The World Mission Society Church of God’s Misinterpretation of the Name of God: A Critical Review

Claim by Kim Joo-cheol:
Kim Joo-cheol, a leader of the World Mission Society Church of God, claims that salvation is only possible by being baptized in the names of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, as instructed in Matthew 28. He also asserts that the Church of God is the only place where baptism is performed using the names Jehovah (Father), Jesus Christ (Son), and Ahn Sahng-hong (Holy Spirit). However, this practice demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of the Bible and reflects ignorance and superficiality in theological interpretation.

Understanding the Biblical Perspective:
The Bible is divided into the Old and New Testaments, with the Old Testament recounting the history of physical Israel and its temple as a shadow and model of what was to be fulfilled in the New Testament. Jehovah God, who resided in the Holy of Holies in the Old Testament, is not the ultimate reality but a representation pointing toward Jesus Christ, the true God revealed in the New Testament.

The name "Jehovah" itself is not a proper name but a declaration meaning "I am" or "I am who I am," used to introduce God to humanity. When Moses asked for God’s name, God referred to Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, essentially stating, "I am the one who was with them." The term “Yahweh” in Hebrew reflects this meaning.

Biblical Evidence of the Name of God in the New Testament:
Jesus clarified the true name of God in John 17:12:

"While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me."

The name "Jesus" was not chosen by Mary or Joseph but was given by God through an angel. Jesus referred to this name as the name given to Him by the Father, indicating that the true name of God, previously hidden, is not "Jehovah" but "Jesus." The Hebrew form of Jesus’ name is "Yehoshua," meaning "God is salvation."

The Name of the Holy Spirit:
The first mention of the name of the Holy Spirit comes from Jesus in John 14:26:

"But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name..."

Here, Jesus reveals that the Holy Spirit does not come with a new name but in His name, "Jesus." The Holy Spirit refers to the Spirit of God, identified as "Jesus" in name. For instance, in Acts 16:6-7, the Holy Spirit is interchangeably referred to as the Spirit of Jesus:

"They were kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia... but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to."

Theological Misunderstanding by the World Mission Society Church of God:
In biblical history, God worked as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but these are not three distinct names. Instead, they all point to the singular name of Jesus:

• In the Old Testament, Jehovah was a shadow, pointing to Jesus in the New Testament.
• The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of the resurrected Jesus.

The apostles, understanding this truth, did not baptize in multiple names. Instead, they baptized only in the name of Jesus, as evidenced by their practice in the New Testament.

Key Biblical Passages Supporting One Name:

1. John 14:9: "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father."
2. John 20:28: "Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’"

Conclusion:
The claim by the World Mission Society Church of God that baptism requires the invocation of three separate names (Jehovah, Jesus Christ, and Ahn Sahng-hong) misrepresents the biblical teaching. The Bible clearly emphasizes that salvation is found in the singular name of Jesus. The practice of invoking multiple names during baptism not only contradicts scripture but also demonstrates a lack of understanding of the Bible's unified message.