By Tammy TkachBy Tammy Tkach
"I'd like you to meet my new friend, a member of the Worldwide Church of God, the former cult that God has so miraculously changed."
The first time I was introduced this way, I instantly recoiled. I wanted to say: "Stop, it's not true. We weren't a cult."
Then I thought about it and realized many viewed us as a cult or near cult.
When I had a chance to talk to my friend, I explained to her that we had never viewed ourselves as a cult. I told her when we were baptized, we were baptized into the church of Jesus Christ, not into any denomination. We were baptized into the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
We had always believed in Jesus, who died for our sins and through whom we receive salvation. I told her we believed wholeheartedly in the Bible and our desire was to obey and serve God in every way we could. She was a little surprised by my statements.
I remember when I was baptized my freshman year of Ambassador College at the age of 18, I was totally convicted of my sins and knew I needed the Holy Spirit if I were to continue on this Christian walk.
On the morning of my baptism, I was a little nervous. But I went through the ceremony, glad to be taking this important step.
After the prayer, I walked around the Big Sandy campus, not on the ground, but about two feet up in the air. I had never felt so exhilarated. It was a high I hoped would last forever. Had I received the Holy Spirit? You bet. Was I a part of the Body of Christ? No doubt about it.
Some have wondered if our lives have been wasted because we didn't understand the new covenant. Others have been offended and deeply hurt because they somehow got this impression.
Is this true? Were all the prayers, Bible study, good works, acts of obedience, acts of love and tears of confession in vain?
We have been Christians all along. We have had God's Holy Spirit all along. God has been with us every step of the way, and he knew what we needed, when we needed it.
Looking back at the legacy Herbert Armstrong left us as members of the WCG, I see deep commitment to the Word of God, a strong desire to obey and please God, a willingness to be transformed by Scripture and genuine love for fellow believers.
This affirms my Christianity. I have been a Christian ever since I took that plunge beneath the baptismal waters, and every experience since then has been part of my Christian journey.
Let's affirm each other's Christianity and remind ourselves that our lives have no more been in vain than any other human being on this earth. God knew us while we were being formed in secret places, he has plans for us and he will continue this work he started in us.
Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 1998