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there a 150% what we need on here i am loving these

crossman9 here your posts are very good

would like to chat on msn

expossing_christ.embassy@hotmail.co.uk

ok bless

Posted on: Today at 10:44:29 PMPosted by: OmoPastor 
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i cannot see the genuine intention to change whatever you feel is wrong cos all i see is a very bitter dude struggling to take his own pound of flesh. why are you doing this to yourself it will only destroy you. can you see that you are now a very useful but futile tool for the devil? dude you have to change quickly.

well like i always said if pastor chris come to my house he would be treated like a king with all honours i can afford but i would still tell him the truth

you have got away from the question why are you following a man and not jesus christ

did you say you exposed him? or are you deluded? you were the ignoramus or should i say the spiritually deaf guy that did not understand what the MOG said in simple terms. you are so bitter that you were deaf to what he said.

goshen360 are you not saying hi tonight

Well we should all give out of the heart and not forced and redeemed church of God IS WELL balance
In their teaching but in hard times people won't always give

this is a great post goshen360 did you get my post today

https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-886134.0.html

Posted by: OmoPastor  
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@ crossman9


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As of tomorrow if things go according to plan I will have more exposing videos like the  ma.stur.ba.tion  video I posted on YouTube that should make him feel very uncomfortable did you see how he looked on television he could not answer the questions being posed to him?
did you say you exposed him? or are you deluded? you were the ignoramus or should i say the spiritually deaf guy that did not understand what the MOG said in simple terms. you are so bitter that you were deaf to what he said.


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See if these bands of goons in church did not treat me so bad I would have been on TV working for love world but look now I am the enemy within?
so you could have been working for this same Loveworld you are now trying to bring down? you actually worked for them sometime and now you are fighting them cos you think you were treated like trash.
you are fighting a fight you cannot win cos you have lost it. see you twisting things just to suit your evil intentions, so how can this be the truth? you fight cos you want a revenge and you missed it there. stop this before you eventually hurt yourself. i feel very sorry for you but i think you are going about your grievances the very wrong way.
dude, you cannot go far with this, better change now.
Posted on: Today at 09:13:55 PMPosted by: makeitsoon

you are fighting a fight you cannot win cos you have lost it. see you twisting things just to suit your evil intentions, so how can this be the truth? you fight cos you want a revenge and you missed it there. stop this before you eventually hurt yourself. i feel very sorry for you but i think you are going about your grievances the very wrong way.
dude, you cannot go far with this, better change now.

you are fighting a fight you cannot win cos you have lost it. see you twisting things just to suit your evil intentions, so how can this be the truth?

this video speak for its self i am not twisting a thing out of thy own mouth comes thy own judgment

well I am not doing this with evil intentions but to wake up the people and Its not to bring down love world TV but to reform the teaching because there destroying peoples with the twisting of the Gospel of the lord Jesus Christ to make “money” and there focus is on pastor Chris and not the lord Jesus Christ there doing this to many people what they did to me?

See you can kick a dog until it will roll over and die or it will turn and bite you

Simple psychology

But this is one dog that will not rollover and play dead but will bite back

1SAMUEL 16.7:
But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance (appearance) or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for [the LORD seeth] not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

well lets be honest I would not say that he was gay but he is still a man of God but the point I making here is there following pastor Chris and not Jesus Christ this is basis of the points I am making but it very much like Jonathan king David in the bible they had a deep love for each other and this is wonderful in truth but I am against lies and this pastor is false

1SAMUEL 16.12:
And he sent, and brought him in. Now he [was] ruddy, [and] withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this [is] he.

1SAMUEL 18.1:
And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.

1Samuel 20:41 reveals:[And] as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of [a place] toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded.

Well did you grow out of the age of five with your spelling errors lol only joking a little; I have proved my case anti Pastor Chris is me you know

Did you not read the post with all the back ground research I did, do you even know what an anti-Christ is or what
Or even what is a false prophet can you tell me what you call a false teacher tell me enlighten me
I am not here to fight with you but to show you that someone has been telling you lie’s?
As of tomorrow if things go according to plan I will have more exposing videos like the ma.stur.ba.tion video I posted on YouTube that should make him feel very uncomfortable did you see how he looked on television he could not answer the questions being posed to him?
Life for Pastor Chris is about to get very uncomfortable for the future I will fight him until I die and speak against him with my last breath of air I was loving every part of this pastor Chris live
Pastor charisma has lost his charms now for most people that video made the news in Nigeria it was wonderful I praise the lord for good people who speak the truth?
See if these bands of goons in church did not treat me so bad I would have been on TV working for love world but look now I am the enemy within?
Now that should get your mind working?

who sounds gay better put h,o,m,o,s,e,x,u,a,l me or (Rev Ray Okocha)

mabell
Posts: 1691

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 Re: Christ Embasssy Celebrity Story Of The Week - Rev Ray Okocha‏ The Truth Is Out
« #9 on: Today at 07:21:11 PM »  

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Quote from: crossman9 on Today at 07:16:27 PM

I was healed with Jesus not pastor Chris and it was not healed at Christ embassy I come to know Jesus by reading the bible on my own?



What were you healed of crossman?

1 Cor 5:11,12 But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?

well I was a junky and the drugs damage my body many years ago I could not even read and write properly and I read the bible slowly and I asked the lord to prove to me he exists and heal me and I will preach to the junkies the homeless the despised and rejected and make me smarter them that mock me

The lord has kept his word that was when I was 19 years old I was saying heal me heal me lord nothing happened then a warm feeling come on my feet then into the legs then stomach then into the chest I was struggling to breath then it went into my mind and it was a burning bright light I have never been the same since

Why do you ask?

y offence is that you don't know anything of Pastor Chris, you don't know anything of Jesus and even more pathetic, you don't know anything of the bible and the christian faith even with all your lengthy post they'r all gabage and a superfluity of foolishness and gross ignorance

christian

gabage

they'r

Basic English is not my strong point as well but the truth of the bible is my play ground

Christian

garbage

they’re

how come I can take apart his teaching then if I don’t know them or him, remember I was member of “Christ Embassy” for a long time in fact it was for 2 years I have been learning from him night and day and I have been reading the bible since I was 19 years old you work it out? I was healed with Jesus not pastor Chris and it was not healed at Christ embassy I come to know Jesus by reading the bible on my own?
Please read the bible I have read it has my life changing books in it.

newmi (m)
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Re: Christ Embasssy Celebrity Story Of The Week - Rev Ray Okocha‏ The Truth Is Out
« #1 on: Today at 09:15:51 AM »

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You sound like a forgotten lunatic, a frustrated mentally deranged psycho and a success story of satan's idle mind pet project.
Nobody will ever replace Jesus Christ with any man not even the man of God Pastor Chris you l am pathetically sorry for you because am aware you urgently require some form of psychological aid anyway l will recommend these teachings by Pastor Chris; Power in the name of Jesus, The wonderful Name of Jesus, The Person of Jesus, The master Soul Winner, Who is Jesus, please after you listen to these teachings then come and tell the whole world that the same man is replacing Jesus or amaasing greater attention to himself otherthan to Jesus till then stay off this topic because this topic lacka credibility.
1John 4:17
King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
"In this is our love made perfect, that we
may have boldness in the day of
judgment: because as he is, so are we in
this world"
My offence is that you don't know anything of Pastor Chris, you don't know anything of Jesus and even more pathetic, you don't know anything of the bible and the christian faith even with all your lengthy post they'r all gabage and a superfluity of foolishness and gross ignorance

superfluity

why thank you i did notice it but you left out crazy about jesus not pastor chris and i love you to bless you brother

yes he Jesus Wept over false teachers as well

i love pastor chris but i hate what he does mabell and i love you to bless you in the name of jesus

991
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  Re: Jesus Wept - John 11: 35. Who Can Explain Why?
« #55 on: Today at 05:33:46 AM » 

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@crossman9
have you ever read about the sumerian text about the Anunnaki?? try Google it now, then read about the ancient visit of aliens from another planets to earth and see where civilization started, also try read any book on THE LOST CIVILIZATION OF THE WORLD. study the use of THE LORD in old testament instead of GOD, if you study these with open mind, you will notice different characters being referred to as god by the bible writers. .
you can believe in whatever you wish as a human but remember these stories were brought here by the colonial missionaries. we know little or nothing about the pre-history of these religious stories that we have come to adapt. that is why GOD means different things to different people, a good and deep research on some of the ancient mythologies can give you a clue on how religion started and if you refer it to how this world has been going until date, you will understand that man has worshiped nothing but himself. everything happens in the MIND.

I have read up on this long ago it was very thought provoking indeed but in light of what I know about the bible, it did not stand up this is an attempt to introduce new age religion into the world there was some very revealing facts but it was eye opening?

aliens influencing the history of man

God is an alien to this world Jesus said he was not of this world and he told us we are not of this world even lol we are part of this world we do not belong to this world
This to me is old understanding but there was things on caves deep under the ground was truly amazing but there is so much man is learning about the past but I am very thankful for telling me about this keep up the search read up on the dead sea scrolls and the holy Zohar know as kabbalah
These are teaching and books that are no included in the canon scripture but we should read them with the bible

but the bible is complete and the words of jesus are true but these open your mind to another side of the spirit world and mind but christ is the key

if u dont know pst chris, u dknt know Jesus?

if I don’t know “Pastor Chris” I don't know “Jesus” this only shows the ignorance of your mind If don’t know “Pastor Chris” I don’t know “Jesus”  I say this in love your blind and brainwashed
We are command to follow Jesus he called you from “Death” to Life not “Pastor Chris” you confirm how you all think and the more?
You people the more you speak the more you reveal who you’re following and it’s not “Jesus Christ”

1 John 5:12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
1 John 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life

Aistole (384-322B.C.) 6 the roots of the education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet. [Diogens Laerius, Life]

Melbourne, William Lamb, Viscount (1875-1965)
10. Things have come to a pretty pass when religion is allowed to invade the sphere of private life [Remark]
Nobody ever did anything very foolish except from some strong principle.[Attr.
While I cannot be regarded as a pillar, I must be regarded as a buttress of the church, because I support it from the outside. [Attr.]

Burke, Edmund (1729-1797)
2.  the people never give up their liberties but under some delusion. [speech, 1784]
5. tyrants seldom want pretexts.
6 The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing

Tithes where not part of the new covenant read the book of Hebrews and the Malachi 3:10 was talking about the priest hood not people but I still think it is a good thing tithes
Breaking Covenant by Withholding Tithes
Malachi 3:6 “I the LORD do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.
Malachi 3:7 Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD Almighty.
“But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’
Malachi 3:8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me.  “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings.
Malachi 3:9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me.
Malachi 3:10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.
Malachi 3:11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the LORD Almighty.
Malachi 3:12 “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the LORD Almighty.



