Baptism; Christ Ahnsahnghong, Heavenly Mother, World Mission Society Church of God

Baptism

God’s children value the laws of God. Let us introduce the truths of the new covenant of the early Church, which were restored by the Second Coming Christ Ahnsahnghong.

Man is mortal. Why has man become a slave to death? The Bible tells us that all men come to die on account of their sin.

We cannot have life when we are still filled with sin. In order to receive eternal life, our sins must be disposed of. Baptism is the first step we can take toward salvation. Through this gracious regulation of God, our sins are cleansed and we are atoned.

Therefore, the Church of God performs baptism, according to the teaching of the Second Coming Christ Ahnsahnghong.

The Origin of Baptism

God promised His people that He would send the prophet Elijah to prepare the way for Him; Elijah would appear before God came to the earth as the Messiah. The purpose of Elijah's coming was to testify about the Messiah, and to "make straight" the way for Him.

Isa. 40:3 『A voice of one calling: "In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God."』

John the Baptist was sent to fulfill the mission of Elijah. He preached the news of repentance to the Israelites who did not obey the words of God, being confined within their hypocritical faith.

Matt. 3:7-9 『But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.'" 』

Mark 1:4-5 『And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.』

John did not baptize people by his own will, but according to the orders he had received from God, who had sent him.

God established the principle of the forgiveness of sins through baptism, so that we could realize that baptism is one of God's righteous laws, given to us for our salvation (1 John 1:33). Therefore, Jesus set the example of being baptized, by John the Baptist, to institute baptism as a sacred law.

Matt. 3:14-15 『But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness."』

Matt. 21:32 『For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him..." 』

Baptism, the truth of righteousness, was not only an ordinance to testify about Jesus, but it was also a law of the new covenant, for Jesus himself baptized people and set the example of being baptized with water (Matt. 3:16).

John 3:22-23 『After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were constantly coming to be baptized.』

When Should We Be Baptized?

Baptism is the first step toward receiving God's favor, through which we receive the forgiveness of sins. It has been likened to the birth of a baby coming out of the womb. As our body is born from the womb and then learns about the world one by one, our spirit removes its sins and transgressions through baptism, being born again as a child of God. Then, after baptism, we learn about God's providence and the secrets of the kingdom of heaven.

Eph. 1:7-9 『In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding...』

In this verse, Jesus describes the same creation process as in Genesis chapter two, revealing the separation between the death of the body [the dust] and the death of the spirit.

Without receiving the forgiveness of sins, we cannot be given the wisdom to recognize God. Therefore it is against God's will to insist that baptism should be given after six or twelve months of studying. If we want to believe in God, we should be baptized first. After, we are given the opportunity to participate in God's divine nature through our life of faith.

Here are some examples of those who, upon hearing the good news of Jesus, participated in God's righteousness by being baptized.

A eunuch who was in charge of the treasury of Candace [queen of the Ethiopians] was baptized while traveling along the road, immediately after Philip had testified to him about the Christ (Acts 16:13-15). A woman named Lydia, a purple cloth dealer, received Paul's message and believed in Jesus; she, and her household, was baptized immediately (Acts 16:13-15). And a jailer, who patrolled the gate of the prison where Paul and Silas were confined, heard about Jesus. Immediately he?and his family?came to believe in Jesus, and were baptized (Acts 16:25-33). Baptism means the rebirth of our spirit and it is the starting point of our faith in God.

Through baptism, we promise God that we will repent of our past sins and that we will follow the will of God. In return, God promises that he will remember us in the time of Judgment.

Suppose there is a church that insists that someone should be baptized after six months or one year, after his faith has grown. If he dies while learning the doctrines of this particular denomination?without having the promise of God's salvation?who will be responsible for his soul?

Baptism and Rebirth

All men are destined to die because of their sin. The kingdom of heaven is a place where our physical bodies can never step foot. Even though our bodies are slaves to sin and destined to die, God allows us the opportunity to return to heaven. To enter the eternal kingdom, our spirit should be born again.

