Making Normal Things Seem STRANGE
“…life had grown significantly more structured. Meetings were held daily. Members began wearing military uniforms.”1
WOAH! Not “structure”! I mean, it’s not like the whole universe functions by law and order or anything!
Did you know the word “disciple” in the Bible literally means “a disciplined one”? Yet somehow that word “discipline” isn’t part of modern Christianity (or liberal parts of society).
The most successful people in any field will tell you that discipline is the key to success. True! It’s also one of the keys to maintaining our relationship with God. We discipline ourselves to please Him, to walk in His way and obey His commandments in order to successfully complete the calling God has on our lives.
Daily meetings? We have always met daily, for the disciples continued “DAILY with one accord in the temple … breaking bread from house to house” (Acts 2:46; et al.). Business meetings happen daily; schools teach daily; missionaries of all faiths proselytize daily; music, movies, podcasts, debates and news media outlets are INFLUENCING MILLIONS DAILY. Why don’t our accusers call that out? That’s some structured influencing, happening daily, on a MASSIVE WORLDWIDE scale.
Now for uniforms. Like everyone else in their always-the-same critiques of us, Hill has to mention the “uniforms.”
Their critiques are getting boring.2
It’s as if uniforms themselves are evil. I suppose any job, business, school or Christian ministry that wears uniforms for any reason HAS TO BE DOING SOMETHING STRANGE!
Are you ready to malign everyone for their uniforms? Clergy in TONS of churches wear all kinds of uniforms. Buddhist Monks, Sikhs, Taoists, Hindu priests, Wiccans, Native American shamans, African tribal shamans and a million others wear “uniforms” and ceremonial clothing.
Regarding ACMTC, the Lord asked us to wear uniforms, at times, to represent the very real SPIRITUAL Warfare that Christians face daily. This warfare is defined in Scripture: “FOR WE WRESTLE NOT AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD, BUT AGAINST PRINCIPALITIES, AGAINST POWERS, AGAINST THE RULERS OF THE DARKNESS OF THIS WORLD, AGAINST SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS IN HIGH [PLACES]” (Ephesians 6:12).
Historical, orthodox, Biblical Christianity is REVOLUTIONARY with TONS of TRUE Spiritual symbolism. Water baptism symbolizes that we are “dying to our old nature” and rising, by Jesus’ power, unto a new life in Him. It’s a physical demonstration of something happening in the Spirit. Communion is the same. First Corinthians 11:24-26 says, “And when He [Jesus] had given thanks, He brake [it], and said, Take, eat: this is My body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of Me. After the same manner also [He took] the cup, when He had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in My blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink [it], in remembrance of Me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till He come.”
Think of Noah’s Ark and the Rock in the wilderness that both symbolized Christ. Remember the lambs’ blood smeared on the doorposts in Egypt, a type of Christ’s Blood. Consider the burning of incense in the tabernacle that represented prayer, and the ark of the covenant that symbolized God’s presence. Think of Joshua’s men marching around Jericho and blowing trumpets while God miraculously knocked the walls out! Then there’s all the symbolic feast days and sabbaths. Like it or not, since the beginning of time, God has demonstrated spiritual realities with physical objects, practices and ceremonies. If Hill and others don’t like that, they are just speaking evil of historical Christian beliefs and practices.
A VERY CONTROVERSIAL SUBJECT:
“Be ye separate, saith the Lord…”
– 2 Corinthians 6:17
Hill: “Most dramatically, members cut off contact with friends and family”1 (emphasis added). Following this indictment, Hill proceeds, disparagingly, to tell us about a 13-year-old who gave up all, even her “Garfield folders,” to follow Jesus. He said she told her grandmother she didn’t think she’d ever see her again.
Now, I don’t expect Hill to understand Christianity. I don’t even know if he claims to be a Christian. Furthermore, to be fair, many professing Christians have never been taught much of the Bible. So, on that note, let’s take a little time to walk through this very controversial topic.
In a non-Christian (or merely religious) family, when a man or woman receives Jesus, he or she must (most often) separate from his/her father, mother, brothers and sisters and friends, in order to separate himself/herself unto God and consecrate his/her life to Christ Jesus the Lord. Why? To focus fully on Jesus. To not be influenced or pulled back into habits and even modes of thinking that displease God. To avoid being continually bombarded by subtle undermining jabs. To bypass being mocked and scoffed unnecessarily. To escape from malicious mental attacks or even physical confrontations. To escape death, in some instances.
For sure, murdering new Christian converts is a reality in many nations, especially where Christianity has never been the stronghold. Go online and read hundreds if not thousands of testimonies about this very fact. New converts are attacked and murdered by their own families. It may be news to your ears, but it’s verifiable.
– Google search something like “Christians persecuted by their own families” and you’ll have plenty to read and watch.
– For general information on Christian persecution, visit the Open Doors website HERE.
– Jesus warns about persecution from family members in Matthew 10: “…and the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against [their] parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all [men] for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved” (read vv. 17-22).
In true Christian families, when you give your life to Christ, everything is obviously different. You are already surrounded by those who are influencing you to love and obey Jesus. You can team up and fulfill God’s Commission! Of course, there are those whom God calls to different mission fields, and they must go and join up with other true Christians or simply serve God in new locations. So even those who receive Christ within an existing Christian family may end up separating physically from their natural parents or siblings. God always comes first.
