Introduction

Many Christians regard the True Jesus Church as a charismatic group or a member of the tongue-speaking denomination. This mis-understanding may have arisen due to the church’s strong emphasis on the Holy Spirit and the speaking of tongues (Acts 10:45-46).

The commission of this church, however, is to return to the true church of the apostolic time. The church is, therefore, non-denominational.

History in Brief

The True Jesus Church was established in 1917 in Beijing, China. Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the early workers preached the complete truth of salvation. The power of God was greatly manifested, and signs and miracles abounded to attest to the gospel preached.

In 1926, the church formed its headquarters in Nanjing, China. The first issue of the Holy Spirit Times was also published then. The gospel continued to spread to many provinces and neighboring countries as many more people became believers and were baptized into the Lord. By 1948, the congregation in China was estimated to be about 80,000 in number, and 9,000 in other parts of the world.

Following the communist government takeover in 1949, the church in China was placed under the great persecution. Under the divine guidance of God, however, membership continued to grow at an astounding rate.

As communication was lost between the church in communist China and the free world, the International Assembly was established during the first World Delegates Conference held in Taiwan, 1967 so as to coordinate the preaching of the gospel outside China. In 1985, the International Assembly office was relocated from Taichung, Taiwan to Los Angeles, U.S.A. to further the spread of the complete gospel at a global level.

Membership

The membership of the True Jesus Church is open to all who believe in the basic doctrines preached by the church in accordance with the teachings of the Bible, regardless of their gender, race, or nationality.

Present Status of the Church

The mission of the True Jesus Church is to preach the gospel to all nations until the second coming of Christ. At present, there are approximately 2.3 million members found in some 37 countries on all five major continents. This figure also includes those in the People’s Republic of China, which is estimated to have grown to a membership of 1.5 million according to some reliable sources conducted in recent years.

Basic Beliefs

The following are the articles of faith of the True Jesus Church, based on the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ and his apostles:

1. The one true God was manifested in the flesh as Jesus Christ who died on the cross for the redemption of sinners, was resurrected on the third day, and ascended to heaven. He is the only Savior of humankind, the Creator of the heavens and the earth (1 Tim 3:16; 1 Cor 15:3-4; Acts 4:12).

2. The Holy Bible is inspired by God and is the only Scripture testifying to the Truth (2 Tim 3:16).

3. The True Jesus Church was established by the Lord Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit and is the revival of the true church in the apostolic time (Joel 2:23; Amos 9:11)
4. Water baptism is the sacrament for the remission of sins and for regeneration. Peformed in natural and living water, the baptism is conducted in the name of Jesus with complete immersion of the baptized, whose head faces downward in the likeness of Jesus’ death (Mt 3;16; Acts 2:38)

5. Receiving of the Holy Spirit is a prerequisite for entering heaven and is evidenced by speaking in tongues. It testifies of one’s sonship in God. The Holy Spirit is the Helper and Comforter in one’s heavenly journey ( Rom 8:16; Eph 1:13-14).

6. The sacrament of foot-washing enables one to have a part in the Lord, and teaches holiness, humility, service, and forgiveness. It is performed in Jesus’ name to all newly baptized members (jn 13:1-17)

7. Holy Communion is the sacrament which commemorates the death of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. As members partake of the flesh and blood of the Lord, they are in spiritual communion with him–having the hope of eternal life and resurrection on the last day. Only one unleavened bread and grape juice is used and shared among the congregation (1 Cor 10:17, 11:26; Jn 6:53-56).

8. The Sabbath day, the seventh day of the week or Saturday, is a holy blessed and sanctified by God. It is observed under the grace of the Lord for the commemoration of God’s creation, for salvation, and with the hope of eternal rest (Gen 2:2-3; Heb 4:9-11).

9. Salvation is given by the grace of God to believers through their faith in Jesus Christ (Mt 22:37-39; Eph 2:8).

10. The second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ will take place on the last day when he shall descend from heaven to judge the world. The righteous will receive everlasting life, while the wicked will be eternally condemned (Mt 25:31-34; 1 Thess 4:16-17).

Note: Elaboration of the basic beliefs of the True Jesus Church can be found in flyers, booklets, audio–cassette tapes, and other publications of the church. These publications are free of charge, and you are welcome to request for any of them. May God bless you in your search for the complete gospel of salvation.