John 3:3-5 『In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." "How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!" Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit."』

Rom. 6:3-11 『Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life...Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him...In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.』

The purpose of the law of baptism is not to wash the dirt off of our body, but to wash the sin off of our soul, so that we may be revived.

Baptism and the Book of Life

Jesus said, "No one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit." To be "born again" means to be born a second time?being born of the Spirit (John 3:1-8). As one's name is recorded in the census when he is born, so is one's name written in the book of life after he is born again of the Spirit. Therefore, when someone is baptized, his name is written in the Church's book of life, and most importantly, is also written in the book of life in heaven.

Matt. 16:19 『"I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."』

Like this, when one's name is written in the book of life on earth, it is also written in the book of life in heaven. The Apostle Paul said:

1 Cor. 4:15 『...for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.』

Phil. 3:20 『But our citizenship is in heaven.』

Phil. 4:3 『Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.』

And Jesus said:

Luke 10:20 『"However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."』

Ps. 69:27-28 『Charge them with crime upon crime; do not let them share in your salvation. May they be blotted out of the book of life and not be listed with the righteous.』

Even if we diligently believe in God, unless our names are written in the book of life, we can never enter the kingdom of heaven. As it is written:

Rev. 20:15 『If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.』

Rev. 21:27 『Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.』

Isa. 4:3-4 『Those who are left in Zion, who remain in Jerusalem, will be called holy, all who are recorded among the living in Jerusalem. The Lord will wash away the filth of the women of Zion; he will cleanse the bloodstains from Jerusalem by a spirit of judgment and a spirit of fire.』

The prophet Daniel wrote:

Dan. 12:1 『"At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people?everyone whose name is found written in the book?will be delivered."』

But David, the writer of Psalms, wrote:

Ps. 69:27-28 『Charge them with crime upon crime; do not let them share in your salvation. May they be blotted out of the book of life and not be listed with the righteous.』

Even though someone's name has been written in the book of life, his name will be blotted out of the book of life if he commits the unforgivable sin.

Rev. 3:5-6 『"He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels."』

Through baptism, we receive the forgiveness of our sins, our names are written in the book of life in heaven, and we are born again with a new life, just as Jesus was raised from the dead. That is why we are baptized. If we have not been baptized, we cannot keep the Passover, and unless we keep the Passover, our names cannot be written in the book of life. We must be baptized, and then keep the Passover, so that we can escape the last plagues and enter the eternal kingdom of heaven.

Veil; Christ Ahnsahnghong, Heavenly Mother, World Mission Society Church of God

Veil    

God’s children value the laws of God. Let us introduce the truths of the new covenant of the early Church, which were restored by the Second Coming Christ Ahnsahnghong.

Matt. 22:1-14 『..."The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son...But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. 'Friend,' he asked, 'how did you get in here without wedding clothes?' The man was speechless. Then the king told the attendants, 'Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'..."』

In the above words, spoken by Jesus, it is clear that there is a regulation for God's people to wear wedding clothes when they enter the heavenly wedding banquet. It is a promise we make with God.

Likewise, when we worship God, there are certain regulations. Worship services should be held according to the teachings of God. Firstly, we should have a godly mind when worshiping God, and, secondly, women should wear veils.

All of the women of the Church of God wear veils during worship services, according to the teachings of the Second Coming Christ Ahnsahnghong. By wearing veils, they can worship God with a godly mind. Men do not cover their heads during worship services.

God gave us this veil regulation as a sign representing God's authority. Even though this regulation seems minor, it cannot be neglected. None of God's commands were instituted meaninglessly. All of the regulations were given to God's people because they are necessary for our salvation and allow us to enter the kingdom of God.

Hos. 8:12 『"I wrote for them the many things of my law, but they regarded them as something alien."』

If we regard God's regulations as trivial, God will regard us as trivial.

Woman’s Veil Is God’s Commandment

Christ commanded that during worship service men should not cover their heads, but women ought to cover their heads.

1 Cor. 11:1-6 『Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ....』

The Apostle Paul emphasized that his teachings were from Christ, not from his own personal opinions.

