Cults

 

Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses are discussed. Below little bit about The Way International/Victor Paul Wierwille.


If you know truth, then you will recognize lie.  But if you  not know  truth, you will not know if what someone says true, false – which?   

Picture:  If you don’t know what mean “dog,”  then maybe I show you  bird and tell you, “This is dog.”  Then you maybe believe me.  But if you finish know what  dog is, then you will never believe  bird is  dog. 

Cults tell people wrong things, but many people  not know wrong.  Why?  Because  people never finish learn  truth first.  Hearing, deaf, no matter – most people not know whole Bible.  Little hard for hearing, but very hard for deaf. 

No matter – cults show special points:

    1. Most cults tell you “if you want salvation, you must belong to our church.”  They believe God only works through them.  They tell you God  not work through other churches. 
    2. Most cults try to separate you from people not in cult.   They encourage you  think if  person not in their church, then  person  bad influence on you.
    3. Most cults want your money.
    4. All cults tell you they must help you understand Bible.  They  not believe people can understand God’s Word without their help.
    5. All cults make up rules about how you should live.  They want control your life.
    6. Most cults have one man or one woman who is main authority.   Sometimes small group is authority, but usually one person over everyone.
    7. Most cults change what Bible says.
    8. Most cults have other writings they say are good same as Bible.  The other books are also "holy."
    9. All cults deny Jesus is God Himself, the One true God.
    10. Most cults deny Trinity

What is most strong point?  Who Jesus!  Bible says Jesus true God.  Bible says ONE God forever.  One God Creator, Judge, Savior, everything.  We do not understand how Father, Son (Jesus) and Holy Spirit mean one God, but Bible very clear one God and Jesus is God. 

Check what church believes about Jesus.  If church says, “sure, Jesus God, and many other gods, too,” then church is a cult.  Mormons believe many gods and Jesus is god, too.

If church says Jesus not really God, but really angel, then cult.  Jehovah’s Witnesses say Jesus really angel, not really God.  Jesus Himself used words in Greek to say He is God.  That why Pharisees try stone Him to death. 
So first, most important, WHO JESUS? 

Very important second point:  Bible says each person who is true follower belonging Jesus is born again and has Holy Spirit inside him.  That means true Christian has God Himself to cause him mature and lead his life.  If church has many rules to tell you how you must live, then maybe church is cult.  Mormons have many rules:  you must tithe, you must wear special clothes under regular clothes, you must not drink coffee or tea or Coke, you must help in church – many, many rules.  They are a cult.  They try to control members’ lives.  Jehovah Witnesses also have many rules for their members.  They are a cult.  Cults cause people pay attention to other people, not pay attention to God.   If a person is born again Christian, then person can pay attention to Holy Spirit inside and Holy Spirit will lead right way.

Most cults have other books, other magazines they say are important same as Bible.  Mormons have Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price, and Doctrines and Covenants.  They say these books holy same as Bible, but these books disagree with Bible and sometimes disagree with each other!   Jehovah’s Witnesses have many magazines from Watchtower organization.  Watchtower tells people what they should believe, how they should live.  If Watchtower disagrees with Bible, then Jehovah’s Witness doctrine says you must obey their doctrine, not worry about Bible. 

If church has traditions more valuable than Bible, then church is cult.  If church has doctrines disagree with Bible, then cult.  If church says Jesus not true only God, then cult. 

Here basic Bible doctrines:

    1.  God created everything.  We do not understand where God before creation.  Later we will understand.  But Bible shows God create time, create space, create stuff (matter).  
    2. Three persons, one God. We cannot understand, but Bible says true. Father God, Son God, Holy Spirit God, but all together one God.
    3. Man disobeyed God.  Disobedience = sin.  Sin entered world because man disobeyed God.
    4. Sin requires punishment.  Punishment is separation from God.  This is ‘second death.’  First death is separation from body, when body dies.
    5. God had special plan to rescue people if people want.
    6. God promised men He will redeem them.  “Redeem” means “buy back.”  Bible doctrine:  man sold himself to sin.  Now sin controls man.  God promised He will redeem men – buy back men from sin.
    7. God Himself came to earth.  Mary was true virgin and God caused her become pregnant.  Jesus born and grow up same as normal human boy.  But Jesus finish know He belongs God.  Later in His life He says He IS God.   When Jesus live, He showed us love each other, stand up against wrong, help people. 
    8. Jesus said a person must have new birth inside himself if person wants heaven.  Meaning?  Person must give up try improve himself.  Person must give himself to Jesus and Jesus will change person, give person new heart.  New heart will not want sin.  Sometimes yes, will sin, but never WANT to sin.  Person will feel sorry after and apologize to God.  God always faithful to forgive when Christian apologizes.
    9. When person is born again, Holy Spirit comes and lives inside person.  Holy Spirit leads person’s life, causes person mature.
    10. Jesus never sinned.   He never earn/deserve death.
    11. Jesus chose death.  He accepted our punishment.  When Jesus died on cross, God’s justice satisfied for all men.    No man goes to hell because of sin.    People go to hell because they refuse Jesus.  When refuse Jesus, also refuse redeem – means remain slave to sin, never change.
    12. People have choice about Jesus.  God not force choice.  People freely decide yes or no to Jesus.
    13. Jesus conquered death.  Jesus became alive again after dead three days.
    14. Jesus is in heaven now and when Christian dies, Christian is with Jesus.
    15. Jesus said He will come again.  Later He will destroy this earth and create new earth that has sin none. 
    16. We live only one time.  We have one life so we can choose truth or lie, obey God or disobey God, ask Jesus control our lives or refuse Jesus control our lives.   We decide if we go heaven or go hell for eternity – what we choose about Jesus:  that is everything! 

