Why Are There So Many Churches (EDIT)

Good information in the video, however, this group is also a denomination although I don't think they want to be identified as that. They would like us to think that they are the one true church and that the rest are just denominations which are not biblical as they see it. Also, I do not agree with all of their doctrines although they claim their doctrine is perfect as the one in the new Testament.

Several years ago a male coworker invited me to go to his church which was this one. At the time it was considered a cult by many because of the control they had over their people. They do seem to know the true way of salvation.

They used to require people to attend so many hours of meetings and social activities per week even if that meant quit your job and find one that would fit into their approximately 25 hours of activities that they required per week. They required their people to invite so many people to their church every week. If I remember right they had quotas to meet somewhat like a sales team. They required you to be baptized by their church even if you were already baptized by immersion in another denomination. They did not recognize a person's salvation before involving themselves with their group.

They were so controlling that some were intimidated into marriage by making them feel that they must marry a certain person that their leaders picked out for them in order to obey God. They were taught to obey their leaders even if the leaders told you to marry someone. People were lead to believe that they had to obey these things, even marriages, or they were not obeying God. Leaders were placed over them that they had to obey even in personal issues and decisions in their lives. They were taught that to not obey these men meant that they were not obeying God. Their submission teaching was sick and strong to the point that it prevented people from doing God's will for their lives. Talk about man made rules! They are against the Assemblies of God and the gifts of the Spirit for today. Their teaching on these things is very twisted.

I went to the church one time at the request of this man. The message was so controlling of the people that it was sickening to me. I don't know how people can fall for this stuff, but the place was packed. The place was filled with people who had fake smiles. The people looked miserable and yet were convinced that this was the truth so they had to endure the control. I did not know it was what it was until I went. The joy of the Lord did not seem present in the people. The only presence of God that I felt in the place was the presence of God that I brought with me. That presence told me to get out now! God actually helped me escape. I believe it was supernaturally done. I think He made me invisible to them or something because I heard that they really gang up on the invited person pressuring them to join after the service. I really felt the presence of the Lord on me as I left. I'm telling you it was a miracle that I got to walk out without them stopping me and I could really feel that. Believe me they were watching me during the service and appeared ready to attack me.

I have heard that the group has changed a lot since then. I have heard that the leaders have repented of their controlling ways, but the beliefs are still in tack to my knowledge. I know they do not believe in the gifts of the Spirit for today. They are really off in their beliefs about women. The guy tried to get me to believe that 1 Timothy 4:1 about seducing spirits and doctrine of devils was referring to women's roles. Since I was mouthy about my faith, I don't think that he thought I should be sharing my faith because I am a woman and therefore not allowed to do so. These things must be done by men only. He wanted me to think that I was under the control of a seducing spirit and believing doctrine of devils.

It sounds like they still don't believe one can be saved unless it is in their church and baptism must be in their church. I'm glad that they have made improvements, but it is false teaching to make people think that they cannot be saved outside of them. I still find much error in this group even though the salvation message sounds ok. I hope some day they will come to the full truth. I believe the Lord has been working on them. They are a sincere group of people.

I am telling you to the best of my remembrance of this group. It has been a while since this happened to me. The video did have good information. I didn't know if you knew all of this about them or not. I just thought you should know. The video, if you take a good look at it, is trying to recruit people for their church. While a lot of information in the video is good, I do not think it would be in anyone's best interest to become involved with this group.