Through Christ's teaching, we discover that men ought not to cover their heads, but that women should cover their heads while worshiping God.

During the time of Moses, the head of a woman stood for the man. Thus, it was regarded as very shameful if a woman uncovered her head in front of a man or even loosened her hair. In fact, when a Jewish man chose to marry a Gentile captive, he would shave the woman's head to wash away the shame of her prior ignorance of God.

The words, "It is just as though her head were shaved," refer to this very shameful occurrence.

Woman’s Veil Shown Through the Providence of Creation

Even through the Creation, we can see that men ought not to cover their heads, but that women should cover their heads while in the presence of God.

1 Cor. 11:7-9 『A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man....』

God created Eve as Adam's helper. In the work of preaching the new covenant, too, man is the head and woman is the helper; however, men must not arrogantly ignore their female counterparts. As it is written:

1 Cor. 11:11-12 『In the Lord, however, woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God.』

Could the gospel work be completed by only men? Or, if only women worked for the gospel, could it be fulfilled? Men and women should help each other in the gospel work. Both should remain devoted to their missions and faithful to the titles and positions given to them by God.

Woman’s Veil Is Shown Through the "Very Nature of Things"

Our intrinsic nature, given to us by God, teaches us that men should not cover their heads, but that women should.

1 Cor. 11:13-15 『Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered?...』

This verse implies that it is not proper for a woman to worship God with her head uncovered. We unconsciously know that if a man has long hair he looks ugly, and it can even become his disgrace. God gave men "the nature" not to cover their heads.

"But that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering."Contrary to man, if a woman has short hair, she is not seen as beautiful. When a woman has long hair that covers her head, she looks beautiful, and it becomes her glory. This is only because God gave women the "nature" to feel beautiful when their heads are covered with long hair.

Through the "nature of things," God taught us that a man should not cover his head, but that a woman should cover her head. Verse 15?"long hair is given to her as a covering"?means that God uses a woman's long hair to subconsciously teach her that it is proper for her to cover her head.

As the Apostles preached the gospel, Christ's teachings spread to various Mediterranean regions. Initially, the veil regulation was obeyed without rejection. As people began to advocate gender equality, however, a question was raised: "Is there any reason for women to wear veils when men do not?" In the region of Corinth, women became repulsed at the thought of the veil regulation. In an effort to change their incorrect thinking, the Apostle Paul emphasized that women ought to cover their heads, explaining the deeper significance of this regulation.

Woman's Veil Is Notated in the Section Titles of the Bible

Some versions of the Bible have section titles which summarize the contents of the chapter which follows. Let's look at some of the section titles used for 1 Corinthians chapter 11.

ESV (English Standard Version) - Head Coverings TEV (Today's English Version) - Covering the Head in Worship

These section titles display the Apostle Paul's true purpose in writing this chapter. 1 Corinthians 11 lists all of the reasons why women have to cover their heads during worship. No commandment of God is trivial. All of the commandments are given to us for our salvation and heavenly blessings. Women should cover their heads when they worship or pray so that they may give glory to God.

The Bible says,"Arrogance is like the evil of idolatry."

Men Ought Not to Cover Their Heads

In some churches, the male priests cover their heads; however, this teaching is not from the Bible. A long time ago, when Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the Ten Commandments, the Israelites could not look directly at Moses' face because he was so radiant after meeting God. The people were afraid to come near him, so he put a veil over his face. When he went to speak with God, however, he took it off (Ex. 34:29-35). From then on, the Israelites covered their faces with shrouds when they read the Old Testament.

Just as Moses took off the shroud when he came before God, we are to meet God [Christ] without a shroud. In this instance, the shroud does not imply veils that cover the "heads" of women, but it signifies the shroud that covered the people's "faces" when they read the Old Testament.

Through 1 Corinthians chapter 11, we can understand that women ought to cover their heads during times of worship and that men ought not to cover their heads. Through 2 Corinthians chapter 3, we can understand that now, regardless of gender, we need to take away the shroud which has covered our faces and has not allowed our eyes to clearly see the truth of the Bible.

