The Basics
Salvation
For New Christians
Foundational Basics
Structural Truths
Solid Building Blocks
Study Courses
Christian Discipleship
Christian Values
New Testament Study
Old Testament Study
Kingdom Principles
The Holy Spirit
Spiritual Warfare
The Apostle Paul
End Time Events
The Calling Of God
Contending for the Faith
Wolves in Sheepskin
Bible Topics A-Z
Studies in the Word
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Contents
A comparison chart of
several Cults and their basic teachings - with Biblical Christian doctrines.
(
I am not the author of this chart.
The author is unknown to me
- E.L. Davis )
Jehovah's Witnesses
Mormonism
Christian Science
The Way International
Islam
Armstrongism
Hinduism
Buddhism
Scientology
Jehovah's Witnesses
Biblical
Christianity
-Concerning-
|
-They
teach-
|
-Refutes-
|
Who is God |
One person God,
called Jehovah.
There is no
Trinity. Jesus was created |
John 1:1-3,14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the
Word was God.
2. The same was
in the beginning with God.
3. All things
were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was
made.
Vs.14 And the
Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the
glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. |
Jesus is not God |
Before Bethlehem
birth Jesus was Michael the archangel |
Hebrews 1:5,13
For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son,
this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father,
and he shall be to me a Son?
13. But to
which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I
make thine enemies thy footstool? |
Jesus was
created |
Jehovah created
Jesus |
Hebrews 1:8-10
But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a
sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
9. Thou hast
loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God,
hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
10. And, Thou,
Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the
heavens are the works of thine hands: |
His death |
Jesus never died
on a cross |
Matthew 27:32
And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him
they compelled to bear his cross.
Mark 15:32 Let
Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see
and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him |
His Resurrection |
Jesus was raised
only as a spirit, his body was destroyed. |
Luke 24:37-43
But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had
seen a spirit.
38. And he said
unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your
hearts?
39. Behold my
hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a
spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
40. And when he
had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.
41. And while
they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have
ye here any meat?
42. And they
gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.
43. And he took
it, and did eat before them. |
The 2nd coming
of Jesus |
Jesus returned
"invisibly" as a spirit in 1914 |
Mark 13:32 "But
of that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor
the Son, but only the Father.
Revelation 1:7
Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, and
they also who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn
because of Him. Even so, Amen. |
The Holy Spirit |
Holy Spirit is
God's Active Force, not a person |
Acts 13:3 As
they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate
me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
Acts 5:3-4 But
Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to
the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
4. Whiles it
remained, was it not thine own? And after it was sold, was it not in
thine own power? Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart?
Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. |
______________________
Mormonism
Biblical
Christianity
(Church
of Jesus Christ Latter day Saints)
-Concerning-
|
-They
teach-
|
-Refutes-
|
Who is God |
God the Father
was once a man, but became God, He has a physical Body as does his
wife. |
Psalms 90:2
Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst
formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to
everlasting, thou art God. |
|
John 4:24 God
is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and
in truth.
Numbers 23:19
God is not a man, that he should lie;
|
Who is Jesus |
Jesus is a
separate god from the Father, He was created as a spirit child by the
Father and his heavenly wife and is a spirit brother of Lucifer, who
became Satan. |
Jesus was
never created, He has always been with God the Father as God the
Son, the 2nd. Person of the trinity. |
|
John 1:1-3,14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the
Word was God.
The same was in
the beginning with God.
All things were
made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Vs.14 And the
Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the
glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
1 Timothy 3:16
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was
manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels,
preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into
glory.
Lucifer is a
fallen Angel.
Jesus was never
an angel.
Hebrews 1:5,13 For
unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son,
this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father,
and he shall be to me a Son?
13. But to
which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand,
until I make thine enemies thy |
|
|
The birth of
Jesus |
Elohim, the
father God came to the earth and had sex with the virgin Mary, who was
no longer a virgin |
Matthew 1:23
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son,
and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God
with us.
Luke 1:35 And
the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon
thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore
also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the
Son of God.
