postlaestadianrevival

I found this definition of a cult while browsing online. I thought many of you might find it interesting. Go to:

http://www.rickross.com/reference/brain ... ing56.html

Hi Soapbox,
I have used Rick Ross's articles. I find them to be excellent. I have used his article about the United Pentecostal Church(UPC) when confronted with people in the UPC. Here it is: http://www.rickross.com/groups/upci.html

I think I commented on the UPC and similar groups in one of the other threads. I'll state here what I said there in a few quick comments: 1. The UPC rejects the trinity. 2. You must be baptized in the name of Jesus, not Father Son and Holy Ghost. 3. Speaking in tongues is evidence of being born again. Number 3 is the biggest problem doctrine I have with the UPC and related groups. Basically, nobody is born again unless they have given evidence by speaking in tongues. They also teach speaking in tongues is the initial evidence of the Holy Ghost. Both teachings are aberrant to orthodox and historic evangelical protestant christianity. If the doctrine was true, everyone who prays or is prayed for to receive a blessing of the Holy Spirit would speak in tongues. But quite simply this is not so, based on my observations during my church hopping . These doctrines about speaking in tongues undermine the place of faith. Feelings and signs will come and go, but faith must remain. It must be kept undefiled and such doctrines defile faith alone, adding works or manifestations to faith. The Apostle Paul says the manifestations are given as the Holy Spirit wills it to be. Therefore, it is very possible one may speak in tongues but another will not. Speaking in tongues is not universal. If it was, all who confess Jesus as Lord and Savior would also be able to say they speak in tongues. The simple fact of the matter is that not all do. Does that mean some aren't saved? Of course not. Who will be saved? Answer: If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Nothing about having tongues in there as far as I can see.

I read some of the info one the website you posted, Faithful. I think it would be useful for others here to read, because even though it is a different organization, the experiences are similar. (We are not alone!)

Hi Soapbox,
Yes, the experiences are similar even if they are different groups. There is a lot of control and rules and regulations. Anyhow, I am not of this cultic position anymore. Like I stated on another thread here, I believe all people reserve the right to read and study the Bible and believe and worship God how and where they want. So long as they confess faith in Jesus Christ alone and the Scriptures alone as their sufficient and infallible guide, I embrace them as one with me in faith.

Hey Faithful! It's good to hear from your again. Not only are we free to read the bible for ourselves, it is probably a safe thing to do as well. I think we are all prone to being swayed by another or others who seem to know more than we do--so we follow the person or persons. Logical really, that guy seems to be following God so I will just follow him...and I will be following God too. However it doesn't work so well that way. Christian companionship is great, but each one needs to have his/her focus on God. We are all prone to being sidetracked, if everyone is focused on God perhaps our missteps won't lead others astray.