I would like to ask a question about the freemasons. I would like information on and about that organization. I have nothing to counter when people bring up a conversation about what I feel is a cult. I have been a member of the church of Christ all 29 of my years, but it is this area that I need much needed help for even some members of the body are being fooled by the freemasons.
You can learn a great deal about the Masons on the internet. One problem that you will find on the internet is that most of it is written by the Masons. That portion that is not written by Masons falls into two categories – greatly biased and questionable and even-handed with greater credibility. When, as here, a party writes its own history it is fairly certain that it will be biased in its own favor. When you read the Mason’s own record that bias is absolutely certain. For example, it contends that it is not a secret society, and seeks to avoid that charge by saying that it is only a “society with secrets.” That is sophistry at best and dishonesty at worst. It claims not to be religious, but requires faith in a “Supreme Being” (or in some jurisdictions a “Creative Principle). Each Mason is free to interpret the meaning of “Supreme Being” for himself, and, for many it does not mean the God of the Bible. If a name is applied it is generally The Great Architect of the Universe. They do not speak of heaven, but of the Celestial Lodge Above. They cannot use terms that are too “Christian” because their Muslim and members of other faiths would be offended. Given the language it uses, the requirements it imposes, and the promises it makes to performing Masons it clearly qualifies as a religion. As a religion it qualifies as a cult because it rejects such orthodox Christian beliefs as the nature of God.
These two websites will give you more background. The first, Masonic History, was written by Masons. The second, Freemasons, was written by a non-Mason. These sites are provided for information and as a suggestion of where you may find more information. This website does not vouch for the accuracy of these sites and it certainly does not agree with all that may be found on them.
You Must Hear the Gospel
Romans 10:17
You must hear the gospel and then understand and recognize that you are lost without Jesus Christ no matter who you are and no matter what your background is. The Bible tells us that “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) Before you can be saved, you must understand that you are lost and that the only way to be saved is by obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:8) Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17)
You Must Believe
Hebrews 11:6
You must believe and have faith in God because “without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6) But neither belief alone nor faith alone is sufficient to save. (James 2:19; James 2:24; Matthew 7:21)
You Must Repent
Acts 3:19
You must repent of your sins. (Acts 3:19) But repentance alone is not enough. The so-called “Sinner’s Prayer” that you hear so much about today from denominational preachers does not appear anywhere in the Bible. Indeed, nowhere in the Bible was anyone ever told to pray the “Sinner’s Prayer” to be saved. By contrast, there are numerous examples showing that prayer alone does not save. Saul, for example, prayed following his meeting with Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:11), but Saul was still in his sins when Ananias met him three days later (Acts 22:16). Cornelius prayed to God always, and yet there was something else he needed to do to be saved (Acts 10:2, 6, 33, 48). If prayer alone did not save Saul or Cornelius, prayer alone will not save you. You must obey the gospel. (2 Thess. 1:8)
You Must Confess
Romans 10:9
You must confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. (Romans 10:9-10) Note that you do NOT need to make Jesus “Lord of your life.” Why? Because Jesus is already Lord of your life whether or not you have obeyed his gospel. Indeed, we obey him, not to make him Lord, but because he already is Lord. (Acts 2:36) Also, no one in the Bible was ever told to just “accept Jesus as your personal savior.” We must confess that Jesus is the Son of God, but, as with faith and repentance, confession alone does not save. (Matthew 7:21)
You Must Be Baptized
Acts 2:38
Having believed, repented, and confessed that Jesus is the Son of God, you must be baptized for the remission of your sins. (Acts 2:38) It is at this point (and not before) that your sins are forgiven. (Acts 22:16) It is impossible to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ without teaching the absolute necessity of baptism for salvation. (Acts 8:35-36; Romans 6:3-4; 1 Peter 3:21) Anyone who responds to the question in Acts 2:37 with an answer that contradicts Acts 2:38 is NOT proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ!
You Must Be Faithful Unto Death
Revelation 2:10
Once you are saved, God adds you to his church and writes your name in the Book of Life. (Acts 2:47; Philippians 4:3) To continue in God’s grace, you must continue to serve God faithfully until death. Unless they remain faithful, those who are in God’s grace will fall from grace, and those whose names are in the Book of Life will have their names blotted out of that book. (Revelation 2:10; Revelation 3:5; Galatians 5:4)