The WMSCOG Doesn’t Tell You What They Believe up Front
In recent interviews with the media, Michele Colon has been very vocal against the World Mission Society Church of God (WMSCOG). The following is one of the accusations Michele Colon makes against the Church:
“They don’t tell you what they are all about upfront, because if they did, no one would join them,”
This statement from Colon is influenced by our favorite characters in this show—the “cult experts.” “Cult experts” teach that one of the characteristics of the groups they label as “cults,” is that these groups do not tell you what they believe in up front and they hide it from you. You do not find out what the group really believes in until you have already been “brainwashed.” “Cult experts” call this practice “deceptive recruitment.”
We should ask ourselves the following question: Does the World Mission Society Church of God practice “deceptive recruitment?” Through this article we will find out that once again the answer to this accusation is:
Jesus Christ Also Deceptively Recruited His Disciples
If we are going to accuse the World Mission Society Church of God of “deceptively recruiting” its members, then we must also accuse Jesus of deceptively recruiting His disciples. When you look at the account of Jesus calling His disciples, you do not see much explanation of what Jesus is actually calling them to do.
Matthew 9:9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
John 1:43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.”
When we look at the biblical accounts of Jesus calling His disciples, we never see him explaining in detail everything they are going to face in their life of faith. According to “cult experts,” in order to not deceptively recruit His disciples, Jesus should have said the following:
“Follow me, but let me warn you. You may face jeers and flogging. It’s possible that you could go to prison and remain in chains. You will be stoned; you could be sawed in two; you could be put to death by the sword. You can be shipwrecked; spend a day and a night in the open sea; you will have to constantly be on the move. You will be in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from your own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles, in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea, and in danger from false brothers. You will have to labor and toil and often go without sleep; you will know hunger and thirst and will often go without food; you will be cold and naked. Besides everything else, you will daily face the pressure of having concern for all the Churches.”
This is the life the disciples had to undergo as they followed Jesus. But since Jesus did not tell them all those things from the beginning, according to “cult experts,” Jesus deceptively recruited them. It wasn’t until after Jesus had them fully indoctrinated that Jesus finally told them about the difficulties they might face.
John 21:18 I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”
If we go by the standards of “cult experts,” and individuals like Michele Colon, then we must say Jesus was a deceiver who did not tell His followers up front what they would go through as a result of following Him. But we know that is not the case. The truth is that Jesus first had to show them the evidence of why He was the Christ and, through His works and teachings, let them come to the conclusion themselves.
Who can explain the whole Bible in 15 minutes?
No one can explain nor understand the Bible and its history in a 15-minute conversation. The fact is that our Christian faith is derived from the teachings of the Bible and we believe in Christ because of the prophecies He fulfilled, as recorded in the bible.
John 5:39-40 You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
Two thousand years ago, Jesus clearly said that the scriptures (the Old Testament at the time) testified about Him. This means that, at that time, for us to understand why Jesus is the source of eternal life, we would first need to understand the Scriptures. Understanding these scriptures is what led His disciples to follow him.
John 1:44-45 Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote – Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
Due to their understanding of the scriptures and the prophecies about the Messiah, the disciples were able to recognize the Christ. But what do you do when a person doesn’t believe the Bible? You would first have to teach him why the Bible is true. Then, teach him why he should believe in Jesus. Then, he could learn about God’s commands and how to keep them. Finally, he could understand about Second Coming Christ and God the Mother.
The WMSCOG does not deceptively recruit members.
I have been a member of the World Mission Society Church of God for some time now, and I can say with certainty that the Church does not hide its beliefs. In fact, we are very open about it.
When we look at the following videos of the WMSCOG being recognized by different state governments, we can see that the recipients were very upfront about what the Church believes in.
The videos below show the Resolution Ceremony granting awards to our Church in different city halls of the United States, as well as interviews with Church members. As you can see, the members clearly testify to our faith in Christ Ahnsahnghong and Heavenly Mother.
You can also see a copy of the welcome message form the Church website. Here, you will find that Christ Ahnsahnghong founded the Church and that we believe and follow God the Mother.
On the same page, you will find a link to the Church’s introductory video. This video clearly shows the Church’s beliefs as well as the history of the Church. As you can see the evidence, the Church does not hide its beliefs and these are easily accessible for anyone to read.
The WMSCOG is not what they make it out to be
The problem stems from the critics’ misrepresentation of the Church. They have their own opinion about how the Church should teach its theology. The truth is that everyone who studies the Bible at the Church of God comes from a different background. Everyone’s experience in studying at the Church of God is different. However, critics twist and misinform the public about the Church’s theology and beliefs.
Let me give you an example. What if a Christian came to you and said the following:
“Come to our Church. We believe that a Jewish carpenter in his 30’s, who was single, hung around prostitutes and tax collectors, spoke against the religious leaders, was crucified (but whom we believe came back to life), promised us life in another place if we eat his flesh and drink his blood, and claimed to be the king of a kingdom we cannot see right now. We believe this man is God.”
All the things above could be said about Jesus Christ and they are true. But without having a good understanding of the Bible, they will not be able to understand why these things make Jesus God. In the same way, those who speak against the Church of God expect that when Church members meet someone for the first time, they say things, which, first of all are not true, and second of all, are an inappropriate way to teach the scriptures.
Let us not be influenced by the mischaracterization created by “cult experts” and their side-kicks, but instead let us believe the Bible. Visit your nearest World Mission Society Church of God. All your questions can be answered through a Bible study.