Jesus and the Way were once seen as a cult simply because His teachings conflicted with the status quo, much in the same way the early Gentile state church in their own struggle, called opponents heretics. What we today would call a cult is a person or group that personally benefits in some way by promoting anything, misplaced or otherwise, that will cause others to follow or support them. We know of the notorious ones and we won't get into the political cults or free lance evangelical types and religious institutions pandering to the masses for monetary reward and power.
If one promotes Jesus and His Gospel of the Kingdom with absolutely no earthly gain of any kind, would that person be called a cultist, or would they be called a follower of Jesus? If one leads people to Jesus and His Gospel of the Kingdom with no earthly reward, are they now cultists because they clash with traditional religion (especially the politically connected)? Or are the real cultists the ones who lead others AWAY from Jesus and His Gospel of the Kingdom, back to the world of man's making? In turn establishing themselves in a position of worldly authority complete with the perks of such institutions. Worldly cults calling the non-worldly cultists.
Jesus said at least seven times to follow Him instead of those with their own agenda. He said, John 14: 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
The people followed Him as He taught about the Kingdom. Luke 9:11 And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.
He said why He was sent here. Luke 4: 43 And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.
He spoke of the division between the world man has made and the Kingdom. Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Romans 12:2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
He said what that will was, the will of His Kingdom, Matthew 22:
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
God's will opposite to most of mankind's will.
He spoke of unity of spirit, John 17:23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
He spoke of division among man, Matthew 12:25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:
He spoke of the division between world built upon the will of man and the Kingdom of God, Luke 12: 51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:
Luke 11: 23 He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.
He spoke of what God thinks of the world of man, Luke 16: 15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. 16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.
James summed it up, James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Ironic considering Christianity moved forward at the hands of political motivation, which as a result has masked the Kingdom in favour of the will of man's purpose for the religion.
He spoke of what we must do to separate ourselves from the world/will of man into becoming of the Kingdom as God originally intended, doing His will and not man's. Luke 24: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Remission being not carrying on believing you are already saved with no need to change or to relinquish hold of the world man has created.
He spoke against those who in turn speak against those who promote His Kingdom, Matthew 23:13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
So, if you follow Jesus you are not following the ones who teach this, but following Jesus Himself. Can the teacher of Jesus' Gospel of the Kingdom then be called a cultist in the traditional sense?
In teaching the Kingdom of God there is nothing in this world of reward or gain for that person. Actually if done right, Jesus says the world will hate you for it.
Please... consider refraining from dividing people in traditional human ways and wearing whatever cap goes along with it, and instead consider finding the division between the world of man's making and the Kingdom. It is in the scripture regardless of what the religion teaches. Then start teaching it yourself. A better path rather than seeking division among man over political or theological nonsense (especially theology devised by the politically savvy to lure support).
Afraid of being called a cult for teaching the Gospel of the Kingdom instead of religion's gospels? You will be teaching what Jesus taught without any gain for yourself at the expense of others, opposite to what a cultist would do. Scripture is clear while theology is not. Don't let pride or human tradition overcome discernment. We are to change to fit God's will, not change what is written of God to justify our worldly ventures. Change as is so often done by theology (religious philosophy) which doesn't take kindly to having the world it represents being seen for what it is. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, not the will of the institutions of mankind.
© ...timothyu
