CULTS - A group of people that have an extreme admiration for a person, philosophy or religion. Whether it be pope, bishop or pastor. Let it be a church, organization or gathering place big or small, if there is an extreme admiration or exalting of a person, place or thing it is idolatry.
Jesus told a very religious Pharisee, Nicodemus, "as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness even so must the Son of man be lifted up." This was speaking of His death on the cross and the redemption it would bring to those who would look to the cross and be saved. There is no substitute! The Serpent on a pole of which typed Christ on the cross brought healing to the people, but finally had to be destroyed because the people begin to worship the SUBSTITUTE.
Yes it is true, God uses people, places and things to advance the Gospel, there are prophets, preachers, and men of God. We use buildings to gather in, musical instruments, electronics, the printed page, the internet and many other things. They do not compare at all to "HE" who is not a substitute. John 12:32 "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me."
There is nothing that compares, if we lift any one, or anything, higher than Christ we become a cult.
In the sermon, LOOK, William Branham said it like this; "And today, Jesus said in Saint John 3:14, 'As Moses lifted up the brass serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up.' If you can look upon Him; not as a church man, not as a prophet, not as just a good man, not as a third person of a trinity, or something. If you can look upon Him as being Emmanuel, Himself, Who came down and give His life. And was lifted up, that, "Whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have Eternal Life."
Pastor Bill Ivy - Living Word Tabernacle, Campbell Missouri