If you are born again Christian and deaf, easy become confused different teachings.  We encourage you look Jesus, trust Jesus, believe Jesus.  If you not understand Bible, please don’t worry.  Jesus’ Holy Spirit inside you will help you live right way and your life will show Christ’s character inside you.  The world will see you are different, not same as world.  The world will see God’s love in your life.  No matter if you understand, not understand some doctrines, TRUST JESUS.    He is God, and He loves you and He will guide your life.  If you have pain, He knows.  You can always stay safe with Jesus. 

If anyone has questions, please feel free to email us and ask questions.

Barry and Penny Setterfield

* * * * * * *

Responses

Very good one! Thanks! Having Holy Spirit in us is the most precious gift of all! It's such joy hearing from Him helping us to get better inside us even though it's painful for Him to warn us about our sins to keep us in the right track. Interesting about JW and Mormons...can you show me the verses about their wrong teaching so I can show them if happen in the future?

Thank you!  You are right – Holy Spirit inside us is most precious gift.


Here are some verses in Bible which will help with Mormons and JWs.

Mormons:  Mormons believe many gods.  They teach if a man obeys all Mormon rules then the man can become god himself.  The man can have spirit wives and many spirit children.  The man can have his own planet and put his children on planet.

 
We will write New International Version verse, then King James, same verse.  Then simple English for sign – same verse.

Isaiah 40:25-26

NIV:  “To whom will you compare me?  Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One.  Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: who created all these?  He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name.  Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.

KJV:  To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.  Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.


simple English:  “Compare me with who?  Impossible.  Who same as me?  No one.”  says the Holy One [God].   Look up high in sky.  Who created everything you see?  Person who created them is same person who named each star  and put each star right place in sky.  His power and strength very great.  Because He is strong, powerful, not one light in sky fails [missing].

[note:  The first questions are called ‘rhetorical.’  Meaning:  you ask question but you already know answer.  Example:  “Can a deaf person hear?”  We all know answer is “no.”  Isaiah does same with first questions from Lord.  When we chose simple English, we added answer so meaning will be clear for sign.]

This verse says God created all stars, all galaxies, and He named them and put them in right places in outer space. 

 

Isaiah 43:10-11

NIV:  “You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he.  Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.  I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior.”

KJV: Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.  I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no savior.

simple English:  “You [Israel] are my witnesses,” says the LORD.  “You are my servant.  I chose you.  Why?  So you will know and you will understand I am God.  Before me, god none.   After me, god none.  I, me, I am LORD.  Other savior, none.”

Think about it.  If our LORD does not know another god and says no god before Him and no god after Him, can there be another god?  Impossible!  LORD knows everything.  If another god, He will know! 

 

Isaiah 44:6

NIV: “This is what the LORD says – Israel’s King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty:  I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.”

KJV:  Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.

simple English:  The LORD is Israel’s King and Redeemer.  He is the LORD Almighty.  He says, I am the first and I am the last.  I am one God.  Other god none.

 

Special note about English "the" and "a" -- Is Jesus THE God or A god? "The" means only one. "A" means one, but many others. If I say, "I want a banana," I do not care which banana. Any banana fine. But if I say "I want the banana" there is one special banana I want, not any other banana! "The" also use other ways. "I see the trees change color now, autumn." Because 's' on end of 'tree,' not one special tree but many trees. But if I say "I see the tree change color now, autumn," then I talk about one special tree.  When God says, I am THE first and THE last, He clearly means no one else same as Him. 

Isaiah 45:5

NIV:  I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God.

KJV: I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me.

simple English:  I am the LORD.  Other LORD none.  Other God none.  Only me.

