Cults always place unbiblical rules on attendees. They will pressure others to do things exactly their way or those who do not adhere to their rules are shunned and dismissed, even put out of the group.
When there is contempt for those who speak boldly about the word of God it is a clue that you are in a narcissistic group bent on controlling others.
Cults always have a "leader" who dictates to others, God's church ought not to be this way. Our leader is the Holy Spirit.
Scriptural leaders in the church are not authorities over the people, only the Holy Spirit is the leader in each believer. Leaders as described in Scripture lead by their own example and by teaching, they do not have authority over the Holy Spirit Who lives in every believer.
John 14:26-27 "26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you. 27 Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid.…"
Everyone can be led to teach the Word to every other believer and every believer has the Authority of the Holy Spirit to preach the gospel to the lost.
John 16:13
"However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come."
1 John 2:27
"And as for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But just as His true and genuine anointing teaches you about all things, so remain in Him as you have been taught."
1 Corinthians 2:10-13
"But God has revealed it to us by the Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. / For who among men knows the thoughts of man except his own spirit within him? So too, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. / We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. ."
God said it is the Spirit of Christ Who searches all things, even the deep things. We listen to those who bring the Word of God as He meant it to be heard, and we evaluate and correct someone who brings teaching that is not in accordance with what Christ meant in His Word.
Too many "pew people" sit like lumps in the group every week and never search the scriptures to see if that preacher up front is telling the truth. They act as though that preacher has ultimate authority over the Word, He does not!!!! And, in many cases the people don't actually follow Scripture, they seem to be satisfied with just knowing it, obedience to them is an option.
Isaiah 11:2
"The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD."
I don't see any indication here in these scriptures that we should believe everything a man says who claims to have authority over us.
Acts 17:11
"11 Now these people (the Bereans)were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so."
All of us are called to search the scriptures and pray for the understanding of the Word of God. This is not left to an elite few who have appointed themselves chief over everyone else.
1 Timothy 4:12
"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity".
1 Peter 5:3
"Don't lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example".
Philippians 2:3-4
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others".
Titus 2:7
"In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness".
Proverbs 10:9
"Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out".
Leading is not "authority over", it is teaching, correcting, rebuking and admonishing and in all of this it is edification so that every believer will be equipped to live their life in Christ as they move through this world led by the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 14:26: "What is it then, brethren? When ye come together, each one hath a psalm, hath a teaching, hath a revelation, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying".
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