When I first discovered
“the truth”
over 23 years ago,
I began a diligent study to find out about it
historically and doctrinally
because my contacts within the group,
could not or would not answer my questions.
I found nothing except a sect begun in the British Isles in 1897 by William Irvine.
Church history has abounded with itinerant ministers, groups seeking perfection, others desiring simplicity in worship and/or a return to “New Testament” Christianity, and many separating themselves from more mainline churches by choice or by force.
Evaluating these many sects on superficial characteristics would naturally find many with similar appearances and one could possibly conclude that they might somehow be connected in history.
A strong desire to want or need this connection would certainly aid one’s ready acceptance of these conclusions.
However, a more prudent, in-depth and telling analysis comes when one studies the specific doctrines of these sects compared to those taught and clarified by Jesus Christ, the Apostles and the New Testament churches.
What doctrines then should be used?
(1.) Jesus claimed and Scriptures declares “HIM” to be fully God and fully man, of the same substance with the Father, and coeternal, co-substantial and coequal with the Father and Holy Spirit.
(2.) Jesus and both Old and New Testament scripture indicate clearly that Jesus is one Person with two natures, unchanged, undivided and inseparable.
(3.) Jesus is the Second Person of the One Triune God.
(4.) Salvation is by faith alone in the shed blood of Jesus Christ who made full atonement for our sins.
Using a doctrinal analysis, even if you may not agree with these doctrines, immediately reveals a huge diversity among these groups and often heretical departures from these teachings which continue to this day.
Many become recognized as quite bizarre in their aberrational teachings, so much so that they would shock even the 2x2 “friends” as they did the early church.
For instance,
a branch of the Khlysty (People of God) in Russia,
which
Dr. Jaenen
includes as an early example of 2x2’s, were known as
“the Self-Castrators”
and they still exist today,
although over the years their bloody
practices have become spiritualized rather than literal.
Descendants of other groups still exist today, such as the Waldensians, whom some believe died out after the Reformation. They exist in Italy and are regarded as an indigenous Protestant sect. They have received much support, financial and otherwise from other Protestant churches in Europe as they moved from their Alpine retreats into the cities.
Click this link to read:
"2x2 Connected - Now a Waldensian"
(Postings from the TMB)
Click Here to Read: "Vaudois Christians"
If they are related to the 2x2’s, why don’t the workers allow or have fellowship with them??
The Catholic Church, in its perverted zeal to maintain control of its people and keep the church free of ever-present heresies form the earliest days of Christianity, reacted in fear and violence. Yet, it fell into idolatrous beliefs itself almost immediately, one being the cult of Mary.
Because no church is or can be a perfect church, just as no man can be perfect, many groups have fallen into aberrational beliefs over the years. Also, power, greed, ignorance and sexual misconduct abound everywhere as well.
The documented evidence of worker and elder misconduct
would rival that of the Catholic priests,
past and present as well as some of the more notorious televangelists.
And like them all, they have tried to hide it or rationalize it.
This is another reason to focus on doctrinal teaching rather than appearances or practices to judge heresy. Biblical Doctrines are the only criteria that can withstand the test of time and human failings.
For example, let us consider various group’s views on the Person and Nature of Jesus Christ:
The church understood from the beginning that Jesus Christ was fully human and fully God but it wasn’t officially defined by church fathers until the 3rd century in response to the diverse heresies being preached.
Jesus Christ’s question to us is, “Who do ye say that I am?”
If we miss the answer to this question, every other question and answer can’t be distorted.
- The Docetists of the first century denied that Jesus Christ was fully human, yet affirmed that he was fully God.
- The Ebonites of the 2nd century affirmed that Jesus Christ was fully human but denied that “HE” was fully God.
- The Arians of the 4th century, affirmed that Jesus Christ was fully human but they reduced “HIS” standing as fully God.
- The Apollonarians of the 4th century reduced “HIS” humanity, yet affirmed “HIS” nature as God.
The sect which William Irvine initiated in 1897, (but which subsequently overthrew him), has publicly claimed that Jesus Christ was:
fully human and fully divine,
but by that, they do not mean that he was fully God.
