World Mission Society Church of God: Difference between revisions

It is prophesied in the Bible that [[Christ]] is to sit on the [[Prophecy of King David’s Throne|throne of King David]]. [[David|King David]] sat on the throne when he was 30 years old and reigned for 40 years. Jesus was [[Baptism|baptized]] at 30 years of age according to the prophecy, but He died on the [[cross]] after preaching for only three years. Therefore, when Jesus comes a second time, he is to preach the gospel for the remaining thirty-seven years after his baptism at the age 30 and then pass away.<ref name="히9">{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Hebrews+9%3A27-28&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Hebrews 9:27–28 |quote= }}</ref> It is Christ Ahnsahnghong who has fulfilled all these prophecies. He was born in Korea—the country at the ends of the earth in the east, according to the prophecy of the Bible, and began His gospel ministry in 1948 and returned to heaven in 1985.

The Church of God believes in [[God the Mother]] as well as God the Father. Many people believe there is only one God—God the Father. However, the Bible testifies about both God the Father and God the Mother as it states that there is “Our Father in heaven,”<ref name="마6">{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Matthew+6%3A9&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Matthew 6:9 |quote= }}</ref>and also that “The Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother.”<ref name="우리어머니"/> <br>God appears as a male God and a female God throughout the Bible from the [[book of Genesis]] to the [[book of Revelation]]. In Genesis 1, God created man, saying, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness,” and male and female were created in the [[image of God]]. This proves that the female image of God [Mother] exists as well as the male image of God [Father].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Genesis+1%3A26-27&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Genesis 1:26–27 |quote=}}</ref><br>Moreover, the plural noun [[Elohim]] [Gods] is used in the Hebrew Bible more than 2,500 times, starting from the first verse of the Bible that says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” The Creator of the heavens and the earth is not a singular God, but Elohim [Gods]. On the last page of the Bible, [[the Spirit and the Bride]] appear to proclaim to mankind, “Come and receive the water of life!”<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Revelation+22%3A17&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Revelation 22:17 |quote=}}</ref> It is only God who can give the [[The Water of Life|water of life]]. So in this verse, the Spirit is God the Father, and the Bride who is giving the water of life with him is God the Mother.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Revelation+21%3A9-10&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Revelation 21:9–10 |quote=}}</ref><ref name="우리어머니"/>

[https://www.britannica.com/topic/Christianity Christianity] is a religion that believes in God who has come in the flesh to give mankind salvation. The Bible testifies about Jesus Christ who was born as a baby 2,000 years ago: “God, the Word in the beginning, became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=John+1%3A1-14&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=John 1:1–14 |quote=}}</ref> The Christian doctrine that God came as a human being provoked great animosity among the followers of Judaism, which was a mainstream religion in those days. The Jews attempted to kill Jesus Christ, accusing Him, saying, “You, a mere man, claim to be God.”<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=John+10%3A33&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=John 10:33 |quote=}}</ref> Eventually, they crucified Him under the false charges that were hurled against him.<br>However, after the [[resurrection]] and [[Ascension of Jesus|ascension of Christ]], His disciples strongly testified about the “man Christ Jesus,” emphasizing their faith in God who came in the flesh.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=1+Timothy+2%3A5&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=1 Timothy 2:5 |quote=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Philippians+2%3A5-8&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Philippians 2:5–8 |quote=}}</ref> Since that time, Jesus Christ has been proclaimed throughout the world as the Savior of mankind, and is worshiped by people all around the world. The Bible prophesies that Christ will appear a second time to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.<ref name="히9" /> The prophecy of His second coming indicates His appearing in the flesh in the same manner as His first coming. God the Father and God the Mother are to come to this earth in the flesh as the Spirit and the Bride, saying, “Come and take the water of life,” just as God, who is the Word, did when He came as a man 2,000 years ago.<ref name=":0" /> The Church of God believes that the Spirit and the Bride are to come in the flesh to give the water of life in this age as prophesied in the Bible, just as Christ came as a man 2,000 years ago as prophesied in the Bible.