None of this is forced. It could never be forced, for that would make it insincere. How could we say we are separating ourselves unto God and consecrating ourselves to Him if we are being forced to do so by another person? That would make us fakes, which is the last thing any of us (and all true believers) want to be!
Each one of us must make our own choices. Out of my love for God, I separated from many friends, and even some family, before I ever knew about ACMTC. As an ACMTC member, I’ve gone through different seasons: Some relatives visited me at ACMTC Headquarters a little while after I got there; over several years, my dad stayed with us there for 5 days or so each time; one time, I flew back across country to my dad’s house and stayed with him for about 3 days; and there have also been years when I cut off contact to focus more fully on my calling in Christ. All were my choices.
The Famous Pilgrim’s Progress
John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress is one of the most influential books of Christian History. As such, it demonstrates how non-Christian (or merely religious) family members and friends can HATE a man who separates himself unto God. “Graceless” is the main character whose name later became “Christian.” Graceless was despised, chased, scorned and mocked right from the onset of his journey to God because HE LEFT ALL to find peace from the burden of his sins. Later on, he and his companion “Faithful” were viciously persecuted. Faithful was MURDERED. Why? The people of “Vanity Fair,” a town they traveled through, despised these two Christians for not mixing and mingling with them; for separating and refusing to partake of their customs, social interactions and dainties.
Pilgrim’s Progress was so important to Christians, it was in widespread use as a textbook in both schools and Sunday schools during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, and continues to be an inspiration around the world!
Separation + Consecration
To be “consecrated” is to be “SET APART FOR GOD’S USE.” Christians separate from sin in order to take up a new purpose in life: they seek to do what God wants them to do and not be distracted or sidetracked by anything. Consecration is true Christian dedication! It may be difficult at times, but it’s Biblical and it’s necessary to keep ourselves in God’s way.
By now, I’ve probably lost half the readers.
Hang on! Let’s fact-check ourselves with Scripture.
The title, “the father of all them that believe” (Romans 4:11), belongs to Abraham. Abraham left his country, kindred and father’s house – at the command of God (Genesis 12:1). Later God tested him to see if he was willing to give up his own son, and he passed the test (Genesis 22).
Read Hebrews 11. This whole chapter speaks for itself and gives much needed clarity to naysayers.
The disciples left ALL and their lives were never the same (Mark 1:17-20; 10:28-30; et al.).
Quite simply, the First and Great Commandment makes it clear: We must love God first, above all – EVEN ABOVE ALL PEOPLE (Matthew 22:36-40).
Those who do the Will of God are our true spiritual family members (Matthew 12:48-50); at least, that’s what Jesus says, and I believe He knows more than we do. His words. Not ours. Not just an ACMTC thing.
People get really mad when we point this out. Truth is, Jesus knew all believers would be hated for being set apart. “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you” (John 15:19). They hate us because God separated us from them. He separates all who choose Him. “…do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (James 4:4, NASB95).3
Christians throughout the centuries have LEFT ALL. Besides the Early Church, research people like John Wycliffe and his Lollards, John Huss, William Tyndale, the Anabaptists, the Moravians, George Whitfield, John Wesley, Adoniram Judson (of Burma), Hudson Taylor, Jackie Pullinger, Brother Yun (the “Heavenly Man”), Bruce Olsen (“Bruchko”) and many others.
Separation is wisdom. An alcoholic, who always drank with her family, cannot possibly associate with them, at least for a long while. Imagine a Christian Arab returning to his Muslim family in Saudi Arabia for a reunion! (For a good movie about that, watch “Behind the Sun” by director Robin B. Armstrong.) Consider a young Christian from a wealthy family, called to foreign missions, whose family continues to undermine him with subtle comments about how he is “wasting his talents and God-given opportunities.” Seriously, think about all the possible scenarios and use some sense!
Though many modern Christians in the West have stopped practicing separation and consecration, it doesn’t change Scripture. Look at how modern “Christians” struggle more than ever in their faith and dedication to God! Believe me, God knows what’s best for us all.
I really hope this helps those of you who’ve never been taught anything about Biblical separation and consecration unto God.
Most of us at ACMTC have, in different seasons, chosen to separate ourselves from certain family members and friends, in order to better serve Jesus Christ the Lord. We are not ashamed nor do we regret practicing our Biblical faith.
We are also not religious. If God’s Spirit leads us to reconnect with someone in our past, we will. God takes us through seasons, so we must remain open to God. People change, and God’s heart can change towards people.
In America, we better get back to God’s Biblical principles of separation and consecration! I believe it’s time people stop criticizing the very practices that God put in place to help keep us from being sucked back into our old lives. We are NEW creatures in Christ, with a NEW and DIFFERENT path to follow. “Therefore, if anyone [is] in Christ, [he is] a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, ALL THINGS have become new.”4 A NEW heart, mind and purpose is what we have. Let’s demonstrate it!
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1 Hill, Harrison. “The Oracle’s Daughter.” New York Magazine, The Cut, June 8, 2021, www.thecut.com/2021/06/sarah-green-escaped-mother-cult.html. Accessed 1 May 2025.
2 We have published articles and blurbs and General Jim has addressed this issue in teachings, etc. in the past. Read our simple “Why Uniforms” HERE.
3 “James 4 (NASB95) – You adulteresses, do you not.” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 12 Jun, 2025. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/nasb95/jas/4/4/s_1150004>.
4 “2 Corinthians 5 (NKJV) – Therefore, if anyone [is] in.” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 14 Jun, 2025. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/nkjv/2co/5/17/s_1083017>.