 

Isaiah 46:9-10

NIV:  Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other;  I am God, and there is none like me.  I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come.  I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.

KJV: Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me.  Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.

simple English: Remember long ago.  Remember what happened long ago.  I am God.  Other God none.  I am God.  No one same as me.  Long ago, beginning, I tell you what will happen, future.  Since beginning, I know what will happen future.  I finish establish my purpose, my goal.  I will do what I want to do.

Mormon theology disagrees with Isaiah.  In Isaiah God says other gods none.  All eternity only one God, our LORD.  Mormons say we misunderstand.  Mormons say Jesus only God of this world, earth.  But in Isaiah God says He finish make all stars, everything.  In Isaiah, God says He not know any other god.  Only one God:  Him, the LORD, God Almighty.

 

Jehovah’s Witness theology says Jesus not God, but Jesus is archangel, Michael.    Here are some Bible verses show JW wrong.


Isaiah 44:6

NIV: “This is what the LORD says – Israel’s King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty:  I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.”

KJV:  Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.

simple English:  The LORD is Israel’s King and Redeemer.  He is the LORD Almighty.  He says, I am the first and I am the last.  I am one God.  Other god none.


OK, clear God speaks here.  God says “I am the first and I am the last.” 

Important JW agrees God speaks in Isaiah 44. 

NOW look at Revelation 1:17-18.  John sees Jesus, but Jesus full glory and John very frightened!

NIV: When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead.  Then he placed his right hand on me and said, “Do not be afraid.  I am the First and the Last.  I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever!  And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”

KJV: And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead.  and he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:  I am he that liveth, and was dead; and belond, I am alive for evermore..  Amen;  and have the keys of hell and of death.

simple English:  When I saw him, I fell down by his feet.  I felt same as dead.  Then he put his right hand on me.  He said, “Don’t fear.  I am the First and the Last.  I live.  I was dead but now I live forever!  I have power over hell and death.”

note:  ‘keys’ mean control or power.  If you have key to door, then you can control when door opens and you can control who you allow come in, or go out. 

Who is speaking in Revelation?  Jesus!  He died and then He lived again.  He is alive forever.  And he tells John that He, Jesus, is THE first and THE last, same as in Isaiah. 

In Greek language easy to see Jesus says He is God.  Remember when Moses asked God, “Who are you?” and God said, “I am I am.”  In Greek two words mean “I am.”  First word is ‘ego.’  ‘Ego’ means I am.  Second word is ‘eimi’ and means I am.  First word emphasis on “I” and second word emphasis on “am.”  Seven times in John’s Gospel, Jesus says “Ego eimi.”  “I am I am.”   John 4:26, 8:24, 8:58, 10:7, 10:9, 10:11, 10:14.

The Jews clearly understood Jesus’ meaning.  In John 10:31, they try to stone Jesus.  Jesus asks them why.  Jesus asks them if they want to stone Him because He does miracles.  The Jews answer no, not because of miracles, but because “you, a man, claim you are God.”  

After Jesus’ resurrection, Thomas did not believe Jesus truly live.  So Jesus came to Thomas and then Thomas believed.  Look at Thomas’ words in John 20:28:  “My Lord and my God!”  Thomas worship Jesus, and Jesus accept worship. 

One more help for JW’s who think Jesus is only angel.  Look at book Jude.  Verse 9

NIV:  But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”

KJV:  Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

simple English:  Archangel Michael argued with devil about Moses’ body.  During argument, Michael not dare insult –accuse devil.  Instead, Michael said, “The Lord strongly correct you!”

Meaning?  Michael is not the Lord! If Jesus is Michael, then Jesus not Lord! But whole Bible says Jesus is Lord! 

We hope this helps.  Please feel free to ask more questions if this is not clear. 

 

The Way International

The Way International, founded by Victor Paul Wierwille is  cult.  Wierville  dead now and Rosalie F. Rivenbark is  director.  Cult’s headquarters in Ohio.  The Way International says they follow Bible, but they deny Jesus is God.   They say Jesus only good human, not live forever.  Wierwille wrote book, Jesus Christ is not God.  They deny Trinity.  They say Joseph had sex with Mary before Jesus born.  They deny Holy Spirit is God.  They say proof salvation?  You must speak in ‘tongues,’ – meaning strange sounds and no one knows meaning. 

When Wierwille alive, he says God talks through him.  He says baptism only for Jews.  If anyone in The Way International questions leaders, then person cannot be in Way International.  He/she is “shunned”  (ignored, pushed away) – meaning other people in group cannot talk to person who asks questions, cannot be friends with person who asks questions. 

 

Barry and Penny Setterfield