New Covenant 'Tithing'?

Is tithing taught in the New Covenant? If Christians are directed to tithe in the New Covenant then the entire issue can be put to rest. Tithing is not taught to New Covenant believers.  Tithing is mentioned in the New Covenant but we need to look at those times it is mentioned in the proper context.

The most direct statement about tithing in the New Covenant is in Matthew 23:23 where Jesus told the Pharisees and the teachers of the law that they need to keep the law and not neglect the more important matters like justice , mercy, and faithfulness. So is that statement intended for us now? Absolutely not! Jesus was saying that they needed to keep the entire law which included tithing as well as burnt sacrifices and worshipping on the Sabbath just to name a few. The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were attempting to prove how perfect they were by even tithing their spices. Jesus was exposing their hypocrisy. In fact the entire 23rd chapter of Matthew lists seven woes that Jesus was directing to the Pharisees and the teachers of the law. Jesus was both warning them about what they were doing and telling them the evil that they would be doing in the future with their ‘holier than everyone else, legalistic attitude’. Matthew chapter 23 is directed to anyone who believes and acts like the Pharisees and teachers of the law.

Jesus is not telling us now that we should keep the entire law. If so, then his death, burial, and resurrection were for nothing. Here’s the issue. Jesus had not died and rose from the dead yet so therefore the Israelites and anyone who professed to worship the God of Israel were supposed to be keeping all the laws. That was the correct thing for Jesus to say to them and the correct thing for everyone to do. There are many, many verses in the New Covenant that teach us that we are free from the law. Galatians 3:13 is one of them. Other verses include Romans 3:20-24 and Romans 6:14.   There are many other passages that teach us we are free from the law.    We are free from ALL of the laws that God gave to the Israelites.

The one other time that tithing is mentioned in the New Covenant is in Hebrews chapter 7. Even then, it does not teach us that we should be tithing but in the midst of a somewhat detailed explanation of Jesus as the great high priest, it mentions tithing in the current tense. Some have tried to use this scripture to support their belief that Christians should be tithing. That is not what Hebrews chapter 7 is intended for.  Be sure to read the next section.

Study of Hebrews
A quick review of the purpose of the book of Hebrews is important.  The writer was attempting to instruct Jewish Christians that they should no longer be trying to obey the things contained in the Old Covenant law.  Starting in chapter 1, the writer speaks first of the superiority of Christ over the Prophets, angels, and in chapter 3, Moses.  Chapter 4 shows that Christ is superior to Joshua also.  It is important to illustrate these things to people that held the law and the prophets so dearly to their hearts.  The Jewish Christians were trying to hold onto the law rather than embrace the grace and power that comes with Jesus Christ so the writer had to make these comparisons.  In Hebrews 6:1-2 the writer warns that he is now moving into more mature teaching.

The writer of Hebrews goes on to explain in chapter 7 about Melchizedek and start the discussion about tithing.  Hebrews 7:4-6 first indicates that Abraham in Genesis 14:14-20 gave a tithe of the plunder only.  Contrary to popular teaching, he didn't tithe everything he had.  Abraham gave a tenth of the plunder that he took from the 3 kings that had kidnapped his nephew Lot.  Be sure to read the section titled Before the Law . The book of Hebrews goes on to explain that the Old Covenant law required tithing to the Levites by all Israelites that farmed or raised animals. The Levites were then required to give a tithe of what they received to the Lord.

Many people have a misunderstanding about Hebrews 7:8.  This verse is talking about the same person written about earlier in Hebrews 7:1-3 and that person is Melchizedek.  Melchizedek is the person 'declared to be living' in this passage.  It really doesn't matter as far as a discussion about tithing however.  In that same verse as well as verse 9 it states two critical phrases in the current tense - ', the tenth is collected, ' and ', Levi, who collects the tenth, '.  The writer was doing the same as he did in earlier chapters and that was to explain what was happening at the then current time.  The writer was merely stating what was happening then and not giving a command as far as what Christians need to do now.  In fact the writer was attempting to get the Hebrews to stop trying to obey parts of the law that included tithing.

For the benefit of those Hebrews - and everyone else who is trying to keep parts of the law God gave to the Israelites - Hebrews 7:18 ends the discussion.  No matter how you choose to interpret the 'regulation' or 'commandment' mentioned - it is either talking about tithing, the Levitical priesthood, or all the laws - either way the Bible teaches that it has been set aside.  Tithing was part of the law and the law was given on the basis of the Levitical priesthood (Hebrews 7:11).  The whole chapter is explaining how very important the tithe was under the Law, but points out at the end that now we have a perfect high priest who fulfilled the Law. The Bible teaches that believers should not be trying to keep any of the laws God gave to the Israelites.  We have been given a new and better covenant (Galatians 2:16, Romans 3:28,  Hebrews 7:20-22, Hebrews 8:6-7, Hebrews 8:13 ).


New Covenant Giving
The Gospels and Money
What are we taught in the gospels about money?  Jesus taught about money or riches quite often.  I won't cover everything he said but I want to attempt to discover a pattern of his teachings.

In Mark 12:41-44 Jesus is in the temple sitting not far from where people were placing their money.  Jesus wasn't counting their individual offerings, he was looking at the hearts of those who gave.  A widow gave a very small amount - smaller than anyone else - and Jesus said she gave more than everyone else.  The small amount she gave was more valuable to the kingdom of God and to her than all those who gave very large amounts.  She certainly didn't tithe.   Instead, she gave all she had.  Is Jesus saying that everyone should all the time give all that they have?  No, not at all. The lessons we should get from this are 1) Just because you give a large amount doesn't mean you are pleasing God, 2) Just because you 'tithe' doesn't mean you are pleasing God,  and 3) Giving small or giving large - God knows your heart. 

The poor widow was actually being plundered by the religious leaders.  Be sure to read The Truth About the Widows Gift. That kind of sacrificial giving is NOT a model for Christians.  Unfortunately, the same thing is happening in churches right now with messages to poor folks telling them the must 'tithe'.  It is wrong for religious leaders to plunder poor folks by telling them they must 'tithe' to please God.  The message Jesus gave to the Pharisees who plundered the poor is appropriate for religious leaders that plunder the poor now.  Jesus said

Mark 12:40
40 They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely. NIV


In Matthew 19:16-26 Jesus is asked a question by a rich young man.  This young man said he had obeyed all the laws but wanted to know the one thing he had to do to get eternal life.  Jesus saw through the young man's question and went directly to the root of the problem.  The problem was that the young man loved his riches above everything else and wanted to hold onto them.  The answer for the young man's problem was not tithing.  The rich young man needed to do as Jesus said and sell all his possessions, give the money to the poor, and follow him (Jesus).  What does that mean to us now?  What should we understand from this lesson?  Is Jesus saying that everybody ought to give all they have to the poor?   I don't think so.  Those that have the same problem as the rich young man may need to take the same cure.   

In both of these situations, Jesus clearly indicates that tithing is not the answer to two extremes of money problems - those with very little money and those who have a lot of money.  How about everybody else?  Maybe 'tithing' is for those in the middle of the two extremes!  Absolutely not!  Tithing is not the answer for any money problems.  Actually, based on Jesus' words, the fact that some Israelites faithfully gave a tenth of their income did not mean that God was pleased with their offering!  Even when the tithes did what they were supposed to do doesn't mean that the giver was storing up treasures in heaven!  That part is no different now.   Just because you faithfully 'tithe' is no indication of God's acceptance of it.   Yes, some of your 'tithe' may help keep the local church operating but don't take comfort in that.  We are told in Matthew 7:21-27 that many people will do a whole lot better than just tithe and even they will not enter the kingdom of heaven.  So what are we supposed to give?  More important than the question of how much to give is the question of how to give it.  We need to learn how to be cheerful givers not be reluctant to share with those in need - 2 Corinthians 9:7.  More on that later.

For some reason, many people associate tithing with being generous.  Tithing and generosity are not the same.  A person can tithe and still not be generous in his or her heart.   'Tithing' for Christians is an attempt to please God by obeying one of the laws he gave to the Israelites.  The law of tithing is no different than the laws the Israelites were given that instructed them to kill animals and sacrifice them to God.  God sent his son ,Jesus, to be the final sacrifice for sins.  God set all the laws including the Levitical priesthood aside because they were no longer needed.  The laws did what they were supposed to do until Jesus came and fulfilled the prophecies that were written about the first coming of the Messiah.

Jesus explained to us in Matthew 22:36-40 what was important about the laws God gave to the Israelites.  This is repeated in Romans 13:8-10 and Galatians 5:14.

The Epistles and Money
The Epistles agree totally with what Jesus said about giving.  The first incident I'll study starts in Acts 4:32-37 and continues in Acts 5:1-10.   There is a lot to be learned from these passages and I'll only mention a few things about them.  First, the believers were in agreement and sharing was common.  The apostles were teaching about the resurrection of Jesus with great power and much grace was upon them.  That means that many miracles were occurring.  Ananias and Sapphira watched as others voluntarily sold lands or houses they owned and put the money at the apostles feet to be shared with the needy.  Ananias and Sapphira decided to deceive people about the level of their generosity so they agreed to lie and say that they were giving all the proceeds from the sale of their piece of property.  Peter challenged them in Acts 5:3-4 and reminded them about the freedom they had.  The point I want to make is what Peter said to them "Didn't it belong to you before it was sold?  And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal?"  They were free - just as we are - to give what they wanted to give.  Instead, they decided to play the 'look at me, I'm really religious game' and didn't recognize that they were lying to the Holy Spirit.  This incident had nothing to do with tithing.  It had everything to do with the deception that was in their hearts.

In 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 Paul instructs the believers to ', set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, ' as they prepared to raise money for the believers in Jerusalem.  It seems as though many interpret this as some kind of code word for tithing.  It is not.  It simply means that you the giver are free to decide how much money is in keeping with your income and you give that amount.  Paul is not instructing believers to tithe.

The most significant scriptures concerning generosity in the Epistles starts in 2 Corinthians chapter 8 and continues through to all of 2 Corinthians chapter 9.  Again, there is a whole lot more contained in these scriptures than what I'll cover here and I encourage you to read these and all of the scriptures offline.  Paul first writes about ', the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches, ' as he referred to their ', rich generosity, '.  In verse 7, Paul encourages the Corinthian church and believers today to ', see that you also excel in this grace of giving, '  These are also not code words for tithing.  It means that God has provided for us some of his grace to enable us - if we choose - to be generous to those in need.  The generous Macedonian church was not rich at all.  In fact Paul writes in verse 2 ', their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity, '.   Once again, it is the condition of their hearts that mattered more than the amount they gave.  In 2 Corinthian 9:6-7 we are reminded that if you give a little you will be blessed a little and if you give a lot you will be blessed a lot.  This is referring to grace, not to the giving and receiving of money or material things.  Verse 8 clearly emphasizes this fact.   Verse 7 clearly states 'Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, '  Believers need to search their own hearts and give what they are really happy to give.  No more, no less.

