Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 4:12-19
Is the church of Christ a Cult?
Intro.
1. This charge is often made.
2. We want & will give a Bible answer to this question - 1 Pet. 3:15.
I. JESUS SAID IT WOULD BE SO - Jno. 15:18-21; Matt. 5:10-12; 1 Pet. 4:12-16.
II. CHRISTIANS ARE FALSELY CHARGED - Acts 24:13-15; 28:22; Jno. 16:1-3.
III. WE ARE TOLD THE TRAITS OF A CULT ARE:
A. "A Charismatic Leader Who Indoctrinates Members With Unorthodox or Extremist Views."
-Jesus Christ! (Matt. 21:6-11; Col. 1:18; 3:17)
B. "Unorthodox or Extremist Views" - Matt. 15:1-2; Acts 11:2-3; Jno. 8:23-24; 11:25-26.
C. "Claims to be the Only True Church" - Matt. 16:18; Eph. 4:4; 5:23; 1 Tim. 3:15.
D. "Teaches Doctrines Which Differ From 'Historic Christianity'" - 1 Tim. 4:1-3; Matt. 15:7-9; Col. 2:8.
IV. "CULT" IS A PREJUDICIAL LABEL - Phil. 3:17-19; Matt. 16:18; Rom. 16:16. (The church of Christ is not a denomination or a cult.)
V. THE BIBLE ESTABLISHES DOCTRINE.
A. It Can Be Understood - Eph. 3:3-5; 5:17 (cf. Mk. 8:21).
B. It Applies to All Men - Matt. 28:18-19.
C. It Is From God, Not Man - Gal. 1:11-12; 2 Tim. 3:16-17.
D. The Gospel Produces:
1. True Christians - Matt. 28:19-20; Mk. 16:15-16; Acts 11:26.
2. The true church - Matt. 7:21-23; Acts 2:41-42, 47; Eph. 4:4.
3. True worship - Jno. 4:23-24.
4. True doctrine - Gal. 1:8-9; 2 Jno. 9.
5. True living - Matt. 28:20; 2 Cor. 5:7.
Conclusion
--The church of Christ is NOT a cult!
a. House of the living God - 1 Tim. 3:15.
b. Fullness of Christ - Eph. 1:22-23.