This is NOT about Chat sites!!
Been doing a little reading on the "exclusive brethren" on the Rick Ross cult site.
Here are some excerpts from an article written by an ex member:
"The so-called Plymouth brethren began in the late 1820's. It was a gathering together of Christians who wanted to gather together outside of all other formal Christian organizations. Their basic Christian doctrines are those held by most Protestant denominations. They believe that now on the earth there is a body of Christ (referred to as the Church or Assembly) which is composed of all true Christian believers regardless of their religious affiliation. It was, however, their conviction that to belong to any Christian organization was a practical denial of the truth of this one body."
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sounds a bit like good old Pastor Russells starting off doesnt it?
Various splits and factions occured amongst the brethren down the years, but the author was a member of a splinter brethren called "the Jims"He explains the birth of the Jims group:
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"After the death of J.Taylor Sr. in 1953, the Taylor brethren did not have a distinct leader until in 1959 when James Taylor Jr. asserted himself and became the undisputed leader. It should be said that it was publicly maintained up to those days by these brethren that they had no official leader. It was strongly professed that Christ in heaven was the only head of the church and the head of every man. This is still held as doctrine by the Jims but is denied in practice and now in more recent years it has been taught that the Lord now uses one man through whom He gives a worldwide lead. This man is publicly called the Lord's representative, the 'Paul' of our day. It is taught that although we do not have apostles in our day that 'these great men' are apostolic in character. The reference to 'these great men' refers specifically to J.N.Darby, F.E.Raven, J.Taylor Sr., J.Taylor Jr., J.H.Symington and now J.S.Hales. The author was in a conference meeting where J.S.Hales was publicly called the 'personification of the Holy Spirit'."
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It seems that God now has appointed earthly representatives to feed his sheep, "meat in due season".The author continues:
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"The only bible used is the J.N.Darby translation. All printing of books and literature for worldwide circulation is done through Bible and Gospel Trust, England. There is no store from which their literature may be purchased because it is not available to any others than those in the fellowship. It is extremely difficult to obtain any copies of their books of current ministry. All members must sign an order document in which they agree to return any books or pamphlets they have purchased if they should go out of the fellowship."
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Now I call that control of information.Maybe the WT should try that one.
About the appointing of a "slave" to feed the sheep, the author continues:
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"James Taylor Sr. taught that the present speaking of the Holy Spirit in the gatherings of the brethren is additional to what was inspired and written in the Holy Scriptures. He taught that the Holy Spirit is giving us truth in our days which was not given to the apostles. Among them reference is often made to the Lord giving them 'new light'. They believe that the rest of the Christian profession are not in the path of God's will because they have rejected this 'new light' given by the Holy Spirit through these 'great men'.(Darby and the Jims) The Word of God by itself lost it's own authority over the consciences of the members. It is strongly professed that they go by scripture but in practice it is denied because it must be the scriptures as interpreted by the 'man of God'. Any attempt to question the interpretation of the 'man of God' is considered a rejection of God's sovereign right to give His Word at the present time through His 'elect servant'.
By this means, control of the whole thinking pattern of the membership has been gained. It is taught that the brethren should just submit to the teachings of the 'Lord's servant, the elect vessel' and that persons will go astray from the truth if they engage their own minds in the things of God."
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Does any of this sound familiar???
And what happens to those who question the utterances of the latter day "Paul"?
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"if a person stood up against what the 'Lord's servant' said then he would be guilty of being "insubject" and independent of God's sovereign rights. This would be cause to be 'shut up' and if he persisted in his insubjection then he would be withdrawn from, which is excommunication.
Just a word on the expression 'shut up'. This comes from the instructions in Leviticus to shut up a person or a house in which leprosy was suspected. The priests would go at various intervals and look to ascertain if the leprosy spread. Practically, what this meant in the Jims fellowship was that a person suspect of having leprosy (which is considered to be sin operating in them) is not allowed to attend meetings or have contact with other brethren in the fellowship until it is further determined by the priests (delegates from the assembly) if the suspect is, in fact, in an unrepentant sinful condition."
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And of course, if unrepentant. You guessed it. Excommunication and shunning.
A few "rules" on permissible "entertainment" follow:
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"a person must NOT :
Watch television, movies or video.
Listen to a radio.
Read novels except for approved school books. This is more a 'should not' rule.
Go to places of entertainment such as fairs, Disney Land etc.
Own or operate a computer. This includes word processors and computer controlled machinery.
Own or use a cellular telephone or CB radio.
Own or use any device which uses radio waves, such as a garage door opener, radio controlled device, etc".
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sheesh!