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Author of this article was a member of a works based cult, below is a small copy of part of the article, here is the link to the full article:
How Do You Define a Works-Salvation Cult? – Grace Evangelical Society and a link to another article on worked based cults
Beware of Cults – Grace Evangelical Society Maybe these two articles will help you escape.
Well, it's for sure that you can't go to the Words of the Christ, "of the Bible" because His Words condemn your religion as has been clearly shown. And you can't go to HIS Father, because HIS Father's Words also condemn your religion. And you can't go to Paul, because Paul's teaching also exposes, and then condemns your religion. So the only place left for you to go, is to a man "Who Transforms himself into an Apostle of Christ."
My Savior saw this coming years ago and warned me of this very thing.
Jer. 23:
16 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD. 17 They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you.
By Bob Wilkin
Grace Evangelical Society
Cults are groups that have the following characteristics:
- They reject one or more of the fundamentals of the faith (esp. justification by faith alone).
The Spirit of the Christ "of the Bible" saw your religion coming and prepared HIS People for it.
Jam. 2:
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith "without works" is dead?
- One person or group leads with absolute control.
Eph. 4:
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
2 Tim. 3:
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Is God not the Father of your religion?
- They have other Scripture in addition to the Bible.
It is you that must seek self-proclaimed "ministers of righteousness" to justify your religion. Where have I posted "Other Scripture"? But then, you are not here to seek or establish Biblical Truth, rather, you are here to justify and promote your specific religion. Since you can't use Scriptures to advance your agenda, you must find someone who transform themselves into an apostle of Christ, whose words you can use.
Which is fine, as Paul teaches, you are free to "Yield Yourself" a servant to obey whomever you wish to obey. Maybe Wilken can save you, I don't know him. Nevertheless, I'm sticking to the Christ "of the Bible".
- They often promote special revelations that the leader has received.
I simply posted the Words of Christ as it appears in both your and my Bible. The only contention is that I believe what is written, and you don't. Does that make me a cult? Perhaps it places me on a different Path than you are on. A Path walked by few. But I would have no control over what Path men walk, only the path I choose.
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- Special doctrines and practices not found in Scripture are promoted.
Nope, I haven't done that. I would point out that you reject much of what the Christ has taught. That practice is not promoted by scriptures.
- Members accept anything the leader(s) say without question. Independent thinking is a cause for expulsion.
Since God and His Son are my leaders, I do listen to them, and accept that they might know more about Righteousness and Salvation than Bob Wilkin.
John 17:
3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
I could be wrong, and Bob Wilkin might be the Messiah, and you are his disciple, and I am trusting in the wrong God.
Nevertheless, I'm sticking to the Holy Scriptures and my Faith is in the Father who inspired them, and His Son who HE sent to save me.
- Most cults say that they are the only true church.
I only know there is ONE church, according to Scriptures. So I believe what they say. And I don't think Bob Wilken is the head of this One Church, although he may be the head of a church.
- Members fear being kicked out of the group.
Paul did teach the members of the Body of the Christ "of the Bible";
Rom. 11:
20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
Of course, Bob and you teach another gospel, a seductive religion in which none of Paul's words here are true. And you are free to promote whatever religion you wish. I have just dedicated myself to believe the Christ of the Bible, and His Apostles I know were chosen by HIM. Bob Wilkin and you, it seems you both have transformed yourselves into Apostles of Christ. I am told to "Beware" and take Heed specifically of you guys. I would be foolish to reject the warnings. It's not personal, I have no control over what you guys preach.
How does that match up with your list?
So far it fits your religion, not the Way of the Lord the Christ of the Bible advocated. Perhaps you might try applying the Christ's Words to yourself. But that would mean you would have to believe in Him. And clearly that would take change from the heart, AKA "Repentance". And you don't seem to believe in repentance. Maybe Bob can save you. I guess we will all find out some day.
I was in a cult from ages six to twenty. It had all the above characteristics except that it had no Scripture other than the Bible. It promoted an extreme form of works salvation. You could only be saved between ages five and twenty on one or two special days God had predetermined for you. If you missed your window of opportunity, you were unsavable. If you sinned even once after being saved, you lost your salvation and could never get it back.
Well, some brotherly advice here. The Holy scriptures do not support the religion you were born into, and the Holy scriptures don't support the religion you have now adopted and are promoting to others.
Perhaps you might consider turning away from all of this world's religions all together, and the men who promote them like Bob and whoever those leaders of the first religion you were snared by. What have you got to lose? Why not turn to God and trust His Inspired Word
for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Why not listen, and then be a "Doer" of the saying of the Christ, as HE instructs. Why do you need to adopt a religion of this world? Shall a man of God not consider the words of the Lord's Christ? How I wish you would answer that question.
Matt. 6:
1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
The choice is the same for all mankind. We can come to the Light or avoid the Light. And all that fall on this Christ shall be broken. Not a very popular marketing strategy to use to build a religious business, so you won't hear His Truth from them. Nevertheless, it is His Truth.
