True Jesus Church in Korea
Encyclopedia
The True Jesus Church
is a nontrinitarian Christian denomination begun in China
, growing out of the Pentecostal movement. Since its foundation it has spread to other countries including Korea
.
On 30 July 1941, a Korean national named Bae Sang-Ryong who was living in Nagasaki, Japan
wished to know more about the teachings regarding the Holy Spirit
so he visited the True Jesus Church
in Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka
and asked to see Elder James Uwai .
After Elder Uwai described the teachings and beliefs of the church, Mr. Bae Sang-Ryong accepted the laying on of hands
from the Elder and began speaking in tongues. So on the 31 July, Mr. Ryong accepted water baptism
and became the first Korean True Jesus Church believer.
In April 1943, another Korean that resided in Japan
named Jung Tai-Joon also visited the church and after a period of examining their teachings, he received baptism from Elder Uwai.
With World War II
in the Pacific, and Japan gradually losing, Brother Bae and his family returned to Korea
on January 1945 and lived in Gimcheon
. In May 1945, Brother Jung also left Japan and lived in Busan
.
with his family on January 1945, he preached to a Korean who lived in Osaka
, Park Chang-Hwan .
After accepting the gospel, Brother Chang-Hwan Park voluntarily offered himself to serving the Lord and started the missionary work in June 1947. Brother Park Chang-Hwan then spread the gospel to a Korean Presbyterian church members Hong Jong-Bae , Park Pi-San and 30 others who later became church members and started holding services and held the first evangelical service in October that same year.
During that period, the Korean brethren proposed forming a centralised church governing structure to keep the order so Brothers Bae Sang-Ryong and Park Chang-Hwan were chosen as Elders; Brothers Park Pil-seon and Chun Mei-Sun were appointed as deacon
s.
In 1948, a Seventh-day Adventist Church
theological student studying named Mr. Wu In-jjeo came to deacon Park Pil-seon with the intention of distributing some of his church's magazine publications. But after hearing deacon Park's testimony, he joined the church in October.
The first True Jesus Church
in Korea
was then formally established with Elder Bae Sang-Ryong elected as committee member.
church received a message which read, "In Yongmunsan
there are people willing to receive the gospel, please hurry!".
So the church sent the two deacons Park Pil-seon and Hong Jong-Bae to the area and a result of their preaching, a former Presbyterian church pastor Yi Seok-Joo and another presbyterian believer Ryu Mun-Ryeol from Gangwon-do
.
In February 1949 during the second evangelical service, the second Korean church was established with Brother Heo Byeong-am appointed as a committee member.
in Korea
was established with Brother Jang Dal-Sun chosen as committee member.
In April 1950 the first major Church Delegation Conference was held.
, a portion of the believers went into safe hiding while others like Elder Park Chang-Hwan, Jung Tai-Joon, Wu In-jjeo and Brother Li fled across the Rakdong Kang
, with their entire families and relatives and hid in Cheongdo and Mae-Jeon
. After the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed in 1953, they returned to their homes in Gimcheon.
n Provinces
and cities :
True Jesus Church
The True Jesus Church is a non-denominational Christian church that originated in Beijing, China, in 1917. The current elected chairman of the TJC International Assembly is Preacher Yong-Ji Lin. Today, there are approximately 2.5 million members in fifty three countries and six continents...
is a nontrinitarian Christian denomination begun in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, growing out of the Pentecostal movement. Since its foundation it has spread to other countries including Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
.
On 30 July 1941, a Korean national named Bae Sang-Ryong who was living in Nagasaki, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
wished to know more about the teachings regarding the Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit is a term introduced in English translations of the Hebrew Bible, but understood differently in the main Abrahamic religions.While the general concept of a "Spirit" that permeates the cosmos has been used in various religions Holy Spirit is a term introduced in English translations of...
so he visited the True Jesus Church
True Jesus Church in Japan
The True Jesus Church in Japan was first established in Tokyo in 1946 by the Japanese Preachers Suda and Murata along with forty-four other Japanese church members who were repatriated from Taiwan to Japan.-Introduction: The Pentecostal movement in Japan:...
in Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka
Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka
is one of 24 wards of Osaka, Japan. It is located on the southern part of the Uemachi Plateau, in the southern most part of Osaka City, and is separated from Sakai City's Sakai-ku and Kita-ku by the Yamato River...
and asked to see Elder James Uwai .
After Elder Uwai described the teachings and beliefs of the church, Mr. Bae Sang-Ryong accepted the laying on of hands
Laying on of hands
The laying on of hands is a religious ritual that accompanies certain religious practices, which are found throughout the world in varying forms....
from the Elder and began speaking in tongues. So on the 31 July, Mr. Ryong accepted water 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...
and became the first Korean True Jesus Church believer.
