A Brief Overview of the 2x2s
ORIGINS
In Ireland in the late 19th Century, there began a proliferaton of nondenominational home churches. Several of these people with similar beliefs, led by a former member of the Protestant group Faith Mission who had a revelation to begin his own ministry that rejected all “worldly religions”, formed a group which later became known as The Truth (as well as other names). His name was William Irvine and he soon began preaching and gathering followers. This fellowship grew and spread to the United States and elsewhere. Since they do not have a name or any organization that would be recognizable by outsiders, exact numbers are inexact, but it is estimated that there are around 300,000 members worldwide. (click here for more information on the origins from Telling the Truth Website) The group rejects being named, but they tend to call it “The Truth” or “The Friends”; former members tend to call it “Church Without a name” or “2x2’s”, for reasons that will become obvious later.
ORGANIZATION
This fundamentalist Protestant sect is divided into two main groups – the Friends and the Workers. The Friends are the laypeople of the group who support (financially and otherwise) the Workers and have meetings in their home. The Workers are essentially the "clergy". They travel in pairs from home to home preaching at meetings and at the annual large region gatherings called "convention". The Workers are structured by region in a country and there is an overseer who supervises them.
BELIEFS
There is no formal declaration of faith, so it is exceedingly difficult to grasp entirely what their beliefs are; however, there are several common characteristics. It must be understood that there are 2x2s whose individuals beliefs prove the exception rather than the rule:
1) Apostolicity – 2x2s believe that their Way has been in existence since the time of Jesus. Certain 2x2 apologists like Nathan Barker have even gone so far as to try to find a chronological historical link with various Christian (and non-Christian, in the case of the Albigenses) groups.
2) Simplicity – 2x2s reject “the things of this world”. This includes having no televisions, and most have no computers or radios. The women are not allowed to cut their hair, wearing it up in a bun on their heads, and the style of dress is severe for both men and women.
3) Selectivity – the underlying belief among 2x2s is that their Fellowship alone will be saved and that “worldly” churches will not be saved. This is taken to the extent that fellowship and worship with “outside religions” is forbidden and “worldly” preachers are rejected and often even ridiculed by the workers. Major Christian holidays like Christmas and Easter are usually not celebrated.
4) Workers – a celibate clergy travel in pairs “two by two” (hence the name given by former members). They are the authority in all matters theological and organizational. They travel from house to house with only the possessions they can carry with them, staying in the homes of the Friends and leading gospel meetings.
5) Meeting in the Home – 2x2s reject “temples made by man”, choosing instead to hold services called “meeting” in private homes every Sunday morning. There is also a Wednesday night Bible study. Attendance is mandatory, as is attendance twice yearly at a “Convention”, which is a large meeting of all the current members in a region usually held in a tent in a remote area.
6) Anti-Trinitarian – so much emphasis is placed on the need for “works” for one’s salvation that some 2x2s have gone on to consider Jesus as more of an “example”, or “way-shower”, rather than a propitiation for sin. The definition of “works” appears to be chiefly attendance at meetings and conventions, maintaining a house without televisions, etc.
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