2017.05.14_True Testimony of God
in 2017 Lord's Day[John 5:30-47]
God
is living spirit.
He
sent forth the Word to the world;
that Word is God (Jn 1:1).
The Word of God became flesh (man)
and came to the earth (Jn 1:14)
and God Himself testified to Him (Mt 3:17);
God’s testimony is true (Mt 17:5, 2 Pt 1:16-18).
Of all testimonies of man, the greatest is that given by John,
yet he was just a burning and shining lamp.
However
God’s testimony is the eternal light
without any shadows (Jn 5:37).
The word of God, the works of Jesus,
and His words written after hearing His voice are the true light,
a true testimony (Jn 1:1-4).
The Holy Spirit is
the Spirit of truth who testifies to Jesus Christ (Jn 16:13-14).
Our faith has received such a testimony.
For we were with Jesus from the beginning,
we received the power of the Holy Spirit
and became His witnesses.
○ As God’s will was fulfilled in heaven,
what needs to be fulfilled on earth
is God’s will to which the Church testifies.
○ The reason we read the Bible
is to know Jesus.
He who comes to know Jesus
becomes His witness from that moment on.
○ Faith life is not about memorizing the Bible every day,
but it is a life of testifying to Jesus daily
wherever we are.
※ Whoever does not have a testimony of Jesus is devoid of life.
He who has a testimony of Jesus has life.
This will be so until He returns.
Coming Soon
Our tradition is to preserve the authentic Berea teaching Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20) The Church of Jesus which has preserved that tradition endures to this day because Jesus gave us the authority and power to baptize, make disciples and to teach all nations to obey the things He has commanded. I have come to realize after seeing the shameful things that have happened recently that there has been a great challenge against the Berea movement and its practice. In Berea Academy, the Righteousness of God’s Will is the picture of God’s Will. So then did they really know God’s will who are doing these discourteous things? Did they really understand the Picture of God’s Will? Although they may have passed Berea Academy courses, even repeating the courses and dutifully listening to the Word, they are no Bereans. They threw away their Bibles, disobeyed God’s will, and called themselves ‘Bereans’, but all they did was just lie. They have exhibited the uncontrolled behaviors of the mystics who were filled with wickedness and ignorant of God’s will. That is why I have decided to teach ‘Authentic Berea’ of Berea Academy, in spite of my old age. We must not allow a false Berea teaching to take root like tares. I have taught the authentic Berea for the last half century, and tried to raise ten thousand spiritual leaders. I appreciate the efforts of the saints who, with tears and effort strive to keep the Berea tradition alive. I hope that their efforts and their faith take root and continue. As an old saying goes, “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing,” those who do not have the authentic Berea teaching are lying, saying that they are authentic and damaging a lot of souls in the church in the process. Sungrak church must preserve the authentic Berea teaching just as it has for the last half century so that it can be preached and passed on to all nations. Today, churches where there has been a breakdown in orthodoxy have been corrupted and fallen into confusion causing the decline and destruction of many churches. They denied what I said – that there can be no separation between Berea, Sungrak church and Semuon – and they have separated Berea from the church, and the church from Semuon. However, I am grateful for the fruit of the ‘Return to the Bible Berea Sungrak Church Love Association’, which aims to preserve the legitimacy and carry on the tradition. I expect this tradition to continue until the Lord comes again. Amen. [gmedia id = 82]
Outline translated by Sarah Lee Chief Editor: Helen Nam
Letter translated by Sung-In Hong
Interpretations by Sarah Lee
Korean Summary by Ki-Taek Lee