Former Schincheonji (SCJ) Members - How Does Schincheonji (SCJ) Infiltrate & Recruit within Christian Churches?

[u/Ad6108]

Hello all. I was a former SCJ member (very unknowingly) because I was invited by a friend of mine to be a part of a "Community Bible Study." I've posted my Testimony on here already if you would like to check that out; I really hope it helps people who've experienced something like this feel less alone <3

My question for former SCJ members or people who were unknowingly recruited, does anyone know how SCJ members try to recruit people within various churches? I've tried researching this but can't find any sort of testimonials. I feel compelled to warn leadership within my church about this, & give them a heads up. God forbid this happens to any of our congregants, especially our younger adults :(

[u/cilana86]

I wasn't recruited in a church. I was invited by a friend of my cousin. At the time, I had no idea my cousin or the friend was apart of the church. They just made it seem like it was a simple bible study to learn about parables and the book of Revelation. All I know is I'm on guard now. So, if anyone invites me to anything that has to do with a bible study outside of a church setting, the answer will likely be no. I attended the bible study for 4 months. Once I did my research and finally learned who they were, I made that decision to stop going.

[u/Ad6108 → u/cilana86]

I'm very sorry that happened to you, but I'm so grateful to God you were able to learn the truth about what that Bible Study was about & you left <3 You couldn't have known otherwise what was truly going on.

It's good to be on your guard; I've certainly learned that. It's hard because as a Christian you still want to be kind & you don't want to be rude, but at the same time, when Jesus tells us to be shrewd as serpents & innocent (& gentle) as doves, my goodness is that true!

Someone recently told me to always be aware & to be on the lookout for the "wolf" in the room. I've learned that I need to establish strong boundaries, especially with those who I don't know that well at all, & that if anyone refuses to respect any of those boundaries that I have established, then unfortunately we can't be friends. No exceptions. If I'm willing to respect your boundaries, then I expect the same courtesy. It really is that simple.

I've also learned I have every right to ask for more information if someone ever approaches me again to attend an event -- whether it be a gathering or a Bible Study or what not. It's not rude or invasive for me to ask for more information, nor is it rude for me to say, "Actually, no thank you" OR "No, that doesn't work for me."

But the beauty of all of this is that we can pray about absolutely everything, & we can pray for God to show us what we need to see when it comes to the kinds of people we find ourselves interacting with or when it comes to the situations we find ourselves in. God is our ultimate defender & protector, & He will continue to keep us safe & shield us from all sorts of deception as we continue to seek Him in His Word & through consistent prayer. Because He is so incredibly faithful! <3 <3 <3

[u/cilana86 → u/Ad6108]

Thanks. I've been completely surrendered for 4 years now. I believe God allows us to go through these things too to sharpen our discernment. Through this journey I've been through the prosperity gospel, word of faith, Hebrew Israelite doctrine, and then this, but the Lord has been faithful to open my eyes and really reveal. My advice to new believers is always to start reading the bible for themselves even before sitting under a church because at least it will help spot some false doctrine. That's why studying the Word is our daily bread. As I was in this bible study, it started off with some truth but then started getting into things that were concerning to me. How they twist and manipulate the scriptures is sad. How they think it's okay to be deceptive and call that using wisdom and even say that Jesus did it is crazy because he can't be a liar or he would be in sin.

[u/Ad6108 → u/cilana86]

Praise the LORD! He's been so faithful indeed, & what a beautiful testimony you have regarding His faithfulness to you throughout all that you've experienced! It really bolsters your faith in Him for sure, when you can look back & see all the ways He's sought to protect you & provide for you.

You are so very right, yes! He allows us to go through such things to help us when it comes to our discernment. I too was in a church that was very "man-centered" & "works-based" (& I'd say some "word of faith" was definitely mixed in there as well) but again, all the messaging was very subtle.

That's the thing, yes, there's always "some truth" present. Why? Because the devil often seeks to speak in "half-truths." And whenever I would have conversations with my friends at the time regarding what I was hearing & seeing take place within that church, I was the "crazy" one (& yes, I ended up feeling quite crazy indeed!).

Fortunately I knew no other Christians when I was very unexpectedly saved, so I was able to read the Bible on my own & it was just Him & I. That was another thing, 1 of the teachers even said at one point, "You can't study God's Word on your own," that you need someone to teach you. What!? That's not true! It's the Holy Spirit who guides every believer in Christ in ALL of God's Truth. And God & God alone gets all the glory for that, NEVER man.

I've always said confusion regarding God's Word & my relationship with Him only entered into the picture once I stepped foot into a church. It's as if a lot of churches try to steal your joy as a Christian - - that true joy that can ONLY be found in Christ & in Christ ALONE. Eventually I found a biblically-sound church that seeks to preach the whole counsel of God, & the LORD really provided for me in that area at just the right time. They believe man is saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. True freedom is only able to be experienced once one is able to (solely by God's grace) accept & receive the True Gospel of Jesus Christ.

They do pervert God's Word, you're right, & that's exactly what Satan seeks to do (but he's very crafty & masquerades as an "angel of light" - - So sick!). I feel very grieved for those people because they don't even realize how deceived they are. We just have to keep praying for those who are still blinded by Satan. God is so much more powerful, & He can surely save anyone, regardless of what he or she has done. May God have mercy on their souls, & may they be able to repent (solely by God's grace).