Sorry for the length of this post . I found this on the net.....
FROM- http://en.allexperts.com/q/Presbyterians-959/Possible-Cult.htm
Question------------------
Hi ,
I hope you can help!
My brother, that passed away in 1997, was a Reformed Presbyterian Minister. I chose to ask you a question because your beliefs sound similar to my brother's.
My concern regards my brother in law. He recently left my sister after 24 years of marriage. He met a woman over the internet, who is a member of the "Church of Christ" movement. After knowing this woman only briefly, he left my sister and moved in with this "other woman". Since he left, he has been very distant and not himself. His behavior has become bizarre actually. When I talk to him, he seems drugged and/or brainwashed.
I am extremely concerned. He wants to sell their house and business now at a loss for a quick sale. This is not like him at all. I am worried that this Church of Christ may be some kind of cult influencing him some way to give them money. Perhaps I a paranoid, but his behavior change makes me wonder. He wants nothing to do with his old family ties.....including his own children from a previous marriage.
I hope you can give me some kind of insight. I don't know what to do anymore. My sister is extremly distraught. Attempts to talk with my brother in law are frustrating (he seems to be in another world these days). I am in the middle and this is causing extreme stress in my own household. I love both of them, but they are wearing me down...
Thank you in advance for any advice you can offer, especially concerning the Church of Christ.
Answer------------
Hello ,
It is terrible when a person becomes unstable and does bizarre things as you describe your brother-in-law doing. The Internet has been the source of many marriage breakups and many disappointing lies.
Maybe he is acting the way you describe because he feels guilt at what he has done or at least embarassment. In that case he will be very defensive. It is good that you are keeping up a relationship with him, an open door in case he comes to his senses and wants, like the prodigal son, want to come home.
You will have to be more specific about that Church of Christ you mentioned. There are many churches called that and a few denominations as well.
The main denomination of that name has had some people see signs of it being a cult. Here is what is said about it: Most (not all) congregations of the Church of Christ denomination (CHOCD) claim that they can trace their roots back to the original New Testament church. The reality is: in 1906 the CHOCD broke away from the Christian Church which was established in the mid 1800s by Alexander Campbell during the so-called Restoration Movement.
But right off the bat, this is where we get into one of their greatest controversies. They claim that they are not a denomination, but rather they are the TRUE Body of Christ! To justify this outlandish claim, they rest very heavily on the notion that they have the only biblically correct name of any church. They look down on other denominations for naming themselves after a man (Lutherans) or a doctrine (Baptists) or forms of church government (Presbyterian) and claim that the only scriptural name given to the church is the name that they bear. Since the word Christ simply means "messiah", that translates into The Church of the Messiah. But which Messiah? A better name would be The Church of Jesus Christ, which would also be a scriptural name.
Are They A Cult?
Here is an acronym for cults:
C. Claim to be The Only True Christians
U. Unorthodox Extra-biblical Revelation
L. Lying Leaders (History/Doctrine)
T. THE Way (Salvation is found only in their organization)
S. Salvation By Works (obedience to ordinances such as baptism)
Ex-members of this church see the only area that the CHOCD doesn't qualify for the title is that they don't have any unorthodox extra-biblical revelation that they would put on par with God's Word. But, they do:
1. Claim to be the Only True Christians
2. Lie about their history, by claiming that they can trace their roots to the day of Pentecost in the second chapter of Acts. They also mislead people about some of their doctrines, by not telling prospective members what they really believe up front (Billy Graham is not a true Christian?).
3. They are the one and only true "Body of Christ." No one goes to the Father outside of their denomination!
4. Their salvation occurs the moment they "DO" their part and get baptized. And you must recognize that it is the baptism that remits your sins, or it is of no effect!
Originally posted by DoctorScribblesAre you KIDDING me? LOL I thought I had every Mormon eccentricity imaginable, but that's a new one on me, too. 🙄
Wasn't it once the Church's position that the tritone was evil?
I also recently learned that to this day, the Mormon church still considers the guitar an evil instrument and forbids its use in worship.
Originally posted by NemesioI agree--to say that anything NOT mentioned in the Bible is automatically unacceptable is just about the most foolish thing I've read on any forum. I suppose all those "Left Behind" books, radio ministries, etc. are also verboten. (not that I believe any of that dispensational nonsense) {but I think you should have left off the 'F' and just gone with LMAO} 😏
LMFAO! Because it's not specifically mentioned, it's forbidden despite the Psalms to which
Jesus Himself referred to as Scripture?
So, unlike what Jesus commands, you judge other denominations and you judge them on
something that goes unmentioned in the New Testament (but embraced in the Hebrew Scriptures).
Nemesio
Originally posted by knightmeisterThat is an interesting list. I have always viewed a "cult" as anything that takes the focus off of God. For example, the organization becomes the focus or a charismatic leader becomes the focus or works become the focus. In other words, "cults" are a form of idolatry.