The titles of "father" and "mother" are used in a family. The earthly family consisting of a father, a mother, and children is actually a copy and shadow of the heavenly family. This means that there are God the Father, God the Mother, and God’s children in heaven as well.<ref name="마6"/><ref name="우리어머니">{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Galatians+4%3A26-28&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Galatians 4:26–28 |quote=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=2+Corinthians+6%3A17-18&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=2 Corinthians 6:17–18 |quote=}}</ref> A family is a community of love. This shows that there is also a spiritual family in heaven, which is a community of eternal love. Just as the members of an earthly family are related by blood, so are the [[Heavenly Family|members of the heavenly family]]. The members of the heavenly family are related by the blood of the covenant that God gives through the Passover.<ref name="하나님의교회 진리소개" /><br>The Church of God members believe in both God the Father and God the Mother, and this belief has a profound effect on their lives. They take pride in being God’s children and the members of the heavenly family. Since the earthly family reflects the heavenly family, they love their family members and pay attention to improving harmony and happiness within the family. According to the teachings of the Bible, they try to make their home as if it were a part of heaven by honoring their parents, showing affection to their children, maintaining a strong bond among their siblings, and loving their spouses as themselves. They also care about well-being and happiness of all people and willingly volunteer to help people who are in various difficulties.

Historical facts and calendars show that the Sabbath is Saturday according to the modern 7-day week system. Jesus clearly stated that He is the Lord of the Sabbath,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Matthew+12%3A8&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Matthew 12:8 |quote=}}</ref> and set an example of keeping the Sabbath of the New Testament by worshiping God in spirit and in truth and doing what is good. This was contrary to the regulation of the Old Testament where lambs had to be sacrificed. We can confirm through the Bible that not only Jesus and His disciples but also Apostle Paul kept the Sabbath as a custom even after the Crucifixion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Acts+17%3A2&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Acts 17:2 |quote=}}</ref>

The Church of God is the only church that observes the Passover just as Jesus Christ and His disciples did 2,000 years ago. The word ''Passover'' means that disasters pass over.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Exodus+12%3A11-13&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Exodus 12:11–13 |quote=}}</ref> The Passover was the day when the Israelites were saved from the horrible plague, which brought destruction upon the [[firstborn]], by putting the blood of the Passover lamb on the sides and tops of the doorframes of their houses just as God had commanded them. Furthermore, 3,500 years ago, they were liberated from their slavery in Egypt.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Exodus+12%3A7-11&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Exodus 12:7–11 |quote=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Exodus+12%3A25-27&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Exodus 12:25–27 |quote=}}</ref><br> In the New Testament times, Jesus Christ promised the forgiveness of sins and eternal life by giving the Passover bread and wine which symbolized His flesh and blood, and established this day as the ''new covenant'' the day before His crucifixion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Luke+22%3A19-20&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Luke 22:19–20 |quote=}}</ref> Those who keep the Passover according to the command of Jesus Christ become God’s children who have inherited God’s flesh and blood, and receive the forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and the blessings of heaven as well.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Matthew+26%3A19-28&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Matthew 26:19–28 |quote=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=John+6%3A53-54&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=John 6:53–54 |quote=}}</ref>

As the regulation of worship, the Bible teaches that men should not wear anything on their heads, but that women must wear veils during prayer or worship.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=1+Corinthians+11%3A1-16&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3|title=1 Corinthians 11:1–16 |quote=}}</ref> This regulation about the [[Women’s Veil]] is a teaching of Christ. This regulation has been established to keep order in the church, and it reflects God’s providence of Creation. In the Church of God, men do not wear anything on their heads. However, women wear veils at the time of prayer or worship, according to the practice of the Church of God as it is recorded in the Bible.<ref name="하나님의교회 진리소개" />

Baptism is a ceremony whereby one is born again as the body of sin is buried in water.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Colossians+2%3A12&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3|title=Colossians 2:12|publisher=|quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Galatians+3%3A27&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3|title=Galatians 3:27 |publisher=|quote= }}</ref> The Bible testifies that baptism is the sign of a covenant with God—the sign of salvation. Baptism is the first step toward a life of faith and those who are baptized are granted citizenship in heaven as God’s people.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Philippians+3%3A20&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3|title=Philippians 3:20 |quote=}}</ref> The Church of God teaches that true baptism is to be done in the names of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This is done in accordance with Christ’s teaching to "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”<ref name=":1" /> and that one must believe in God the Father and God the Mother before they are baptized.

