The Quran
Complete, searchable, and annotated — 31 false passages highlighted and refuted with Scripture.
Read it answered ›Street Preachers Corner — Defense of the Faith — Kingdom of the Cults
Refuting the Cults
Every group below is treated the same honest way: first, what they themselves teach — then the answer from the King James Bible, then a word for the street. “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:21
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The Marks of a Cult
Before the individual groups, learn the pattern. Nearly every cult shares the same marks — test any group against these, and against Scripture.
Another revelation added to the Bible
Cults always add a book, a prophet, or a tradition placed above Scripture. Paul pronounces anathema on any other gospel — even from an angel.
Galatians 1:8But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
Revelation 22:18For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
Deuteronomy 4:2Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
Another Jesus
Paul warned of 'another Jesus, whom we have not preached.' A Jesus who is created, who is not God, or who did not finish the work is not the Jesus of the Bible.
2 Corinthians 11:4For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
John 1:1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
A works gospel
Where grace is true, works-righteousness cannot stand. Cults put the sinner back under law, probation, and human merit.
Galatians 1:6I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
Galatians 1:7Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
Ephesians 2:8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Romans 11:6And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
Scripture twisted, or locked behind the organisation
The unlearned wrest the Scriptures unto their own destruction. Cults forbid private reading unless their publications interpret it.
2 Peter 3:16As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
2 Timothy 3:16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
One mediator replaced by many
Organisations, priests, saints, and systems insert themselves between the sinner and Christ. Scripture allows exactly one mediator.
1 Timothy 2:5For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
Hebrews 4:16Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Islam
The religion of Muhammad — its book is the Quran, examined in full in our Refutation Library.
What they teach
- Allah is one, without son or partners; Jesus (Isa) was a prophet, not God, and was not crucified.
- Muhammad is the final prophet, and the Quran (given 610–632 AD) supersedes the Bible, which Muslims say has been corrupted.
- Salvation depends on submission, deeds weighed in the balance, and the will of Allah — assurance is foreign to Islam.
Jesus is the Son of God, and He died and rose again
The gospel is that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures and rose the third day — the very facts the Quran denies. God sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
1 Corinthians 15:3For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1 Corinthians 15:4And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
John 3:16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
1 John 4:10Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
The Quran's own testimony traps it
The Quran tells Jews and Christians to judge by the Torah and the Gospel and says none can change Allah's words — yet Islam claims those same Scriptures were corrupted. Both cannot be true.
Isaiah 40:8The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
Matthew 24:35Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
No prophet comes after the Son
God, who spoke in times past by the prophets, has in these last days spoken by His Son. A prophet six centuries later, contradicting the Son, fails the Bible's own test.
Hebrews 1:1God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
Hebrews 1:2Hath 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;
Galatians 1:8But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
On the street
Ask the Muslim: 'If Allah's words cannot be changed, when was the Bible corrupted — before the Quran confirmed it, or after?' Then open 1 Corinthians 15 and the Gospel of John together.
Mormonism (LDS)
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — founded by Joseph Smith (1830); its extra books are examined in our Refutation Library.
What they teach
- God the Father was once a man and progressed to godhood; faithful Mormons may become gods themselves.
- Jesus is the spirit-brother of Lucifer, a created being — not eternally God.
- The Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price stand beside (and above) the Bible; salvation involves ordinances, temple work, and worthiness.
There is no God besides the LORD — before Him or after Him
God Himself declares that before Him there was no God formed, neither shall there be after Him. Men do not become gods, and God was never a man who progressed.
Isaiah 43:10Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.
Isaiah 44:6Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.
Isaiah 44:8Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.
Psalms 90:2Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.
Jesus created Lucifer — He is not Lucifer's brother
By Christ were all things created, in heaven and in earth, visible and invisible. A creator cannot be the sibling of His own creature.
Colossians 1:16For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
Colossians 1:17And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
John 1:3All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Another testament, another gospel
The Book of Mormon claims to be Scripture added in 1830. Paul and John both seal the canon against additions — the curse of Revelation 22 stands over every added book.
Galatians 1:8But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
Revelation 22:18For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
Revelation 22:19And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Proverbs 30:6Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
On the street
Mormons use Christian words with different meanings — define everything. Ask what Isaiah 43:10 does to eternal progression, and leave them with the KJV text itself.
Jehovah's Witnesses
The Watch Tower Society (founded 1870s–80s under Charles Taze Russell) — and its New World Translation.
What they teach
- Jesus is Michael the archangel, the first created being — not Almighty God; the Trinity is denied.
- The Holy Spirit is God's 'active force,' not a person; hell is denied and the wicked are annihilated.
- Only 144,000 go to heaven; the rest of the saved live forever on a paradise earth. Their New World Translation alters key verses about Christ.
Jesus is God — the NWT's own problem verses
John 1:1 calls the Word God; Thomas called Jesus 'my God'; the Father calls the Son 'O God.' The Watch Tower's translation bends grammar at John 1:1 ('a god') while its Kingdom Interlinear shows the Greek plainly.
John 1:1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 20:28And Thomas answered and said unto him, My LORD and my God.
Hebrews 1:8But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
The Holy Spirit is a person — and is God
Ananias lied to the Holy Ghost — and Peter says he lied to God. A force cannot be lied to, grieved, or speak; the Spirit does all three.
Acts 5:3But 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?
Acts 5:4Whiles 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.
John 16:13Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
Hell is real, eternal, and conscious
The rich man lifted up his eyes in hell, being in torments — before the final judgment. The same Greek duration word describes eternal punishment and eternal life in Matthew 25:46.
Luke 16:23And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
Matthew 25:46And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
Revelation 14:11And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
On the street
Use their own Kingdom Interlinear at John 1:1 and Colossians 1 — and read Matthew 28:19 and 2 Corinthians 13:14 aloud for the Trinity. See our 'Where the NWT Changes the Bible' document in the Refutation Library.