C. Claim to be The Only True Christians
U. Unorthodox Extra-biblical Revelation
L. Lying Leaders (History/Doctrine)
T. THE Way (Salvation is found only in their organization)
S. Salvation By Works (obedience to ordinances such as baptism)
Originally posted by DoctorScribblesThat's a new one. I have heard many rumors regarding the Mormon Church, but that's the first time I heard that one. Where did you learn that?
I also recently learned that to this day, the Mormon church still considers the guitar an evil instrument and forbids its use in worship.
That's not true by the way :-)
Originally posted by whodeyI always take cult to mean:
That is an interesting list. I have always viewed a "cult" as anything that takes the focus off of God. For example, the organization becomes the focus or a charismatic leader becomes the focus or works become the focus. In other words, "cults" are a form of idolatry.
"A group of people who believe something so far removed from what I believe that I cant stand them and want to find a way to put them down or insult them".
It is not unusual for two groups of people to call each other cults.
From Merriam Webster:
3 : a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious; also : its body of adherents
Note that groups often consider everyone else to be unorthodox and themselves orthodox.
Originally posted by stepnkevYes it is. An elder told me, although he said it's a secret to most members that only gets revealed once you reach a sufficiently inner circle.
That's a new one. I have heard many rumors regarding the Mormon Church, but that's the first time I heard that one. Where did you learn that?
That's not true by the way :-)
Originally posted by Rajk999I'm glad that you are so sure without any Scriptural evidence offered on your part.
I repeat ... you lack the ability to answer simple questions concisely and clearly.
Any church that can condemn the use of musical instruments to accompany the singing of hymns are fools of the highest order. I am sure that Christ is sitting up there somewhere laughing at you idiots.
Originally posted by epiphinehasAbsolutely the Lord's church is an actual organization. It came into existence in A.D. 30 after Christ's resurrection. He reigns over it today. My point is simply this: there is one church that is spoken of in the pages of the New Testament, and that we should and must be members of it today if we want to enjoy the blessings of salvation.
Then what's the big deal? The body of Christ, i.e., the church, is obviously made up of all people - all people - who believe the gospel of Christ, regardless of denomination.
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therei ...[text shortened]... " (Romans 1:16-17).
What's your point? Is "The Lord's Church" an actual organization?
I agree, the church is the people, not a building. That's what I've been saying all along. The church which belongs to Christ follows the Law of Christ in it's worship and organization and so forth. Why is this so hard for all to understand?
Originally posted by Nemesioi absolutely believe that Jesus is God. He is Deity, and He claimed so in the Bible. He said, "Before Abraham was, I AM." He is the great I AM. He had a part in creation (John 1:1-5, 14; Col. 1:16-18). He said, "Except you believe that I AM, ye shall die in your sins," (John 8:24).
So you don't believe Jesus is God, then, right?
Nemesio
Originally posted by DoctorScribblesIt can't be true. In Episode 712 of South Park, Jenny and Gary from the Harrisons do play guitars before the whole family explains to Stan the story of Joseph Smith.
Yes it is. An elder told me, although he said it's a secret to most members that only gets revealed once you reach a sufficiently inner circle.
http://www.spscriptorium.com/Season7/E712script.htm
Originally posted by NemesioYes. The Bible in no way authorizes us to use the instrument in worship. We must always do that which the Bible authorizes (Col. 3:17). In fact, that verse is in the very context of singing!
Are you seriously suggesting that worship necessarily must exclude the use of instruments?
Nemesio
Originally posted by NemesioYes, I agree that the use of instruments was used in the Old Testament. However, that has no bearing whatsoever on our worship today because we are no longer under that system. As mentioned before it was nailed to the cross of Christ (Col. 2:14). It was done away (Heb. 10; Rom. 7:1-7). Therefore, since we are under the Law of Christ today, and the Law of Christ does not authorize it in worship to God, then we must refrain from doing.
LMFAO! Because it's not specifically mentioned, it's forbidden despite the Psalms to which
Jesus Himself referred to as Scripture?
What about this command, also from Jesus Himself: Love your enemies, do good to those who
hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on
the cheek, offer the other also; a ...[text shortened]... your claim to a 'authentic, Word-centered' church utterly laughable.
Nemesio
Originally posted by twhiteheadThe problem I have with your definition is what makes your beliefs any better/worse than someone elses? Are you always right? Conversly, I believe that my pursuit is after the God who has the source of all truth and who is always right. The Bible is riddled with scriptures admonishing us to "seeK" our God. If he is truly God then he is our source for such truth. I will even conceed that there are at times that the church is not in line with God's truth in certain matters. In my opinion, none of us have "arrived", so to speak, however, the more we seek the source of all truth the more truth we will find and benefit from in the end. At least, this has been my experience.
I always take cult to mean:
"A group of people who believe something so far removed from what I believe that I cant stand them and want to find a way to put them down or insult them".
It is not unusual for two groups of people to call each other cults.
From Merriam Webster:
3 : a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious; also : its body of adhe ...[text shortened]... nts
Note that groups often consider everyone else to be unorthodox and themselves orthodox.