The amount you should give is the amount you should give.  God does not expect the same level of giving from two people that earn the same amount of money!  Let me emphasize that some more.  Even if two people earn the same amount of money, live in the same neighborhood, have the same number of kids, have cars that cost the same, have rent that cost the same or homes that cost the same, work at the same company, have parents and grandparents the same age, work the same amount of overtime, walk the same, talk the same, and look the same God still doesn't expect the same level of giving from each person!  God has given each person different gifts and he expects a different return on his investment of the different combination of gifts he has given each of us.  Romans 12:3-8 explains that we should look at ourselves soberly ', in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you, '.  It goes on to explain that ', We each have different measures of faith and different gifts and God expects different results from each of us.  That includes different amounts of giving even from people that earn the same amount of money!

God is not looking for people to tithe.  God wants his people to obey him as he speaks to your heart.  Search your own heart and determine the amount you can freely give and cheerfully give it.

http://wikisozo.com/story/read/23652/he-chose-me-and-ive-never-stopped-loving-him

http://wikisozo.com/story/read/23652/he-chose-me-and-ive-never-stopped-loving-him

HE CHOSE ME AND I'VE NEVER STOPPED LOVING HIM

Rev Ray Okocha

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HE CHOSE ME AND I'VE NEVER STOPPED LOVING HIM

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I grew up in a religious home like most homes are in Nigeria. My parents made sure we all went to church - the Roman Catholic Church. I was very devoted and committed to the church and her activities I even joined the Saint Jude's Society at an early age. I went through the motions of religion not really knowing God or the reality of His word.

I believe my parents tried to raise us up the best way they knew. They had plans for me as the first child. I was to follow the path of the medical profession as they wanted me to study to become a medical doctor. This may have stemmed from the fact that my mum was a nurse.

As a young boy at this time, I did not know anything about God's plan for me. I even thought that born again Christians or 'SU' (Scripture Union) as we called them, were weird people. My dad had told us of stories of some of his classmates in the University who were born again and that these ones always failed in their academic works. We were all ignorant of the glorious gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

My parents relocated to the oil-rich city of Warri in Delta State, Nigeria. Thus I had to change schools and began to attend Urhobo College, Effurun, a school notorious for having tough and rascally students. In my second year in the school (I was in my fourth form at this time), I noticed a fellow classmate who fitted the description of these weird people - the SUs. He didn't talk much with the rest of us but seemed a little put off with the way we did things.

We respected Brother Charles (that was his name) but we didn't relate much with him. One day, Brother Charles invited me to a fellowship during the long break hour. I accepted his invitation and went for the meeting just to be courteous. In the meeting, he told us of his vision he had about the end time - specifically, the coming of the Lord.

I wept throughout the message as it dawned on me that I was neither born again nor ready for the Lord's return. At the end of the message, he gave an altar call for those who were not ready for the Lord's return. I went out and said the prayers as directed. Suddenly, I felt a heavy load lift off my heart! Things were never going to be the same again.

I was born again; I had received eternal life and God had become my Father. This new relationship with God was far removed from religion. I knew I was a different person. I became very hungry for God's word and wanted to spend time with Him.

My parents began to notice a change in me. Although I was a 'good boy' at home before this time (good enough to go to the drunkard's hell on a banana peel), there was something different about me. I began to tell all my friends about my salvation story and invited them all to join me in this new-found life. As I continued in my Christian walk, I discovered that there was something more.

My new friends in fellowship were always talking about the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues. Oh, how I wanted this spiritual experience! I bought books on the Holy Spirit and receiving the Holy Spirit. On a fateful day, while still in the secondary school, having been instructed to spend time fasting, I went with two friends to pray (they are both ministers of the gospel presently). They laid hands on me and I received the in filling of the Holy Spirit and spoke in other tongues.

Wow! It had finally happened! As I grew in the word, I was no longer satisfied with the spiritual nourishment I was receiving in my church. I stopped attending that church and this action started a 'war' at home. I graduated from the secondary school and immediately got admission into the University in November 1984. As I got into school, a classmate of mine who was a brother introduced me to the man of God, Pastor Chris.

The moment I shook hands with him, I knew I was connected to him. He looked like Jesus and everything about him fascinated me. I followed him to his room on campus. And I have been following him ever since.

My new friends in fellowship were always talking about the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues. Oh, how I wanted this spiritual experience! I bought books on the Holy Spirit and receiving the Holy Spirit. On a fateful day, while still in the secondary school, having been instructed to spend time fasting, I went with two friends to pray (they are both ministers of the gospel presently). They laid hands on me and I received the in filling of the Holy Spirit and spoke in other tongues.

Wow! It had finally happened! As I grew in the word, I was no longer satisfied with the spiritual nourishment I was receiving in my church. I stopped attending that church and this action started a 'war' at home. I graduated from the secondary school and immediately got admission into the University in November 1984. As I got into school, a classmate of mine who was a brother introduced me to the man of God, Pastor Chris.

As I got into school, a classmate of mine who was a brother introduced me to the man of God, Pastor Chris.

The moment I shook hands with him, I knew I was connected to him. He looked like Jesus and everything about him fascinated me. I followed him to his room on campus. And I have been following him ever since.

He looked like Jesus and everything about him fascinated me

I followed him to his room on campus. And I have been following him ever since.

Here is the proof they in Christ embassy see him as Christ the person that is why they glorify him because he performs miracles
Or gives impartations of the spirit but which spirit is it I can testify with own eyes I have seen spirits come out of the minister in Christ Embassy
But this testimony proves my point he said he follows him pastor Chris and not Jesus Christ or the Holy Spirit?

Rev. Ray Okocha (“Word Alive”. program) All so the (Secretary-General) (Believer’s’ Love World Inc.)

This shows how they think and this is thee most high ranking member of the church that believes this so what does that say about the lower levels of the church it is shocking to some but not to me I know they see him as “Christ” they talked about him that way when I was there in there spiritual think tank it high time people wake up to this church and see it for what it is a brain washing cult with powers of darkness transformed in the angels of light the grandmaster is behind them the devil he is God to them in the church?

I weep for you all you can’t see your deceived

Read the scriptures for a moment and ask yourself is he the way and the truth and the life or is  it Jesus Christ? 


False Christs

There will be False Christs

For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many

Matthew 24:5 He replied: "Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and, 'The time is near.' Do not follow them.



Luke 21:8 Jesus of Nazareth was the true and only Christ, the anointed one, the Messiah, and our Lord and Savior.  Jesus is The Way, the Truth and Life.  There never has been and never will be any other Christ, Teacher, Lord, Savior, or form of Consciousness whereby our eternal souls might be saved.  However, just as the Bible prophesied, there have been - and will continue to be - an ever increasing number of powerful and alluring false christs as we draw closer to the appearance of the ultimate false Christ, the Antichrist.  More deceiving spirits will arrive on the scene as we near the rapture of the Church, and the seven-year tribulation that will precede the return of Jesus to set up his millennial kingdom. 



Mark 13:6; 21-22 Many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and will deceive many. At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'Look, there he is!' do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect--if that were possible. So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.


II Cor. 11:3,4; 13-15 “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.  For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.  For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.”


1 Timothy 4:1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 


Matthew 24:11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.


Matthew 24:24For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect--if that were possible.



II Thessalonians 2:9-12 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.  And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.


Revelation 17:4-6 The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. This title was written on her forehead: MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT THE MOTHER OF LovePeddlers AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus.

2 Timothy 4:3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine.



Matthew 7:22, 23Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.



2 Timothy 3:8Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these [apostates] also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.


2 Timothy 4

1 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

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THE BIBLICAL GOD JEHOVAH WAS A TRIBAL GOD OF THE JEWS, WHO WAS BLOOD THIRSTY AND JEALOUS, THE BIBLE STORIES ARE ALL A SHAM, THERE'S NO PROOF FOR THE EXISTENCE OF KING DAVID OR SOLOMON, AND THERE'S NO ACCURATE INFORMATION REGARDING THE DIVINE BIRTH OF JESUS, AS FAR AS ACCURATE HISTORICITY IS CONCERNED JESUS NEVER EXISTED, HE WAS JUST A MYTH LIKE THE OTHER 16 OR 17 SUN GODS, JESUS IS A PERSONIFICATION OF THE SUN, THE SUN HAS TWELVE HELPERS, JESUS HAD TWELVE DISCIPLES, GO AND STUDY A LIL BIT OF ASTROLOGY YOU'LL UNDERSTAND, THERE'S NO SIN, NO HELL, JUST POWERFUL FORCES CONTROLLING THE FATE OF MANKIND.
GREETINGS!!!

there is more proof than you can ever know the bible is (150%) perfect and true if you want a real debate i would be the perfect man for the job if you would like the truth respond with (hey you crossman9)

simple minds love simple ways stop being simple

Psalm 14:1-3 The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none that does good. The LORD looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any that act wisely, that seek after God. They have all gone astray, they are all alike corrupt; there is none that does good, no, not one.

The fool says, "There is no God", that’s why he doesn’t even try to do what’s right

Who wants to be a fool?

God looks to see if any of us are wise

If someone is really wise, they will seek God

How do you seek God?

Is it a long journey?

Is there some secret mystery?

Is there some great deed we must do?

Is there some valiant & heroic struggle?

Since God is already at the door, and already knocking, perhaps we should open the door?

The Bible is God’s word, it is how God speaks to us,

Perhaps we should read it and study it and think about it

Since prayer begins with God’s invitation, shouldn’t our prayers begin by listening to God?

They are all alike

There is no one that does good

All have gone astray

Sin is universal

Sin is not just inevitable, it is a great pervasive evil,

And it eats up all in its reach (you are your brothers keeper)

In the face of universal sin, the only thing to do is repent

And trust in the mercy of God

The good news is that God has mercy on penitent sinners

The good news is that there is a Savior

Jesus is our refuge, not because we deserve refuge

Jesus is our refuge because God has mercy upon us

God give his Word

God creates faith

God knocks at our door

God forgives – wisdom is opening our lives to the mercy of God

And righteousness – that too comes from God through Christ.

