Church with No Name, 2x2's, etc.

[JustGiveMeJesus]

Does anyone here know about a group of people sometimes called: Church with no name, The Truth, Go- preachers (because they travel around) , 2x2's (because they travel in pairs) and "back in the day" they were called the black stockings. They meet in homes, but no guest are allowed unless they are invited and then that is only on a mid-week service, if they think you are sincere they will ask you to worship on Sunday mornings with them. The ladies have uncut hair and usually wear only dresses except on these hot days, around home they wear shorts like they preach against.
My question: is this a cult? Does anyone know about this group? I personally am not involved, but a good friend is and there seems to be no changing her mind. Maybe I'm wrong....someone set me straight :feedback

[funmudder]

If it walks like a duck, looks like a duck, talks like a duck, it's likely quacked.

She needs to get into the word, specifically 1 Corinthians. There is a list of legalistic attitudes that some 'churches' promote as the reason they do such in such, like not let women cut their hair.

Every single time they over look this verse at the end of the list:
1Cr 11:16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.

[Kliska]

Does anyone here know about a group of people sometimes called: Church with no name, The Truth, Go- preachers (because they travel around) , 2x2's (because they travel in pairs) and "back in the day" they were called the black stockings.

One of my closest friends is from this group. When I was younger, I asked her if they had a "label" for themeselves. She said no, because the earliest NT church didn't have a distinct "label." They preach two by two to follow Jesus' sending of the disciples out in pairs.

They meet in homes, but no guest are allowed unless they are invited and then that is only on a mid-week service, if they think you are sincere they will ask you to worship on Sunday mornings with them.

This varies from group to group and meeting to meeting. Instead of calling "going to church," going to church, they say they are "going to meeting." They aren't always in a home, sometimes they gather at a building in the community. Their preachers (male/male or female/female) stay at a different member's homes while in the community.

I've been to Sunday meetings, but never Wed. night. Wed. night is more of a Bible study and communion meeting. Sunday nights was always preaching when I went.

The ladies have uncut hair and usually wear only dresses except on these hot days, around home they wear shorts like they preach against.

Women are to wear dresses in public. There are some instances where they deem it less immodest to wear pants/shorts. For example, if a girl has to be in P.E. in school, and they are going to have to do excercises, they can wear sweatpants, or shorts if it is hot. Some groups/individuals are less/more strict on this. One girl I knew wore a skirt even when playing volleyball on the school team, with shorts underneath. My friend would wear pants if we were going bike riding/rambling, or in the woods, running on the track team.

My question: is this a cult?

Well...it doesn't really have one "leader" as most cults do. They pray to God, just as other mainline Christian denominations do. They read their Bible, usually daily. They preach the Bible. They believe in adult baptism. If an adult kid goes on to another church, they still talk to them, interact. I'm not saying yes they are, or no they aren't, because there is still things I don't know about them.

I've read reports from "ex-2 by 2's" that believe it is a cult. I don't feel it's my call. I've heard one thing that disturbs me, that I don't know the answer to (my friend and I moved away from one another years ago, so don't discuss religion much any more); I've heard that they may not believ in the Trinity as mainline churches understand it.

Does anyone know about this group?

Any other questions from anyone? They don't have TV, don't wear make-up, don't wear jewelry. They sing at meeting, usually without accompaniment since they don't have a church building.

I personally am not involved, but a good friend is and there seems to be no changing her mind. Maybe I'm wrong....someone set me straight :feedback

The people I've met that are members are just that; people. I've met "good" ones, and I've met "bad" ones; kind ones and mean ones. As to their religious Truth, it would take a lot of in depth discussion, or pointed questions to find out. My friend once told me I was Hell-bound for my beliefs, but that was when we were very young. Over the years, we had several religious conversations, disagreed about some things, agreed on some...

[JustGiveMeJesus]

Thank you all for your responses.
Kliska.... Sounds like you went through the same thing with your friend as I am going through with mine. I was told too that I was going to end up going to hell. The way it was explained to me by her (my friend) was that a "worker" has to say when you are ready to become a Christian. YiKES!
I know I won't be going to their "meetings" even to see what they are like, but I do continue to pray for her.
Isn't most of these "believers" born into this group? See, she isn't...that's what confuses me.

