What is a cult, from a Biblical Christian perspective?

When a group of people polarizes around someone's interpretation of the Bible and is characterized by major deviations from orthodox Christianity regarding the central doctrines of the Christian faith, particularly the fact that God became man in Jesus Christ. - Walter Martin.

Some classic signs of a cult :

Closed group with no fellowship (accountability) with other like-minded groups. Claim to be the "remnant".

Strong, dominating leader (-ship) who has unquestionable authority over the group. (The head of the organization comes between God and man)

Changing Theology-God & Double Talk, progressive revelation.

No one having joined can freely leave. (excommunication or trial is held). "Us against the world attitude".

Coercion: Systematic techniques to alter beliefs and behaviors. (many include blackmail)

Isolation: Separation from family, friends, and mainstream society.

The group's reputation is more important than any individual. (people are sacrificed)

Group holds: new truths and revelation & all truths and "keys".

New writings that proclaim and interpret these new truths.

Non-biblical Source of Authority. Another Gospel. Gal 1:6

Only the group can act and speak in the name of God.

Another Jesus, a created being or an angel, not God in the Flesh. 2 Cor. 11:4 & Mat. 24:24

Salvation by works, Salvation = Faith + Works.Not the mercy and grace of God. Rom 11:6, Gal 2:21, Gal 5:4, Eph 2:8

Non-Biblical Teaching on the Nature of God (like: God is created, God has a body..) Rom 1:22-23

False Prophecy Mat 24:11 , 2 Peter 2:1 , 1 John 4:1

Deify man (like man may become gods through LDS temple and LDS life, or new age, you are a god)

Humanize God. (God is created and was a man in the past. Jesus is not God in the flesh)

Saying one thing in public, another in private.

Faulty interpretation of the Bible, question the authority of the Bible.

Eschatology, or the Doctrine of Last Things, is overemphasized.

Bible on Cults:

"For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough..... For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve." 2 Corinthians 11:4,13-15

"See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority." Colossians 2:8-9

"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel--which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 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 1:6-10

"Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints." Jude 1:3

"and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 3:15

See the Cult page for a list of Cults

See the Aberrant Teaching - Aberrant Theology

Ref:

https://www.equip.org/perspectives/heresies-and-aberrations-what-is-the-difference/

The Kingdom of the Cults Paperback – October 1, 2003 by Walter Ralston Martin

https://annointing.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/kingdom-of-the-cults.pdf

https://reasons.org/explore/blogs/reflections/promoting-unity-while-discussing-doctrinal-differences