1.How does the doctrine of the group measure up to Orthodox Christianity? There are doctrinal differences among Christians, yet all Christians agree upon basic things such as the Person and the Work of Christ, His Divinity, His atoning death and His resurrection to name a few.
Can you get to know the leadership? I Thess. 5:12 says that we to get to know those who work among us. If you cannot get to know them, if they are aloof, independent and unapproachable it is at least a warning sign. By itself it does not mean they are false, but it is an indication that everything is not right.
How is the relationship of the leadership with other leaders in the area?
What is their personal, family and financial life like?
Do they have a good reputation in the Community?

Searching the Internet I came across a webpage dealing with Warning Signs of a potentially unsafe group or leadership. The Rick Ross Institute has graciously allowed me to reproduce it here. I believe these can be helpful to those who sincerely have questions about a group or the leadership of a group.

Please let me gently remind you that not everyone gets along with everyone else. You may attend a Church or Fellowship where you have a hard time getting along with the leader. Please make sure that it is more than a personality clash or a difference of opinion before you accuse someone of being false. Please remember Paul's admonition in Romans:

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Rom 12:18 NIV

With that in mind, here are Warning Signs of a Potentially Unsafe Group or Leader:

Ten warning signs of a potentially unsafe group/leader.
Absolute authoritarianism without meaningful accountability.
No tolerance for questions or critical inquiry.
No meaningful financial disclosure regarding budget, expenses such as an independently audited financial statement.
Unreasonable fear about the outside world, such as impending catastrophe, evil conspiracies and persecutions.
There is no legitimate reason to leave, former followers are always wrong in leaving, negative or even evil.
Former members often relate the same stories of abuse and reflect a similar pattern of grievances.
There are records, books, news articles, or television programs that document the abuses of the group/leader.
Followers feel they can never be "good enough".
The group/leader is always right.
The group/leader is the exclusive means of knowing "truth" or receiving validation, no other process of discovery is really acceptable or credible.
Ten warning signs regarding people involved in/with a potentially unsafe group/leader.
Extreme obsessiveness regarding the group/leader resulting in the exclusion of almost every practical consideration.
Individual identity, the group, the leader and/or God as distinct and separate categories of existence become increasingly blurred. Instead, in the follower's mind these identities become substantially and increasingly fused--as that person's involvement with the group/leader continues and deepens.
Whenever the group/leader is criticized or questioned it is characterized as "persecution".
Uncharacteristically stilted and seemingly programmed conversation and mannerisms, cloning of the group/leader in personal behavior.
Dependency upon the group/leader for problem solving, solutions, and definitions without meaningful reflective thought. A seeming inability to think independently or analyze situations without group/leader involvement.
Hyperactivity centered on the group/leader agenda, which seems to supercede any personal goals or individual interests.
A dramatic loss of spontaneity and sense of humor.
Increasing isolation from family and old friends unless they demonstrate an interest in the group/leader.
Anything the group/leader does can be justified no matter how harsh or harmful.
Former followers are at best-considered negative or worse evil and under bad influences. They can not be trusted and personal contact is avoided.
Ten signs of a safe group/leader.
A safe group/leader will answer your questions without becoming judgmental and punitive.
A safe group/leader will disclose information such as finances and often offer an independently audited financial statement regarding budget and expenses. Safe groups and leaders will tell you more than you want to know.
A safe group/leader is often democratic, sharing decision making and encouraging accountability and oversight.
A safe group/leader may have disgruntled former followers, but will not vilify, excommunicate and forbid others from associating with them.
A safe group/leader will not have a paper trail of overwhelmingly negative records, books, articles and statements about them.
A safe group/leader will encourage family communication, community interaction and existing friendships and not feel threatened.
A safe group/leader will recognize reasonable boundaries and limitations when dealing with others.
A safe group/leader will encourage critical thinking, individual autonomy and feelings of self-esteem.
A safe group/leader will admit failings and mistakes and accept constructive criticism and advice.
A safe group/leader will not be the only source of knowledge and learning excluding everyone else, but value dialogue and the free exchange of ideas.
Don't be naïve, develop a good BS Detector.
You can protect yourself from unsafe groups and leaders by developing a good BS detector. Check things out, know the facts and examine the evidence. A safe group will be patient with your decision making process. If a group or leader grows angry and anxious just because you want to make an informed and careful decision before joining; beware.

Thou art the Christ,
the Son of the Living God

The title words were spoken by Peter when Jesus asked him, "Who are people saying that I am?" The disciples answered that some of the people said he was a prophet, others answered other things. Then Jesus said, "But who do YOU say that I am?" And that question is the heart of the matter.

