A non-Christian religion is an organized group that teaches something clearly different than Christianity does about God or the spiritual/supernatural realm.

A cult is a group that can, at first, appear to be aligned with the orthodox teaching of Christianity but upon further examination actually does not hold to the same beliefs as Christians on core doctrinal issues. Often these groups will deem themselves to be “Christian.” Trying to discern? Start with these questions:

1. Who do you say Jesus is?
An orthodox follower of Jesus believes:

• Jesus Christ is the only and eternal Son of God.
• All things were created through Him.
• He is God.
• He is not created, but is co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit.
• He was born of the Virgin Mary, thereby becoming fully human in both body and soul, while remaining fully God—giving up none of His divine attributes.
• He has both a sinless and complete human nature and a complete divine nature, and yet He is one person.
• Untainted by the sin of Adam, He lived a life without sin.
• His death on the cross was as a substitution and a payment for the sins of the world.
• He was buried, and on the third day after His death, He was resurrected in a physical, yet glorified body.
• He ascended into Heaven and will return again to judge the living and the dead.
• see Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14, 15; I Corinthians 15:3, 4; Romans 1:3, 4; Acts 1:9-11; I Timothy 6:14, 15; Titus 2:13

Most cults will not honor Jesus as co-equal with God nor as eternally existing as God. They will make Jesus a little less than God and not see Him as an equal part of the Trinity.

2. How do you receive salvation or a restored relationship with God?
An orthodox follower of Jesus believes that sin has broken our relationship with God. Being reconciled with God invovles:

• Salvation is God’s redemption of a person from sin.
• It is offered to humankind through Jesus Christ.
• Salvation is the free gift of God.
• It is through faith in Jesus Christ (which is a genuine turning from sin and trusting in Christ’s completed work on the cross as the only sufficient payment for sin).
• Salvation includes (1) the work of the Holy Spirit to draw a person to Jesus Christ, (2) one’s being forgiven of sin and given the positive righteousness of Christ, (3) the lifelong process by which the Holy Spirit transforms one’s character to be like Christ’s, and (4) glorification, which will be brought about when believers are bodily-resurrected to be forever with God.
• Those who do not receive salvation through faith in Jesus Christ will be eternally separated from God in Hell.
• Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the believer is secure in his/her salvation for eternity.
• Salvation cannot be lost. It is maintained by the grace and power of God, not man.
• see Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8, 9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1; John 10:29;  II Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10, 14; I Peter 1:3-5; John 3:16, 2:25, 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; 1 Corinthians 15:35-55; Daniel 12:2

Most “Christian” cults will grant that Jesus died on the cross. However, they will add works that we must do in order be saved. In this sense, they require adding to Jesus’  accomplishment on the cross. They believe that while Jesus might have accomplished something on the cross, more is needed and we are reconciled to God by our good works, good character, or good activity. A cult teaches that salvation is not only by grace through faith.

Usually with these two questions, discerning if a group is a cult becomes evident quickly. For more, see NorthWood’s doctrinal statement.

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