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The Church of Christ and other “Our Church Only” Cults
Do they really hold the Copyright on the Lamb’s Book of Life?
Beyond the independent and denominational camps of the Pentecostals and Baptist, it seems like the Homosexual agenda has corrupted and taken over the leadership of all the other major protestant denominations except for the Church of Christ. And while Biblically sound in a lot of their teachings, they just can’t seem to let go of the idea that they somehow hold the Copyright on the Lamb’s Book of Life. In that unless you are one of them, you are not saved. And like some Baptist, they teach that the gifts of the Spirit (like healing and speaking in tongues) are not for the Church today and are actually manifestations of demon powers. And yet while the majority of the spiritual gifts we see displayed in the Charismatic world are indeed counterfeit and demonic, we dare not throw out the baby with the bath water simply because a lunatic fringe practices the extreme abuse of drowning the baby. Both extremes are wrong and it is even more sinister to use them as an excuse to fault and reject those of us who believe and walk in the true gifts of the Spirit.
Beyond the Church of Christ, there are many Churches of God which would fit the description of being cult like. There is “The Church of God of Prophecy,” whose name I thought simply meant that they believed in Bible Prophecy. Yet after visiting one of their Churches I discovered that they actually believed that their denomination is actually the Church which the Bible prophesied as being God's true Church in these last days. Then there is “THE” Church of God. Not “The Church of God” denomination mind you, (which is a totally different group altogether,) but “THE” Church of God Cult, “THE” meaning “ONLY.” And what an experience I had there? After the service I walked into a room where these young Ministers had people on their knees praying as these same Ministers verbally and abusively yelled at them demanding confessions for the most heinous sins. And most recently I was told by a regular Church of God Pastor that within their denomination there is a Church within the Church which was actually the true Church. And in order to be accepted in that private circle as a member, one must enter into a covenant with the members of that inner circle. I found that very strange.
Apart from these “Church of God” groups, I'm sure there are many others out there which I'm not aware of. Including independent Churches like a certain “Pentecostal Worship Center” I once visited many years ago here in Northwest Georgia. I was basically shunned by everyone there after telling them that I washed dishes at the local Taco Bell as a means of employment. And after the service the Pastor gave me a huge hundred page book which explained the process of becoming a member of their Church. A person was required to sign permission and release forms for a back ground check which included giving references of all your relatives and past neighbors for the last 15 years so they could call and/or contact them to investigate you. Then if you passed the back ground check, the next step would be going before the Church Counsel to be interviewed and questioned. And if that interrogation was passed, there was yet another committee to be interrogated by. And after that you had to pass a probation period before finally being accepted as a member. I remember thinking that joining the C.I.A. would have been easier. I mean if these people were the disciples of Jesus in His earthly Ministry, all those poor sinners who Jesus healed and forgave would have never had a chance to get near Him.
Then of course there are all those “Sacred Name” groups claiming that theirs is the only true Church. And over the last few years I've met several people from various other groups whose women wear head coverings and whose men have long beards. And while I am not opposed at all to their outward appearances of inner purity, I have had only negative experiences dealing with their holier than thou contempt for others who do not meet their personal standards. Many of these types are no better than a lot of these fashion show/social club Pentecostals and Baptist out there who put the capital “H” in Hypocrisy.
So in conclusion I would warn against any religious system which claims that your salvation depends upon being a member of their Church. Speaking of His own followers, Jesus said: “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18-20) Thus, a true Christian Church is any gathering of two or more true Believers in the name of and/or for the cause of Jesus Christ and His righteousness. Though the Articles and Poetic Contemplations on this Website are copyrighted, you are most welcome to make printed copies for free distribution only according to these conditions: You must copy them in their entirety, including the copyright notice at the end of each poem along with this notice of permission. Thank You. RemnantLifeMinistries.Net <<<<{{{{((((((((R.L.M.)))))))}}}}>>>> |