The official Xinhua news agency claims there's been a crackdown since June which has focused on followers of the Church of Almighty God.
The group has been attracting members for rural parts of China for over 10 years.
'High level organisers and backbone members' are among those arrested according to officials but no details of the crimes have been given.
The Communist leadership in China has previously attempted to end the Church.
In 2012 they arrested another 1,000 members after they predicted the end of the world according to another state news agency.
The Global Times claimed members thought Jesus had returned and wanted them to overthrow the government.
The murder of a woman in May is being blamed on the founder of the movement. It's thought he's fled to the United States.