They simply mean “HE” was fully human, and as the Son of God, was capable of self-denial.
NOTE:
Please refer to Sydney Holt Letter in "Gallery" to read
"THE DOCTRINE"
of the workers dated April 6, 1992, regarding Jesus as:
"totally divine and totally human."
Here is the quote:
"As we have traveled along in the van over many miles and days, we have had many helpful discussions about the Bible and THE DOCTRINE WE BELIEVE.
Willis has said that from now on, he wants to start his gospel meetings by letting all know three major truths:
- (1.) Christ is totally divine.
- (2.) Jesus is totally human.
- (3.) Jesus is totally sinless.
The Bible is full of pictures which help us to see this picture. As Paul Sharp said, "Jesus left foot prints in the sand by the sea when He walked there, but He also walked on the water and we have no problem accepting both.
NOTE:
Read the "REBUTTAL"
"fully divine and fully human.
After opening above links, click again in center of letter to open it screen size for easy reading.
They have reduced his position in the Godhead, yet deny it whenever the are challenged by pointed questions. But usually, they attempt to evade the question or act as if it doesn’t matter.
If someone is God, IT MATTERS!!!!
Beyond the specific doctrines regarding the humanity and deity of Jesus Christ and the true gospel of salvation by grace through faith, one can consider practices such as baptism, church government views on sacrificial life, how to handle money, views on the end times, predestination, the sacraments, etc.
Now, the variations become even more interesting and specific.
More modern sects tend to repeat the same patterns and diverse combinations of belief of the original heresies with occasional new twists. Many have tried to return to what they perceive to be the New Testament pattern when they have become discouraged with existing churches or have not been willing to come under the teaching of their elders in the Lord.
William Irvine, the founder of “the truth,” is a prime example.
A Presbyterian, he threw everything out the window
and built a whole new doctrine and sect around his interpretation of
This is hardly the practice of one who takes the Bible seriously enough to focus on the precise meaning of words, the context of scriptures and the grammatical-historical interpretation.
It also shows his arrogant disregard for the leaders of his own church and ministry, “The Faith Mission.”
This is the very reason the specific study of Christian apologetics was practiced from the days of the Apostles and that Christians were warned not to give leadership positions to novices.
Historically, any questionable teachings came under immediate evaluation and were either accepted or rejected by the church leaders. If rejected, they were deemed heretical and the people were warned to beware of the false teachers, false apostles and false christ’s, etc.
Today, there is a prominent itinerant ministry that denies that Jesus is fully God, believes that works are essential for salvation. This group is the Mormons.
Ironically, in the early days of “the truth,” many thought that the friends and workers WERE Mormons because some of their practices were similar.
Two by Two, stealing women away from their families and churches, believing that all of Christendom was apostate except for their own group, etc.
In the 1930’s, a Rhodesian woman by the name of Amelia Attmore, wrote a book titled “Secret Mormonism and Christian Science,” describing “the truth” and the workers who had stolen her daughter from her and their Presbyterian Christian church. She was convinced that they were a high order branch of the Mormon Church with Christian Science connections.
Why did she think this?
Because of their similarities in appearances and practices.
Actually, if she had considered doctrine as a factor, she would probably have concluded they were actually Jehovah’s Witnesses, because they both have adopted the Arian heresy………..the denial that Jesus is fully God.
But then, she would also have discovered several other heresies believed by the friends and workers.
In conclusion, the only safe way to check out a church is to examine its doctrines and see if their practices are consistent with their doctrines……as in the case of church leaders who become abusive, manipulative, greedy or controlling.
Ron Enroth’s books on Abusive Churches attest to
the fact that doctrine and leadership must both be sound.
"A Guide to New Religious Movements" by Ron Enroth
"Churches That Abuse" by Ron Enroth
"Recovering From Churches That Abuse" by Ron Enroth
"The Challenge of the Cults and New Religions" by Ron Rhodes
Written by Mary Ann Schoeff, Threshing Floor Ministries
Published in the “Forward Press” in 1996.
When man seeks to control man, God is not there!
