Question about a church I left

How did you discover it was “more of a cult”?

It seems that all religions and/or churches have very similar characteristics.

RJ Howard said:

I believe I mentioned in another thread that I joined a chapter of the International Christian Church (ICC) and thought it was perfect for me but did some research and discovered it was more of a cult. Therefore I left.

Here is what I'm wondering. I thought that God led me to this group on meetup.com so I could join in fellowship with those people. I'm thinking God might have had another reason to lead me to this group: To help these people out of it. I could be wrong about this too, but I'm thinking this might have been the whole reason God led me to this group on the internet.

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That is certainly possible. Or he may have led you there as a "first step" for you - to get you into Bible fellowship.

Imagine if you lived 2000 years ago as a Roman citizen and God led you to the one true Bible, and the one true God so like the gentiles in Acts 13 - you began worshipping in the Jewish synagogue of your gentile town. Then Paul shows up and leads you to the Christian faith as happened to those gentiles in Acts 13. Each step was God leading.

This web site leads me to believe that church has "issues" --
https://www.gotquestions.org/International-Christian-Church.html

RJ Howard said:

I believe I mentioned in another thread that I joined a chapter of the International Christian Church (ICC) and thought it was perfect for me but did some research and discovered it was more of a cult. Therefore I left.

Here is what I'm wondering. I thought that God led me to this group on meetup.com so I could join in fellowship with those people. I'm thinking God might have had another reason to lead me to this group: To help these people out of it. I could be wrong about this too, but I'm thinking this might have been the whole reason God led me to this group on the internet.

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You're outnumbered.

Perhaps God meant it as an obedience test or a learning experience.

RJ Howard said:

I believe I mentioned in another thread that I joined a chapter of the International Christian Church (ICC) and thought it was perfect for me but did some research and discovered it was more of a cult. Therefore I left.

Here is what I'm wondering. I thought that God led me to this group on meetup.com so I could join in fellowship with those people. I'm thinking God might have had another reason to lead me to this group: To help these people out of it. I could be wrong about this too, but I'm thinking this might have been the whole reason God led me to this group on the internet.

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You've discovered that the ICC is what its critics say it is. However, I am wondering if God might have directed you towards the nondenominational, restorationist movement but not this little splinter group of that branch of Christianity. I'm wondering if you've explored the mainline Churches of Christ or the Disciples of Christ now that you've become more aware that there are differences?

Have you seen things which seem not to be Biblical?

It is possible that any of us can have ways somehow, like people do in cults.

So, it is possible God wants you to see what could be you, too.

For example, a number of church leaders can put themselves over others and seek to control people, though God's word says >

"nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock." (1 Peter 5:3)

Well, I am no church leader, but I can try to lord myself over my sweetie and her doggie. So, I need to see how I can be wrong . . . too . . . maybe like certain high-up and recognized people.

RJ Howard said:

I believe I mentioned in another thread that I joined a chapter of the International Christian Church (ICC) and thought it was perfect for me but did some research and discovered it was more of a cult. Therefore I left.

Here is what I'm wondering. I thought that God led me to this group on meetup.com so I could join in fellowship with those people. I'm thinking God might have had another reason to lead me to this group: To help these people out of it. I could be wrong about this too, but I'm thinking this might have been the whole reason God led me to this group on the internet.

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Or maybe He did not lead you at all. He said "seek and ye shall find". Unless we follow His command, how are we to find the truth ? Your discernment skills are sharp and will sharpen ever more as you seek. When you find the truth, there is where God led you. Meanwhile, you will have to go through the tares. Blessings.

Dear Howard, I would not suppose God led you to a place, when circumstances got you there. I am glad you were convicted by the clamor and left it. Be sure a gathering is truly BIBLE-ONLY (which one can discern by understanding the Epistles and what the New Testament Church (called out company of God) is --a gathering in a city in "unity of the faith" by New Testament scriptural clarity. Mankind likes to invent religious gatherings to please self.
I have found this explained well at the Biblecounsel web site on the Internet. It must be one that exalts Jesus Christ and takes "all the counsel of God" in "rightly dividing the Word of Truth" as God says. One can ask questions there, too!
Study your Bible in the Gospels and Epistles and see what God says about an assembly of "born again" saints, who meet together and value the collective gathering of saints according to Scripture. You can write me at the Conversation site if you wish to look at the Scripture about this and find God's intended truth of His Church universal. Look up always!