Went Out From Us

Q: Is a person truly regenerated if they leave a bible teaching church and join one that is considered a cult? How do you help someone in this condition?

A: Your question is quite vague. Without knowing what you mean by “bible teaching church” and what you consider a “cult” it is difficult to respond to your inquiry. I am not aware of any Christian that would identify the church they attend as anything other than a bible teaching church. Yet, with the thousands of denominations around it makes one wonder what each of these churches is teaching from the Bible. They cannot all be teaching the whole truth and come to the various conclusions they have arrived at regarding the many subjects found within the pages of Scripture. And the Bible is clear that “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints (1 Corinthians 14:33 KJV).” From experience, I have found that when someone leaves a church those they leave behind are often quick to question that person’s salvation rather than their own or what their church is teaching. You may want to consider whether or not what is being taught from your pulpit is what is behind that person leaving rather than questioning their salvation.

I have left no fewer than three churches in my lifetime because I didn’t agree with what they were teaching. It would not surprise me if those who still attended those churches when I left questioned my salvation and invoked 1 John 2:19 to justify their feelings. “They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.” Regardless, I was just as much a regenerate, born again believer the day I left those churches as I was the day I walked into them for the first time. What bothered me the most when I left these churches is that not one person asked me why I left. And, in one particular instance, the leadership brushed me off when I approached them trying to ask them questions about my concerns. Honestly, that says more about them then it does me. If you are interested why that person left your church and if they are saved or not, why don’t you just ask them? It is what I would do, what Christians should do and it alleviates any speculation.

If you go them in love and a sincere heart you might find that they are more than willing to talk to you about why they left. Galatians 6:1 says, “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.” Say that this person is unregenerate; does not this situation present you with a perfect opportunity to be a witness to them for Jesus Christ? If they are saved, then you still have an opportunity to see what is bothering them. Maybe they are struggling with a sin and need the truth that they are forgiven and face no condemnation in Christ, restored to them. In my opinion, Christians are notorious for “shooting our wounded.” What I mean by that is that we are quick to judge another individuals salvation rather than being a friend or brother and sister in Christ to them and building them up.

If this person is involved in a cult then they need you more now than at any other time in their life. When people do not believe that the deepest desires of their heart for unconditional love, total acceptance, meaning and purpose to life are being met through a relationship with God, in Christ, they will look for it in the world. The only things the world can offer are cheap substitutes that can only be experienced through some form of sin. When you are not familiar with the truth than you are susceptible to being deceived by a counterfeit. If a person is an unbeliever or an infant in Christ, they are in danger of being “tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming (Ephesians 4:15).” You, obviously, are concerned about this person. Therefore, go to them and share your concerns. Would it not be the perfect example of your understanding of how much God loves you then to go to them and share Christ’s love for you with them? It may make an eternal difference. Be blessed.