The confession of Peter as to who Jesus is has been the foundation of the Church since its birth. It is upon this confession that the true Church is built, and without the revelation of who Jesus is there is no true Christian faith. It is precisely this revelation that is questioned, ridiculed and even hated by many, for the confession of who Jesus is points to the undeniable truth that there is no other Savior and no other way to God. For other religions this amounts to a slap in the face if not worse. It is however, the ultimate truth.

History

The early Church had questions as to what the basic beliefs of the Christian faith were comprised of and met to hammer these out and put them in simple form so that it would be clear as to what the Church believed and stood for.

The Nicene Creed was adopted by the Church Council at Nicæa in AD 325 and appears in its present form by the Council at Chalcedon in AD 451. It has remained in use since that time. It states clearly the nature and work of Christ.

Nicene Creed
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, light from light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
and became truly human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen

Scripture

The Bible itself is also clear as to who Jesus is. The Gospel According to St. John records that Jesus was with God and that He was God. John also states that everything in creation was made by Jesus and that He had created the world and then come to this world.

John - Chapter 1
1 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.

10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

In the 12th Chapter of John, the writer there is speaking of Jesus and says that in the Old Testament, Jesus was revealed as The Lord (or more commonly translated, "Jehovah")

John 12:41 These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.

When did Isaiah see the glory? The only recorded instance is in Isaiah chapter 6 where he says " In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the LORD sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory." (verses 1 - 3)

Holy Scripture makes it abundantly clear that Jesus is Divine, that He is Creator, and that He is Lord of all.

No Other Way

Of Himself Jesus had this to say: John 14: 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

A good man will not tell you that he is the only way to reach God. Either this is the truth or it is a lie. If it is a lie, we can disregard everything else Jesus had to say! Why listen to a liar? If it is the truth then we stand in eternal danger if we do not listen!

Separation

The truth of who Jesus is separates mere religion from the truth.

I John 2: 22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. 23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.

If you are of a religion that denies the Divinity of Christ, you are anti-Christ. Further, you have no part with the Father. The key to reaching God is Jesus, NO ONE ELSE! Not Buddha, not Mohammed, not Confucius, not Abraham ..... No One Else! Without Jesus you cannot reach God.

Peter told the crowd in the temple ... " Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:10-12 emphasis added)

There is no salvation in any other name than the name of Jesus.

What About ..... ?

You may ask, what about those people who don't believe in Jesus? People who have other religions? Can they be saved? The Scripture is clear about one thing, only through Jesus Christ can a person be saved. There is no salvation any other way.

Christianity is exclusive. God has given a revelation and we must follow it. Christianity is not anti-Islamic, anti-Semitic, anti-homosexual, anti-Hindu ... God loves everyone. He loves the atheist and even those who hate Him. But He requires that we come to Him HIS WAY.

Understand this, you are free to believe what you want and worship however you choose. If you choose to reject this truth that is your choice.

One of these days however, God will have the last word. At that day every knee will bow and every person will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. It would pay to do it now rather than later.

.And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

WHo is this man jesus?

Why would He be interested in me?

Who is Jesus? This is the question that everyone of us must answer. Not just, "who is he to me?", but "Who is He?" That question has been floating around since Jesus walked this earth. He even asked His followers the same question once saying, "Who are people saying that I am?" The answers to this question were not all that much different 2000 years ago than they are today, for people today still have a hard time facing just who Jesus really is! They said, "Well, he is a great teacher" or, "He is one of the prophets come back to life" or ........you can just fill in the blank yourself. Yet His next question struck to the heart of the matter. He said, "Who do you say that I am?" When Peter answered and said, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God!" Jesus called him blessed and said that Peter did not arrive at this conclusion by accident or even by a logical process of evaluation. Jesus said His Father had revealed this to Peter, and that upon this revelation the true Church would be built.

The important thing in each individual's life is this: Who do you say Jesus is? If you say, "He was a great teacher" I would have to agree. However there have been many great teachers, none of whom impacted the world like this man. If you say, "He was a prophet" again I would have to agree. But there have been many prophets. So many that we do not even remember them all. If you say, "He was a good man" I would again agree. But here is a question. Would a "good" man, a true prophet, a great teacher say, "I am the only way to God"? A good man would not say that. Neither would a good teacher or true prophet. BUT....Jesus did!

