Practicing Sorcery and Bewitching People

Act 8:9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.

In seeing how many of the 2x2s are "under a spell of the workers" and the workers are worshiped as being great people (contrary what is witnessed of them and contrary to what the Bible says about these people), this subject began to interest me. So I did some searching in the Bible to learn more about it and what is involved to find out how these "spells" could be broken.

I learned the following:

• Men can use sorcery
• Men can bewitch people
• Men can make themselves out to be "great ones"
• Bewitched people give heed to these sorcerers more than God
• The bewitched people said "This man is the great power of God"
• The bewitched people regarded this man more than God
• The people were in agreement about giving heed to this man
• The man had bewitched them with sorceries for a long time.

Parallels Between Simon the Sorcerer and the 2x2 Workers

There are a lot of parallels to what I read there and my experience as a teenager with the 2x2 worker Everett Swanson and other workers. I will list them so you can see the parallels.

• The workers made themselves out to be apostles or people sent from God(great people)
• Everett Swanson was a persuasive speaker
• As a teenager, I regarded Everett Swanson and the workers greater than the Bible. I trusted him over God. Of course, everything I read in the Bible filtered through the things I had been taught by the workers in their meetings about the Bible and about God, so it was hard for me to understand what was actually written in the Bible.
• The people in the meetings had great regard for the worker Everett Swanson and other 2x2 workers
• The people in the meetings were in agreement about listening to Everett Swanson and the other 2x2 workers
• We had all listened to Everett Swanson and other 2x2 workers for a long time
• When I heard the real gospel, I got out of the cult

Ok, now it gets more interesting. Here's more of the account in Acts.

Act 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

In reading message boards and conversing with 2x2s, many of them see how the 2x2 group is wrong and corrupt. Some of them change their beliefs and adopt SOME of the teachings of the Bible and claim that they were right all along, rather than repenting and admitting their sins, lies and wrong beliefs. They then use this new knowledge about God to try to manipulate others, claiming that they are really Christians. When they are able to deceive other people into thinking they are Christians, they use this position to try to rewrite their previous beliefs, the history of the cult, what the cult group actually believes and try to get people to join the cult. A simple comparison of their past beliefs and current beliefs shows that they are telling lies though.

This is just like Simon, the sorcerer, who wanted power saying "Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost." The wicked 2x2s with their modified (but still corrupt) belief system want knowledge of Christians and God so that they can continue to have power over people. This desire for power over people shows that their heart is "not right in the sight of God." Peter also said "For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity."

I know several instances of cult members who gain knowledge of the gospel and lie about what they believe in order to get people to beleive they are Christians. They modify some of their beliefs, and use their new knowledge of the Bible and Christians to try to gain power over others and convince them that the 2x2s are Christians. This is will worship of man and not an example of being born again.

Takes Years Sometimes

I've notice that it can takes years for some people to free themselves from the spells of the sorceries of the workers and also the bewitching of some of their followers. There are so many lies and deceits that people have believed that it takes much time to bring all those thoughts captive to the will of God.

I left because we were given no choice -- I had complained to much about some of the things that I felt were completely anti-Christian within the group. But at that time I still was under the illusion that when these things were corrected it would still be 'the Lords way on the earth'

It is only through the perspective gained from our years 'outside' that I have really understood the group is just another of the many groups formed and run to prove their own superiority over others. This perspective has proven that there is nothing unique and nothing particularly godly or right about the group at all. Self interest and self-righteousness are their key identifiers, as it is in many other groups as well.

I now understand that our expulsion from the group was the best thing that has ever happened to us --- and I am so thankful for it as I am afraid that except for out clear rejection from 2x2ism, I and my family would still be under their intoxicating spell. I do admire people that unlike me, have had the character to pull out on their own. - Edgar Massey

Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.