I don't use a modern definition of "cult". I use the first one I found, probably in some old dictionary. It said a cult is "any religious group that has doctrines and traditions without an entity to support them" (or something to that effect).
So, whether it be some tribe in Africa or some denominational group in the USA, I may listen to their doctrines and see their traditions but what I'm really wondering is "where is their god". If you can find teachings and traditions but not God...it's a cult by the definition I use, no matter how popular or publicly accepted it is.
IMHO, a person should not take "finding God" lightly because most people just find doctrines and traditions in a church, but fall short of finding God....partly because they don't know how to tell the difference between 'religion' and 'God'. I think a good starting point is to ask "What is the difference between doctrine...and God... And which do I truly have?". Then be honest about the answers.
Love in Jesus,
Kelby
I think with Christ it’s intertwined his doctrine is the doctrine of God and only way to the Father
“Whosoever transgresseth, and
abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
If there come any unto you, and
bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:”
2 John 1:9-10 KJV
makes sense because the gospel ( Christs doctrine ) teaches about loving one another Gods way.
“Jesus answered them, and said,
My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.”
John 7:16-17 KJV
Christ actually centers his doctrine and says it is spirit that quickens and offers eternal life
“Verily, verily, I say unto you,
He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and
shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
John 5:24
“It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing:
the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”
John 6:63
“Verily, verily, I say unto you,
If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.”
John 8:51 KJV
“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him,
If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
John 8:31-32 KJV
I think with Christ there’s no way to really accept him without accepting the gospel of the kingdom that he centered for all believes as thier true north
because of his claim to be the one God sent to speak Gods word of truth to a world that was lost and seeking wrong judgements in darkness
“Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king.
To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.”
John 18:37
there’s a doctrine on earth that came from heaven and Gods throne which is the gospel Jesus was sent to preach d there’s no where else to find that doctrine on earth