The feast of unleavened bread; Christ Ahnsahnghong, Heavenly Mother, World Mission Society Church of God

The feast of unleavened bread

Let us introduce the seven feasts in three times, that is, the seven thunders which were unsealed by Christ Ahnsahnghong who came again as the Root of David.

The Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first month, according to the sacred calendar, is the feast that commemorates Christ's suffering on the cross (Lev. 23:6). The Church of God celebrates the Feast of Unleavened Bread on the fifteenth day of the first month by the sacred calendar, following the teachings of Second Coming Christ Ahnsahnghong.

Origin

This feast originated from the Israelites' suffering, from all the trials that they had experienced from the time they had kept the Passover and left Egypt, until the time they had crossed the Red Sea. Pharaoh, king of Egypt, released the Israelites from their Egyptian bondage, but immediately changed his mind. He sent all the chariots of Egypt to chase after them?including six hundred of the country's best chariots?to capture the Israelites and bring them back to Egypt. As Pharaoh's army approached, the Israelites were terrified and cried out to the LORD. At that moment, the LORD God divided the Red Sea by Moses' staff, revealing dry ground between the two walls of water. It is written that God allowed six-hundred thousand men to safely cross the Red Sea. Then, how many women and children do you think were among them? God protected the Israelites from the Egyptian army by a pillar of cloud and a pillar of fire, delaying the Egyptians' ability to chase after God's people. We can only assume how hasty and nervous the fugitives' hearts were at that time. All of the difficulties and hardships that the Israelites endured during this time period became the origin of the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Ex. 14:1-31).

Ceremony

In the Old Testament times, God commanded His people to eat unleavened bread (made without yeast) and bitter herbs, so that they would remember the suffering of the Israelites. The unleavened bread was also called the "bread of affliction" (Deut. 16:3). These events were a prophecy to reveal that Jesus would suffer, being hung on the cross. In the New Testament times, we participate in Christ's suffering by fasting, according to God's command.

Mark 2:20 『"But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast."』

Prophecy and Its Fulfillment

The Feast of Unleavened Bread is a feast of suffering, representing the Crucifixion of Jesus. The Israelites' traveling into the Red Sea represented Jesus' going into the tomb. Their landing on the other side of the Sea represented His resurrection, the significance of which is implied in the baptism that we undergo now. On the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Moses led the natural Israelites from Egypt into the Desert of Sinai, and on this feast Jesus led the spiritual Israelites from this sinful world?the reality of Egypt?into the desert of faith. Whoever believes in Christ and is baptized has symbolically crossed the Red Sea and entered the desert of faith. When we commemorate the Feast of Unleavened Bread, we participate in Christ's suffering, and we are given the power from God to endure the tribulations and hardships that we will be faced with (Luke 22:43-44).

The day of firstfruits; Christ Ahnsahnghong, Heavenly Mother, World Mission Society Church of God

The day of firstfruits

Let us introduce the seven feasts in three times, that is, the seven thunders which were unsealed by Christ Ahnsahnghong who came again as the Root of David.

The word "Elohim" directly translates to "Gods." The Bible testifies that God exists in the female image, God the Mother, as well as the male image, God the Father.

Origin

When the nervous Israelites were being chased by the Egyptian army, God allowed them to cross the Red Sea under His protection, even though they had been so terrified. When God put the Sea?which had been divided?back in its place, the Egyptian army that had pursued them was buried in water. God commanded the Israelites to annually commemorate the day when they had landed on the other side of the Red Sea, so that they might remember God's great power revealed on that day. This is the origin of the Day of Firstfruits (Ex. 14:26-31).

Ceremony

The word "firstfruits" reveals its meaning. On the day after the Sabbath, the Israelites brought a sheaf of the first grain to the priest, and the priest waved the sheaf before God so that it could be accepted on behalf of the people (Lev. 23: 9-11).