If Mary had
physical sex with God then she would have been committing
adultery. God's word says thou shalt not commit adultery. If God
has commanded us not to commit adultery, then He is not going to
break His own commandments and cause another to do so. |
|
|
Salvation |
The death of
Jesus on the cross, does not provide full atonement for all sin, it
does provide everyone with resurrection.
There is no
salvation outside of the Mormon church (church of Jesus Christ of
latter day saints).
Salvation is by
works, including faithfulness to church leaders, baptism, tithing,
ordination, marriage, and secret temple rites.
The shed blood
of Christ is inadequate to atone for all of the sins of man. |
Ephesians 1:7
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of
sins, according to the riches of his grace;
1 John 1:7 But
if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one
with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from
all sin.
Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:
it is the gift of God:
9. Not of
works, lest any man sould boast. |
______________________
Christian
Science Biblical
Christianity
-Concerning-
|
-They
teach-
|
-Refutes-
|
Who is God |
God is an
impersonal principle of life, truth, love, intelligence, and
spirit. God is all that truly exists
(matter is just
an illusion) |
Genesis 1:1 In
the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
Psalms 102:25
Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens
are the work of thy hands.
Genesis 1:16-18
And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of
the garden thou mayest freely eat:
17. But of the
tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for
in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
18. And the
Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will
make him an help meet for him. |
Who is Jesus |
Jesus was not
the Christ, but a man who displayed the Christ idea. Christ means
perfection, not a person. Jesus was not God the Son. |
Matthew 16:20
Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he
was Jesus the Christ.
John 1:17 For
the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
John 1:1-3,14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the
Word was God.
2. The same was
in the beginning with God.
3. All things
were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was
made.
Vs.14 And the
Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the
glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
16. And without
controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the
flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the
Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. |
The suffering of
Jesus |
Jesus did not
nor could not suffer for sins. |
1 Peter 1:11
Searching what, or what manner of time the spirit of Christ which was
in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of
Christ, and the glory that should follow.
1 Perter 3:18
For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust,
that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but
quickened by the spirit: |
The death of
Jesus |
Jesus did not
die on the cross. |
Matthew 27:35
And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that
it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my
garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.
Matthew 27:50
Jesus, when He had cried out again with a loud voice, yielded up His
spirit. |
The resurrection
of Jesus |
Jesus was not
resurrected. |
1 Corinthians
15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also
received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the
scriptures;
4. And that he
was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the
scriptures: |
The return of
Jesus |
Jesus will not
literally return. |
Acts 1:11 Which
also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this
same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in
like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
1 Thessalonians
4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout,
with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the
dead in Christ shall rise first: (see Revelation 19:11-16) |
Salvation |
Humanity is
already eternally saved. Sin, evil, sickness, and death are not real. |
Romans 3:10 As
it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
11. There is
none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
12. They are
all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there
is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Romans 3:23 For
all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord. |
Heaven and Hell |
Heaven and Hell
are states of the mind |
1 Peter 3:22
Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and
authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
Luke 6:23-24
And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham
afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24. And he
cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus,
that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue;
for I am tormented in this flame. |
______________________
The
Way International Biblical
Christianity
-Concerning-
|
-They
teach-
|
-Refutes-
|
Who is God |
God is not a
trinity, they deny the deity of Christ and the third person of the God
Head the Holy Spirit.
|
1 John 5:7 For
there are three who bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and
the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.
John 1:1-2 In
the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word
was God.
2. He was in
the beginning with God.
|
John 1:14
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we
beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,
full of grace and truth. |
|
Hebrews 1:8-9
But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever:
a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
9. Thou hast
loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God,
hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. |
The Holy Spirit |
The Holy
Spirit is holy spirit, a gift to replace man's spirit which was
lost at the fall of man. |
Acts 5:3-4 But
Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to
the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the
land?
4. Whiles it
remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in
thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart?
thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
Ephesians 4:30.
And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed
unto the day of redemption.
