In this period of time, a lot of Christian churches are turning to their Hebrew roots and learning more about the Old Testament. They no longer hold Sunday worship service. Instead they now hold a Shabbat service and honor the fourth commandment: “Remember the day, Shabbat, to set it apart for God.” (Exodus 20:8 CJB) They are beginning to learn more about their Hebrew roots and what the New Testament means in light of the Old Testament.
Because of this these churches are being branded as “going by the wayside” to follow “false doctrine” with scriptures to back up the claims. Their accusers believe they are putting themselves under the law of Moses, which Jesus did away with. They are following Jews into Judaism, which will ultimately lead to unbelief in Jesus as the Messiah. These churches are the new cults invading Christianity.
Individuals who have left Christianity and now consider themselves a part of the Messianic movement are also branded as cult members. I participate in several Messianic/Hebraic Roots pages on Facebook. I read a lot of stories about family members believing their loved ones have joined a cult.
These loved ones have begun to follow the feast days the scriptures talks about, to keep the Sabbath, which God commands, and eat according to the dietary laws of the scriptures. They have shunned most Christian holidays such as Christmas, Easter, and Lent. For this they have joined a cult.
This story is similar to many people who had first joined the Christian faith also. When their family found out they no longer did things they use to do and now follow the Bible these people were believed to have joined a cult also.
If the truth can be told, joining a cult is the answer most people feel apply when someone stops doing what they normally do to join themselves with a group of people doing something else. It doesn’t really matter what type of group it is.
Today, I want to share some things on my heart concerning the Hebrew Roots movement being a cult.
What is a Cult?
What exactly is a cult? Here are a few definitions from dictionary.com of what is a cult:
- A particular system of religious worship, especially with reference to its rites and ceremonies.
- An instance of great veneration of a person, ideal, or thing, especially as manifested by a body of admires
- A group or sect bound together by veneration of the same thing, person, ideal, etc.
- A religion or sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremist, with members often living outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader.
As you can see, the first definition basically tells us that any group of people involved in any type of religious activity is considered a cult. For example, if I followed Hindu and decided to follow Islam, then my Hindu brothers and sisters would say I joined a cult.
However, what most people define as a cult is the last definition. If someone doesn’t believe the way we believe then they are in a cult and we are not. For example, Jim Jones making all those who followed him drink poison and the Waco situation, which ended in a shoot out. This is what most people feel a cult is – the extremists.
What I want you to see if that we are all in some type of cult according to someone somewhere. Even if you don’t believe in any gods and somehow think we just magically appeared, you still belong to a cult according to the second and third definition. For example, if I joined a group who believed the earth can be saved by going green and recycling and everything I did revolved around that belief then someone might say I joined a cult.
It Really is OK
I said all this to say, stop getting bent out of shape for belonging to a cult. The disciples of Yeshua’s time were most likely considered a cult because they believed the Messiah had come, while the majority did not.
Unless you live alone in the back woods somewhere, you are most likely in a cult of some sort. Maybe you don’t like the word cult. That’s ok; we can use the word club. It’s really all the same to me.
My point is to just do what you believe is right according to the Holy Scriptures. In the end you and you alone will be standing in front of your creator to be judged for what you did while on earth.
I will talk more about the Hebrew Roots movement later. Until then, follow Yeshua (the living word of Yahweh) and his commandments.
Prayer Time
Our Heavenly Father, who is in heaven,
Help us not to get caught up on other people’s views of us. Help us to follow you and your ways only. Teach us to walk in the spirit and the truth.
In Yeshua the Messiah’s name, Amen.
Further Reading
Why Fundamentalist Churches are often Cults
Father Images In Cults: Why They Have So Much Control
just cause you was in a bad group don’t slander all folks, the sunday is pagan and you know it and so are most of sunday church’s ,so sorry your wrong to call all a cult ,the truth is torah is the truth but some folk just like sunday ch go over the top ,shame on you to slander the true people that obey God cause you had bad time
the law of moses was never done away ,maybe its you tha justare to lazy to obey ,you like the ez greasy grace that you think allows you to break the law
Vincent, you obviously misread my article and what I was saying. If you had taken the time to read through any other articles I’ve written then you wouldn’t have made that comment. I don’t believe the Torah is done away with. Even the New Testament backs me up. If the law was done away with then there would be no sin according to the New Testament because sin is the transgression of the law. So I am sorry you felt a need to try and belittle me in your accusations.
My article is for those who have been branded as being in a cult based on someone else’s views. Thank you for reading the article and taking time out to comment. I really appreciate it and I mean that sincerely.
Vincent, actually I’ve never been in a “bad” group. I wasn’t slandering anyone. Yes, most Sunday churches don’t follow the truth in the Bible, even though they think they do. That is probably because they don’t know any better. However, the point of my article is about what other people think about those who have joined the “Messianic/Hebraic” Movement. These people feel like Messianics have joined a cult. My position is everything is a cult, including our culture. So don’t get mad when they accuse you of being in a cult. It’s ok. Just follow the Word of Yah and be happy.
Yes, Torah is the truth and those who worship Yah must worship Him in spirit (accepting Yeshua the Messiah, who gives the Holy Spirit) and in truth (the Torah). Hopefully, this clears some things up for you.
Thank you for this article.
It gave me a much needed perspective on the word ‘cult’ ,and its meaning.
Believers need only follow Yah and His Word.
I left a Messianic community that was overpoweringly oppressive in tradition.
The tradition of man, Jewish or otherwise, makes null the Word of God!
You are welcomed. Unfortunately, a lot of people leave God because of what other people require of them. I just try to do what God told me to do and if I choose to do more than I am choosing to do so, not out of bondage. People should consult God first. I have only one requirement and that’s we believe in Yeshua, his birth, ministry, death and resurrection. Everything else can be hashed out. 🙂
Well said Dawn! 🙂
Thank you Lyndsey. I just want people to understand the truth behind this word. It’s all in how you look at it.
These people who believe the hebrew movement is a cult or decieved is because they rather follow mand lies ,doctrines and twisted scriptures instead of the pure word of God.Let the blind follow the blind.
Thank you for your comment; however, your statement is not true. There are false teachers in the Hebrew Roots Movement just like there are in other religions. Therefore, to follow these men is to follow man’s lies, etc. That’s why it’s important to study the scriptures for yourself. That way you will know when someone is not teaching God’s word. To fully understand what it means to be in a cult, please read “The Hebrew Roots Movement is a Cult!“.
Wow, seriously? Have you even read the bible? I am associated somewhat with the messianic movement. What question do you have for me that I can attest to my beliefs.
Tracie, I’m not understanding your hostility. Did you actually read the article or just the title? Yes, I do read the Bible. I don’t understand your question about your beliefs. My point of the article is that no matter what a person believes, there will always be someone saying they’re in a cult of some sort. Get over the idea of being in a cult and follow what the scriptures say. At the end of life you will have to answer to God and those other people will not be standing with you. I hope this cleared up any misunderstandings.