You see the Lord will restore the fortunes of his people,

His people are the people who live by grace through faith.

sorry brother i can't find the link but i will keep looking i copied it of a site bless you have nice day

Buddhism

The most used formulation of Buddhist ethics are the Five Precepts and the Eightfold Path, which say that one should follow the right view towards pleasures. These precepts take the form of voluntary, personal undertakings, not divine mandate or instruction. The third of the Five Precepts is "To refrain from committing sexual misconduct.[1]". However, the "sexual misconduct" is such a broad term, and is subjected to interpretation relative to the social norms of the followers. In fact, Buddhism in its fundamental form, does not define what is right and what is wrong in absolute terms for lay followers. Therefore the interpretation of what kinds of sexual activity is acceptable for a layperson is varied. It seems reasonable to conclude that according to the middle path sexual conduct and desire is okay if it is not used to harm. Humans do have sexual desires and since buddhism is not asceticism, satisfying them through masturbation can be acceptable.[citation needed]

It can also be argued that even for a layperson, excessive focus on sexual pleasure by any means can be said to be not following the middle path.[citation needed].

In general, the moral code of conduct of Chinese Buddhism is stricter regarding the sexual practices of lay Buddhists and generally opposes masturbation, viewing it as a form of sexual misconduct. This is especially so for Upāsaka and Upāsikā who practise Eight Precepts on Uposatha days, leading a more ascetic lifestyle that does not allow for masturbation. Advocates of stricter precepts against sexual misconduct point to references from the Upasakasila Sutra 《優婆塞戒經》, particularly as stated "若於非時、非處、非女、處女、他婦、若屬自身，是名邪淫。" -if sex is practised under the inappropriate times (times not allowed by precepts) , inappropriate place (places not allowed by precepts), with non-female, with virgin, with a married wife, if sex relates to self-body, it is known as sexual misconduct. The "sex relates to self-body 屬自身" generally refers to masturbation and is defined under the confinement of precepts of no sexual misconduct for Upāsaka and Upāsikā in Chinese Buddhism. Advocates of such stricter precepts have argued for the need for purity of the mind and often cited bad karmic effect as a result of masturbation, as it can lead to further sexual misconduct including sex addiction, usage of pornography, buying sex, adultery, molestation, rape etc.

[edit] Christianity

[edit] The Bible

On the matter of masturbation, the Hebrew and Christian Bibles are silent, neither denouncing nor encouraging the practice. The biblical story of Onan is traditionally linked to referring to masturbation and condemnation thereof, but the act described by this story is coitus interruptus, not masturbation.[2][3][4][5][6] There is no explicit claim in the Bible that masturbation would be sinful[7][8], however Leviticus chapter 15 in the Law of Moses states that any male having a "flow" for any reason, is ceremonially defiled for seven days.

[edit] Catholicism

The Catholic Church teaches that "Masturbation constitutes a grave moral disorder" and that "both the Magisterium of the Church—in the course of a constant tradition—and the moral sense of the faithful have declared without hesitation that masturbation is an intrinsically and seriously disordered act."[9]

Although "it is said that psychology and sociology show that [masturbation] is a normal phenomenon of sexual development, especially among the young," this does not change the fact that it "is an intrinsically and seriously disordered act" and "that, whatever the motive for acting this way, the deliberate use of the sexual faculty outside normal conjugal relations essentially contradicts the finality of the faculty. For it lacks the sexual relationship called for by the moral order, namely the relationship which realizes 'the full sense of mutual self-giving and human procreation in the context of true love.'"[9]

This is because the deliberate use of the sexual faculty outside of marriage is, according to the teaching of the Church, contrary to its primary purpose of procreation and unification of the husband and wife within the sacrament of marriage.[10] In addition, the Church teaches that all other sexual activity—including masturbation, homosexual acts, acts of sodomy, all sex outside of or before marriage (fornication), and the use of any form of contraception or birth control—is gravely disordered,[9] as it frustrates the natural order, purpose, and ends of sexuality.[11] Natural family planning is permitted, being not a form of artificial contraception.[12] To form an equitable judgment about the subjects' moral responsibility and to guide pastoral action, one must take into account the affective immaturity, force of acquired habit, conditions of anxiety or other psychological or social factors that lessen, if not even reduce to a minimum, moral culpability.[13]

The traditional view of masturbation has been consistent for almost all of the Catholic Church's 2,000-year history.[14] Early Catholic theologians universally condemned both masturbation and contraception as sinful. One such example is Clement of Alexandria, considered a saint and a Church Father, who said of masturbation, "Because of its divine institution for the propagation of man, the seed is not to be vainly ejaculated, nor is it to be damaged, nor is it to be wasted.".[15]

St. Thomas Aquinas, one of the most prominent Doctors of the Roman Catholic Church, wrote that masturbation, an "unnatural vice" which is a species of lust in the same category as bestiality and sodomy, "by procuring pollution [i.e., ejaculation apart from intercourse], without any copulation, for the sake of venereal pleasure [, ] pertains to the sin of 'uncleanness' which some call 'effeminacy' [Latin: mollitiem, lit. 'softness, unmanliness']."[16]

However, after a study commissioned by the Catholic Theological Society of America in 1972,[17] a number of dissident Catholic theologians have come to hold that an act of masturbation should not be judged as an objective moral evil, but assessed within the life context of the person involved. Others, among them John Wijngaards, maintain that masturbation is often no sin at all, and hardly ever a serious one."[18].

[edit] Eastern Orthodox Christianity

The Eastern Orthodox Church or Orthodox Christian Church views sexuality as a gift from God that finds its fulfillment in the marital relationship, and therefore the misuse of the gift of human sexuality is sinful. Because the act of masturbation is self-directed, and by its nature is incapable of expressing love and concern for another person, it is viewed as a distortion of the use of the gift of sexuality. This is especially apparent when masturbation becomes an addiction. In the least, the practice of self-pleasure is viewed as not honoring the purpose of God's gift of sexuality.[19]

From the bishops and theologians of the early Christian church, Saint John Chrysostom and Saint Basil the Great (330 AD) to modern-day Orthodox Christian theologians, such as Stanley Harakas, Alexander Schmemann and Thomas Hopko, the Orthodox teaching on sexual morality remains consistent.

The sexual sins of fornication, adultery, masturbation and cyber sex, as well as hatred, jealousy, drunkenness and other sins are considered to be sins of the heart as much as the body. It is thought that turning away from sexual sin is turning away from self indulgence for the purpose of self gratification. Instead of turning to the desires of the flesh, the Orthodox Christian claims to turn to the Holy Spirit, whose fruit is believed to be love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.[20]

[edit] Protestantism

Theologians toward the middle of the 20th century began revising previous teachings, and some today even take pro-masturbation viewpoints. Most conservative denominations view it as an act of self-indulgence and a sin of the flesh and believe that the practice is principally considered a sin because of its invitation to lust.[21] Those who view it within the range of allowable sexual behavior encourage it as guard against adultery, pre-marital sex, or other forms of non-allowable sexual behavior, and as a method of balancing differing libidos between spouses.[22]

[edit] Adventism

Ellen G. White, one of the founders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, in the mid-19th century claimed to have spiritual visions from God that gave her guidance on the Christian life. She warned against overly-stimulating foods, sex, and masturbation, which she referred to as "solitary vice." She warned her followers of her visions of disfigured humans and the consequences of masturbation not only destroying one's life, but preventing access to Heaven when Jesus comes in the first resurrection. She made claims that masturbation was the cause of many sicknesses in adults from cancer to lung disease. White even stated that masturbation claimed many sinners' lives prematurely. She believed that one's diet had a direct correlation with one's urge to masturbate. She claimed that a healthy diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, wheat breads, and water would lead to a diminished urge to masturbate and thus would lead to a healthier and more fulfilling life. To ultimately produce a guide for future generations she claimed solitary vice was the cause of hereditary insanity, cancer, and other deadly diseases; clearly appealing to parents to protect their children by not engaging in solitary vice.[23]

[edit] United Church of Christ

The U.S. denomination the United Church of Christ uses a sexuality curriculum Our Whole Lives, developed jointly with the Unitarian Universalists, openly discusses masturbation as a positive expression of sexuality.

[edit] German united and lutheran churches in Evangelical Chuch in Germany

The German united and lutheran churches in Evangelical Church in Germany openly suppose masturbation as a positive expression of sexuality.

[edit] Lutheran churches in Scandinavia and Iceland

Lutheran churches in Denmark (Church of Denmark), Sweden (Church of Sweden), Norway (Church of Norway), Finland (Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland) and Iceland (Church of Iceland) openly suppose masturbation as a positive expression of sexuality.

[edit] Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Spencer W. Kimball, the twelfth President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints strongly urged the Saints (Mormons) to abandon the habit before going on a mission, receiving the holy priesthood, or going into the temple for blessings. He taught that masturbation indicated "slavery to the flesh, not the mastery of it and the growth toward godhood which is the object of our mortal life".[24] “Masturbation … is not approved of the Lord nor of His Church, regardless of what may be said by others whose ‘norms’ are lower. Latter-day Saints are urged to avoid this practice” (President Kimball Speaks Out [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1981], p. 10).[25]

[edit] Jehovah's Witnesses

The Jehovah's Witnesses teach that masturbation is a habit that is a "form of uncleanness", one that "fosters attitudes that can be mentally corrupting".[26]

[edit] Hinduism

Main article: Brahmacharya

According to Hinduism, life begins at the Brahmacharya or "student" stage, in which they are directed to chastely advance themselves educationally and spiritually to prepare themselves for a life of furthering their dharma (societal, occupational, parental, etc. duties) and karma (right earthly actions); only once they reach the Grihastya or "householder" stage can they seek kama (physical pleasure) and artha (worldly achievement, material prosperity) through their vocations. Sexual pleasure is part of kama, one of the four goals of life. The Hindu treatise on sex Kama Sutra (4th to 6th centuries AD) does not condemn masturbation at all and moreover explains in detail the best procedure to masturbate; "Churn your instrument with a lion's pounce: sit with legs stretched out at right angles to one another, propping yourself up with two hands planted on the ground between in them, and it between your arms".[27]

However, celibacy (Brahmacharya) is one of the foundations of Hinduism and masturbation is one of the impediments to sexual purity during the Brahmacharya phase of the lifeov. The word brahmacharya tends to take on a connotation of disciplining the use of and preserving sexual energy and is also understood broadly in yoga as "sexual continence," which can be understood as being applicable as appropriate in different contexts (e.g. faith in marriage, celibacy for spiritual aspirants etc), in more extreme terms (complete celibacy full stop) or in more specific terms in relation to preserving and sublimating male sexual energy rather than losing it through ejaculation.

