AP

Mitt Romney is a Mormon.

It was a September service at First Baptist Dallas.

Senior Pastor Robert Jeffress preached on false prophets, using Mitt Romney's faith as an example.

"Even though he talks about Jesus as his Lord and savior, he is not a Christian. Mormonism is not Christianity. Mormonism is a cult," Jeffress said.

Romney's camp responded, "Dr. Jeffress' comments are unfortunate and certainly don't represent the beliefs of the growing number of evangelical and social conservative leaders... who support Governor Romney."

Today, Jeffress stands firm.

"Mitt Romney is not a Christian. He's a Mormon and Mormonism is a cult," he said.

The problem, he says, hinges on salvation.

Christians believe it's based on faith in Christ alone.

Jeffress says Mormons have additional beliefs.

"Mormonism says that we are saved by faith and by being baptized in an LDS church and by tithing and by keeping rituals by which you ascend to the third layer of heaven," he said.

But not all Christians consider the Mormon faith a cult.

Recently, TV preacher Joel Osteen down-played the distinction.

"I don't think it would affect me. I've heard him say that he believes in Jesus as his savior, just like I do. I haven't studied it deeply, and maybe people don't agree with me, but I like to look at a person's value and what they stand for," said evangelical Joel Osteen.

Most theologians don't refer to Mormonism as a cult, either.

"I disagree whole-heartedly with the teaching that Mormons affirm with regard to basic doctrine, but that doesn't necessarily mean that I consider them a religious cult," said William Lawrence, dean of the Perkins School of Theology.

Still, Jeffress turns to scripture to verify his beliefs.

"When it comes to that basic question, 'what must I do to go to Heaven when I die,' we have to be intolerant because Jesus and the Apostle Paul were intolerant, it's faith alone in Christ," he said.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints didn't have a comment.