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The people, known within the group as "friends", believe that they alone, are in God's true and ONLY church.
In reality this no-name church was founded in Ireland in the late 1890's by a man named William Irvine. He was joined by Edward Cooney, who was later expelled. Cooney's small group of followers (Cooneyites) still survive today.
At the start Irvine's followers were required to renounce all and become "workers." Eventually his own workers excommunicated him and since that time they no longer acknowledge him as their founder.
Irvine's movement spread rapidly at first and continues today. It is in most countries and although no records are kept; no doctrine is published, and publicity is shunned; there are thousands of "professing people" worldwide.
The friends, also known as "saints", and "God's people", take pride in the "true ministry." The workers (preacher/evangelists) leave their paid careers, give up all possesions, remain unmarried and take no salary. (However, money is slipped to them quietly by the saints to assure they are well provided for. Tax receipts are not issued for these offerings.) Head workers in each area send out workers in pairs, hence the nickname, by "outsiders", of Two-By-Twos. The area in which each set of workers (either two males or two females) preach is called a "field." These "ministers of the gospel" live with the friends, moving to a different friends' house every few nights. They eat the friends' food and drive the friends' cars.
This group publishes only a scant few items. Their hymn book, entitled HYMNS OLD AND NEW, was published in 1951 and 1987. A "friends' list" giving name, address and phone number, is provided to a local area of friends. (Due to recent attempts to provide the friends with facts concerning their group, many friends' lists no longer contain addresses.)
A list of workers' names and mailing addresses is produced. Notes of workers' sermons, taken from Conventions or Special Meetings, are typed and passed among the friends. (Taking notes of workers' talks is currently discouraged because, as one senior worker stated, "there are people out there who are trying to find out what we believe.")
Within society the friends usually keep a low profile. Women are expected to conform to a strict standard of dress. The "sister workers" set the standards for the women's appearance. Ladies' long hair is usually worn in a bun. Plain dresses or skirts, rather than pants, are the norm. No jewelry is worn, except for watches, wedding bands and pins. No visible make-up is used. Men are to dress conservatively and maintain an "above the ears, off the collar" hair style. Most often beards are frowned upon.
Gospel meetings are held, usually in a rented facility, to recruit new members. Two-By-Twos believe that "new comers" must hear the Gospel preached by the workers in order to gain entrance into the "kingdom." All existing members are expected to attend these Gospel meetings purposefully held to educate "outsiders."
The Sunday morning meetings and weekly Bible study meetings are for members and are held in members' homes. Only the King James version of the Bible is recognized. Christian literature is to be avoided. Workers use allegories throughout their talks to prove their "way" is right or to warn people who might be questioning their beliefs. (It is possible to attend meetings for years and learn very little about God's Word.)
Church property is not acquired, although funds which are given to the workers are used to build and maintain convention buildings. The annual conventions are usually held on farms. These conventions last four days with food and lodging provided. There is no charge and no registration is required, however members do contribute food and/or money. Attendance varies from 300 to over 1,200 people. All members are ecxpected to attend at least one full convention each year.
Generally the Two-By-Twos do not have televisions nor do they attend movies or go dancing. Drinking, smoking and gambling, including playing cards, is out. Christmas and Easter are not celebrated in any religious way.
Contrary to true Bible teaching, the 2x2s, sometimes mistakenly called Cooneyites, do not understand that salvation is a free gift that cannot be earned. Consequently they become "the best living people" in hopes they will earn their salvation. Most do not consider themselves saved, and feel they must remain in the 2x2 system until they die to have even a chance of salvation.
Some who leave "The Truth", as they call it, without learning that the group has a false doctrine and has hidden it's origin, continue to live in fear and feel they are doomed for a lost eternity.
The Two-By-Twos deny Jesus Christ. This would be a shock to them since they feel Jesus is the head of their fellowship. They do not acknowledge that Jesus, Himself, is the Almighty God. They worship "another Jesus."
Their ministers (workers) cliam they have worldwide unity. However, they only have unity in the belief that the only true way to Heaven is through THEIR homeless ministry, and the church in the home--their "way."
This no-name church subtly propagates control, fear, guilt and anxiety within its members. However, because of the way they are organized, and because of their beliefs, the people are sheltered and they do not understand that they are in a spiritually abusive and emotionally abusive organization.
There are a growing number of EX-Two-By-Two members who are now informing others about this group. As of 1996 eight books have been published to document the beliefs, explain the history, and reveal the inner workings of the 2x2s.