Most people think of the [[cross]] as the symbol representing the Christian church, yet in the early Church that Jesus established and that the apostles attended the cross was never seen. Since the cross is an image, making a cross or praying in front of it is a violation of God’s command, “Do not make any image or worship it.”<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Exodus+20%3A4-5&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Exodus 20:4–5 |quote=}}</ref><br>According to various books on Christian history and encyclopedias, the cross was one of the idols used in many ancient pagan religions as a symbol of faith or as a talisman. It was also used as an instrument of execution against Jesus during the time of the Roman Empire. The image of the cross was only introduced and set up in the church as the church became secularized. History records that the cross was set up for the first time in the church in the year 431, and it was erected on the top of the church steeple in 568.<ref>''A Dictionary of Dates Relating to All Ages and Nations'', Haydn, J. and Vincent, B., London. E. Moxon and Co., 1863, p.198, “Cross,” ''Crosses in churches and chambers were introduced about 431; and set up on steeples about 568.''</ref><br>For this reason, the Church of God rejects the image of the cross, which directly violates the will of God. The Church of God respects and keeps the new covenant Passover promised through the precious blood of Christ, who was sacrificed on the cross.<ref name="하나님의교회 진리소개" />

The “Church of God” means a church established by God, and a church whose owner is God. In the Bible, the early Church that Jesus Christ established, and which the apostles Peter, John, and Paul all attended, was called the “Church of God.”<ref name="고린도전서1장">{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=1+Corinthians+1%3A2&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=1 Corinthians 1:2 |quote=}}</ref> The Bible described it as the “church bought with God’s own blood.”<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Acts+20%3A28&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Acts 20:28 |quote=}}</ref><br>The new covenant that Jesus kept and which He taught as an example for us is the complete truth of the early Church and the “[[Gospel of the Kingdom|gospel of the kingdom]].” The saints of the early Church kept all of the precious truths that Jesus taught during His ministry, including the Passover of the new covenant established by the sacrifice of His blood shed on the cross. After the resurrection and ascension of Christ, the apostles and the saints of the early Church of God received the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost and boldly preached the gospel; this led the number of people who received Jesus as Savior to exponentially increase. The fact that the gospel was rapidly preached to Gentile nations and cities beyond [[Jerusalem]] and Judea is evident in the record of Apostle Paul’s missionary journeys. Churches were established in Ephesus,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Acts+20%3A17&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Acts 20:17 |publisher= |quote=}}</ref> Corinth,<ref name="고린도전서1장"></ref> Antioch<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Acts+13%3A1&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Acts 13:1 |publisher= |quote=}}</ref> etc., and the gospel was preached in many European regions, including Thessalonica,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Acts+17%3A1-2&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Acts 17:1–2 |publisher= |quote=}}</ref> Athens,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Acts+17%3A16-17&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Acts 17:16–17 |publisher= |quote=}}</ref> Malta,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Acts+28%3A1-8&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Acts 28:1–8 |publisher= |quote=}}</ref> Perga,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Acts+14%3A20-25&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Acts 14:20–25 |publisher= |quote=}}</ref> Cyprus,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Acts+13%3A4-5&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Acts 13:4–5 |publisher= |quote=}}</ref> and Rome.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Romans+1%3A7&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Romans 1:7 |publisher= |quote=}}</ref>

God said that He wants all men to come to the knowledge of the truth and to be saved.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=1+Timothy+2%3A3-4&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=1 Timothy 2:3–4 |quote=}}</ref> Following the will of God, the Church of God is pursuing a “complete religious reformation” which is to restore the truth and faith of the early Church, by preaching the teachings of God, centering on the Bible. Consequently, the Church of God preaches the truth of the new covenant and the love of God so that all people around the world can come to the Spirit and the Bride who said, “Come and receive the water of life,”<ref name=":0" /> and be able to receive eternal salvation and happiness.

The Church of God began its overseas mission work in 1997 in accordance with God’s teaching to “go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.”<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Mark+16%3A15&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Mark 16:15 |quote=}}</ref> [[The Church of God in North America|The missionary work in North America]], which began in Los Angeles, California, has spread so rapidly that the church is now established in all 50 states as well as several major cities in Canada. Through [[The Church of God in South America|the missionary work in Central and South America]], which began in Peru in 1998, the gospel has been preached even to the Amazon rainforest in Brazil and the valleys of the Andes in Peru as well. Today, there are over 7,500 churches in 175 countries around the world, including [[The Church of God in Europe|Europe]], [[The Church of God in Asia|Asia]], [[The Church of God in Africa|Africa]], and [[The Church of God in Oceania|Oceania]]. More than 80% of the members of each Church of God in every country are local people, and a significant number of them serve as local pastors.<ref name="60주년">{{Cite web |url=https://jmagazine.joins.com/monthly/view/339727 |title=[Special Feature on the 60th Anniversary of the Church of God] 20 Years as a Bridge Connecting Korea and the World: The Overseas Members' Visit Program of the Church of God |website=Monthly JoongAng |publisher= |date=May 17, 2024|year= |quote= }}</ref>