[edit] Islam

Main article: Islam and masturbation

Masturbation (istimna [استمناء] in Arabic) is forbidden in the hadith[citation needed]. It is frowned upon by some scholars, who maintain that it should only be done if one fears of committing illicit sex (fornication or adultery); even then alternatives such as getting married or fasting are preferred, as suggested in hadith.

Istimna

Scholars of Islam do not generally approve of masturbation, except in extenuating circumstances. There is a statement in Quran "And those who guard their chastity, Except from their wives for then, they are free from blame; But whoever seeks beyond that, then those are transgressors." (23:5-7)

In Islam, sexual engagement outside of marriage is a major sin, which causes the doer to be punished in this life and in the afterlife (Qiyama). Yet if one's desire is so overwhelming one might perform a greater wrong by having sex outside marriage, masturbation becomes permissible as a necessity but in that case it will be like eating the flesh of a pig to survive from major hunger or starvation when no other food is available. So Quran says "And those who are not married should try to live in chastity, until God enriches them with His Grace" (Qur'an, 24:33)

Masturbation, like any form of sex in which seminal or vaginal fluids have been released, breaks one's fast if performed during the daylight hours and requires a major ablution if any seminal or vaginal fluids were released.

According to Sheikh Hamed Al-Ali: "Masturbation during the daytime of Ramadan breaks the fast, based on the Hadith that a fasting Muslim gives up eating, drinking, and sexual desire for the sake of Allah. Since masturbation is a kind of sexual desire, a fasting Muslim must avoid it. Therefore, masturbation invalidates the fast as does food and as it is one of the sins that if someone does it he or she would be violating the sanctity of this month."

[edit] Shi'a view

Masturbation is forbidden altogether in the Shi'a sect. The Qur'an says, "The believers are, those who protect their sexual organs except from their spouses, Therefore, whosoever seeks more beyond that [in sexual gratification], then they are the transgressors." (23:5-6) [28]

[edit] Sunni view

The four Sunni schools of jurisprudence (known as Madhaahib - the Hanafi, Shafi'i, Maliki and Hanbali schools of Fiqh) have differing stances on the issue. Some see it forbidden in certain cases (i.e. if it leads a man/woman to ignore their spouse sexually) but recommended it when they see it as a lesser evil to illicit sex. It is generally prohibited according to the Hanafi and Hanbali Mazhabs, unless one fears adultery or fornication, or is under the desire pressure, in which case, it is permissible to seek a relief through masturbation. It is prohibited all the time according to the Maliki and Shafi`i Mazhabs.[29]

[edit] Judaism

Main articles: Judaism and sexuality#Masturbation and "Sperm in Vain" and Religious views on masturbation#The Bible

[edit] Orthodox and Conservative Judaism

The Talmud forbids male masturbation, as it leads to unnecessary spilling of semen, or the impure thoughts of women other than the man's lawful wife. This prohibition is derived from the Biblical narrative of Onan (Talmud Niddah 13a). The Talmud (ibid) likens the act to murder and idolatry. The wrath displayed by God toward Onan was invoked not through the act of spilling semen, but through disobedience to God's command for Onan to impregnate his brother's widow (see the story in Genesis 38:8-10). Others consider the death sentence excessive for failure to properly follow the laws of Levirate marriage — the Biblical option offered to those refusing a Levirate marriage was that the woman who was refused, would spit over the males shoe, after removing it from his foot. Because Onan's punishment was so much more severe, they argue that the spilling of semen was the relevant offense. Onan was not masturbating, but practising birth control by withdrawal.

According to the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, "It is forbidden to discharge semen in vain. This is a graver sin than any other in the Torah".[30] However, Beis Shmuel expounds that this is not literal, but rather serves to frighten man into avoiding the sin.[31]

There is disagreement among the poskim, decisors of Jewish law, whether masturbation is an acceptable way of procuring semen for artificial insemination or in vitro fertilisation.[32]

Judaism in general neither prohibits nor discourages female masturbation, although some authorities consider female masturbation as necessarily involving "impure thoughts".[33]

[edit] Other movements

Rabbis from the Progressive movements (i.e., the Reform and Reconstructionist movements) have come to more liberal conclusions. Reconstructionist Rabbi Alexis Roberts maintains that masturbation is "harmless, natural and healthy. It may provide release and pleasure, as well as self-knowledge that is useful for pleasurable sex with a partner. It may make it easier for young people to have sexual release in the years when they are too young for a mature, committed, loving relationship."[34] Reform Rabbi Jonathan Stein, in a proposed schema for normative Reform evaluation of different sexual activities, proposed that masturbation be considered "mutar", a term generally translated as "permissible", but which he renders as "tolerable".[35] Rabbi Walter Jacob, writing on behalf of the Reform responsa committee, asserts, "Although the statements of tradition are very clear, we would take a different view of masturbation, in the light of current psychological thought. Masturbation should be discouraged, but we would not consider it harmful or sinful."[36]

[edit] Spilling semen in vain

Main article: Judaism and sexuality#Masturbation and "Sperm in Vain"

Sperm in vain (or Semen in vain or Seed in vain; Hebrew: זרע לבטלה, pronounced: Zera Levatala) is a Talmudic term and concept that refers to any sexual act in which a male's sperm is consciously "wasted",[37] whether because she is pregnant, infertile, or elderly. This is proper for the purpose of fulfilling the "Onah" Mitzvah-commandment, the husband's marital obligations.


"But why all these precautions? — Because otherwise one might emit semen in vain, and R. Johanan stated: Whosoever emits semen in vain deserves death, for it is said in Scripture."

—Babylon Talmud, Tractate Niddah, p. 13a

Prior to the 20th century, it was a Jewish term usually (but not only) referring to masturbation. In Shulchan Aruch, on "Yoreh Deah", it is stated that wasting sperm is considered to be a sin greater than any sin in the Torah.

Homosexual intercourse is also considered an act of spilling semen in vain; as for masturbation, despite not having been explicitly prohibited in the Torah, the Halkha and the Oral Torah views masturbation as an Halakhaic prohibition and a great sin. Even marital sexual acts in which the semen is not aimed at the vagina (and should it be spilled), is considered an act of seed in vain.

The Halakhic attitude towards a female masturbation is found in the opinions of the Ben Ish Chai[38], who says that it is wrong because it creates evil forces (Kelipos), and Rabbi Moshe Feinstein,[39] who forbids it because it involves indulging in sexual fantasy about men, which falls under the prohibition of forbidden thoughts, which are forbidden for women as well. However, it does not carry the severity of male masturbation, because it does not involve the release of seed.

In modern days, the Halakhic question on whether taking a male sperm for the purpose of medical examinations or insemination is debated among the authorities.

[edit] Other texts

Leviticus chapter 15 in the Law of Moses states that any male having a "flow" is ceremonially defiled, he must cleanse himself with water, and then in the evening begin to count a period of seven days (v. 13), after which he must wash in water again, then bring two pigeons or doves to the priests on the 8th day who will make the sacrifice for him. This "flow" refers to ejaculation of semen (verse 32), whether through masturbation or nocturnal emission. However, verse 3 states that he is rendered unclean even if the flow is "blocked", i.e. even if he stops himself short of ejaculation.

Other than this 7-day ceremonial defilement (which is actually quite similar to the Taoist concept of "diminished Qi" as detailed below), there are no consequences or punishments specified for masturbation or mere ejaculation to be found in Mosaic Law. However, the Temple Scroll, used by the sect responsible for the Dead Sea Scrolls, states that a man may not enter the holy grounds of the Future Temple in the New Jerusalem for a period of seven days after ejaculating.

[edit] Unitarian Universalism

The Unitarian Universalist Association and other Unitarian and Universalist bodies embrace a sexual ethic which affirms a wide range of activities by consenting adults, including masturbation. The sexuality curricula Our Whole Lives, developed jointly with the United Church of Christ, openly discusses the topic as a positive expression of sexuality.

[edit] Wicca

Wicca, like other religions, has adherents with a spectrum of views ranging from conservative to liberal. Wicca is generally undogmatic, and nothing in Wiccan philosophy prohibits masturbation. On the contrary, Wiccan ethics, summed up in the Wiccan Rede "An it harm none, do as thou wilt", are interpreted by many as endorsing responsible sexual activity of all varieties. This is reinforced in the Charge of the Goddess, a key piece of Wiccan literature, in which the Goddess says, "all acts of love and pleasure are my rituals".[40]

[edit] Bibliography
Wile, Douglas. The Art of the Bedchamber: The Chinese Sexual Yoga Classics including Women’s Solo Meditation Texts. Albany: State University of New York, 1992.
Numbers, Ronald L, "Sex, Science, and Salvation: The Sexual Advice of Ellen G. White and John Harvey Kellogg," in Right Living: An Anglo-American Tradition of Self-Help Medicine and Hygiene ed. Charles Rosenberg, 2003.

[edit] See also






Religion portal





Sexuality portal

Chastity
Fornication

[edit] References

1.^ Higgins, Winton. "Buddhist Sexual Ethics". BuddhaNet Magazine. Retrieved 2007-01-15.
2.^ Coogan, Michael (October 2010). God and Sex. What the Bible Really Says (1st ed.). New York, Boston: Twelve. Hachette Book Group. p. 110. ISBN 978-0-446-54525-9. OCLC 505927356. Retrieved May 5, 2011. "Although Onan gives his name to "onanism," usually a synonym for masturbation, Onan was not masturbating but practicing coitus interruptus."
3.^ http://www.catholic.com/tracts/birth-control (official Catholic tract declared free from error by a book censor and approved by a bishop.) Quote: "The Bible mentions at least one form of contraception specifically and condemns it. Coitus interruptus, was used by Onan to avoid fulfilling his duty according to the ancient Jewish law of fathering children for one’s dead brother."
4.^ Ellens, J. Harold (2006). "6. Making Babies: Purposes of Sex". Sex in the Bible: a new consideration. Westport, Conn.: Praeger Publishers. p. 48. ISBN 0-275-98767-1. OCLC 65429579. Retrieved 2012-01-24. "He practiced coitus interruptus whenever he made love to Tamar."
5.^ Confirmed by The Web Bible Encyclopedia at http://www.christiananswers.net/dictionary/onan.html quote: "Some have mistakenly assumed that Onan's sin was masturbation. However, it seems clear that this is not the case. Onan was prematurely withdrawing from sexual intercourse with his new wife, Tamar. This is a form of birth control still practiced today (coitus interruptus)."
6.^ Church Father Epiphanius of Salamis agrees, according to Riddle, John M. (1992). "1. Population and Sex". Contraception and abortion from the ancient world to the Renaissance. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press. p. 4. ISBN 0-674-16875-5. OCLC 24428750. Retrieved 2012-01-24. "Epiphanius (fourth century) construed the sin of Onan as coitus interruptus.14"
7.^ Patton, Michael S. (June 1985). "Masturbation from Judaism to Victorianism". Journal of Religion and Health (Springer Netherlands) 24 (2): 133–146. doi:10.1007/BF01532257. ISSN 0022-4197. Retrieved 12 November 2011. "Nevertheless, there is no legislation in the Bible pertaining to masturbation."
8.^ Kwee, Alex W.; David C. Hoover (2008). "Theologically-Informed Education about Masturbation: A Male Sexual Health Perspective". Journal of Psychology and Theology (La Mirada, CA, USA: Rosemead School of Psychology. Biola University) 36 (4): 258–269. ISSN 0091-6471. Retrieved 12 November 2011. "The Bible presents no clear theological ethic on masturbation, leaving many young unmarried Christians with confusion and guilt around their sexuality."
9.^ a b c Cardinal Seper, Franjo (2005-12-29). "Persona Humana: Declaration on certain questions concerning sexual ethics". § IX. The Roman Curia. Retrieved 2008-07-23.
10.^ Pope Pius XI (1930-12-31). "Casti Connubii". Retrieved 2009-07-23.
11.^ Pope Paul VI (1968-07-25). "Humanæ Vitæ". Retrieved 2009-07-23.
12.^ http://www.envoymagazine.com/familyplanning.htm
13.^ Libreria Editrice Vaticana, ed. "Catechism of the Catholic Church". 2352. Retrieved 2009-07-23.
14.^ For historical examples of condemnations of masturbation, see: Pope Leo IX, letter "Ad splendidum nitentis," in the year 1054 DS 687-688
decree of the Holy Office, March 2nd, 1679: DS 2149 [Translation: 1124:

