Murai Jun
Encyclopedia
Murai Jun was the founder of what is regarded today as the largest indigenous church in Japan - Iesu no Mitama Kyōkai
, was born into a Methodist family in Tokyo
and later studied theology
at Aoyama
College. While he was studying there, something troubled him deeply to the point of anticipating suicide
. Hence Murai planned to jump overboard a ferry near Okayama Prefecture
during 1918. However, when he was about to jump overboard, he felt that the Holy Spirit's presence suddenly overwhelmed him and he began speaking in tongues.
That experience gave him new courage to accept the Christian faith and his previous lack of confidence in the religion was now eliminated. Murai then abandoned Aoyama College to begin preaching the gospel. Not long afterwards, he was assigned as a pastor
for the Japan Bible Church.
In 1933, Murai informed his small church group in Tokyo's Nishisugamo of his Pentecostal experience which had changed his life.
During 1941, whilst in Taiwan
, he came across the True Jesus Church
, and indigenous Chinese church that had only been established for over 20 years. He accepted the main doctrines of the church and received baptism
; he then left his previous church denomination. However, during that year, Murai's wife claimed that she had received a revelation from God to establish a new church which was to be given the nameイエス 之 御霊 教会 (Spirit of Jesus Church
).
Spirit of Jesus Church
The Spirit of Jesus Church , is an independent New religious movements which was established in 1941 in Japan by Murai Jun. The church was named in accordance with a heavenly vision he reportedly received in 1941. The core mission of the Spirit of Jesus Church, is defined in the Gospel of Mark...
, was born into a Methodist family in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
and later studied theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
at Aoyama
Aoyama
Aoyama may refer to:-Places:* Aoyama, Tokyo, Japan** Aoyama Gakuin University, famous university located in Aoyama, Tokyo** Aoyama-itchōme Station, a railway station in Minato, Tokyo, Japan...
College. While he was studying there, something troubled him deeply to the point of anticipating suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
. Hence Murai planned to jump overboard a ferry near Okayama Prefecture
Okayama Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region on Honshū island. The capital is the city of Okayama.- History :During the Meiji Restoration, the area of Okayama Prefecture was known as Bitchū Province, Bizen Province and Mimasaka Province.- Geography :...
during 1918. However, when he was about to jump overboard, he felt that the Holy Spirit's presence suddenly overwhelmed him and he began speaking in tongues.
That experience gave him new courage to accept the Christian faith and his previous lack of confidence in the religion was now eliminated. Murai then abandoned Aoyama College to begin preaching the gospel. Not long afterwards, he was assigned as a pastor
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
for the Japan Bible Church.
In 1933, Murai informed his small church group in Tokyo's Nishisugamo of his Pentecostal experience which had changed his life.
During 1941, whilst in Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
, he came across the True Jesus Church
True Jesus Church in Taiwan
The True Jesus Church is a nontrinitarian Christian denomination began in China, growing out of the Pentecostal movement. Since its foundation it has spread to other countries including Taiwan....
, and indigenous Chinese church that had only been established for over 20 years. He accepted the main doctrines of the church and received baptism
Baptism
In Christianity, baptism is for the majority the rite of admission , almost invariably with the use of water, into the Christian Church generally and also membership of a particular church tradition...
; he then left his previous church denomination. However, during that year, Murai's wife claimed that she had received a revelation from God to establish a new church which was to be given the name
Spirit of Jesus Church
The Spirit of Jesus Church , is an independent New religious movements which was established in 1941 in Japan by Murai Jun. The church was named in accordance with a heavenly vision he reportedly received in 1941. The core mission of the Spirit of Jesus Church, is defined in the Gospel of Mark...
).