Evangelical Baptist Church of Korea

Evangelical Baptist Church
Hangul
기독교복음침례회
Hanja
基督教福音浸禮會
Revised RomanizationGidokgyo Bokeum Chimnyehoe
McCune–ReischauerKidokgyo Pokŭm Ch'imnyehoe
Former name: Korean Evangelical Layman's Church
Hangul
한국평신도복음선교회
Hanja
韓國平信徒福音宣敎會
Revised RomanizationHanguk Pyeongsindo Bokeum Son-gyohoe
McCune–ReischauerHanguk P'yŏngsindo Pokŭm Son'gyohoe
Colloquial name: "Salvation Sect"
Hangul
구원파
Hanja
救援派
Revised RomanizationGuwonpa
McCune–ReischauerKuwŏnp'a

The Evangelical Baptist Church (EBC) of Korea[1][2][3][4] (Korean: 기독교복음침례회; officially Korean Evangelical Baptist Church[5] – formerly known as Korean Laymen's Evangelical Fellowship), was established in 1962 by Yoo Byung-eun and Pastor Kwon Shin-chan (권신찬; 1923–96).[6] The name of the church was changed to EBC in 1981.[7] It is not connected to the Korea Baptist Convention.[8][9] In South Korea, EBC is commonly known as Guwonpa, meaning Salvation Sect,[10] from the Korean term guwon (구원), "salvation".[11]

Many sources[vague] estimate that the movement has 20,000 members, but media reports on numbers of followers vary from 10,000 to as many as 200,000 members worldwide.[12][13][14] In 2014, the organization claimed to have 100,000 followers.[15][16]

Media outlets claimed that the EBC doctrines teach that those who were once saved by God are completely detached from the sins they will ever commit in the future and guaranteed a path to heaven.[11] The EBC denied having any such doctrine.[7][17] Although the conservative General Assembly of Presbyterian Churches called the movement a cult,[12] in 1992, there was later a correction statement saying that the EBC preaches doctrines that are consistent with Christianity and does not contradict the Bible. Nor do they worship a particular individual as a religious sect leader.[17]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Chance 2014 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference huffingtonpost5196923 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference yahoo24107196 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference koreatimes157420 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference guidestar3777790 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference reuters210514 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ a b "구원파는 무엇을 믿는가 : 일반 조직신학 교리와 구원파의 교리 비교". 구원파에 대한 오해와 진실 (in Korean). 29 August 2014. Archived from the original on 29 December 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference ssisunrelated was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference koreatimes 2018 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference kukmindaily71111101 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference koreatimes1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference salvationsectsuspected was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  13. ^ Cite error: The named reference yonhab240414 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  14. ^ Cite error: The named reference koreaherald1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  15. ^ Cite error: The named reference joins2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  16. ^ Cite error: The named reference searchcontinues was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  17. ^ a b "Investigators Confirm Ownership of Ferry Operator". The Chosun Ilbo. Archived from the original on 29 December 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2022.