Expert: Scott Talbot - 9/9/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hello Scott,
I am invloved with a home Bible study group. A small group of us who enjoy
sharing God's word.
After attending three times I am wondering if this group may be a religious
sect / cult ? There are a few clues I could get into with you "but" perhaps this
most recent email from the spokesperson can shed light.

Scott,
Please read this email and tell me if it seems Biblically correct ? Can we really
become sons of god in the manner that he {the spokesperson} for our Bible
study group has stated in his email below. I enjoy the group BUT want to be
sure thier teachings are correct and sound before continuing.

Thank You for your time "it is appreciated" !!

His name is Steve and this is his most recent email to me.

Hi Ron,
Sons of God:
Well we both believe that Jesus Christ was the Son of God. But what some
people, including myself, don't know is that its possible for people to be sons
of God (not the Son of God) but sons or children of God.

You asked if it was the same as in Genesis. You are correct. When we get
together I can show you how this is related. But a large reason why Jesus was
sent was because what Adam did in Chapter 3 of Genesis. Also check out
Romans 5:12-13. This explains part of this. If you read this, write any
questions down you get and we can go over this Sunday if you want.

In John 1:12-13 it talks about those that receive Jesus Christ God gives the
right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name, who were
born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of
God.

So in this scripture it explains first that the first thing you have to receive is
Jesus.
This doesn't mean to receive Him in your heart or anything like that. It
doesn't say anything like that. Its like when Peter shared the gospel at the day
of Pentecost in Acts 2 and as many as received the Word = logos (Jesus
Christ) were baptized... and so on. All it means is to accept that Jesus is the
Christ and the Son of God. And so the first thing is to do this.

The next thing is said was that as many received Him, God gives them the
right, or authority to become children of God. So that means that just by
receiving or accepting that Jesus is the Christ and the Son of God does not
make you a child of God. It just means that you now have to the right to
become a child or son of God. Meaning, you have to first believe in Jesus to
go on to the next thing he commands you to do.

So the third thing it mentions is that those that are born not of blood
(meaning: you can not be born physically into this. Its not something that you
can pass down to your children), nor of the will of flesh (meaning: you can
not not even will or wish this upon yourself), nor by the will of man (meaning:
no other man in this world can will it upon you; they have no control over
this, only God), but of God (meaning: born of God).

1. Receive or accept Jesus
2. God gives authority or the right to go on to become a child of God
3. To be a child of God means to be born of God.

So unless we are born of God, we can not be a son or child of God. That
simple. We can't add or take away from what God has set in order.

This is very exciting stuff. And I truly believe this is some of the most
important things to know. God actually calls true believers sons of God. The
word Christian is only used once and the Christians is used twice. It was a
name man made up. Jesus never used it and God never called any believers
that. It was a name man called disciples of Christ. Thats something I found
interesting.

There is a lot in this but this is a start. Please share your thoughts and
questions Ron!
Hope to talk to you soon.

Your friend,
Steve

ANSWER: Hi Ron,

Based on the e-mail you received from Steve, I think you are right to be suspicious. Here are some things I saw as possible warnings signs:

* Apparent attempt(?) to equate Jesus' title of deity, "Son of God," with the Christian's description of adoption, "sons of God," as found in John 1:12. Some cults, such as Mormonism, use this to downplay the deity of Jesus Christ and to put themselves on the same level as Jesus.

* Tendency to resist fundamental teachings of Scripture. He explains John 1:12 "as many as received him" as only the first step to becoming a child of God. This implies that other "steps" are required, which may indicate that this is a religion based on works--earnings one's salvation--which clearly contradicts Ephesians 2:8-9 and Titus 3:5.

* A fear of the term, "Christian."

These are only red flags and do not necessarily mean that Steve or the others are involved in wrong teaching. But it's enough for me to really wonder.

If I were you, I would come right out and ask them what church or denomination they belong to. Ask what they call themselves. Press for a clear answer, as some cults try to hide behind deceptive terminology. The answer to this question will allow you to research their beliefs.

You may also ask them some key questions, such as the following:

1. Do you believe that Jesus is God ... in the same way that God the Father is God?

2. Do you believe in one God represented in three persons--God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit?

3. Do you believe that the Bible is perfect and without error, and constitutes the only authoritative written revelation from God to mankind?

4. Do you believe that salvation is a free gift that is received simply through believing, trusting in Jesus Christ, and asking? That we can do nothing to earn it, and we can do nothing to lose it?

Feel free to write back, Ron. I would like to know how things work out.

Scott

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Scott, Thank you for helping !! I need to be sure that this Bible group is on the
right path.

So I tested the waters a little bit. I sent Steve a scripture that I believe to be
true and correct, Ephesians 2:8-9 which also ties into your scripture verse
that you sent Titus 3:5.

Here is what Steve explained about Ephesians.

Hi Ron,   
One word is the greek word: charisma - this is a free gift - like a gift at
Christmas. Something that we did not deserve or do anything for. In Romans
it talks about that Jesus Christ was a gift. He was a free gift. Nothing we had
to do for Him to come.

   Now on the other hand, this gift used in Ephesians 2 is the other Greek
word for Gift - dorean - means that its a gift with strings attached, like a
paycheck. You get paid at the end of the week but its not free. You have to do
something for it. It talks about in Romans too the gift of Righteousness, it too
is the dorean gift. You have to do something to be righteous before God.