Voluptuousness [Latin: Mollities, lit. 'softness, unmanliness,' another word for 'masturbation'], sodomy, and bestiality are sins of the same ultimate species

Pope Pius XII, "Allocutio," Oct 8th, 1953 AAS 45 (1953), pp. 677-678:

ce qu'une n'est pas licite: "masturbatio directe procurata ut obtineatur sperma"
("this is not lawful: 'masturbation directly procured to obtain sperm'"

May 19th, 1956 AAS 48 (1956), pp. 472-473

15.^ (The Instructor of Children 2:10:91:2 [A.D. 191])
16.^ Summa Theologica IIª-IIae, q. 154 a. 11 co. (in Latin)
17.^ A. Kosnik and others, Human Sexuality. New Directions in Catholic Thought, Search Press, London 1977, pp. 219-229.
18.^ Wijngaards, John. "Touching oneself - masturbation, self-gratification: a Catholic view".
19.^ Fr. John Matusiak. "Church's view of masturbation". Orthodox Church in America. Retrieved 2008-06-26.
20.^ Archpriest Joseph F Purpura, Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese. "Pre-marital Sexual Relations". Moral and Ethical Issues: Confronting Orthodox Youth across North America. Author Books and Barnes & Noble. Retrieved 2008-06-26.
21.^ Miller, Jeff (2008). Bible.org. Bible.org Reference.
22.^ Wright, Anne (2009). Grandma's Sex Handbook. Intimate Press. pp. 123–146. ISBN 978-0578020754.
23.^ Numbers, Ronald L, "Sex, Science, and Salvation: The Sexual Advice of Ellen G. White and John Harvey Kellogg," in Right Living: An Anglo-American Tradition of Self-Help Medicine and Hygiene ed. Charles Rosenberg, 2003., pp. 208-209
24.^ Kimball, Spencer W.; Edward L. Kimball (ed.) (1982). The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball. Salt Lake City: Bookcraft. pp. 282. ISBN 0884944727.
25.^ LDS.org - Gospel Library - Support Materials - A Parent's Guide - Teaching Adolescents: from Twelve to Eighteen Years
26.^ [1], "How Can I Conquer This Habit?", Jehovah's Witnesses Official Web Site.
27.^ How to Raise Kids Who Won't Hate You By Alan Thicke; p.125
28.^ Marriage and Morals in Islam
29.^ Marriage in Islam - Part 1 by by Hussein Khalid Al-Hussein, Ph.D. Refer to: Section Al-`Alaqat Al-Mubahah (Allowed Relationships)
30.^ Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, סימן קנא: א (Chapter 151: 1); Rabbi Shlomo Ganzfried
31.^ Shulchan Aruch, Even Ha'Ezer 23:1
32.^ Jewish Law - Articles ("The Use of Cryopreserved Sperm and Pre-embryos In Contemporary Jewish Law and Ethics"
33.^ Kosher Sex
34.^ "Masturbation: Is It Kosher?". Beliefnet.
35.^ Stein, Jonathan (Fall 2001). "Toward a Taxonomy for Reform Jews to Evaluate Sexual Behavior". CCAR Journal (Central Conference of American Rabbis). Retrieved 2007-08-27.
36.^ Jacob, Walter (1979). "Masturbation". American Reform Responsa (Central Conference of American Rabbis). Retrieved 2007-08-28.
37.^ Bris Kodesh i.e., released as an act not for the purpose of procreation, or in normal intercourse with one's wife, even when she is for whatever reason not able to become pregnant from that seed,, Glossary
38.^ Od Yosef Chai p. 37, quoting the Arizal in Shaar HaKavanos, Inyan Drushei Layla, sec. 7
39.^ Igros Moshe, Even Ha'ezer 1, sec. 69.
40.^ "Alternative Sexuality". Tangled Moon Coven. 2006-08-08. Retrieved 2006-12-30.

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, the Senior Pastor of Christ Embassy, Lagos Nigeria, responds to Pastor Chris Okotie's allegations.
What is your response to the series of allegation concerning your relationship with T.B. Joshua?
A: This is to let you to know the truth about these issues. I want to read something to you first from Col. 2 verse 9, The statements made by Chris Okotie of the Household of God are absolutely false. They're wrong, they are lies. Fabrication of lies and here is why I got so shocked, disturbed and troubled


that one who professes to be a Christian and a man of God will face the camera and tell so many lies. I'm ashamed that among Christians, we could have such characters. I'm amazed, I'm shocked, I'm amazed! It's just unthinkable to imagine that one would fabricate such lies. It takes a demonic presence, it takes the influence of devils to come out like that and tell lies like that. I'm shocked.

Q: Pastor Chris Okotie said something about your association with T.B. Joshua in your university days?
A: All right .For example, Chris Okotie said that em. Right from my university days, how in the fellowships, how T.B. Joshua has chosen me or those who had been in the cult of the beasts and how they have chosen me. How old is T.B Joshua. The man is just 38 years old, how old could he have been when I was in the university. Think about it, and then he's said to have been looking for young men to pick up, how old was he. And that I knew T.B. Joshua all these years, and that I got to meet him in 1994 and in 1996. Absolute nonsense. It's all false. I don't know how Chris Okotie got his information, how he came about this kind of fabrications. But I just wonder, if he's able to fabricate these things, then I don't know what kind of spirit is working in him, definitely not the right spirit.

Q: How long ago did you meet T.B Joshua?
A: I only got to know T.B. Joshua, few months ago, contrary to the 1994 or 1996 experience that Chris Okotie is talking about. I don't know where he got it. Its nonsense, and then he's trying to spiritualise it. And how that they had this plan for me and how we had these plans spiritually and all kinds of nonsense. I didn't spiritualise it as he does in many other things. It's nonsense. I got to meet him few months ago i.e. Joshua.

Q: Have you explained all these to your congregation.
A: Of course, our church is like a family. Even though it is large and of several thousands. I told them about my encounter with T.B Joshua and several other ministers, whom I have met over the period. I just talked about it, and then showed them the tape. You see, I showed them the video and they saw it. The whole congregation saw that video, I don't know where Chris Okotie got his information from. Definitely, it must have come from the pit of hell or somewhere. He said that I told the congregation that I went to the synagogue and asked them to pray for me and asked that they should bless me and then how the man laid hands on me and all kinds of nonsense.
There's no minister of God in this country who laid or has laid hands on me. It's amazing. The question that maybe an intelligent person should ask Chris Okotie is: Were you in that congregation, how did you get to know? He tells people about things that happen in T.B, Joshua's house, in T.B. Joshua's room. He te1ls people about things that are happening in our

congregation, he tells people about things that are happening in the deepest places. How? is it God who is revealing lies to him. Who would have told him these things as he says? He is a minister of God, he should know that he needs to find out the truth about whatever it is he hears. It's wrong for him to speak about the matter until he has heard clearly about it. There’s no such thing. It's false. It never happened, it's false.

Q: How would you explain specific occult terminologies that Pastor Chris Okotie used?
A: Now, you know, listening to him Chris Okotie, you would think that his information is coming from God. Now he is quoting the occult much more than he's quoting the Bible. You see, he's talking about the finger of God and I will come to that later on. The finger of God and various ways you said you know the shamans well. You have to read the book of the Shamans to come about that. If you study the Bible, the Bible never tells you that it's only magicians that use what he calls the finger of God. He manufactured those teachings; they're not in the Bible. He's talking about occult books; he's not talking from the Bible. This guy needs to be checked. Something is gone definitely wrong with him. If he can tell these lies and then cooks up stories and fabricates these things and also begins to quote from the occult books, something is definitely wrong. Something is wrong somewhere.
Q: How about the purchase of land and the funding for your ministry?
A: Now I think that if Chris Okotie declares that he's aware of how I received money and got money for television programmes and got money for land and all these things, someone needs to ask him how he came about all these information.

And by the way, I didn't receive any money from anybody like that. I didn't receive funds from any such ministry or any ministry around. I've not solicited for funds the way he thinks or may be the way he does. I haven't done that. You see, our ministry is large. You have to understand this; we have a large ministry in this country and around the world. We are on television in almost every state in this country and we are on television in several countries of the world.

We got a lot of work going on outside the country. And if he's wondering how to get money, I can teach him from the Bible. It's very simple; if God sends you then God will fund you. That's it. You don't have to beg anybody for money. I know that they've been wondering how can I do all these things and so he has to say so many things about T.B Joshua and how the man got so much money, because when he sees the white people, maybe foreigners who come to Nigeria to visit the man, he thinks every white man you see represents some dollars or foreign currency or some thousands of dollars.

May be that's what goes through his mind and that's carnal. I don't think that's right. You see, I have access to a lot of money. By the name of Jesus Christ, God can bless me supernaturally and He does. So he doesn't know how to get money, because if he doesn't know how to relate with the one who he says sent him. If God sent him, he ought to know. So it's absolute nonsense. I don't know, I didn't go to that Airport Hotel that he talked about. I don't know what he's saying. It’s so strange. You see, listening to him, I was in shock, shocked because I didn't expect a Christian minister or anybody who professes to know God, anybody who has listened to the teachings of Jesus Christ to fabricate lies.

