A call to listen, study, and verify Scripture
In a world overflowing with opinions and interpretations—amplified daily by social media—the Word of God, which believers hold as the ultimate truth, often becomes entangled in countless and sometimes conflicting perspectives. Over the course of the Bible’s long, often-cited 6,000-year history, this has led to a wide spectrum of teachings and understandings of the Holy Scripture.
Today, this diversity is reflected in the estimated 47,000 Christian denominations worldwide, that is projected to reach 67,000 by 2050, according to data cited from the Center for the Study of Global Christianity.
These figures speak only to Christianity and do not yet account for the many other major world religions. Within this vast religious landscape stands the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, The Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony—a church founded 44 years ago, which continues to draw attention for its distinct approach to Bible study and teaching.
Despite being relatively young, Shincheonji has faced significant scrutiny, criticism, and persecution, not only in South Korea, where it was founded, but also in many countries where it has established a presence.
In an era when artificial intelligence, deepfakes, and rapidly spreading online narratives can quickly influence public opinion, one principle remains unchanged—truth is not established by repetition or popularity, but by careful examination.
For believers of all denominations, this raises an important question: are teachings accepted simply because they are familiar, or because they truly align with what is written in the Bible?
More often than not, an individual’s religion is something they did not consciously choose; it is inherited, much like citizenship determined by the family or place into which one is born. If parents happen to be Catholic, a child is baptized and raised Catholic. Likewise, if parents are Protestant, the child is naturally raised within that belief and tradition.
What we have heard, seen, and practiced since childhood often becomes our personal “truth.”
But, God has a way of awakening the human spirit for you to find His truth—the real truth. When the spirit becomes hungry and thirsty, it begins to move and seek. Just as we once depended on our parents to give us food for our physical bodies, our spirit seeks the Father in heaven to receive spiritual nourishment—the Word of God.
Do you have any unanswered questions that have lingered in your mind about your faith or the Scriptures for a long time? Are there vague statements in the Bible that you long to understand more clearly? It is often during these moments that the spirit urges us to listen more closely to the Word and search for the truth.
Across social media, disagreements among Christians often escalate into accusations, labels, and condemnation. Shincheonji has not been exempt from such criticism and has faced harsh judgments and misunderstandings in various countries. Yet these conflicts highlight a deeper issue within modern Christianity—the tendency to reject without listening, and to judge without verifying.
Many believers are well-read and deeply committed to their faith, yet Scripture itself consistently encourages discernment. The Bible calls believers to “test everything” and to examine the Scriptures carefully.
Shincheonji states that it has always been open to anyone who wishes to hear its teachings. The church expresses a desire for people to understand God’s Word correctly and to live according to it.
This conviction explains why, despite criticism and persecution, its members continue to open opportunities for Bible study through Zion Christian Mission Center (ZCMC), its theology arm, which operates numerous branches nationwide.
ZCMC has also developed a Bible study application—the ZCMC SPS, available on both the Play Store and the App Store to be able to offer more options to spread the word of our one true God.
Yes, one true God, but why do we have 47,000 Christian denominations? This is one more reason why Shincheonji invites believers of all denominations to listen, examine, and verify teachings through the Bible itself, through ZCMC.
Shincheonji maintains that its purpose is not to divide, but to share God’s love and encourage people to seek truth through Scripture.
Sheryll C. Alhambra, a former full-time reporter, now a freelance journalist and entrepreneur, is a member of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, The Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony. In 2021, she studied at and graduated from Zion Christian Mission Center and has since been actively involved in ministry work.
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