First of Its Kind Overseas with Significant Pastor Participation; Expanding Scripture-Centered Fellowship; Based on Rev 22:18-19, “Examine Yourself: Have You Kept the Word According to the Bible?”
In an effort to deepen biblical engagement among Christian leaders in Tanzania, Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony, Peter Tribe, Tanzania Church (led by Pastor Yoon Hyun-chul, hereafter referred to as Shincheonji Tanzania Church), recently organized a Revelation Bible exam, bringing together pastors and church members from across the region.
The event, held on August 18 in four major Tanzanian cities, drew the participation of 98 Protestant pastors and 40 Shincheonji congregants, making it the first large-scale overseas gathering of its kind. The main objective of the exam was to prompt honest self-reflection on the adherence to Revelation, specifically referencing Revelation 22:18-19, which stresses the critical necessity of maintaining the integrity of biblical teachings without alteration or omission.
Scripture-Based Self-Reflection
The Revelation Bible exam aimed to evaluate whether believers, as the saints who hope for heaven, have kept the words of Revelation (Rev. 22:18-19), which all believers must know, and to encourage each person to stand rightly before God.
The exam consisted of 10 main questions and 33 sub-questions centered on Revelation. Participants reflected not just on knowledge, but on whether they truly believed and practiced according to the Word. For participants, the challenge extended beyond mere academic recall, asking them to confront whether their faith practices truly align with the scriptural mandate.
Chairman Lee Man-hee of Shincheonji Church of Jesus has consistently emphasized Revelation 22:18-19. He mentions, “To enter heaven, one must not add to or subtract from the words of Revelation, but fully understand and keep them.”
He highlighted the necessity of testing faith. He mentions, “The standard for discerning truth and falsehood, orthodoxy and heresy, is not human tradition or doctrine, but the Word of the Bible alone.”
A Shincheonji Church representative comments, “The Bible exam is not just a test of knowledge, but a way to confirm whether one’s standard of faith is truly the Word of the Bible. We are grateful that more pastors are gradually joining both domestically and internationally. We hope more churches and believers will unite and interact based on Scripture.”
Engaging Local Pastors
What set this initiative apart from prior efforts by Shincheonji Church was the inclusion of a substantial number of Tanzanian Protestant pastors. Last year’s comparable exam in Korea saw only one pastor from a mainstream denomination participating. In contrast, Tanzanian leaders were eager to assess their understanding, resulting in a notable disparity in results.
While Shincheonji members averaged 95 points, pastors scored an average of 7 points, highlighting significant gaps in scriptural knowledge. Nonetheless, the event’s spirit remained one of encouragement and collaboration.
This approach marked a significant departure from traditional church exams, emphasizing not competition but honest evaluation and spiritual growth. The event fostered an atmosphere of mutual learning and dialogue, underscoring the need for every believer and leader to examine their stewardship of church teachings. According to Shincheonji Tanzania Church, the real achievement lies not in scores, but in the opportunity for clergy and believers to draw nearer to God through the Word.
One participating pastor shares, “Seeing Shincheonji members write their answers so confidently today made me reflect on my faith and calling as a pastor. I will study Revelation through the Shincheonji Zion Christian Mission Center, lead my congregation on God’s path, and teach them correctly so they can enter heaven.”
Commitment to Growth and Unity
Since its founding in 2018, Shincheonji Tanzania Church has grown steadily, reporting around 2,440 members as of August 2025. This Tanzanian event, therefore, is significant as the first instance of large-scale pastor participation overseas.
The church is committed to scripture-centered fellowship and increased interaction with local bishops and pastors. Chairman Lee Man-hee hopes such collaborative, Bible-focused events will inspire further unity among local churches and embolden believers to base their faith on consistent engagement with Scripture. Shincheonji Tanzania Church aims to broaden its impact and continue facilitating open, transparent dialogue among Christian communities rooted in mutual respect for the Word.
This milestone event in Tanzania represents not just a test but a shared journey toward informed and lived faith, inviting all involved to reflect on what it means to truly keep the Word according to the Bible.