On the other hand, if he says that he got his information from anywhere, then he should have found out. A true Christian ought to find out. But something is wrong with the man, something is wrong with him. I say it takes demonic influence to tell lies like these. You can not say these things if you are a Christian. You will have to have demonic influence to do these things.

Q: How long have you been in the ministry?
A: Now maybe I should give you a kind of a background because sometimes you may wonder how did you come about all that you're doing. Chris Okotie has only been in the ministry for a few years, I regard that as few because he's been there for about 14 years or so. I have been in the ministry for more than 20 years of my life. My grand uncle was the founder of the Assemblies of God of Nigeria. I come from a lineage of several pastors. Some are ministers, so I know what exactly I'm talking about. I was born-again before I was nine years old. All the time I was holding crusades, Chris Okotie was still dancing and singing for the world. He (don't) know nothing about Jesus, so if he says he is been studying the Bible, he hasn't learnt nothing yet. Now let's look at it, being a minister for that long and studying the scriptures, you ought to know something about the Bible.

Q: Did T.B. Joshua lay hand, on you?
A: I do not know anything about what Chris Okotie is saying: how I was in the cult of the beasts or whatever it is. He is fabricating these things, you have to understand, this man is being motivated may be by devils or something. You have to realise that the healing ministry always has persecutions. If you are involved in the healing ministry, there will be persecution. The people who would be forced to misunderstand you because they don't know anything about the healing ministry, they don't understand the power of God.

Now Chris Okotie says that, at least, he believed somewhere sometime that may be I was a true minister of God some time and then he says may be I changed. Alright, if I did have the Holy Spirit which he says he has, and I went to Joshua whom he feels is a false prophet. Now he says the Holy Spirit of God is greater than demons, how were they now able to transfer demon into me. Of course I can see, immediately he said I must have submitted you know, and received those demons and devils in. Anyway, nobody laid hands on me and like he said. I never told anybody that someone laid hands on me. It's all a fabrication, lies by Chris Okotie. It's all false, all false.

Q: But, Pastor Okotie speaks with much authority?
A: Now, let's look at it, if the background of his information is wrong, them his teaching is wrong. It is not true as it is not true that I met this man in 1994 and or 1996 and it is not true that I received any money for television or for lands as he said. Then all the spiritualised teaching that he is basing on these things will be false as well. It's all wrong, it's all wrong.


", Chris Okotie has only been in the ministry for a few years, I regard that as few because he's been there for about 14 years or so. I have been in the ministry for more than 20 years of my life. My grand uncle was the founder of the Assemblies of God of Nigeria, I was born-again before I was nine years old, "

Q: Are you a member of the PFN?
A: Now looking at methods of ministry, I think people sometimes get confused about God's words, like he is confused and several others are confused. And this couldn't have been that serious, I wouldn't have bothered to reply him if not that, be went on to mention the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and the Bishop of TREM. (Mike Okonkwo) who is the president of PFN.

The PFN is not God. Therefore, I don't need their validation to be a minister of the gospel. I have never been a member of the PFN. I am not a registered member of the PFN. I never filled a form, I've never applied to them. But I believe in what they're doing as Christians and so whenever I get letters from them and they request for money, I send them funds, but I've never been a member, at least in an official capacity. You see I believe in what they say and do as Christians, but that is not to say that they are the one to give validation to anybody or to anyone's Christianity or our ministry's validation. I have never needed Chris Okotie's validation. I have never needed PFN's validation. I've been doing the things I've been doing by the spirit of God, and I think that that's important. So, it's not right to judge you with one standard and judge others with another standard and that's what they are trying to do.

Q: But he said Bishop Okonkwo, the PFN president spoke to you about these issues?
A: It's unfortunate that he mentioned Bishop Mike Okonkwo in his telecast. It's unfortunate that he did, and I have already spoken to Bishop Okonkwo on the phone and I said if it is true that you said the things that Chris Okotie quoted you to have said, I said then it's a shame and I'm disappointed. Of course, he said, he didn't say those things, that are what he said. And I said if you didn't watch the programme, then get the tape and see it. Right, so I hope he didn't say that, I really hope he didn't say that because it didn't happen. What Chris Okotie quoted him to have said about me between the two of us never happened. So that's another falsehood.

Q: What do you understand by "Finger of God" as alleged by Pastor Okotie?
A: Now on the issue of the finger of God, I told you I was going to come back to that. He says the finger of God, trying to spiritualise all these things. Chris Okotie should be asked. Where do you get those teachings from? He got them from occultic books. Now if the occults, if they sing, does that mean that when we sing, it's wrong to sing because they sing in the occults.
If they offer sacrifices like giving offerings in their meetings which they do, does it mean that when we give offerings in church, we are performing occult practices. In the occult they pray, does it mean that when we pray in the church, it is an occult practice. Something is gone wrong with the man.

God said to Moses, stretch your hand towards Egypt and Moses stretched his hand and signs and wonders took place. God said to Moses, stretch your hands over the Red Sea and divide it, and Moses stretched his hands over the Red Sea and God divided the Red Sea. That was the power of God that was the ordinance. So if they stretch their hands in the occult, does it mean that when we stretch our hands, something is gone wrong, that it's an occultic practice? Don't you realise that God came before the devil, don't you realise it's the devil that copies God and not God that copies the devil?. Don't you understand that it's the occult that copies good things in the church, because they have to counterfeit something from the church?

In the book of Acts, chapter 4 verses 29 & 30, when the apostles prayed they said: ", By stretching forth their hands to heal, ", how does God stretch forth his hands. Remember, we are his living tabernacles today. How does God work today? How does God speak today? God speaks with our mouths. God speaks through our tongues. He walks with our legs, He moves with our bodies, He stretches forth His hands through our hands. When we stretch forth our hands, he stretches forth His hands. That's the reason why the Bible says in Act 5, verse 12; ", And by the hands of the apostles….”

They prayed together that he would stretch forth his hand, so we don't always have to touch the person because sometime we can't touch that person. Sometimes we can, maybe because of the distance. Sometimes we lay our hands. Do you realise in the Bible all the time Jesus ministered to multitudes, it was only one occasion that Jesus laid hands on everybody. Other times he would speak to them and say get up, and they got up. Somebody touched the hem of his garment and was healed. Jesus didn't say anything to her. She just touched him and was healed. Sometimes Jesus touched them and they were healed, like he touched the mother of Simon Peter's wife. He just touched her; the Bible doesn't say that he laid hands. To lay your hands and to touch are two different things. He just touched her and she was healed. Sometimes, we barely touch, we are directing the power of God. You see the man is ignorant of the power of God and that's the point. He's ignorant.

Q: What do you think he has against your miraculous healing?
A: You know in our meetings, sometimes as we worship, the power of God comes and people start coming out of wheel chairs and people are getting healed and they begin to run forward and say I got a testimony and that's just at the time of worship and mass praying. So people are accustomed to that now. But they have never known that like Jesus and like the apostles, we can lay our hands or we can speak the words to someone who is sick, who is blind or deaf and have a miracle take place. Because they don't have that boldness enough, they can't dare it. They are afraid to do that. How many of them have ministered to someone who was crippled and have seen the crippled healed instantly. They've never seen that and so when they see it they go against it because it has proved positive that the power they say they have, they really don't have. That's the trouble. Like the Bible says, the Pharisees and the Sadducees were only envious of Jesus. They were envious of the power of God and they try to fabricate lies and say that the power came from somewhere. So, he used to believe that I had something, now he wants to tell people that the power came from someone else. I tell you the truth; this has got nothing to do with T B Joshua. It's not because of T.B Joshua that he's been saying this. He's been looking for an opportunity to say these things. And that's the reason they never talked with me, that’s the reason they couldn't ask me any questions and so they had to lie that TB Joshua laid hands on me.

Q: Is T.B. Joshua a Satanist as alleged?
A: Now, about TB. Joshua, let's look at it for a moment; because I wouldn't condemn a man that they have condemned, does that make me an enemy of God? Are they God, must I condemn somebody because you condemned that person. You're not God. Satanics have given their lives to Christ. There are many Satanics who have confessed Jesus Christ and come to Christ.

Even the Bar Jesus he talking about confessed Jesus Christ and came to him. There are many people who never knew Jesus, who despised him; even Saul of Tarsus was injurious, made havoc on the church. He was an enemy of God and he came to Jesus Christ. Jesus loved him called him and welcomed him. And I am just like Jesus, and that is their trouble because I wouldn't hate with them and condemn with them.

The wedding of controversial actress Mercy Johnson to her beau has come and gone. But the soleminisation of the marriage by yet another controversial pastor, Chris Oyakhilome of Christ Embassy, will ensure that ripples of the oddity he endorsed will continue to linger for a long time to come.

Many people wonder what type of Bible Oyakhilome is using to preach to his followers. They believe that he should not have gone ahead to solemnize the wedding because of the controversy that it generated some weeks before the wedding when the wife of Mercy’s new husband, Lovely came out that the man whom Mercy wanted to marry was at the time he was planning to go into another wedding still her legal husband.

Those who spoke to us said Chris Oyakhilome should bury his head in shame for conducting the sham marriage, stressing that the Catholic Church would never conduct such marriage that was full of controversy right from the outset and that there is no spiritual accountability in Christ Embassy.

Another who spoke to us condemned Oyakhilome, stating that his church is nothing short of a night or social club. He said further that Oyakhilome is always at the centre of controversy for instance, he charges feed for the church’s programmes and it is high time he stopped using the name of the Lord to perpetrate his crimes and thereby lead his followers astray. He also said that Oyakhilome has laid a bad precedent that now, people, especially single girls, can just wake up one day to leave their spouses for the rich or famous since they know that evil pastors like Oyakhilome would contract the wedding for them.

Oyakhilome has just contributed to turning two lovely children into literal orphans shorn of love from their father when their father is still alive, because of his flagrant disobedience an express biblical directive on marriage.

It would be recalled that when Ini Edo wanted to marry in one of the Redeemed Christian Church og God parishes inHouston,TexasinAmerica, the pastor of the church bluntly refused to marry the couple. Despite the fact her husband had divorced his ex-wife, the pastor told them he wasn’t going to be part of the wedding because God did not approve and would hold him responsible despite the fact that the couple are both members of the church.

Chris Oyakhilome is not new to controversies especially with the shoddy ways and manners he goes about with his ministry ranging from organizing fake miracles and receiving stolen money from his members.

