2025 IA Truth Research Committee Meeting Resolutions Adapted by WDC

I. Please review the resolutions regarding whether a female preacher and a deaconess can perform baptism, the sacrament of Holy Communion, and ordination. 

Resolution:

Retain the original 1993 IA WDC resolution. The implementation by each general assembly and coordination board/centre according to local needs does not contravene the principles of the truth.

Remark:

(1993 WDC-6, TRC: 7)

Can a Deaconess Administer the Sacraments of Holy Communion and Water Baptism?

Resolution: 

According to the Bible, there is no gender differentiation in the duties between a deacon and deaconess who are both ordained ministers. However, between the male and female, the deaconesses should uphold the virtues of submissiveness and humility. If a male ordained minister is present, he should administer the sacraments.

II. Proposal to revise the content regarding the meaning of being born again mentioned in John Chapter 3 in the Doctrine of Baptism. 

Resolution: 

Revise the content of the Doctrine of Baptism as follows:

Water and Spirit are intimately related

The relationship between “water” and “spirit” found in John 3:5 shows the importance of the Holy Spirit in a person’s spiritual birth. Baptism is not merely immersion in water. Water alone cannot bring about the forgiveness of sins and regeneration. The Lord Jesus’ commission to the church to forgive sins is given through the Holy Spirit (Jn 20:21–23). The Spirit is the witness at baptism who brings about the cleansing of the blood of Christ (1 Jn 5:7-8; Heb 9:14). It is in one Spirit that we are baptized into one body (1 Cor 12:13). It is also by the Spirit of our God that believers are washed, sanctified, and justified (1 Cor 6:11). For this reason, it is only through the baptism administered by the church that is established by the Holy Spirit that one may be born from above. 

The Lord Jesus describes in John 3:6, 8 the spiritual life that the rebirth at baptism enables. The work of the Spirit that gives us our spiritual birth in baptism continues beyond baptism. Having received a new life and become a child of God, the believer needs to pray for and receive the Holy Spirit (Lk 11:9-13; cf. Acts 8:14-17)—a promise that is given to those whose sins have been forgiven in baptism (Acts 2:38, 39). The Holy Spirit dwells in us as our Helper (Jn 14:16-19); He renews and sanctifies the believer (Tit 3:5; 2 Thess 2:13); He is the living water that wells up as a fountain within the believer to eternal life (Jn 4:14; 7:37-39). By setting our minds on the Spirit and walking in the Spirit, we are able to manifest the spiritual life of the sons of God (Rom 8:1-16; Gal 5:16-24).

III. Recommend the English Bible version(s) to be used in our church services and publications 

Resolution: 

Agree to adapt NASB (including the current edition of 2020) as the recommended English Bible translation in our church services and publications. It is helpful to also reference other good translations, such as ESV, CSB, and NET for a fuller understanding of the original meaning.

Rationale:

1. Superior textual basis
The NASB translation is based on manuscripts that are closer to the original, thus providing a more accurate understanding of certain Bible passages.

2. Approach to translation
The NASB aims for formal equivalence, the goal of which is to accurately preserve both the meaning of words of the original languages as well as their forms and sentence structure.

3. Availability of printed and digital editions
We have obtained written permission from the Lockman Foundation, the publisher of the NASB, to include NASB as one of the freely available translations on the eRhema Bible App. They were cooperative in providing the biblical data in digital form. This greatly facilitated the process of incorporating the Bible translation in the app. The NASB translation also comes in various printed formats that may be readily purchased online, and local churches may purchase it in bulk.

IV. Translations of the Church Name 

Resolution: 

1. Translations of the church name that are already registered may continue to be used.

2. If a church needs to register and translate the name True Jesus Church in a new language, she should in principle adhere to translating the name in the order “True”, “Jesus”, and “Church”. Should an exception be necessary, the church should submit the issue to the IA SCO for discussion and resolution.    

3. Include this resolution in the IA Handbook.

V. Please cautiously accept any TRC proposal on the Basic Beliefs of the Church 

Resolution: 

1. Any proposal on Basic Beliefs shall be handed to IA EXCO to be deliberated and addressed accordingly.

2. The IA EXCO shall bring the proposal(s) to the TRC when deemed necessary.

VI.  Research on Infant Participation in the Holy Communion 

Resolution: 

According to our basic beliefs, we partake the Lord’s flesh and blood during Holy Communion which relates to salvation. Therefore, baptized infants must receive Holy Communion.