What is the Church of Almighty God?

Historical Overview

The group known as the Church of Almighty God, frequently referred to as “Eastern Lightning,” originated in China around 1991. Its development has been traced to an individual named Zhao Weishan, who, alongside core followers, advanced the belief that a Chinese woman among them is the second incarnation of Christ. The movement’s literature asserts new revelations and teachings that supersede the Bible, which has led to strong opposition across traditional Christian denominations.

Notably, state-imposed restrictions in China, along with concerns over the group’s secretive practices, have forced many of its members to hold clandestine gatherings. Over time, the Church of Almighty God began to propagate its doctrines outside China, stirring discussions and debates among various church communities worldwide.

Foundational Claims and Doctrines

One central claim of the Church of Almighty God is that biblical revelation is not complete. Its adherents propose that God is continuing His work of salvation in the modern era by means of this purported “Almighty God,” who they believe is a present-day female embodiment of Christ. According to their publications, the Bible is accepted, but only insofar as it is interpreted through the revelations of “Almighty God.”

Such teaching explicitly challenges traditional Christian doctrine, which affirms that Jesus Christ is the unique Messiah (cf. John 1:14; 1 Timothy 2:5), that His sacrifice on the cross is sufficient for salvation (Romans 3:25–26), and that He will visibly return at the culmination of the ages (Acts 1:11). In contrast, the Church of Almighty God’s teachings effectively introduce an alternative “new work of God,” leading many theologians to label this group as a heretical sect.

View of Scripture

The Church of Almighty God’s writings advocate a dual view of Scripture. While affirming that it contains partial truths for an earlier age, they assert that ultimate revelation is delivered through their new teachings. This perspective diverges from biblical orthodoxy, which upholds the sufficiency and finality of Scripture. According to 2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness,” emphasizing the Bible’s continuing authority and relevance.

Moreover, passages like Jude 1:3—“I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend earnestly for the faith once for all entrusted to the saints”—testify to the belief that the faith has been securely established and does not depend on additional revelations. The notion of additive revelation beyond the Scriptures is incongruous with traditional biblical teaching (cf. Galatians 1:8–9).

Christological Concerns

The Church of Almighty God’s most controversial teaching involves a new incarnation of Christ in the form of a Chinese woman. Mainstream Christian theology, grounded in verses such as Hebrews 13:8—“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever”—teaches that Jesus’ unique incarnation, death, and resurrection cannot be replicated by anyone else.

Furthermore, the Scriptures forewarn of those who might masquerade as the Messiah, urging believers not to be deceived (Matthew 24:23–24). The apostolic testimony clarifies that the resurrected Christ ascended bodily into heaven and will return in the same manner (Acts 1:11). Claiming another Messiah or divine figure incarnating again undermines the exclusivity and finality of Jesus’ redemptive work (cf. John 19:30, where Jesus declares, “It is finished!”).

Ecclesiastical Response

Church leaders, biblical scholars, and apologists typically respond to the Church of Almighty God by underscoring key biblical truths:

1. Sufficiency of the Canon: Citing archaeological findings such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, which corroborate the transmission accuracy of Old Testament writings, and numerous manuscripts confirming the reliability of the New Testament text, scholars emphasize that no later “revelation” is needed or divinely sanctioned.

2. The Complete Work of Christ: The resurrection of Jesus, supported by historical testimonies (e.g., early creedal statements preserved in 1 Corinthians 15:3–7), is presented as humanity’s sole means of salvation. The notion that Christ’s work is incomplete or in need of a new incarnation is considered contrary to confessional Christian belief.

3. Guarding Against False Teachers: Biblical admonitions caution believers to test teachings (1 John 4:1) and remain anchored to apostolic truth (2 Peter 1:16). Many Christian pastors thus instruct congregants to approach the Church of Almighty God’s proselytizing efforts with discernment.

Behavioral and Societal Concerns

Various reports indicate that the Church of Almighty God has faced allegations of manipulative and coercive tactics, though accounts vary widely. Some critics allege that the group engages in deceptive recruitment, isolating new adherents from their families and traditional churches. While such accusations can be difficult to validate due to lack of transparency, experienced pastors or counselors often encourage believers to seek fellowship within established congregations devoted to doctrinal integrity and communal accountability (1 Peter 5:2–3).

Canonical and Doctrinal Comparisons

A topical comparison of the Church of Almighty God’s dogmas and historic Christian doctrines highlights the following divergences:

• Scripture: Church of Almighty God – Partial acceptance of Biblical authority, augmented and superseded by new revelations.

• Traditional Christianity: Complete acceptance of the fully inspired Scriptures as the ultimate source of truth and guidance (Psalm 119:160; 2 Timothy 3:16).

• Christology: Church of Almighty God – Belief in a present-day, female incarnation of Christ and ongoing salvific work.

• Traditional Christianity: Confession that Jesus Christ alone is the eternal Son of God (John 1:1), who died once for all (Hebrews 9:28) and will return in glory (Matthew 24:30).

• Salvation: Church of Almighty God – Advocates a new phase of God’s work for complete salvation.

• Traditional Christianity: Teaches that Christ’s sacrifice is sufficient and final, and salvation is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8–9).

Implications for Faith and Practice

Because the Church of Almighty God presents a radically different interpretation of the person and work of Christ, those examining its message must carefully cross-reference Scripture to ensure doctrinal soundness (Acts 17:11). Traditional Christian teachings maintain that any message promoting a different Savior or necessitating additional revelation significantly departs from biblical orthodoxy.

Interaction with such groups often calls for compassion and clarity. Believers may engage in substantive dialogue to point out scriptural truths and to encourage those within the movement to consider the historical evidence for Christ’s resurrection, the internal consistency of Scripture, and the teaching that God’s final revelation of salvation is in Jesus Christ alone.

Conclusion

In evaluating the Church of Almighty God, it is apparent that its core beliefs deviate substantially from historic Christian doctrine regarding the exclusivity of Christ, the completeness of Scripture, and the sufficiency of His salvific work. Through a careful examination of biblical texts (such as Galatians 1:6–9), historical manuscripts, and the unbroken testimony of the Christian faith, the consensus across orthodox communities is that this group’s foundational assertions do not align with the core tenets of biblical teaching.

Those researching or encountering the Church of Almighty God may benefit from studying reliable scriptural commentaries, confessional statements of faith, and historical analyses of Christian orthodoxy. By doing so, one can arrive at a well-founded understanding of biblical truth and make an informed decision regarding the Church of Almighty God and its claims.