Orthodoxy and the Cults

OBJECTIVE

This lesson will outline the differences in theology in Orthodoxy versus cult-like denominations such as Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormonism and Seventh-day Adventists.

INTRODUCTION & HOOK - 10 Minutes

This week we will continue discussing other religions, as compared to our own faith. This lesson will focus on Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons and Seventh-day Adventists. Ask each of the kids what they think are the differences between each of the three cults in comparison to Orthodoxy.

While each of these groups consider themselves Christians, they are regarded by Orthodoxy to be cults.

HOLY SCRIPTURE - 5 Minutes

"All have sinned and come short of the Glory of God" (Romans 3:23)
"But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a Gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned" (Galatians 1:8-9)

CONTENT (KEY POINTS) - 30 Minutes

Now we will discuss three specific cults and how they vary from Orthodoxy. For this lesson, please display or distribute the table attached below (Week 3 Table). Additionally, the servant may recreate it on a board with the students as each point is discussed. It is suggested that the servant introduce each group (info below) and then discuss the points on the table as time allows.

Jehovah's Witnesses (Watchtower Bible & Tract Society)

Jehovah's Witnesses claim to be "Christians believing in the Bible", hence their real danger to the unaware Orthodox Christian. The heresy of Jehovah's Witnesses is clearly presented in their books, such as their denial of the Hypostatic Nature of the Holy Spirit which is a part of their denial of the Three Persons. Accordingly they deny the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. Jehovah's Witnesses also believe that Jesus Christ is the Archangel Michael. They say that Jesus Christ Himself does not have an immortal soul, but gained immortality as a reward for His success in the test and for His faithfulness to the Father until death. Jehovah's Witnesses have their own false translation of the Bible, in which they have altered many verses to suit their doctrines.

Mormonism (Latter-Day Saints)

Mormonism as a whole encompasses a mélange of many different religious beliefs, the vast majority of which are contrary to the teachings of the Orthodox Church. Its originator, Joseph Smith, Jr., asserted that he had seen two celestial "personages" in 1820 who claimed to be God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. These "personages" told Smith that all existing churches--including the Orthodox Church--were false, and that he had been chosen to "restore" the one true Church. This restoration included a variety of things, including modern prophets, new revelations of scripture (chief among which was the Book of Mormon), and a calling of a modern group of Twelve Apostles.

Are Mormons Christians as they claim? We can discover if they are by seeing if they uphold the Christian distinctives that are the essential teachings in the Bible. On almost all points from the beginning of God and man in the Garden of Eden to the afterlife, they have a different view than the Holy Scriptures. They believe man is a spirit creature finding his origin in heaven before coming to earth. That Christ is also in the same class as man as well as the spirit brother of Lucifer, therefore we are all spirit brothers. They teach that we incarnate on earth to be offered a way to exaltation where we can become a God on our own planet. We then can have many wives who will birth numerous spirit children and repeat the process as all other Gods did before us.

Mormonism teaches God was first a mortal man He lived on a planet like our own and became exalted becoming a God. That God has a body just as we do. Christ is not the one God, but just one of the many exalted children of Elohim. The Trinity is made up of three main Gods with many more as well.

They also teach that there are as many Gods as there are stars and that we can become a God by obedience to the Mormon gospel. Salvation is by baptism as the gate, and then the numerous commands which include tithing. If one does not repent in this life they have another chance in the afterlife as they are visited by spirit missionaries who will teach them the gospel. But first they are baptized by proxy (another takes their place) in the temple to have them prepared to hear it.

Jesus was conceived as Mary was visited by God the Father and had the offspring Jesus. Jesus then was married at Cana and had many wives as a polygamist. Jesus also had many children and they believe Joseph Smith, their founder, is a descendant of Jesus.

They have 12 apostles in their church structure and the president of the church is a living prophet that can speak new Scripture. So the bible continues to be made.

Mormons believe they are the only true and restored Church on earth, although lately they have opted for a softer view, it is for the purpose of making inroads into Christian Church to draw people out.

They do not believe the Bible was translated correctly and so the book of Mormon was necessary to explain and teach the many things missing and corrupted. Without this translation by Joseph Smith, their prophet, they believe the gospel would have been completely lost.

Seventh-Day Adventism

The official teachings of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination are expressed in its 28 Fundamental Beliefs. Acceptance of either of the church's two baptismal vows is a prerequisite for membership.

Adventist doctrine resembles trinitarian Protestant theology, however there is a generally recognized set of "distinctive" doctrines which distinguish Adventism from the rest of the Christian world, although not all of these teachings are wholly unique to Adventism.

Sabbath: SDA believe that the Sabbath should be observed on the seventh day of the week, specifically, from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset.
- The Orthodox Church holds Sunday to be the Day of the Lord and celebrates Eucharist on the first day of the week, as the apostles themselves did (Acts 20:7).
Second Coming and End times: SDA believe that Jesus Christ will return visibly to earth after a "time of trouble", during which the Sabbath will become a worldwide test. The Second Coming will be followed by a millennial reign of the saints in heaven on earth.
- The Orthodox Church does not believe in a literal interpretation of the above verses and considers the idea of a literal kingdom a false teaching. Rather, the 1,000-year reign is a symbolic and spiritual period that started from the day of Lord Jesus' crucifixion and will continue until His Second Coming for judgment. (Jn 12:31,32) (Rev 20:1-3)
Holistic human nature: SDA believe that humans do not possess an immortal soul and there is no consciousness after death (commonly referred to as "soul sleep")
- The Orthodox Church believes in immortality of the soul
Conditional immortality: SDA believe the wicked will not suffer eternal torment in hell, but instead will be permanently destroyed.
- The Orthodox Church believes that those who are counted among the righteous and the martyrs will enter into the kingdom of God and enjoy His presence eternally in the everlasting life. The others will be separated from Christ and from His grace. This separation in itself will burn their souls. They will be eternally tormented and find no relief.
Investigative Judgment: SDA believe that divine judgement began and has been in progress since 1844. The investigative judgment will affirm who will receive salvation
- The Orthodox Church believes that Christ will return in glory at the Second Coming to judge the living and the dead.

DISCUSSION (Challenge) - 10 Minutes

Why is it important for us to understand other religions and cults and how they vary from Orthodoxy?
Based on the comparison above, it can appear that many Orthodox beliefs are shared by Seventh Day Adventists; explain 1 difference and how it compares to the Orthodox faith.
Do the differences between faiths affect us and if so, how?
How can comparative theology make us stronger in our faith?

Heresy refers to someone who once held the true faith and they chose to divert from the true faith. Example: Arius was a priest and began teaching a different doctrine by his choice.

Heterodoxy means 'different worship" refers to people who believe things that are not part of the true faith, but they did not necessarily choose it by diverging (were never once part of the true faith).

LIFE APPLICATION - 5 Minutes

All cults mix some truth with a lot of lies and before engaging with any of them, your heart and mind need to be Biblically strong. We have to know and understand our faith first and strengthen our spirit before we engage in any interaction with a member of the cults. It is important that we arm ourselves with the verses that answer their misconceptions of the Bible and Jesus Christ.

ACTIVITY - 5 Minutes

Make a https://kahoot.com/ game out of some questions to see how much was learned in the lesson. This will help everyone remember relevant parts of the lesson while at the same time having some fun with it.