Roman Catholicism
The Roman Church — its doctrines grew over centuries beyond (and against) the written Word.
What they teach
- The Pope is the head of the church on earth; church tradition stands equal with Scripture.
- The Mass is a continuing sacrifice; purgatory cleanses most souls after death; Mary is mediatrix and is prayed to, as are the saints.
- Justification is a process of grace plus works and sacraments — it can be lost and regained.
Christ is the head of the church — and His offering was once for all
By one offering He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. A sacrifice that must be repeated daily was explicitly ended at the cross — and a perfected sinner needs no purgatory.
Colossians 1:18And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
Hebrews 10:14For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Hebrews 9:27And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
Luke 23:43And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
One mediator — not Mary, not priests, not saints
There is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. Mary herself called God 'my Saviour' — she pointed sinners to her Son, not to herself.
1 Timothy 2:5For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
Luke 1:46And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
Luke 1:47And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
Acts 4:12Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Tradition judged by Scripture, never above it
Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for making the word of God of none effect through their tradition. Rome's traditions receive the same rebuke.
Mark 7:13Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
Colossians 2:8Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
2 Timothy 3:16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
On the street
Many Catholics are sincere and Bible-hungry. Open Hebrews 9–10 with them and ask: if the offering was once for all, what is left for the Mass or purgatory to do?
Christian Science
Mary Baker Eddy's 'Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures' (1875) — neither Christian nor science.
What they teach
- God is 'divine Mind'; matter, sin, sickness, and death are illusions of mortal mind.
- Jesus was a man who demonstrated the 'Christ idea'; his blood did not atone, and the resurrection was spiritual, not bodily.
- Eddy's book is the key without which the Bible cannot be understood.
Sin and death are real — and so is the blood
All have sinned; the wages of sin is death. Without shedding of blood there is no remission — the cross is not a metaphor, and an illusion never needed a Saviour.
Romans 3:23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Romans 6:23For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Hebrews 9:22And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
1 Peter 2:24Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
Jesus rose bodily
The risen Christ ate before His disciples and invited them to handle Him: 'a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.'
Luke 24:39Behold 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.
Luke 24:43And he took it, and did eat before them.
1 Corinthians 15:14And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
No key but Scripture itself
Any book set above the Bible fails the Berean test. They searched the Scriptures daily — not Eddy's key — to prove Paul's preaching.
Acts 17:11These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
2 Timothy 3:16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
On the street
Ask the Christian Scientist what 'illusion' means at a graveside, then read Luke 24 and 1 Corinthians 15 together.
Oneness Pentecostalism
The 'Jesus Only' movement (from 1913) — denies the Trinity and adds conditions to salvation.
What they teach
- God is one person who wears three titles — Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are modes, not persons.
- Baptism must be in the name of Jesus only, and speaking in tongues is required evidence of salvation.
- The Godhead is Jesus alone; the Father and the Spirit are Jesus Himself in other roles.
Three persons, one God — seen at once at the baptism of Jesus
At the Jordan the Son is baptised, the Spirit descends like a dove, and the Father speaks from heaven — three persons present simultaneously, not one person in three costumes.
Matthew 3:16And 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:
Matthew 3:17And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
2 Corinthians 13:14The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
The baptismal formula Christ commanded
Jesus commanded baptism in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Acts' shorthand ('in the name of Jesus') invokes His authority; it does not repeal His own formula.
Matthew 28:19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
John 14:16And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
Tongues are a gift, not the gate of salvation
Paul asks, 'Do all speak with tongues?' — expecting the answer no. Salvation is by confessing Christ and believing God raised Him, not by an experience demanded as proof.
1 Corinthians 12:30Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
Romans 10:9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Ephesians 2:8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
On the street
Read Matthew 3:16–17 slowly together — one verse at a time — and let the scene itself refute modalism.
Unitarianism & Universalism
From the Unitarian churches and the Universalist merge (1961) — reason and 'universal love' placed above revelation.
What they teach
- Jesus was a great man and moral teacher — not God, and not born of a virgin.
- Hell is denied or emptied; in the end all souls are saved regardless of faith.
- The Bible is a human book of wisdom, one voice among many religions.
Jesus claimed to be God, and proved it by rising
A merely good teacher does not say 'Before Abraham was, I am,' accept worship, and forgive sins. Either He is God, or He was not good — the Unitarian middle ground does not exist.
John 8:58Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
John 10:30I and my Father are one.
John 20:28And Thomas answered and said unto him, My LORD and my God.
Not all are saved — the broad road is crowded
Many go in at the wide gate that leads to destruction. He that believeth not is condemned already — universal salvation contradicts Christ's own words.
Matthew 7:13Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
John 3:18He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Matthew 25:46And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
The Bible is God's book, not man's opinion
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God. The question is not whether we judge the Bible, but whether we will let it judge us.
2 Timothy 3:16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Hebrews 4:12For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
On the street
Use the trilemma gently: liar, lunatic, or Lord. Then read John's Gospel — the book written 'that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God' (John 20:31).
The Refutation Library
The cults are known by their books. Here, their books are opened, searched, and answered — the false passages highlighted, the refutation written beside them, and the whole work downloadable as a printable PDF.
The Book of Mormon
Complete (6,604 verses), searchable, and annotated — 20 false passages highlighted and refuted with Scripture.
Read it answered ›Coming to the Library
the “Where the New World Translation Changes the Bible” guide — every volume of the Library is now live: the Quran, the Book of Mormon, the Pearl of Great Price, the Doctrine and Covenants, Science and Health, the Bhagavad Gita, the Dhammapada, and the Tao Te Ching.
In preparation