Acts 16:6 Now
when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and
were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,
|
Who is Jesus |
Jesus Christ's
existence began when He was conceived by God's creating the soul-life
of Jesus in Mary." |
John 6:38 For
I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will
of him
that sent me.
John 8:58
Jesus said to them, verily verily. I say unto you. before Abraham
was, I am.
John 17:5 And
now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self, with the glory
which I had
with thee before the world was.
|
Salvation |
Rather than
emphasizing salvation through faith in Christ, Wierwille
artificially separated "faith" from "believing." He taught a very
mechanical view of faith in Christ - a mere intellectual or mental
assent to biblical, historical facts. He also redefined repentance as
just confession and belief. Thus, salvation does not involve
repentance of sins but only doing "the will of God" (The Bible
Tells Me So, p. 18; Jesus Christ Is God, pp. 238-57).
Like Jehovah's
Witnesses, the Way also teaches that the soul is the body's life force
which is in the blood and that the dead cease to exist (Ibid.,
pp. 258-90).
|
Acts 20:21
Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance
toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 3:19 Repent
ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be
blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence
of the Lord.
Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves: it is the gift of God:
|
Not of
works, lest any man should boast. |
Revelation
6:9-10 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar
the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for
the testimony which they held:
And they
cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true,
dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the
earth?
Matthew 17:3.
And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with
him. ( Moses died hundreds of yrs. before Jesus). Elijah went to
heaven in a chariot, alive.
|
______________________
Islam
Biblical
Christianity
-Concerning-
|
-They
teach-
|
-Refutes-
|
Who is God |
God (Allah) is
one. Allah is a severe judge (though sometimes merciful) and is not
depicted as a loving Father |
I John 4:8-10
He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
9. In this was
manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only
begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
10.Herein is
love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to
be the propitiation for our sins.
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count
slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any
should perish but that all should come to repentance.
Matthew 5:44-45
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do
good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use
you, and persecute you;
45. That ye may
be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his
sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just
and on the unjust.
What a
contrast between the god of the Muslims, which teaches to hate your
enemy and the God of the Christian which teaches to love your enemy. |
Who is Jesus |
Jesus was one of
124,000 prophets sent to various cultures, not the Son of God. |
John 3:16-17
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting
life.
17. For God
sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the
world through him might be saved.
John 20:31 But
these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the
Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
Hebrews 1:1-2
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past
unto the fathers by the prophets,
2. Hath in
these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed
heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
|
The Deity of
Jesus Christ |
Jesus was not
divine or God Himself |
John 1:1-3 In
the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word
was God.
2. The same was
in the beginning with God.
3. All things
were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was
made.
Vs. 14 And the
Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the
glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
1 Timothy 3:16
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was
manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels,
preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into
glory.
Hebrews 1:8-10
But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever:
a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
9. Thou hast
loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God,
hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
10. And, Thou,
Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the
heavens are the works of thine hands: |
The death and
Resurrection of Jesus |
Jesus was never
crucified. He went to heaven without dying. |
John 19:16-18
Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they
took Jesus, and led him away.
17. And he
bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull,
which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:
18. Where they
crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus
in the midst.
Revelation 1:18
I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for
evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
John 19:32-33
Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the
other which was crucified with him.
33. But when
they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not
his legs:
1 Corinthians
15:3-4 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also
received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the
scriptures;
4. And that he
was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the
scriptures: |
The 2nd.
Coming of Jesus Christ. |
Jesus will
return in the future to live and die. |
1 Thessalonians
4:16-17 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout,
with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the
dead in Christ shall rise first:
17. Then we
which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in
the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with
the Lord.
