It is the third largest religious group in the Philippines, after Roman Catholicism and Islam. It is known for its impressive church architecture, with ornate decoration and soaring spires. It is a growing church, and now has congregations in Southeast Asia, Central Asia, China, Latin America, Africa, England, Italy and the U.S. It is called the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), which in the Tagalog language means Church of Christ. Continue reading
We live in a culture where the word cult has become pretty much anti-PC. We not supposed to call any group a cult… unless it is some really wacked-out fringe group obviously controlled by a total nut job. Jim Jones? Cult! Heaven’s Gate? Cult! David Koresh? Cult! But the Mormons? Oh, my… let’s not be unkind. Jehovah’s Witnesses or Christian Scientists? Well, maybe misguided… but really not such bad folks. Let’s not label them with the “C” word. UGH!
In this religious climate, it is important to once again consider what a cult really is. Continue reading
In the early 19th century a Baptist layman and amateur Bible scholar by the name of William Miller conducted research into what the Bible had to say about the timing of Christ’s Second Coming. According to Miller, he conclusively calculated the date of the Lord’s advent. Miller attracted quite a following from a number of different Christian groups. After setting a couple of dates which proved false, he finally settled on October 22, 1844 as the date of the Lord’s return. But that day came and went. So traumatic was this to the “Millerites” that this time came to be called the Great Disappointment. Continue reading
Anyone who was alive in the 1970’s knows at least something about the “Moonies.” Go to any decent sized city and it was common to see the followers of Rev. Sun Myung Moon standing on street corners, selling flowers and raising millions of dollars for their “True Father.” The Moonies were virtually the standard stereotype for what a brainwashing, life-dominating cult was supposed to be.
While the followers of Rev. Moon were popularly known as Moonies, the actual religious organization was the Holy Spirit Association for World Christianity. This was founded by Moon in Korea in 1954. Continue reading
A Persian man named Mirza Ali Muhammad in 1844 proclaimed himself to be a specially chosen prophet of God, and began to call himself the Bab, which means “the Gate,” signifying that he was the open door to God. His followers were called Babists. The Muslims of Persia rejected this new prophet, putting him to death in 1850. However, before he was killed the Bab prophesied that a prophet would arise after him, who would be the greatest prophet of all time.
The successor to the Bab was another Persian named Mirza Husayn Ali, who proclaimed that he was the Chosen One prophesied by the Bab. He took the name Baha’u’llah, which means the “glory of God.” Baha’u’llah asserted that all religions were expressions of worship of the true God. The original prophets of each religion had taught the same truths. But their followers had corrupted the pure message God had given these prophets. His basic teachings focused on the harmony of all religions, and that an era of universal peace was approaching.
Baha’u’llah faced persecution and exile for many years. But he continued to proclaim his message until he died in 1892. After his death, his eldest son, Abbas Effendi, took over the leadership of the movement. He took the name Abdul-Baha. Effendi toured Europe and American in 1912, making quite a few disciples, Woodrow Wilson’s daughter being one of them. Since that time, Bahai worship centers and groups have been established throughout the U.S. and around the world. The international headquarters of Bahaism is found in Israel.
Although Bahai draws inspiration from all religions, it does have its own religious system. There are particular scriptures, the writings of Baha’u’llah. They have their own fast day at the Bahai new year (March 20-22). This is followed by a nineteen day period of feasting. They abstain from alcohol and all drugs. They stress the importance of chastity.
It can be difficult to witness to a Bahai, because they draw their inspiration from so many sources. However, like any cult, they deny the essentials of the Christian faith. They utterly reject the Trinity, the deity of Christ, His incarnation, His sinless life, His bodily resurrection, and salvation through grace alone.
Essential Beliefs
God: There is one God, proclaimed by all religions. There is no Trinity.
Jesus: Jesus was a prophet, but nothing more than this. He did not rise bodily. He is not deity.
Sin: Sin is an imperfection which can be removed through proper teaching.
Salvation: Based on human effort, good works, prayer and worship.
Scriptures: The Scriptures of all religions are honored. However, the Bible is not inerrant. The highest revelation of God’s will is found in the writings of the Baha’u’llah.
Afterlife: There is a hell, but it is only remedial, not eternal. There is a paradise for the righteous.
Truth: There is truth in all religions. However, the most perfect truth has been revealed by the Baha’u’llah.
TRUTH BUILDERS MINISTRIES 