On the same day, in the New Testament times, Jesus gave bread to two disciples who were traveling to a village named Emmaus. After the disciples broke the bread that Jesus had given to them, their spiritual eyes were opened, and they recognized Him (Luke 24:13-35).

Prophecy and Its Fulfillment

As God had commanded, the priests were to wave a sheaf of the first grain before the LORD on the day after the Sabbath (Sunday) so that God would accept their offering.

Lev. 23:10-12 『"When you enter the land I am going to give you and you reap its harvest, bring to the priest a sheaf of the first grain you harvest. He is to wave the sheaf before the LORD so it will be accepted on your behalf; the priest is to wave it on the day after the Sabbath."』

Here, the first grain?the firstfruits?stands for Christ, who was raised from the dead as the firstfruits of those who had fallen asleep.

1 Cor. 15:20 『But Christ had indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.』

The offering to be presented on the Day of Firstfruits, a sheaf of the first grain, was to be brought to God on the day after the Sabbath?that is, Sunday. The firstfruits stand for Christ, so it is only logical that Resurrection Day, when Jesus rose from death, would be on Sunday, the day after the Sabbath.

Mark 16:2-6 『Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?" But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away..."You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here."』

The Day of Firstfruits is the shadow of Resurrection Day. As the Day of Firstfruits was celebrated on the day after the Sabbath, Sunday, so Resurrection Day is to be celebrated on Sunday, in fulfillment of the prophecy. Therefore the Day of Firstfruits, Resurrection Day, is celebrated on Sunday every year. By rising from the dead as the firstfruits of those who had fallen asleep, Jesus became the true offering of the Day of Firstfruits, belonging to the seven feasts of three times.

Matt. 27:52-53 『The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.』

In those days, the holy people who had been saved through the gospel became the ripe grains of the wheat harvest, and today, we have become the ripe grains of the last autumn harvest (Ex. 23:16).

The feast of weeks; Christ Ahnsahnghong, Heavenly Mother, World Mission Society Church of God

The feast of weeks

Let us introduce the seven feasts in three times, that is, the seven thunders which were unsealed by Christ Ahnsahnghong who came again as the Root of David.

The Feast of Weeks, referred to in the New Testament as the "Pentecost," was celebrated 49 days after the Day of Firstfruits. On the fiftieth day, the Israelites presented a sheaf of the first grain to the LORD as a wave offering. The reason that this feast was named the "Feast of Weeks" was that there were seven Sabbaths between the Day of Firstfruits and the Pentecost (Lev. 23:15-16). The Church of God, established by the Second Coming Christ Ahnsahnghong, is the only church in the world that remembers the Pentecost, keeping it holy. God's feasts, which had been abolished during the Dark Ages, can be restored by only God. If we do not accept Christ Ahnsahnghong?who came to restore the seven feasts in three times according to the prophecies of the Bible?we will never be able to know God's feasts, much less celebrate them.

Origin

On the fortieth day after crossing the Red Sea, Moses went up to Mount Sinai for the first time. God spoke to Moses, telling him all of His instructions, and when Moses came down from the mountain he revealed God's will to the people. Ten days later?on the fiftieth day after the Israelites had crossed the Red Sea?Moses returned to Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments. God commanded the people to commemorate the day He had given them the Commandments, the origin of the Feast of Weeks (Ex. 24:1-18).

Prophecy and Its Fulfillment

The Feast of Weeks?that is, the Pentecost?is the day when God poured out His Spirit, the motivating power that spurred the growth of the gospel and the Early Church (Acts 2:1-47).

After the Pentecost, though, the Church became increasingly secularized, and the fire of the Holy Spirit grew cold. Eventually, God completely withdrew His Holy Spirit from the Church, but even this was clearly disclosed through the prophecies of the feasts. When Moses came down from the mountain, after he had received the two tablets of the Ten Commandments, he saw God's people worshiping a golden calf. He was outraged, threw the tablets out of his hands, and they shattered at the foot of the mountain. This event was a prophecy to reveal that the Holy Spirit, which was given to the Apostles on the day of Pentecost, would be withdrawn because of the secularization and the inherent corruption of the Church.