In April 1943, another Korean that resided in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
named Jung Tai-Joon also visited the church and after a period of examining their teachings, he received baptism from Elder Uwai.
With World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
in the Pacific, and Japan gradually losing, Brother Bae and his family returned to Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
on January 1945 and lived in Gimcheon
Gimcheon
Gimcheon is a city in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. It is situated on the major land transportation routes between Seoul and Busan, namely the Gyeongbu Expressway and Gyeongbu Line railway.-Administrative divisions:...
. In May 1945, Brother Jung also left Japan and lived in Busan
Busan
Busan , formerly spelled Pusan is South Korea's second largest metropolis after Seoul, with a population of around 3.6 million. The Metropolitan area population is 4,399,515 as of 2010. It is the largest port city in South Korea and the fifth largest port in the world...
.
Gimcheon church
As Brother Bae Sang-Ryong moved to GimcheonGimcheon
Gimcheon is a city in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. It is situated on the major land transportation routes between Seoul and Busan, namely the Gyeongbu Expressway and Gyeongbu Line railway.-Administrative divisions:...
with his family on January 1945, he preached to a Korean who lived in Osaka
Osaka
is a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshu, a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe...
, Park Chang-Hwan .
After accepting the gospel, Brother Chang-Hwan Park voluntarily offered himself to serving the Lord and started the missionary work in June 1947. Brother Park Chang-Hwan then spread the gospel to a Korean Presbyterian church members Hong Jong-Bae , Park Pi-San and 30 others who later became church members and started holding services and held the first evangelical service in October that same year.
During that period, the Korean brethren proposed forming a centralised church governing structure to keep the order so Brothers Bae Sang-Ryong and Park Chang-Hwan were chosen as Elders; Brothers Park Pil-seon and Chun Mei-Sun were appointed as deacon
Deacon
Deacon is a ministry in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions...
s.
In 1948, a Seventh-day Adventist Church
Seventh-day Adventist Church
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a Protestant Christian denomination distinguished by its observance of Saturday, the original seventh day of the Judeo-Christian week, as the Sabbath, and by its emphasis on the imminent second coming of Jesus Christ...
theological student studying named Mr. Wu In-jjeo came to deacon Park Pil-seon with the intention of distributing some of his church's magazine publications. But after hearing deacon Park's testimony, he joined the church in October.
The first True Jesus Church
True Jesus Church
The True Jesus Church is a non-denominational Christian church that originated in Beijing, China, in 1917. The current elected chairman of the TJC International Assembly is Preacher Yong-Ji Lin. Today, there are approximately 2.5 million members in fifty three countries and six continents...
in Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
was then formally established with Elder Bae Sang-Ryong elected as committee member.
Hong-gok Li church
In August 1948 the GimcheonGimcheon
Gimcheon is a city in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. It is situated on the major land transportation routes between Seoul and Busan, namely the Gyeongbu Expressway and Gyeongbu Line railway.-Administrative divisions:...
church received a message which read, "In Yongmunsan
Yongmunsan (Gyeonggi-do)
Yongmunsan is a mountain in the county of Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi-do in South Korea. It has an elevation of .-References:...
there are people willing to receive the gospel, please hurry!".
So the church sent the two deacons Park Pil-seon and Hong Jong-Bae to the area and a result of their preaching, a former Presbyterian church pastor Yi Seok-Joo and another presbyterian believer Ryu Mun-Ryeol from Gangwon-do
Gangwon-do (South Korea)
Gangwon-do is a province of South Korea, with its capital at Chuncheon. Before the division of Korea in 1945, Gangwon and its North Korean neighbour Kangwŏn formed a single province.-History:...
.
In February 1949 during the second evangelical service, the second Korean church was established with Brother Heo Byeong-am appointed as a committee member.
Seodo church
During and after the evangelical sessions held by Elder Heo Byeong-am in February 1949, Jang Dal-Sun , a female Presbyterian pastor from Seodo and fellow church members were invited to attend. After holding family bible sessions many believed and several prayer houses were established so by May that year, the third True Jesus ChurchTrue Jesus Church
The True Jesus Church is a non-denominational Christian church that originated in Beijing, China, in 1917. The current elected chairman of the TJC International Assembly is Preacher Yong-Ji Lin. Today, there are approximately 2.5 million members in fifty three countries and six continents...
in Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
was established with Brother Jang Dal-Sun chosen as committee member.
In April 1950 the first major Church Delegation Conference was held.