Now, either the statement that Jesus made is true or it is a lie. If it is a lie, then Jesus is neither a good teacher, a good man nor a good prophet. If that statement is a lie we can stop right here and not worry about God, the Bible or Jesus. But if it is true, then we have another problem, for if Jesus is who He says He is then our thinking will have to undergo a radical change, for Jesus does demand certain things.

What Did Jesus Say About Himself?

In the Gospel of John, the 16th chapter, Jesus is speaking with His disciples on the eve of His betrayal. As He tries to comfort their fears concerning the future He says that when the Holy Spirit has come He will convince the world of sin. Then He explains, "....the world's sin is unbelief in me."(verse 9).

Get this. Jesus said the basic sin of all mankind was not believing in Him!

In chapter 14 of the Gospel of John, the 6th verse, Jesus told the disciples that no man could get to God without Him! He said of Himself, "I am the way....no one can get to the Father except by means of me."

And in John 10:8-9 Jesus says "All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers...I am the door; by me if any man enter in he shall be saved..."

Here Jesus declared all other ways to God to be invalid, no good or false!

And in the chapter 14, verse 9, Jesus declared that if anyone had seen Him, they had seen God the Father. Previously in chapter 10 verse 30 He declared Himself to be one with the Father. And in chapter 8, verse 56 through 58 He said that He existed before Abraham, and then called Himself by the sacred name "I Am". This angered those who heard Him to the point that they tried to kill Him.

So Jesus declared Himself to be God, equal with God, and the only means of reaching God. Are these the statements of a "good man" or a "good teacher"? Either these are true facts about Jesus or they are a lie. If they are a lie we can disregard all that He has said. But on the other hand, if true, then we must deal with them or the consequences of rejecting them.

Statements by the Apostle John

The Apostle John traveled with Jesus during His lifetime and then ministered the Good News about Jesus the rest of his life. John said that the Hebrew prophet Isaiah saw Jesus and spoke of Him. Yet Isaiah lived hundreds of years before Jesus was ever born. How could he have seen Jesus?

In the 6th chapter of the Book of Isaiah, the prophet writes, "In the year that king Uzziah died, I also saw Jehovah (emphasis mine - the KJV says "the Lord") sitting upon a throne...." The Apostle John applies this to Jesus! If you carefully search out the writings of those who knew Him you will find they believed Jesus was God. Creator. The One who had made this earth and everything in it, including us.

In John's words again, "Before anything else existed, there was Christ...He has always been alive and is himself God. He created everything there is - nothing exists that he didn't make....(John 1:1-3 TLB)

Why Would the Creator Come to Earth?

God came to earth for one reason, to provide a way for humans to reach Him. In His words, to provide salvation. Man had chosen in the beginning to go his own way. By rejecting the Creator, man opened a "canyon" between himself and God. Man could not bridge this gulf even though he has tried throughout the centuries. God Himself had to make the way.

The prophet Isaiah wrote (many years before Jesus came) this description of the problem: "All we like sheep have gone astray"..(this is the universality of sin) "..we have turned everyone to his own way.." (this is the individuality of sin) "...and the Lord hath laid on him (Jesus) the iniquity of us all." (this is the remedy - Jesus, standing in for us and receiving the punishment in our place) (Isa. 53:6 KJV)

The Creator came to earth for another reason - He became one of us so that He can identify with our problems. God understands your situation! He has been here. He knows what life is like because He came and lived with us. He is one of us. Today there is a Man in heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, who knows how you feel, who understands you, and who can help you. All you need to do is lay aside your pride, ego, or whatever holds you back and begin to believe on Him. Ask Him to help you. Ask Him to forgive you. Ask Him to bring what you need, to restore you and to give you eternal life.

You can pray this prayer now and we will be in prayer with you:

"Lord Jesus - I choose to believe that YOU are God.

I choose to believe that you are Creator.

I choose to believe that You alone can forgive my sins.

Forgive me, cleanse me and make me part of your family.

Come into my life. Be my Savior and my Lord.

I receive You and Your forgiveness NOW by faith.

I confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

I thank You for answering my prayer and cleansing me of all sin.

Thank You Jesus!"

Now that you have prayed this prayer, please contact us so that we may be of further help to you. We ask nothing except for you to continue on with the Lord. God Bless You! cclose1944@sbcglobal.net or catcmo2006@sbcglobal.net

Thank You for stopping in this site,group Sites, web sites and other prayer sites as well in holding one another up for prayer's being totally united in everyone around this world, it's about Jesus Christ first and prayers,intecessory prayer's and at other times about this vast world we live in today which this old world as we all know it is slowly departing to be reaching our home in glory.