I thank God for what brother Kumuyi of Deeper Life said about church traditions in the thread link below. Such a beautiful exposition. Church tradition is one of the things that have been militating against the unity of the body of Christ and we need to seperate it from biblical doctrines. Brother Kumuyi addressed it so wonderfuly here. I am not a Deeper Life member so don't even think am promoting my church. My interest in this teaching is that it promotes unity among the body of Christ. I ll also see how I can get it accross to my church people because they are also bound by some of this non essential traditions. Am so glad that God is moving among his people and perfecting us day by day. God bless everyone. Pls read on here. https://www.nairaland.com/1021148/pastor-w.f-kumuyi-only-honest/3

This is the summary of the message:

"in essential things, we're united. In non-essentials, there is liberty."

http://hwcdn.net/a9r5q6b6/cds/2009US/Non_Essential_Church_Traditions.pdf

@ modupe, what are the essentials and what are the non-essentials...

...and who decides them?


@OP,

If Kumuyi wanted christian unity, why did he start his own "church?"

italo:

@ modupe, what are the essentials and what are the non-essentials...

...and who decides them?

The essentials are the words of salvation and the non-essentials are traditions that make little or no difference to the words of salvation in some cases they might even prevent the words of salvation from reaching lost souls. Below is an excerpt from the pdf:

What I'm just saying is that there are some of these things…we call them non-essentials. When it
comes to essential things - that's the doctrine, that's the Word of God. Jesus is Savior. There's no
other Savior. That's central. But as to the kind of music and the kind of approach and this
tradition and this tradition and the sisters wearing a cap and others wearing a scarf and wearing
this and wearing that…cover your unclothedness. Then let's move on and do the work of God
together.

We can see from the above quote that it is the word of God that decides what is essential to our salvation.

The Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAS81NIg8Vw

This is one of the most respected and true man of God in the country, he knows some of the things done in his church are tradition and he is not mincing the truth. Thank God for men like this.
Though I did not check the link nor see the video, just commenting based on the excerpt by modupe.

Some of the non-essential things that is not worth splitting our hairs over are:

Whether we should stand up or sit down while preaching;

Whether we are to wear tie or not while ministering;

To wear hat or tie scarf in ministering;

The style of music we play;

To wear shoes or not;

To wear gowns or not in the choir;

For those in the pulpit to stand while those in the pew sits or vice versa;

Days of fellowship on week days or weekends; etc

You can add more examples.

What about baptism and holy communion for example...are they essential or non essential?

modupe01: Some of the non-essential things that is not worth splitting our hairs over are:

Whether we should stand up or sit down while preaching;

Whether we are to wear tie or not while ministering;

To wear hat or tie scarf in ministering;

The style of music we play;

To wear shoes or not;

To wear gowns or not in the choir;

For those in the pulpit to stand while those in the pew sits or vice versa;

Days of fellowship on week days or weekends; etc

You can add more examples.

modupe01: Some of the non-essential things that is not worth splitting our hairs over are:

Whether we should stand up or sit down while preaching;

Whether we are to wear tie or not while ministering;

To wear hat or tie scarf in ministering;

The style of music we play;

To wear shoes or not;

To wear gowns or not in the choir;

For those in the pulpit to stand while those in the pew sits or vice versa;

Days of fellowship on week days or weekends; etc

You can add more examples.

Abeg no vex o, when was this message given, before or after his son's "controversial" wedding?

Either we boil a kid in its mother's milk or not? Just passing....sorry! Essential or not?

italo:

What about baptism and holy communion for example...are they essential or non essential?

Water baptism and the holy communion are both doctrines of the Bible. However they do not determine whether you get saved or not. The thief on the cross did neither but was saved. If you are saved you will want to obey these doctrines in the bible.

Syncan:

Abeg no vex o, when was this message given, before or after his son's "controversial" wedding?

The message was "given" in NY 4 years ago. He preached something along that line in 2006 in the UK.

scaler345:

Either we boil a kid in its mother's milk or not? Just passing....sorry! Essential or not?

It is essential that you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved.

modupe01:

The message was "given" in NY 4 years ago. He preached something along that line in 2006 in the UK.

Ok, Just that it now makes me wonder why almost ten years later, Pastor Odih, the father inlaw of Kumuyi's son, was axed from his position for "Non essential" things. Yet the preacher and the hearers are still alive.

So this is the only essential doctrine of Christianity...believing in Jesus to be saved?

Some "christians" say Jesus is God; some say he is man. You are saying we should just believe in him...it doesnt matter who he is?

Jesus said those who dont eat his flesh and drink his blood will not have life. You are saying even if we dont eat or drink we have life as long as we believe?

Paul said LOVE is greater than Faith and Hope. You are saying love is not even necessary to make heaven, only FAITH?

modupe01:

Water baptism and the holy communion are both doctrines of the Bible. However they do not determine whether you get saved or not. The thief on the cross did neither but was saved. If you are saved you will want to obey these doctrines in the bible.

modupe01:

It is essential that you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved.

