Quote:
Originally Posted by Igzy
I was duped because I thought the intense spiritual experiences I had in the LC supported their claims of being "God's best," and that you "could not leave the church."
I've since learned when you get very committed Christians together all seeking the Lord you will have similar experiences in meetings and fellowship.
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Agreed. I
never (at least not initially) thought that being the "only church in town" brought us the fresh, living joy of the Spirit in the meetings. I based that on our consecration and departure from tradition to return to scripture. These exclusive and elitest teachings crept in unawares, perhaps already espoused by others, but not by me.
I have said repeatedly that LC leaders took advantage of the trust which young brothers (
like myself) and sisters placed in them. That abuse of "playing God" with the church was systemic in the leadership. The Lord Jesus referred to this as "
ruling like the Gentiles do, flaunting their authority." (Mt. 20.25 et. al.)
In Paul's letter to Titus concerning the qualifications of church leaders (1.11), he definitively exposes those who would
use teachings for personal profit. This word "
aischrokerdos" is translated "filthy lucre" in the KJV, but it does not refer solely to financial gain. It really means "
fond of base gain, greedy of shameful profit, or given to personal advantage." Paul repeats this admonishing descriptor to Timothy, (I Tm 3.8) and Peter also duplicates this warning. (I Peter 5.2)
And here was our downfall in the so-called Recovery -- Leadership corrupted by personal gains. They placed base gain and personal advantage above the church of God and above righteousness.