Revelation 1:18
I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for
evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. |
Salvation |
Humans are
basically good, but fallible and need guidance. The balance between
good and bad deeds determines eternal destiny in paradise or hell. |
Romans 3:10-12
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
11. There is
none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
|
They are all
gone out of the way |
|
they are
together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no,
not one. |
John 3:36 He
that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth
not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
1 John 5:11-12
And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and
this life is in his Son.
|
12. He that
hath the Son hath life; and |
|
he that hath
not the Son of God hath not life. |
|
The Holy Spirit |
The Qur'an
refers to Jesus as the spirit of God. Muslim scholars see the angel
Gabriel as the Holy Spirit. |
Acts 5:3-4 But
Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to
the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
4. Whiles it
remained, was it not thine own? And after it was sold, was it not in
thine own power? Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart?
Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
Matthew 3:16-17
And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the
water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the
Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
17. And lo a
voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well
pleased. |
_____________________
Armstrongism
Biblical
Christianity
-Concerning-
|
-They
teach-
|
-Refutes-
|
Who is God |
Herbert
Armstrong defined God as a family of individuals.
Armstrong denied
the trinity |
Deuteronomy 6:4
Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord: |
Who is Jesus |
Armstrong
suggested that Jesus would return in 1975. Some groups that still
follow Armstrong's original teachings, say that Jesus was not
resurrected physically and that He is the only one who has been born
again. |
John 3:3 Jesus
answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a
man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
1 Peter 1:23
Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by
the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever
Luke 24:37-43
But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had
seen a spirit.
38 And he said
unto them, Why are ye troubled? And why do thoughts arise in your
hearts?
39 Behold my
hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a
spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
40 And when he
had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.
41 And while
they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have
ye here any meat?
42 And they
gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.
43 And he took
it, and did eat before them.
|
The Holy Spirit |
Armstrong taught
that Holy Spirit is an impersonal force. |
John 14:26 "But
the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name,
He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all
things that I said to you. |
Salvation |
Armstrong
followers must recognize Old Test. Sabbath days, feast days, and
dietary prohibitions - no pork, shell fish etc. |
|
|
Romans 10:3-4
For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to
establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto
the righteousness of God.
4. For Christ
is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:
it is the gift of God:
9. Not of
works, lest any man should boast. |
Anglo-Israelism |
The book,
"The United States and the British Commonwealth in Prophecy"
outlines the teaching that Britain and the United States are the
lost ten tribes of Israel. In this teaching of "British Israelism",
the tribe of Ephraim becomes Great Britain, Manasseh is the United
States, and the throne of David is the throne of England. |
|
|
Philippians 3:5
Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of
Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a
Pharisee;
2 Corinthians
11:22 Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am
I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.
Acts 21:39 But
Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in
Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city:
Matthew 27:37
And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE
KING OF THE JEWS.
Vs.42 He saved
others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel,
let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.
Hebrew-Israelite-Jew, all mean the same.
|
______________________
Hinduism
Biblical
Christianity
No one
founder-many sects
-Concerning-
|
-They teach- |
-Refutes-
|
Who is God |
God is “the
Absolute” a universal spirit. Everyone is part of God
(Brahman) like
drops in the sea.
People worship
manifestations of Brahaman - gods and goddesses.
People are God
but are unaware of it. |
|
Who is Jesus |
Jesus Christ
is a teacher, a guru. He is a son of God as are all the others. |
John 3:16,
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have
everlasting life.
|
Concerning the
death and Resurrection Of Jesus |
His death
didn't atone for sin.
He died and
never rose from the dead. |
Matthew 26:28
For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for
many for the remission of sins.
Romans 5:8-9
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet
sinners, Christ died for us.
9. Much more
then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved
from wrath through him.
1 Corinthians
15:3-8 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also
received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the
scriptures;
4. And that
he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the
scriptures:
5. And that
he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
6. After
that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom
the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen
asleep.
7. After
that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
8. And last
of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. |
Salvation |
Released from
the cycles of reincarnation. Achieved through yoga and meditation.
Can take many life times. Final salvation is absorption or union
with Brahman |
John 3:16, 36
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have
everlasting life.
