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World Mission Society Church of God

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World Mission Society Church of God
Hangul
하나님의교회 세계복음선교협회
Hanja
하나님의教會 世界福音宣教協會
Revised RomanizationHananimeui Gyohoe: Segyebokeumseon Gyohyeobhoe
McCune–ReischauerHananimŭi Kyohoe: Sekyebokŭmsŏn Kyohyŏbhoe
File:WMS Church of G-Daejeon Province.JPG
World Mission Society Church of God, Daejeon Province

The World Mission Society Church of God (Korean: 하나님의교회 세계복음선교협회) was founded by Ahn Sahng-hong (안상홍) in 1964. Through the Bible, the church believes that he is the second coming of Christ because of his fulfillment of prophecies. Ahn Sahng-Hong was baptized in 1948 and died in 1985 and the current leader of the church is Ahn's spiritual wife, Jahng Gil-Jah (장길자), known in the church as "the Heavenly Mother",[1] and the General Pastor is Kim Joo-Cheol. Its headquarters are located in Bundang, Sungnam City, Kyunggi Province, roughly an hour away from Seoul. Jahng is also chairperson of the New Life Welfare Foundation (새생명복지회)[2] and of the International We Love You Foundation (국제위러브유운동)[3].

The church believes that Jahng Gil-Jah is "God the Mother," who they believe is referred to in the Bible as the New Jerusalem Mother (Gal 4:26), and that Ahn Sahng-Hong is God the Father. The church regards the earthly family system as a copy and shadow of the heavenly family system (Heb 8:5), consisting of a Heavenly Father, Heavenly Mother, and the spiritual brothers and sisters (humans).

Core beliefs

The two fundamental beliefs held by the church are their claim that Ahn Sahng-Hong was the second coming of Jesus, and that only those who keep the Passover (Eph 1:7, Heb 9:22, 1 Cor 11:23–26, Heb 10:29* John 6:53–58) and obey His commands will be saved. The church cites James 2:26, "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead." Other core beliefs include:

Sabbath

The World Mission Society Church of God believes in the (Saturday) Sabbath day which was established by God and fulfilled by Jesus and the apostles. Jesus kept the Sabbath and established "the Sabbath of New Covenant" (Matt. 12:8; Luke 6:5) as the completion of "the Sabbath of Jehovah" (Ezek. 20:12 and Hebrews 4:2,6).[4] On 7 March 321, Constantine I decreed that Sunday (dies Solis) would be observed as the Roman day of rest.[5]

Soul

The church believes that "all human beings are angels who have come to the earth after sinning in heaven," a belief forwarded by Ahn Sahng-hong.[6] The Church believes that the Spirit was revealed through the creation of human beings. They draw these beliefs from God's word on Genesis 2:7, and Ecclesiastes 12:7. Through the Bible, the body is the temporal prison of the Spirit, or the soul (Ecclesiastes 12:7).[6]

Baptism

The World Mission Society Church of God holds that baptism is the first step toward salvation, which cannot be obtained without baptism. They believe that baptism is a law of the new covenant and that it cleanses the soul and atones for the believer's sin. Followers are baptized in the name of the Father (Jehovah) the Son (Jesus) and of the Holy Spirit (who the church believes to be Ahn Sahng-hong (Rev 3:11-13)). According to the church, wisdom to recognize God cannot be given without the forgiveness of sin preceding it.[7]

Trinity

The World Mission Society Church of God also teaches that the Trinity consists of the three male personas of God. They teach that there is only one male persona of God who appears as either Father, Son or Holy Spirit as needed. Each is only a role of the male God much like any man can take on the role of Father, Son, or Holy Spirit. One specific text used is Isaiah 9:6 where the prophesied child of God (Jesus) is also called "Everlasting Father" that means "God the Father" and "Wonderful Counselor" since the Counselor is the Holy Spirit (John 14:26).

Veil

The church encourages all women to wear veils (or "Christian headcoverings") during services, in accord with First Epistle to the Corinthians 11:4–5 "Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head-it is just as though her head were shaved." [8]

Seven Feasts in Three Times

The church celebrates the seven appointed feasts of God, laid out in Leviticus 23: Passover, Unleavened Bread, First fruits, Feast of Weeks, Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and Feast of Tabernacles according to New Covenant regulations.

Other beliefs

The church holds "the three 'R' movements": “Restore the Faith of the Early Church”, “Restore the Truth of the Early Church”, and “Redeem the Whole World”, as stated by the Chief Pastor Joo-Cheol Kim. The members pray in the name of Ahn Sahng Hong, whom they believe the scriptures testify is the Second Coming of Christ.

Criticism

Due to its deviation from Catholicism and mainstream Christian beliefs and often unorthodox rituals, many outside of the organization consider the World Mission Society Church of God a cult.[9][10][1][11] The Christian Council of Korea, which represents Protestant churches in the country, has declared the World Mission Society Church of God "heresy".[10]

Activities

The Church claims to have established approximately 400 branch churches in Korea and 1000 churches in 150 countries totaling over 2.1 million members as of 2009.[citation needed] The Church is also active in many volunteer services and welfare activities throughout the world.[10]

References

  1. ^ a b Norris, Jimmy (January 25, 2009). "Feeling the love". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 2 February 2010.
  2. ^ 새생명복지회
  3. ^ [1]
  4. ^ "Sabbath". Fundamental Truths. World Mission Society Church of God. Retrieved 2007-08-12.
  5. ^ Given the 7th day of March. Codex Justinianus, lib. 3, tit. 12, 3; translated by Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church, Vol. 3 (1902), p. 380, note.
  6. ^ a b "Soul". Fundamental Truths. World Mission Society Church of God. Retrieved 2007-08-12. Cite error: The named reference "Soul" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  7. ^ "Baptism". Fundamental Truths. World Mission Society Church of God. Retrieved 2007-08-12.
  8. ^ "Veil". Fundamental Truths. World Mission Society Church of God. Retrieved 2007-08-12.
  9. ^ Lifshin, Inna (2008-02-01). "Korean church seeks recruits on campus". The Daily Pennsylvanian. Retrieved 2008-02-03.
  10. ^ a b c "Korea: The Church of God". Korea: The Church of God. Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
  11. ^ Broussard-Wilson, Samantha (February 6, 2008). "Korean church solicits Elm City". Yale Daily News. Retrieved 2 February 2010.

External links

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