Testimony- California

I was involved with SCJ for about 7 months. I was invited to participate in the SCJ bible studies through a friend I actually went to church with at Eastside Christian Church. She saw that I really wanted to study the bible thoroughly so she connected me with a friend of hers. i quickly began studying and felt that the initial teachings were sound so I proceeded to attend the weekly lessons. However, my teacher did teach some things that were a bit out of the ordinary but I disregarded it. Once I completed a month of one on one bible lessons I moved up to the classes where they taught the bible more in depth or so I thought. By the 7th month, my small group teacher disclosed that salvation was through knowledge of the open word. I contested saying that in Ephesians 1, "we were sealed by the promised Holy Spirit when we believed in Jesus"." He disagreed and said it was "a different seal." By this time, my red flags were up and asked him who the Holy Spirit was, he said that He wasn't God but a different entity. I knew at this time that I had gotten involved in a cult. I proceeded to talk with the lead teachers and they disclosed that they didn't believe that Jesus was God and that one could not have a relationship with God. Despite this, I decided to go to the bible lessons for one last weekend. I ended having an emotional/mental breakdown in the middle of the class as a result of doubting my faith in Jesus and not being able to discern lies from truth. The thoughts of confusion and doubt proved overwhelming to the point of wanting to committing suicide but in that instant the Holy Spirit living inside me powerfully convicted my heart and told me "to not think that way." I was beyond grateful for His faithfulness to protect me from harming/killing myself. Afterwards, Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit, began expose the lies of this cult, which was later revealed to be Shincheonji. I started the process of healing by receiving the revelation of who Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and The Father is. Furthermore, I have come to the realization that these teachers may be experts in their doctrines but without Jesus, the cornerstone, everything falls apart because everything is contigent on Him. In light of this, I was able to confidently stop attending these bible studies and continue in my relationship with The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.