Syncan:

Ok, Just that it now makes me wonder why almost ten years later, Pastor Odih, the father inlaw of Kumuyi's son, was axed from his position for "Non essential" things. Yet the preacher and the hearers are still alive.

Lol,you are bringing somebody private life issues into the mix..this shows he is only human.Why not discuss issues from a biblical standpoint.

But he still holds on to traditions and these "non-essentials".So what's the point?

Bidam: Lol,you are bringing somebody private life issues into the mix..this shows he is only human.Why not discuss issues from a biblical standpoint.

Dear Bidam, private life ko, personal life ne. Deeper life recalled the poor man for a "non essential" offense committed by his daughter!Ok, Look at the opening Post again, what sense is there to preach what we will not practice, even as a "church". Why should I believe it is not essential if they who know, should treat it as essential. So the preaching is for who na?

italo:

So this is the only essential doctrine of Christianity...believing in Jesus to be saved?

Yes. Believing in Jesus is essential to your salvation. Believing in the name of Jesus doesn't only make you a believer but gives you a personality shift or transfer. We are positioned inside what His name represents which is into God's family and its only after then that the teachings of Christ can make be meaningful to you.

italo:

Some "christians" say Jesus is God; some say he is man. You are saying we should just believe in him...it doesnt matter who he is?

italo:

Jesus said those who dont eat his flesh and drink his blood will not have life. You are saying even if we dont eat or drink we have life as long as we believe?

Partaking in holy communion doesn't reposition you into the family of God believing and trusting in Jesus will. For a sinful person to become a child of God, he will have to give his life to Christ and only after this will a miraculous transformation take place.

italo:

Paul said LOVE is greater than Faith and Hope. You are saying love is not even necessary to make heaven, only FAITH?

You cannot love if you haven't received Jesus as your Lord and personal Saviour. It is only when you receive the gift of God by faith that you can then love with the love of God.

Syncan:

Ok, Just that it now makes me wonder why almost ten years later, Pastor Odih, the father inlaw of Kumuyi's son, was axed from his position for "Non essential" things. Yet the preacher and the hearers are still alive.

What were the "Non essential" things he was axed for?

modupe01:

Yes. Believing in Jesus is essential to your salvation. Believing in the name of Jesus doesn't only make you a believer but gives you a personality shift or transfer. We are positioned inside what His name represents which is into God's family and its only after then that the teachings of Christ can make be meaningful to you.





Partaking in holy communion doesn't reposition you into the family of God believing and trusting in Jesus will. For a sinful person to become a child of God, he will have to give his life to Christ and only after this will a miraculous transformation take place.



You cannot love if you haven't received Jesus as your Lord and personal Saviour. It is only when you receive the gift of God by faith that you can then love with the love of God.

Jesus said if you dont eat his flesh and drink his blood, you will not have life.

Do you believe this...yes or no?

Is it one of your "essential doctrines"...yes or no?

Is it possible to believe in God and not forgive your neighbour...yes or no?

Is it possible to believe in God and not love your neighbour...yes or no?

modupe01:

What were the "Non essential" things he was axed for?

Haba, you no know?

1. Style of wedding gown worn by his daughter
2. his daughter's leaving part of her hair visible to prying eyes, even though she wore some covering
3. his daughter's application of visible facial make-up etc.
You may just google about the wedding if you missed it,to find more. The "sins" are numerous yet they all fall under the "non essential" stuff you talk about. The man's daughter wedded Kumuyi's son, and got axed for these "non essential" things.

italo:

Jesus said if you dont eat his flesh and drink his blood, you will not have life.

Do you believe this...yes or no?

You are missing the point. Jesus is not inviting us to become cannibals. What He said is the symbolic food and drink represented by His flesh and blood. This is what is called the Lord's supper today, and it is one of the doctrines of Christ we believe and obey after our salvation.

Is it one of your "essential doctrines"...yes or no?

The Lord's supper is an essential doctrine of Christ obeyed by every true believer believer in Jesus Christ.

Is it possible to believe in God and not forgive your neighbour...yes or no?

If you truly believe in God you will forgive your neighbour which is in line of the doctrines of Christ.

Is it possible to believe in God and not love your neighbour...yes or no?

Loving our neighbours as Christ has loved us is the evidence that we truly believe in God.

Syncan:

Haba, you no know?

1. Style of wedding gown worn by his daughter
2. his daughter's leaving part of her hair visible to prying eyes, even though she wore some covering
3. his daughter's application of visible facial make-up etc.
You may just google about the wedding if you missed it,to find more. The "sins" are numerous yet they all fall under the "non essential" stuff you talk about. The man's daughter wedded Kumuyi's son, and got axed for these "non essential" things.

Will what you listed there above qualify as worldliness or not?

"Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God" - James 4:4

As for the reasons why her Dad got suspended you may consult the church authorities for answers. Worldliness is not one of the "non essential" things the OP is talking about.

modupe01:

Will what you listed there above qualify as worldliness or not?

"Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God" - James 4:4

As for the reasons why her Dad got suspended you may consult the church authorities for answers. Worldliness is not one of the "non essential" things the OP is talking about.

What has Syncan mentioned that has anything to do with adultery?

Why are you deliberately talking rubbish instead of keeping quiet if you dont have a good answer?

Besides, first, you said there was only one "essential" doctrine. Now you are adding more. You are confused, arent you?

You said if we just believed in Jesus, Christians can differ on other things. Now I believe in Jesus and I apply make up...and you are still not okay.

modupe01:

You are missing the point. Jesus is not inviting us to become cannibals. What He said is the symbolic food and drink represented by His flesh and blood. This is what is called the Lord's supper today, and it is one of the doctrines of Christ we believe and obey after our salvation.



The Lord's supper is an essential doctrine of Christ obeyed by every true believer believer in Jesus Christ.

Okay. You say "The Lord's supper" is an "essential doctrine." Essential doctrine number two.

If I dont receive your symbolic "Lord's supper," but I receive Holy Communion in the Catholic Church (which we call the actual body and blood of Christ), do I believe in Christ?

modupe01:
If you truly believe in God you will forgive your neighbour which is in line of the doctrines of Christ.



Loving our neighbours as Christ has loved us is the evidence that we truly believe in God.

So when Peter cut off the ear of the soldier, he didnt believe in God?

modupe01:

Will what you listed there above qualify as worldliness or not?

"Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God" - James 4:4

As for the reasons why her Dad got suspended you may consult the church authorities for answers. Worldliness is not one of the "non essential" things the OP is talking about.

Modupe01, modupe01, modupe01, how many times did i call you? So style of wedding gown na worldliness, but "style of music we play" is non-essential abi? heeeen! heeeen! heeen!

@ Syncan, perhaps she has forgotten this post. Hypocrisy will always lead to sharp contradictions.

modupe01: Some of the non-essential things that is not worth splitting our hairs over are:

Whether we should stand up or sit down while preaching;

Whether we are to wear tie or not while ministering;

To wear hat or tie scarf in ministering;

The style of music we play;

To wear shoes or not;

To wear gowns or not in the choir;

For those in the pulpit to stand while those in the pew sits or vice versa;

Days of fellowship on week days or weekends; etc

You can add more examples.

italo:

What has Syncan mentioned that has anything to do with adultery?

Why are you deliberately talking rubbish instead of keeping quiet if you dont have a good answer?

Have you got a clue of what that verse means/? Adultery in that verse means attempting to serve God and the world simultaneously. If for instance, you say that you love your wife and at the same time love another woman outside your matrimonial home could be termed as committing adultery. Saying that you are a friend of God and at the same time a friend of the world makes you an adulterer/adulteress.

italo:

Besides, first, you said there was only one "essential" doctrine. Now you are adding more. You are confused, arent you?

I am not confused you are the one that is not reading before you post. Let me repost the excerpt here in case you missed it:

What I'm just saying is that there are some of these things…we call them non-essentials. When it
comes to essential things - that's the doctrine, that's the Word of God. Jesus is Savior. There's no
other Savior. That's central. But as to the kind of music and the kind of approach and this
tradition and this tradition and the sisters wearing a cap and others wearing a scarf and wearing
this and wearing that…cover your unclothedness. Then let's move on and do the work of God
together.

It says "essential things" is the word of God not things like Church traditions which are "non essentials".

italo:

You said if we just believed in Jesus, Christians can differ on other things. Now I believe in Jesus and I apply make up...and you are still not okay.

For you to access the "essential things" you have to believe in the atoning cleansing blood of the Lord Jesus Christ alone for the salvation of your soul. If after you have done this and you still feel you want to please the world by making up that is between you and God but you should know that you cannot befriend God and the world simultaneously.

italo:
Okay. You say "The Lord's supper" is an "essential doctrine." Essential doctrine number two.

If I dont receive your symbolic "Lord's supper," but I receive Holy Communion in the Catholic Church (which we call the actual body and blood of Christ), do I believe in Christ?

If you partake in cannibalism you are not partaking in the Lord's Supper. It is definitely not the body of Christ who died once and for all that you are sharing everytime you do this.

So when Peter cut off the ear of the soldier, he didnt believe in God?

Whose example was he following, Jesus?

Syncan:

Modupe01, modupe01, modupe01, how many times did i call you? So style of wedding gown na worldliness, but "style of music we play" is non-essential abi? heeeen! heeeen! heeen!

Church tradition may have a particular style of music they play but this is not an essential doctrine of Christ that will take us to heaven. If you dress in a seductive way to please the world why would you then think that you are pleasing God?

italo:

@ Syncan, perhaps she has forgotten this post. Hypocrisy will always lead to sharp contradictions.

That post referred to how your Church tradition will not save you and thus qualifies as non essentials.