Editor's note: I wrote this review around 2018-2019 based on my initial interaction with several members of the London International Christian Cult. The below is an exact copy of my initial review for historical purposes:
My first interaction with this church was through meeting some young individuals at trampolining. They invited me to their bible study on Tuesday's called "Acton Interaction". It seemed like a nice event, but I was taken back by how little theology they knew.
When I suggested that they might be interested to know more about what it is they believe - I was told that it's not important.
I attempted to politely decline a member trying to take me through a course about seeking God. I felt patronised that he would think I'm not seeking God. He had been a "Christian" for less time than I had and considered himself a teacher.
After finally accepting to do a bible study, I asked which book of the Bible we should read. Instead, he threw it back to wanting to go through his course on seeking God. I challenged this and said we should simply read a book of the Bible together.
After much back and fourth, he said he wanted to be honest that he was trying to convert me. As a Christian believer, it's strange to hear this type of talk about being converted. So I asked from what am I being converted and to what am I to be converted? No answer.
I asked if he had my best intentions at heart and he said "the only intention is to disciple you". At this point my church leaders and friends suspicions that this is a cult really hit me. When I stated that I'm a disciple of Jesus, whom is he trying to disciple me towards - he said to the scriptures.
Upon being presented with concerns that the church is a cult he violently reacted. He accused me of being a pharisee, of being religious, and would not accept me as a brother of Christ. He proceeded to tell me to leave alone the person that invited me to the church.
I specified that if she would like me to leave her alone, that is fine, but given the church has a lot of reviews of bullying - I exclaimed I would not be intimidated away but would respect if she asked me to leave her alone. He said I do not have strength, humility or vulnerability.
I exclaimed that I have Christ and I count all things as loss except for Him - I was called religious. I shared the bible verse I was reciting (Philippians 3:8-11) and he said anybody could copy and paste the text - but I have to live it out.
He offered again to teach me the Bible, so I once again said I was happy to read the Bible. However, I refuse to study the first principles. His response? That I'm trying to understand the Bible without understanding the basics - I've got to go back to the beginning.
I figured, well if we want to go to the beginning - let's start with Genesis and go through every page in the Bible. Most Christians would rejoice at the opportunity to read the entire bible with somebody. In this case, it was not rejoicing.
I was told that I had to learn the first principles and to become a student to be saved. This message is not the Christian message and I, like many others, have concluded that this church is in fact a cult.