This guestbook has some interesting quotes which are a bit unlike the typical ICC mindset, such as "I hope and pray that all of those who fell away are blameless in their reasons." I get the impression many ICC leaders consider this impossible. But take a look at some of the other remarks here; most of them don't need much of any commentary...
Name: Justin Roykovich
Website:
Referred by: Net Search
From: NJ
Time: 1998-07-07 02:48:44
Comments: Hello, my name is Justin. I am 17 and have been a member of the ICC for 3 years. I do find this page extremely encouraging for the reason that it shows how much the ICC is impacting the world. Satan has always tried to bring down Jesus and his ministry, so why should it be any different for Jesus's church in modern day? All of these negative comments are told about in the Bible, and are expected from God, Jesus and every member of the kingdom. It also shows me that Satan will stop at nothing to try to stop the kingdom until God throws him into the firery furnace. But to all of you people out there who are trying to stop the church I wish you the best of luck. I wish I had your strength to fight against God like the way you do! But I have one last thing to say, DISCIPLES ROCK!
Name: Kelly
Website:
Referred by: Just Surfed On In
From: Baltimore, MD
Time: 1998-04-03 17:54:34
Comments: Hi am currently and always plan on being a member of the ICOC. The comments and articles I have just read did not shock me or discourage me because that is what I expect to read. The ex-members or the people who have had "run-ins" with disciples have a bitter heart not toward the International Church of Christ but towards GOD. Yes, you may not see it but you are battling against the Bible. Any problem you have with the church is because you chose not to except the word. Most fall aways refuse to give up their sinful life. For what reason I do not know. I guess they would rather a have sex with men that are not their husbands, get pregnant unexceptly, get some type of sexual diease or hurt their self than to live a pure life and have a relationship built on love and trust not lust. In the Bible is says that there will come a time when men will give up sound doctirne and go to what their hears want to hear. This is where the world is now they want a church that will except their homosexuality, when God forbids it in the book of Romans. People are looking a church the does not challenge or convict the heart. If you want a church to attend on Christmas and Easter, live the way you want, members are fate and Pastor is really just worried about your money to pay his new car note, than any other church but the International Church of Christ is for you.
Whoa, I lost count of how many stereotypes about former members the ICC holds which Kelly's presented here! I don't view myself as battling the Bible at all, and neither do most former members. In fact, take a look at many of the writings on ICC doctorine, such as Dave Anderson's analysis of First Principles, and you will see a lot of us rely on the Bible extensively and believe the ICC has twisted its intent. And as for pastors being overly concerned about money, Al Baird has gone so far as to admit that Kip McKean's condo cost $483,000...
Name: Natasha
Website:
Referred by: Just Surfed On In
From:
Time: 1998-03-30 21:51:44
Comments: It's sad when I read about people who have no deep convictions about the Word of God. They want the Word to fit their lifestyles so that they can continue living a life of sin or religiousness (same difference). They cry, "Pressure!!" the minute someone challenges them to live according to the Word (how pathetic!). They demand that they should be able to have their own "opinion" or interpretation" of the Word so that they won't be cut when they read passages that calls them to repent. 2Peters 1:20-21 says that the Word did not come from man's own interpretation. The Word is clear in what it says, so why not just do what it says. I am a proud member of "ICOC", and it's cool to be counted worthy of persecution for being a part of God's Modern-Day Movement. Satan is so threatened that he has to decieve people into thinking that we're a sect or a cult. How sad. How pathetic.
Name: Brooke Patterson
Website:
Referred by: Just Surfed On In!
From: Phelan, California Victorville Church
Comments: I was just trying to meet other members of the ICC on the internet. I'm the only teen here in the Victorville sector and I want to meet other teens. It's too bad that I have to do this through a page about persecution. But I'm glad that there is persecution. If there wasn't, we wouldn't be the true church. If any disciples want a pen pal, e-mail me.
So critical web pages are "persecution"? Compare them to the persecution the church suffered in the book of Acts - angry crowds running church leaders out of town, arrests, murders, and the like. And how does having critics prove that you are "the true church"?
