On November 8, a video titled “For Christians Who Have Not Received Salvation” was uploaded to the YouTube channel Firstfruits.
In the video, J.Y. Park gave a lecture on Christian faith and the meaning of salvation. In particular, while presenting a hypothetical situation in which someone was choosing a church that suited them, he directly addressed the controversy surrounding the group he leads.
He posed a hypothetical question: “People say the church run by J.Y. Park is heretical or a cult. Should I listen to them just once, in case there is something I don’t know?” He then added, “I hope you will give us a listen at least once.”
He continued, “More and more people are learning about our church. Pastors have been warning people that it is dangerous, which has actually made many people who didn’t even know the church existed become aware of it.” His remarks suggested that the warnings and criticism directed at the group had inadvertently helped raise its profile.
J.Y. Park also expressed the view that simply having practiced Christianity for a long time does not necessarily mean someone can be certain they have received salvation. Regularly attending church, worship services and early-morning prayers, he explained, is separate from having a clear understanding of what one actually believes.
He emphasized the importance of examining the Bible personally and making one’s own judgment rather than accepting religious teachings unconditionally.
Previously, J.Y. Park had also addressed the controversy surrounding Firstfruits in a video released last month titled “What Kind of Church Does J.Y. Park Belong To?”
At the time, he said that people who attended church had probably heard comments from acquaintances such as, “You shouldn’t go there,” “It’s heretical,” or “It’s a cult.” He then explained the group’s religious background, insisting that “Firstfruits is not a church without a lineage.”
In particular, while discussing the denominations from which the church’s members came, he stated, “Our church has people from Catholic, Presbyterian and Baptist backgrounds, as well as former Shincheonji members.” He then questioned, “Just because there are former Shincheonji members in our church, does that make our church Shincheonji?”
This is not the first time J.Y. Park’s religious activities have sparked controversy. In 2018, he also took to social media to deny any connection between the Bible study group he attended and the Salvation Sect.
At the time, J.Y. Park clarified, “The Bible study group has absolutely nothing to do with the Salvation Sect organization. I don’t belong to any church or denomination. That’s because I don’t want to be tied to any particular denomination.”
He also appeared on MBC’s variety show Radio Star in 2020, where he explained how he began studying the Bible. He said that a visit to Jerusalem had prompted him to study the Bible in earnest, and that the group he studied with gradually grew in size. He reiterated at the time that the group was not affiliated with any particular church or denomination.
The Firstfruits Bible study group is currently reported to hold gatherings in eight locations, including Seoul and Busan in South Korea, as well as Los Angeles in the United States.
Sources: Daum