Written by a brother, evaluate it yourself

I was in a cult called True Jesus Church (TJC). They are nice and loving people, however it is the teachings that is all wrong... They have deviated from the mainstream christian teachings and claim that they are the only "true" church that saves. All other church are false because they do not follow the truth as they claim.

However, being a member in that cult for many years, I have seen the cracks of their lofty claim of truth is nothing but an excuse of superiority complex. Likewise, it attract people of the same personality to it:"those who want to control" and those who are "willing to be controlled based on fear" (not questioning the authority of the so called "truth" that they preaches). For me, i am the submissive sheep taking in the "poison" that they preaches every Sabbath Saturday to the point of falling asleep in sermons (which if you look around during TJC sermon, many of their members are sleeping disciples too :)

The defining moment that i woke up to their poisonous teaching is when I realized that they do not follow what they preaches. It is when i realized that their "truth" is merely good in the pulpit not in daily life. On one hand, they preaches "to look for your soulmate within the TJC church not other church or non-christian", on the other, they allow couples that "seek their companion outside of church" (i.e A TJC church brother dating a non-TJC "gentile" girl) to hold holy matrimony in the church. The excuse the church give is that the couple are already baptised by TJC pastor before marriage. however, they twist their word: Firstly they said "not to date non-tjc members", and when things happens, they said, "it is ok, because they are baptised"? I do not agree. Is it alright, if the brother or sister have gone through the baptism for the convenience of marrying? Have baptism became a tool?

What kind of truth are they preaching? Thank God for allowing me experience this episode in my life in order to see how "true" is the "True Jesus Church". Sadly, many members do not see or feel how i felt. And most of them are still sleeping, they think that as long as the issue doesn't affect them it is alright. because most of the adults are already married before coming to believe in TJC church. And their youths are not really holding fast to such a "teaching". except for foolish youths like me who innocently with a childlike faith believe in the "truth" they preaches.

After I decided to leave the church, i get the opportunity to compare TJC to mainstream churches. It was hard leaving, because you are constantly haunted by TJC poisonous teachings that ingrained in your mind "you will lose salvation, because there is no other churches that saves except TJC" "will you be able to find the True church out there? Only TJC saves". these are the words they used quite frequently in their sermons to emphasize the danger of leaving their organization. it gives distress and fear and helplessness for those thinking of leaving TJC cult. Finally, i said enough is enough, and here i am free from their bondage. I research other mainstream churches doctrine and TJC doctrine and found out that many of the TJC teaching are fundamentalist (ie. believe word for word in the bible) eg.TJC only baptise with head bow down in living water "i.e moving water (river,stream etc), not still water (lake) or tap water (swimming pool)". Where as, mainstream churches teaches the principle of the teachings and do not really emphasize on the precise method of e.g baptism. So, to a TJC member, if you dont baptised in the manner their church prescribed you are "not saved". because you do not practises in "the truth" of bible.

When i do an evaluation of both church teachings and my personal life experience in both church, i came to realized that my view of God is very myopic in TJC as compared to mainstream churches. Does God really send you to hell because you do not tilt your head in certain way or do stuff in certain way for baptism?? Does that means Mother Theresa cannot be saved if she didn't baptised in TJC church method?.... These are the further questions that i woke up to besides the "missionary dating" issue that happens to me personally.

TJC is a church that really appealing to those new members with superiority complex (i.e it is we against the horde, we are the right ones and you are all doomed). if you want to feel high and lofty of your status as a "special" child of God, this desire will naturally drawn you to such a church as TJC. For older members in TJC (>5 years), they are on sleeping mode... things are peaceful until things happens personal to their life then they wake up. As most member chose to ignore such things that happens around them.

So if you want to attend such a church and "survive", you have to be thoroughly ignorant to doctrinal matters (i.e sleep mode). My personal advice is, yes there are loving members in TJC but are few. most are selfish and mind their own business. But don't attend a church based on the love they showered to you, I would advise you to compare, study the bible. Read not only bible interpretation of TJC but various mainstream churches, compare and contrast and come up with your evaluation. Remember: Once you get invested in a church it is hard to break those bonds and get out.

My above personal life experience on TJC is for you to evaluate too. it will save you years of your time, by not going through what i have been through. God Bless.