• Teachings which are not in line with common Biblical principles.

• They will claim their  doctrines are based on Bible but to defend their wrong teachings will depend on some other books or the revelations which their leaders claim they got.

• Unquestionable leadership is one important commonality throughout the cult groups.  If somebody  questions they will be excommunicated or cursed by the group.  As almost all cult groups teach there is no salvation out of their group people will be under a fear factor if they are expelled it will affect their eternity.

• Secrecy,  in cult groups they will keep a level of secrecy which the outer world do not know, and there is such divisions that only the entire fact are know to inner level of people. 

• A good number of cult groups fail 1 John Chapter 4 test, they give different teaching about the manhood and deity of Jesus Christ.  Some of the cult groups give emphasis on any one of the Godhead in Triune God.

• Most of the Cults are having  unusual teaching about eschatology.

• Cult groups do not encourage their followers to listen other opinions, keep away from the true Biblical doctrines,  will not  allow them to study Bible by their own.  The cults have  their own patterns and interpretations to support their doctrine.  They will not allow people to examine the teachings they got by cross verifying it with Bible as the Bereans  did (Act 17:11).  They make people to believe that  the common persons can not understand Bible and only their leader who are having special gifts or revelations from God can interpret it. So the followers are encouraged to  study through the writings of the Cult leaders.

• If people complain they cannot understand the interpretation the leaders will put a mask of 'mystery' or they claim it is mystery or unrevealed subject like Roman Catholic Church use this technique very often to hide the facts from their believers

• As salvation is only through the name of Jesus Christ the Cults add something more or deviate from the true teaching about salvation in Bible.

• If your church is promoting any type of idolatry, may be it is of Jesus's, Mary's, any of the saint's, or any of the icons like cross or rosary etc. keep away from that Church.   

If the fellowship You are attending fails any of the above tips, examine everything test it through Bible, and if you found it is not in line with Bible, leave that fellowship immediately  and find out some body who can help You.  If you have doubts Back2bible is here to help you just send an email to help@back2bible.com