[Kliska]

Kliska.... Sounds like you went through the same thing with your friend as I am going through with mine. I was told too that I was going to end up going to hell. The way it was explained to me by her (my friend) was that a "worker" has to say when you are ready to become a Christian. YiKES!
I know I won't be going to their "meetings" even to see what they are like, but I do continue to pray for her.
Isn't most of these "believers" born into this group? See, she isn't...that's what confuses me.

:wave

Keep in mind, my experience with my friend mainly happened when I was in grade school and high school. When we were young, she had certain views, and these have seemed to shift a bit as she grew in understanding, and has been exposed to more. As we became older, there was no mention of Hell again (that was when we were about 10).

I don't know about the worker calling the shots about who is and is not a Christian, but it wouldn't surprise me much. Their meetings are pretty much just like a regular church meeting, and also, their preaching is mainline too. The only thing I really noticed is that as they preach, a lot of the preaching touches on their specific views (why two by two, why no church building, etc...).

Everyone is silent when you go into meeting, no greetings or anything, then singing and preaching, then everyone greets each other and talks after the meeting. Their preachers are basically un-married run-of-the-mill believers who feel called to preach. If they feel called to get married, they quit. A preacher doesn't go to school, or through any "training." A younger/new preacher is teamed up with an older/more experienced one, and that's how they learn the ropes.

Most of the believers are born into it, but in my experience, many convert as well. My friends mother was a convert, and I knew one of their former preachers (she's a married member now) was a convert. It is similar in a lot of ways to amish lifestyle, just not as "severe." It can be very appealing, because they grow so close to one another, and their lifestyle can be much more relaxing and easy-going than mainstream life.

Keep in mind, this is no small deal. There are 2x2's all over, in every country, I believe. As my friend travelled, she could stay with members every where she went.

Now, being who I am in my walk with the Lord, I'd present a lot more evidence for Faith in works vs. faith. Also, I'd try to find out about their views on Christ. My friend's brother left their church, and attends a mainline congregation now.

I'd just ask honest questions, and let them ask honest ones to you. Let me know if you find out any other views, I'd be interested in knowing. If you have any other questions to me, go ahead and post 'em and I'll do my best. Oh, and a big ray of light, is they do indeed study the Bible, the KJV usually.

[firstlove]

You can always tell a "cult" the same way. "He who says Jesus is not the Christ is a liar and an antichrist"--that's the bottom line-If they believe that Jesus IS who He said He was in the Word-not a little god like the JW's or satans brother like the Mormans. IF they believe that they are saved by clinging to, trusting in, relying on Jesus Christ-then they may have some doctrine wrong-but they are not a cult.

[JustGiveMeJesus]

Kliska... Thank you again! Honesty... that is such a good reminder for everything. So many times we (or I should say me) are afraid of offending or concerned what somebody might think. I've learned along the way, by God's grace, that honesty is always the best policy. I have noticed that they are very close to one another, which I see as a good thing and I'm sure it is appealing to those that are alone or lonely, such as my friend. You have been very encouraging in your point of view and I thank you for that!
Firstlove... I think you maybe right when you say that they may have some wrong doctrine, but not necessarily a cult. I'm following Kliska's advise and just began to ask some question...kindly and graciously with much prayer.

[Kliska]

Kliska... Thank you again! Honesty... that is such a good reminder for everything. So many times we (or I should say me) are afraid of offending or concerned what somebody might think.

You're welcome! Glad to share some info. I agree, I would be afraid of offending too, often a lot of times, it's actually harder talking things over with people who are close to us in belief, but not quite the same. We don't want to offend fellow believers, and sometimes it's hard to tell if they indeed are fellow believers.

[Kliska]

Oh, one thing I urge everyone who wants to no more about this group/has dealings with them, look up "2x2 church" on Google. There are several really good sites with info. The more I read, the more I do think they are teaching a false way.

[BlessedinHim]

Oh, one thing I urge everyone who wants to no more about this group/has dealings with them, look up "2x2 church" on Google. There are several really good sites with info. The more I read, the more I do think they are teaching a false way.

consider the source of the information. you never know. I personally do not know anything about them. Just be careful and prayerful.