Period of trouble and strife
During the outbreak of the Korean WarKorean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, a portion of the believers went into safe hiding while others like Elder Park Chang-Hwan, Jung Tai-Joon, Wu In-jjeo and Brother Li fled across the Rakdong Kang
Nakdong River
The Nakdong River is the longest river in South Korea, and passes through major cities such as Daegu and Busan.-Geography:...
, with their entire families and relatives and hid in Cheongdo and Mae-Jeon
Maejeon-myeon
Maejeon-myeon is a myeon, or township, in Cheongdo County, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea. Maejeon is home to two Elementary schools and Maejeon Middle School....
. After the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed in 1953, they returned to their homes in Gimcheon.
Membership Distribution
There are currently (2004) 23 churches, 8 prayer houses and 3727 believers in the following South KoreaSouth Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
n Provinces
Administrative divisions of South Korea
||South Korea is divided into 8 provinces , 1 special autonomous province , 6 metropolitan cities , and 1 special city...
and cities :
- Gangwon ProvinceGangwon-do (South Korea)Gangwon-do is a province of South Korea, with its capital at Chuncheon. Before the division of Korea in 1945, Gangwon and its North Korean neighbour Kangwŏn formed a single province.-History:...
: GangneungGangneungGangneung is a city in Gangwon-do, on the east coast of South Korea. It has a population of 229,869 . Gangneung is the economic centre of the Yeongdong region of eastern Gangwon Province. Gangneung has many tourist attractions, like Jeongdongjin, one of the most famous towns in Korea...
, WonjuWonjuWonju is the most populous city in Gangwon province, South Korea.Wonju is a city approximately east of Seoul and the capital can be reached within 1hr 30minutes by bus or train. Wonju is home to three major universities which attract many students from Seoul and elsewhere. They provide facilities...
- North Jeolla ProvinceJeollabuk-doJeollabuk-do is a province in the southwest of South Korea. The province was formed in 1896 from the northern half of the former Jeolla province, and remained a province of Korea until the country's division in 1945, then became part of South Korea...
: NamwonNamwonNamwon is a city in North Jeolla Province, South Korea. Namwon is about 45 minutes from the provincial capital of Jeonju, which is three hours away from Seoul....
, JeonjuJeonjuJeonju is a city in South Korea, and the capital of Jeollabuk-do, or North Jeolla Province. It is an important tourist center famous for Korean food, historic buildings, sports activities and innovative festivals.- History :...
- South Jeolla ProvinceJeollanam-doJeollanam-do is a province in the southwest of South Korea. The province was formed in 1896 from the southern half of the former Jeolla province, remained a province of Korea until the country's division in 1945, then became part of South Korea...
: GangjinGangjinGangjin County is a county in South Jeolla Province, South Korea. Gangjin county proper was established in 1895. The county office is located in Gangjin-eup.It is a noted area for the production of traditional Korean celadon...
, GwangyangGwangyangGwangyang is a city in South Jeolla Province, South Korea. Gwangyang city is the home of POSCO's Gwangyang Steel Works, the largest facility of its kind in the world.The city is also home to K-League soccer side Chunnam Dragons....
, MokpoMokpoMokpo is a city in South Jeolla Province, South Korea, on the southwestern tip of the Korean Peninsula. Mokpo has frequent train service to Seoul and is the terminus for a number of ferry routes serving islands in the adjacent Yellow Sea...
- North Gyeongsang ProvinceGyeongsangbuk-doGyeongsangbuk-do or shortly Gyeongbuk is a province in eastern South Korea. The province was formed in 1896 from the northern half of the former Gyeongsang province, remained a province of Korea until the country's division in 1945, then became part of South Korea.The Gyeongsangbuk-do Office is...
: GimcheonGimcheonGimcheon is a city in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. It is situated on the major land transportation routes between Seoul and Busan, namely the Gyeongbu Expressway and Gyeongbu Line railway.-Administrative divisions:...
, AndongAndongAndong is a city in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, South Korea. It is the largest city in the northern part of the province with a population of 167,821 in October 2010. The Nakdong River flows through the city...
- South Gyeongsang ProvinceGyeongsangnam-doGyeongsangnam-do is a province in the southeast of South Korea. The provincial capital is located at Changwon. It contains the major metropolitan center and port of Busan. Located there is UNESCO World Heritage Site Haeinsa, a Buddhist temple that houses the Tripitaka Koreana and attracts many...
: GeojeGeojeGeoje is a city located in South Gyeongsang province, just off the coast of the port city of Busan, South Korea. Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering in Okpo and Samsung Heavy Industries in Gohyeon are both located on Geoje Island. The city also offers a wide range of tourist sights...
- North Chungcheong ProvinceChungcheongbuk-doChungcheongbuk-do is a province in the centre of South Korea. It was formed in 1896 from the northeastern half of the former Chungcheong province...
