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The History of the True Jesus Church

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The History of the True Jesus Church J1Y2BK1 SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER N o t e s L e s s o n 11 The History of the True Jesus Church O v e r v i e w B i b l e B a c k g r o u n d Bible Text In the early days just after Jesus' crucifix- Isa 41:2, 43:5; Eze ion, the Gospel was spread widely 47:1-9; Rev 7:2; 2 Ch because of the work of the Holy Spirit and 6:22-23; Ez1:1-4, 3:1- the fervency of the disciples. However, in 13; Eph 2:11-22 the centuries that followed, churches began to deviate from the original teach- Bible Truth ings of Christ and began preaching their There is only one True own doctrines. Some even went so far as Church that can offer to create their own versions of the Bible. salvation Many sacraments and rites which were based upon worldly practices were institut- Lesson Aim ed, all of these resulting in cessation of the To understand that work of the Holy Spirit, thus fulfilling the God established the prophecy, "...the heavens be shut up, so True Jesus Church and that there be no rain" (Dt 11:16-17). In the to know its history 16th century, a Christian named Martin Memory Verse Luther initiated church reform, urging a “On that day I will raise return to the Bible as the source of the up the booth of David Truth. Although some positive changes that is fallen, and resulted, Luther did not achieve a complete repair its breaches, return to the original doctrines of the early and raise up its ruins, church. In fact since then many Christian and rebuild it as in the denominations, each preaching their own days of old.” (Amos doctrine, have arisen and with them much 104 9:11) 105 Bible Background, continued A b o u t interdenominational conflict and strife (Mt 23:15; Eph Y o u r 4:2-6). It was not until 1917, when the True Jesus For many of the students, it is difficult for them to Church was established by the Holy Spirit in S t u d e n t s articulate the history of the true church. Moreover, Mainland China that the apostolic church of the early history is not always the most interesting subject. S p i r i t u a l days was revived. However, it is important for them to understand the connection between the past and the present. F o o d By examining the beginnings as well as the growth process of the true church, they will have It is hard to explain and even more difficult to con- a deeper and richer knowledge of the work of F o r vince someone that the True Jesus Church is the God. They need to understand that it’s not just only church that offers salvation. He or she may history on paper. It is relevant and meaningful to T h o u g h t see that there are other Christians out there who their lives, just as their own past makes them who are just as if not, more fervent and zealous. How they are today. Encourage them to learn about can they not be saved? What about those church- the true church and how it impacts their faith es who only differ in the day of Sabbath worship? today. A technical point, he or she may argue. Surely, those Christians will not be left out of the kingdom P r e p a r i n g of heaven for that? While, it may seem unfair and The church must Y o u r Fact or Fiction?-How Well Do You Know The even cruel, the Bible clearly states that only those Church who truly follow in the Way and Word of God will have the neces- H e a r t s Read the following statements. Do you believe they be saved in the end. It is not sufficient to just go are true or false statements concerning the history of to church and be good. Firstly, the church must sary and correct the church? You may be surprised at the answers. have the necessary and correct doctrines and even then, its believers must manifest those doctrines and 1. The True Jesus Church was established by the beliefs in every area of their lives and conduct. It Holy Spirit in Taiwan in 1917. may seem like a lot to ask of someone who is set even then, its 2. The Holy Spirit revealed the Truth to three early in their ways about what they feel and know to be workers of the church. They were Paul Wei, Ling- the ways of a Christian. But we must all read believers must Shen Chang and Barnabas Chang. carefully and come to understand the words of 3. The word “True” in the name of the church God as they are recorded in the Bible so that they manifest those refers to God, because God is true. may inspire us to faithfully follow God and his will. 4. Taiwan currently has about 50 churches and beliefs in every Teacher’s Note approximately 15, 000 believers. The Fact or Fiction 5. The True Jesus Church has been able to area of their questions can either be preach its message of salvation in areas including Ghana and Liberia. lives and con- written on the board or on separate sheets of Now go to Worksheet #1 to find out the facts! duct. paper to be distributed or just read aloud. Were you right? 106 107 B i b l e Bible Study, continued Worksheet #1 S t u d y He joined the Church of the Apostolic Faith, and The Emergence of the True Jesus Church was ordained an elder. In 1919, Ling-Shen Chang and Paul Wei met Barnabas Chang. Both Ling- The True Jesus Church was established Shen and Barnabas accepted the correct mode of not by man, but by the Holy Spirit. In the early 20th water baptism, that is, face down, as preached by century, missionaries from the Pentecostal church Paul Wei. Barnabas Chang went on to preach the preached in mainland China. Some of the men who Gospel, and by the power of God, performed many were converted to Christianity at this time were cho- miracles and established churches in many Teacher’s Note sen by God to become the pioneers and early work- regions. Before you start the ers of the True Jesus Church. Bible Study, please ask Paul Wei was a merchant and a member The Naming of the True Jesus Church students to refer to the of the London Mission. He contracted a serious ill- The early workers originally used the Student Worksheet. ness, and, after prayer by elders of the Church of names "Church of Jesus" and "True Church of Some of the information the Apostolic Faith, was healed, and joined that Jesus" when referring to the church which had given there may not be church. One day, while praying in the upper floor of been established. But, in 1917, when they regis- available to the students a storehouse, he received the Holy Spirit and spoke tered the church with the government, they used here. The explanations in tongues. In 1917, the Holy Spirit inspired him to the name "True Jesus Mission". By the revelation on the right can serve as fast for 39 days, and after this, revealed to him the of God, this was later changed to "True Jesus reference to the teacher. correct mode of water baptism by again inspiring Church", a name which has spiritual significance. him, this time to be baptized in the name of the The word "True" refers to God, because God is Lord Jesus, face down, in a river in the province of true. The word "Jesus" refers to Jesus Christ, the Hupei. Subsequently, the Holy Spirit revealed the Son of God, the physical manifestation of God, Truth to Paul Wei, and charged him to correct the who died for the sins of mankind. It is the only wrong teachings of the Christian churches. From name of God, given for the sake of man's salva- that point on, he offered himself to God, preaching tion. The word "Church" refers to a congregation or fervently and writing many articles concerning the gathering of people, chosen by God. At its most true Gospel. simplistic level, then, the name "True Jesus Teacher’s Note Ling-Shen Chang was originally an elder in Church" is a reflection of the role that Christ serves Worksheet #1 can be the Presbyterian church. He first received a revela- as mediator between God and man. On a deeper read individually or as a tion from God to observe the correct day of spiritual level, the Church is Christ's body, and he class, depending on the Sabbath, that is, Saturday, and then, in 1910, is its head and salvation. And, as God is true, so number and make-up of received the Holy Spirit and established a "True too is Jesus, who is the true vine. Thus, it follows the students. Jesus Church" in Hsi-Chuang-Tou, Shantung. In that the church itself is true. 1918 he met Paul Wei, and the two men began working together to spread the Gospel. The Early Work Barnabas Chang was originally an antique Inspired by the Lord, Paul Wei preached seller. In 1911 he accepted the Gospel as preached the doctrines of the True Jesus Church in Northern by Ling-Shen Chang, and received the Holy Spirit.
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