I am glad you are open about this Ron. And I know that if you have questions,
you will ask them. I believe in what I teach yet a teacher has to be teachable.
So I have to remember to keep my mind open. If someone is unteachable in
the things of God, then their heart has become unrepentant - unchangeable.
So I find it important for myself to keep my heart as soft and malleable as
possible. Otherwise God can't work through me.

We are all learning Ron. What you say makes me dig into God's word more.
And you are a good disciple. You look into things more than a lot of people I
know. That is a great thing. You are doing good. I tell lots of people about
you and how all I have to do is mention a subject and a day later, you have
looked into and given me tons of notes on it. Thats great!

Scott,
I have not asked the key questions you suggested I ask, but this still seems
off base. What are your thouhts ?
I did ask what they call themselves. Steve responded that they are a non
denominational Bible study group with no other name attached.

Thanks so much for the guidance and if Steve is on the right path you and
God will show me this to be true.

Appreciate your time !!
Ron

ANSWER: Hi Ron,

Yes, it is sounding more and more like they are off track. I took several years of Greek and Hebrew in college and seminary, so I am knowledgeable about the original Greek terms. But it doesn't take a Greek scholar to know that a gift is a gift. It's not a paycheck. Just to make it crystal clear, Paul went on to explain that it is "not of works, lest any man should boast."

Even righteousness, which Steve mentions as a "gift" that is earned, is inaccurate. Romans 4:6 refers to "the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works." See also Romans 4:22-23. The entire 4th chapter of Romans speaks of righteousness which is credited to one who believes, i.e., places his FAITH in Christ's work on the cross in lieu of his own ability to satisfy God in any way.

See also Romans 10:3-4 "Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. 4 Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes." This passage clearly distinguishes man's own personal attempts at righteousness with the righteousness which is freely imputed to us when we place our faith in CHRIST for salvation rather than ourselves.

I could go on and on and on. The Scriptures are clear. But you sound like the kind of person who already understands the Bible's teaching on this issue. Unfortunately, this group is involved in some kind of works-based salvation, which, in the end, makes Christ work on the cross worthless. It elevates man to the level of God, allowing man to achieve his own salvation. This is directly antithetical to the teaching of Scripture and completely disregards Christ's sacrificial death on the cross.

Steve's response to your question--that they are a non-denominational Bible study group--sounds like deception, if not a lie. He already stated that they resist the label, "Christian," and so they clearly are not part of any mainline Christian group (whether Bible-based or otherwise).

You may want to press them further about their belief system by asking what belief system the Bible study ties into, what church these folks (leaders) attend, what others call them ... or even whether or not they accept any other book other than the Bible as authoritative (like the Book of Mormon, for example).

If I were you, I would sever ties. Maybe you would like to stay connected in order to try to help them see the light. But chances are they'll try to suck you into their belief system, and they will likely be closed to your efforts to pull them out of their religion. And, as bright as you are, you need to recognize the dangers of getting sucked in. These are probably bright people (and very nice), but they have been brainwashed. Their arguments can be very compelling, and their techniques can be very effective.

Feel free to write back.

Scott

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you Scott,
For providing scripture as it relates to salvation. Yes, you are right. These are
very nice people who I have gotten to know and well intentioned.   But there
have been clues since the begining. And what makes it hard for me is that I
desire to study the Bible with those that believe in Jesus as our personal lord
and saviour and that by asking Jesus into our hearts and confessing that we
Need Him in our lives is enough. Calling on Jesus for help and admitting that
we cannot do it alone. Your are also correct---- Steve's arguments are very
compelling.

I appologize for having to continually ask for assitance. Your guidance with
scripture and knowledge is helping me to recognize that I have probably
stumbled upon a form of religious sect / cult.

Two other pionts to mention.
They gave me a booklet titled "The Foundation Truths Workbook" which is
affiliated with a pastor Kong Hee. Have you heard of this ? A google search
gave me some info.

Also, they believe in the importance of going door to door. Explaining that
they want to bring people to the word of God.
I told them I was Not comfortable with that approach. At least for now.

I dont hold judgement on anyone who believes strongly enough in thier
religious beliefs to preach the good word / gospel door to door or in coffee
shops etc. In fact I can respect that. BUT, the internet on cults says to be wary
of those groups that do this.

I like these people as fellow human beings and enjoy the fellowship
atmosphere.
But it does not feel right ?

I appreciate your guidance !!
Ron  

Answer
Ron,

It is my pleasure to help. Please do not feel that you are a bother.

Ephesians 6:12 tells us that we are involved in a spiritual battle. Satan and his forces are constantly on the attack ... against the Scriptures, against truth, against Jesus Christ.

Since the beginning of time, Satan has offered counterfeit forms of worship. The most deceptive have been those that most closely resemble the real thing.

Attacks on the truth and counterfeit religions can be seen in many forms. On one extreme, you have atheism, agnosticism, humanism. On the other hand, error can creep up in small ways, even within the best of churches, or with the most committed of Christians. In between you have Roman Catholicism, cults and sects, even mainline denominations that have departed from God's truth. Therefore, we need to take on the whole armor of God in the face of such warfare.

Please feel free to contact me at any time, for any reason. I mean that.

Scott