36. He that
believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth
not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
|
At death |
Reincarnation
into a better status
(good karma)
if one has behaved well in life. If one was bad, they can be reborn
and pay for past sins
(bad karma) by
suffering. |
Hebrews 9:27
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the
judgment: |
Other beliefs
and practices |
Some disciples
wear orange robes, and have shaved heads. Many Hindus worship stone
and wooden idols in temples. Gurus demand complete obedience.
Disciples meditate on a word, phrase, or picture. Yoga involves
meditation, chanting, postures, breathing exercises. Foundation of
New Age and Transcendental Meditation |
|
Buddhism
Biblical
Christianity
-Concerning-
|
-They teach- |
-Refutes-
|
Who is God |
Buddhism is
mostly atheistic. Many buddhists do not believe in a God or Supreme
Being of any kind. Others speak of the Buddha as a universal
enlightened consciousness or as a god. |
Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh
to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that
diligently seek him.
Romans 1:19-20
since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has
made it plain to them.
20. For since
the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power
and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what
has been made, so that men are without excuse. |
Who is Jesus |
Jesus Christ is
not a part of this belief. Buddhists in the West generally view Jesus
as an enlightened man |
John 3:16, 36
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting
life.
36. He that
believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not
the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. |
Salvation |
Goal of life is
Nirvana, to eliminate all desires or cravings, and in this way escape
suffering. The Eightfold Path is a system to free Buddhists from
desiring anything |
John 3:16, 36
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting
life.
36. He that
believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not
the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. |
At death |
People do not
have a soul or spirit. However, one's desires and feelings may be
reincarnated into another person. No heaven or hell. |
Revelation
6:9-10 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar
the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the
testimony which they held:
10. And they
cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost
thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
Hebrews 9:27
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the
judgment:
Luke 16:23-24
And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham
afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24. And he
cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus,
that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue;
for I am tormented in this flame.
|
Other beliefs |
Eightfold Path
recommends right knowledge, intentions, speech, conduct, livelihood,
right effort, mindfulness, and meditation. Some Buddhist groups talk
about an eternal Buddha (life force). Some Buddhist offshoots include
Zen, Nichiren, Shoshu, and Tibetan (occultic) Buddhism. |
|
______________________
Church of
scientology
Biblical Christianity
-Concerning-
|
-They teach- |
-Refutes-
|
Who is God |
Does not define
God or Supreme Being, but rejects Biblical description of God.
Everyone is a "thetan," an immortal spirit with unlimited powers over
its own universe, but not all are aware of this..
|
Genesis 1:1 In
the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
Romans 1:19-21
Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God
hath shewed it unto them.
21. For the
invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly
seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal
power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
22. Because
that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were
thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish
heart was darkened. |
Who is Jesus |
Jesus is rarely
mentioned in Scientology. Jesus was not the Creator, and not an
"operating thetan" (in control of supernatural powers, cleared from
mental defects). Did not die for sins. |
Hebrews 1:1-2
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past
unto the fathers by the prophets,
2. Hath in
these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir
of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
1 Corinthians
15:3-5 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also
received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the
scriptures;
4. And that he
was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the
scriptures:
5. And that he
was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: |
The Holy Spirit |
The Holy Spirit
is not a part of this belief. |
|
Salvation |
No sin or need
to repent. Salvation is freedom from reincarnation. One must work
with an "auditor" on his "engrams" (hang-ups) to achieve the state of
"clear," then progress up the "bridge to total freedom." |
Acts 20:18-20
To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from
the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of
sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is
in me.
19. Whereupon,
O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:
20. But shewed
first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the
coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent
and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
Romans 1:16-17
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of
God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and
also to the Greek.
17. For therein
is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is
written, The just shall live by faith.
|
At death |
Hell is a myth.
People who get clear of engrams become operating thetans |
Revelation 20:15
And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into
the lake of fire.
Luke 16:22-24
And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the
angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
23. And in hell
he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off,
and Lazarus in his bosom.
24. And he
cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus,
that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue;
for I am tormented in this flame. |
In Christ's Service
E.L. Davis
|