before every altar, whether in temple, mosque or cathedral, realizing with his truer understanding the oneness of all spiritual truth.” (The Lost Keys of Freemasonry, page 65)
Clearly, any Bible believing Christian would have a problem with that belief system. This is in direct opposition of what the apostle Peter said in Acts 4:12…
“NEITHER IS THERE SALVATION IN ANY OTHER: for THERE IS NONE OTHER NAME under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
The Bible does not teach that it is one of many paths to God. Jesus claims to be the one and only way to God (John 14:6), so either He is telling the truth, or He is lying.
There are many sincere people who are members of Freemasonry in all its various forms. But, like all other cults, people being sincere does not change what the false cults are teaching. Most people involved in Freemasonry have little to no knowledge of what God’s Word says about these things.
Freemasonry teaches that we are able to improve our own lives in various ways, including acts of charity, moral living, and voluntary acts in their community, and are able to gain salvation by making oneself better. But the heart of the Gospel is that man is hopeless in his attempts to gain salvation by his good deeds. Therefore, Christ died and rose to redeem all who will put their faith and trust in Him and what He accomplished at the cross. Membership in the Lodge does NOT help bring a person to God – faith alone in Christ alone does that!
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