By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President

The apostle Paul identified how you can know whether someone claiming to be a Christian has gone wrong (2 Corinthians 11:4). If they have a: 

• Different Gospel (way to be saved); 
• Different Jesus; 
• Different spirit; or 
• Different authority.

In part 1 of this 3-part series, I identified the biblical Gospel (grace alone by faith alone) and discussed the deviations from this in several groups who claim to be Christian. The major departure is the unbiblical addition of human “works” to be saved.

In part 2, I want to address a “different Jesus.” This test points the way to distinguish between genuine Christian groups and those often identified as “cults.”  

By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President

Christianity is the largest religion in the world. There are groups claiming to be of the Christian faith, yet whose teaching differs from the mainstream. Some view the differences and say, “Do not judge.” Others wonder if the deviation is important enough to dispute or even break unity. How can we know?