: CheongjuCheongjuCheongju is the capital city of Chungcheongbuk-do , South Korea. The city is divided into two wards , Heungdeok-gu and Sangdang-gu .-History:...
- South Chungcheong ProvinceChungcheongnam-doChungcheongnam-do or Chungnam is a province in the west of South Korea. The province was formed in 1896 from the south-western half of the former Chungcheong Province and remained a province of Korea until the country's division in 1945, thereafter becoming part of South Korea...
: BoryeongBoryeongBoryeong, commonly known as Daecheon, is a city in South Chungcheong Province, South Korea. It is located at , on the coast of the Yellow Sea. It lies on the Janghang Line railroad, which connects it to Seoul via the Gyeongbu Line. It is also connected to the Seohaean Expressway...
, Seocheon, CheonanCheonanCheonan is a city located in the northeast corner of South Chungcheong, a province of South Korea, and is 83.6 km south of the capital, Seoul...
- Gyeonggi ProvinceGyeonggi-doGyeonggi-do is the most populous province in South Korea. The provincial capital is located at Suwon. Seoul—South Korea's largest city and national capital—is located in the heart of the province, but has been separately administered as a provincial-level special city since 1946...
: BundangBundangBundang is the southernmost district of Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. In addition to being the most populous part of the city, it also has the status of being one of the wealthiest regions in Gyeonggi Province...
, SuwonSuwonSuwon is the provincial capital of Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. A major city of over a million inhabitants, Suwon lies approximately south of Seoul. It is traditionally known as "The City of Filial Piety"....
, AnsanAnsanAnsan is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. It lies south of Seoul, and is part of the Seoul National Capital Area. It is connected to Seoul by rail via Seoul Subway Line 4....
, Anyang, OsanOsanOsan is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, approximately 35 km south of Seoul. The population of the city is around 120,000. The local economy is supported by a mix of agricultural and industrial enterprises....
, Euncheon (은천)
- SeoulSeoulSeoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
: Gangnam DistrictGangnam-guGangnam-gu is one of the 25 gu which make up the city of Seoul, South Korea. It is one of the most affluent areas of Seoul and is located in the southeast of the city...
, Dongbu (동부)
- Metropolitan CitiesSpecial cities of KoreaIn both North and South Korea, a special city, a metropolitan city, or a directly governed city is a city that has a status equivalent to that of a province...
: GwangjuGwangjuGwangju is the sixth largest city in South Korea. It is a designated metropolitan city under the direct control of the central government's Home Minister...
, DaeguDaeguDaegu , also known as Taegu, and officially the Daegu Metropolitan City, is a city in South Korea, the fourth largest after Seoul, Busan, and Incheon, and the third largest metropolitan area in the country with over 2.5 million residents. The city is the capital and principal city of the...
, DaejeonDaejeonDaejeon is South Korea's fifth largest metropolis and the provincial capital of Chungnam. Located in the center of the country, Daejeon had a population of over 1.5 million in 2010. It is at the crossroads of Gyeongbu railway, Honam railway, Gyeongbu Expressway, and Honam Expressway. Within the...
, BusanBusanBusan , formerly spelled Pusan is South Korea's second largest metropolis after Seoul, with a population of around 3.6 million. The Metropolitan area population is 4,399,515 as of 2010. It is the largest port city in South Korea and the fifth largest port in the world...
, IncheonIncheonThe Incheon Metropolitan City is located in northwestern South Korea. The city was home to just 4,700 people when Jemulpo port was built in 1883. Today 2.76 million people live in the city, making it Korea’s third most populous city after Seoul and Busan Metropolitan City...
- Other cities: DaebangDaebang-dongDaebang-dong is a dong, neighbourhood of Dongjak-gu in Seoul, South Korea.-External links:*...
(대방), Samgye (삼계), Seodo (서도), Seobu (서부), Sumun (수문), Ssangchi (쌍치기), Janghangseobu (장항서부), Hwasan (화산).
See also
- Christianity in KoreaChristianity in KoreaThe practice of Christianity in Korea revolves around two of its largest branches, Protestantism and Catholicism, accounting for 8.6 million and 5.1 million members respectively. Roman Catholicism was first introduced during the late Joseon Dynasty period...
- True Jesus Church in JapanTrue Jesus Church in JapanThe True Jesus Church in Japan was first established in Tokyo in 1946 by the Japanese Preachers Suda and Murata along with forty-four other Japanese church members who were repatriated from Taiwan to Japan.-Introduction: The Pentecostal movement in Japan:...
- True Jesus Church in TaiwanTrue Jesus Church in TaiwanThe 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....