Recalled that the South African Government and Christian community said sometime ago that they will not allow anybody to come and rope their economy and social system all in the name of religion.

They narrated a number of incidents that has compelled them to doubt the authenticity of the Christ Embassy.

Gathered that a lady who had been sitting on a wheel chair in the healing line, she had been sitting there for hours while waiting for the man of God to come and minister to her, but unfortunately for Pastor Chris as he is fondly called, called on the lady, and having forgot that she was supposed to act paralyzed lo and behold she stood up and scampered and ran to the toilet. Not knowing what to do she was not allowed to return to the wheel chair because many people had seen her while she was running to the toilet, she received serious tongue lashing from the Healing School pastors for the great embarrassment she caused while her empty wheel chair was wheeled out of the healing arena.

Another source recalled that a similar incident had transpired in theHealingSchoolwhen another supposedly bed-ridden faithful was pushed to the toilet by a church member who had volunteered to help at theHealingSchool. On getting there wit the helper, she stood by herself and went in. The helper screamed, rejoicing that a miracle had already taken place but to her amazement, instead of the pastors to rejoice with her she was reprimanded for standing without aid.

Further learnt that an old woman who ministers next to Pastor Chris, called Deaconess Pat, many refer to her as mummy in South Africa, who lays hands on women on Chris’ behalf was said to have warned some South Africans not to bring their children nor give their money to the money making scheme. Her words were, “this is not a church”. She also made mention of the fact that her own children are in full time church ministry but none are in Christ Embassy. She was quoted as saying that she is only at Christ Embassy because it is a job for her.

There is an interesting sub-unit in theChristEmbassyChurchcalled the ‘Haven’. It largely consists of select members that fund Chris Oyakhilome’s ministry inSouth Africaand beyond.

South Africans that belong to this group have suffered tremendously through the insane donations demanded from them by Christ Embassy. Many have had to take their children out of schools to be able to keep up with the Christ Embassy demands.

While South Africans are committing their hard-earned money to the Christ Embassy projects, their pastors are indulging in an unimaginable life of luxury.

Pastor Ken Oyakhilome drives a Lamborghini Murcielago, Austin Martin DB9, Porsche Cayenne, are amongst his five expensive vehicles. All of this luxury life inHouston,Texasis funded by what is called the “American Initiative”.

Another fake, is one Olatunde Oyediran who claims that he lives for Chris Oyakhilome;s vision and ministry and that is where all his money goes, yet he drives a Toyota RunEx.

Meanwhile, immorality is not a scarce commodity in Christ Embassy,South Africa. Tomisin Fashina, a Senior Pastor in the Sandton church,South Africa, is said to have children from different women in his congregation.

Fashina is said to have taught his congregation that it was more evil to bring a fatherless child to the world than to abort. This has raised the suspicion that he may be impregnating women in his church and asking them to abort.

His wife, Tolu Fashina, on the other hand is alleged to have embezzled theHealingSchoolfunds when she and one Taiwo Adenubi, a senior pastor inPretoria, just outsideJohannesburghad been given a construction contract by Dr. Diolla who is the head of theHealingSchool.

They were exposed by a worker who had taken his share of the loot, when they tried to blame it on him. Apparently, this guy, a Nigerian national confessed his own sins but said that he had learnt from the best, being Tolu and Taiwo.

In 2007, the Christ Embassy Randburg branch got a members called Funi Silinda, a business woman. She donated nothing less than R100,000, a month. On months like the American Initiative, she is recorded to have given approximately R600,000. She bought a lot of first class tickets for most of the Christ Embassy, Randburg leadership to attend international conferences inNigeria. She also paid for many of them to be in good hotels.

For partnership like theHealingSchool, she gave about R30,000 a month. She built a computer center in Randburg, furnished it with state-of-the-art computers and accessories. Funi paid for the Christ Embassy TBN contract. She was led to believe that it cost R100,000 a month. Yet she faithfully paid for a whole year.

It however came as a shock to many when Funi announced that she was leaving Christ Embassy because she had run out of money. She said that all the donation she made in Christ Embassy were financed by business projects she received prior to coming to Christ Embassy while she made nothing since joining the church yet she kept on spending.

It became obvious that Funi was tired of being used which is something she said in the end. The final straw was when she was told that she has been personally invited by Chris Oyakhilome to attend his birthday party on the 7th of December, 2007.

Tunde Oyediran started working on her, telling her of how she would need to compete with others at profligacy when she gets to the party as they habitually auction Pastor Chris’ suites for anything up to R1 million.

That day, she realized that Christ Embassy was nothing but a 419 scam. It was then speculated that she cancelled the flight and went back to her home.

Then another fake, Dolapo Layode, who is often postured by the church as the highest giver and donor in the church, came toSouth Africain 2007 to share a very far-fetched testimony.

Dolapo told the meeting that two Angels came to her room asking to be dispatched. And she had told the angels to get her a license to lift oil inNigeria. In two weeks time, she had not only gotten this license, but also a scholarship toLondonwhere she studies about the business she was about to embark on.

In less than a year, Dolapo was telling people that she has trucks with her names running aroundNigeriatransporting oil. She never mentioned planning to be in the transportation business as well.

That was when some people realized that Dolapo and her kind, in Christ Embassy were a grand part of the whole extortion scam. No one can out-give them and it is meant to be that way. Dolapo shocked people even more when she said that when she prays for money, she finds it everywhere in the house, in her wardrobe and within clothes.

However, it appears this grace or ability to mint money as it has been termed, only works for the Nigerian members of “the Haven” group.

South African’s are loved because they work and earn a lot of money and have easy access to credit according to one Pastor Efeoma, a former “Haven” President.

In all these, many South Africans have had to use desperate measures to finance the deep pockets of Christ Embassy hoping to avoid being shunned.

They use credit cards, overdrafts, personal loans, second bonds, missed car and house payments to meet the church’s demands. As a result many are blacklisted by the credit bureau, their cars are repossessed while they are evicted or watch helplessly as their houses are auctioned.

In the ‘Haven’ group the only people who seem to have testimonies of being millionaires are Nigerians while South Africans face liquidation and other financial crisis.

It is no longer secret that the South African authorities are not leaving any stone unturned in its investigation to get to the root of the many outcries against the activities of Christ Embassy inSouth Africa. This was demonstrated about a month ago when Pastor Chris came for the healing school. He was literally frisked and not a single stroke of nicety was spent on him. It was real business and objectivity. His private jet was thoroughly searched at the airport. He was asked to fill in forms standing on the counter as the airport officials apparently refused to use the VIP lounge to do all that.

Chris was said to have been very angry at Ose, wife of Ken Oyakhilome, who has been running Christ Embassy aground by their immoral and uninspiring conducts. Chris is also said to have threatened to stop coming toSouth Africaas he blamed Ose for poorly managing matters inSouth Africa. Chris who came toSouth AfricafromTexaswas said to have gotten the same treatment there.

South Africans strongly feel that Chris made the worst mistake by coming toSouth Africain the first place. The investigators handling the matter already have the support of many countries, includingNigeria. They have met with some Nigerian officials who are passionate with fighting crime. A meeting of all religious groups inSouth Africawas convened recently in Kwa-Zulu Natal to discuss the notorious activities of Christ Embassy inSouth Africa.

And as the South African authorities step up investigations, into the activities of Christ Embassy, the people are aggressively mobilizing to stamp out Christ Embassy from their country for good.

Sometime ago here in Nigeria in March 2007, one Lawrence Agada, an assistant pastor who was a cashier with the Lagos Sheraton Hotels and Towers, donated cash and gifts totaling N39 million believed to be stolen. With the money he bought 250KVA generator valued at N4.4 million and another 27KVA for N1.5 million which he donated to a satellite.

Prior to this, he had given N6 million for the refurbishment of the church as well as N1 million for the purchase of plastic seats for the headquarters and another N1 million contributed to a crusade tagged “Night of Bliss”. While he also gave N400,000 to his parish pastor who had no money for a trip toAustralia.

In appreciation, Oyakhilome wrote Agada, ‘May God, who gives seed to the sower and bread for eating multiply your seeds in Jesus name’. But rather than receive God’s blessing Agada became a guest of the police when his employers discovered that he had stolen from them to give to the church. Agada’s employers also insisted that Oyakhilome should refund the money, but rather than complying, Oyakhilome and his church issued a statement admitting that Agada made donations bus refused to make a refund.

Also before the noise that Agada’s stealing subsided, another members of the church Gbenga Kehinde donated to the church in similar circumstances. Kehinde who was then an assistant manager with the then Eko International Bank stole about N40 million from his employes and donated N10 million to the church.

Due to complaints in some quarters about his miracles, his television programme, atmosphere of miracles which he ran seven days in a week on about 20 TV station was banned from airing by the National Broadcasting Commission based on what it terms unverifiable faith healing.

There was the reports that Pastor Chris Oyakhilome of the Christ Embassy Church Nigeria, charged N1000 gate fee to worshippers who attended its New Years’ Eve church services. Read here.

According to the church, the gate fee was imposed to limit the huge number of worshippers which it predicted will descend on its 25,000 capacity venue. Crowd control and management techniques have no doubt improved significantly – Gone are the days when security simply turned away folks when a venue reaches its capacity. The latest in crowd management techniques requires that a prohibitive fee be charged to reduce the size of a crowd. On this occasion the criteria deemed most appropriate by this church was to eliminate those who perhaps hadn’t prayed hard enough to afford the N1000 needed to go through the gates of “heaven”.

A quick calculation reveals that: 25000 (capacity venue) x N1000 = N25,000000. N25,000000 is what the church must have taken in that night. We do serve a rich God after all.

Christ Embassy explains N1000 Gate Fee: “To limit the huge number of worshippers”

There was the reports that Pastor Chris Oyakhilome of the Christ Embassy Church Nigeria, charged N1000 gate fee to worshippers who attended its New Years’ Eve church services. Read here.

According to the church, the gate fee was imposed to limit the huge number of worshippers which it predicted will descend on its 25,000 capacity venue. Crowd control and management techniques have no doubt improved significantly – Gone are the days when security simply turned away folks when a venue reaches its capacity. The latest in crowd management techniques requires that a prohibitive fee be charged to reduce the size of a crowd. On this occasion the criteria deemed most appropriate by this church was to eliminate those who perhaps hadn’t prayed hard enough to afford the N1000 needed to go through the gates of “heaven”.

A quick calculation reveals that: 25000 (capacity venue) x N1000 = N25,000000. N25,000000 is what the church must have taken in that night. We do serve a rich God after all.

these the end times when many will go to destruction with false teacher like T.B Joshua which I have renamed tuberculosis Joshua is the devil

Posted by: diluminati
Insert Quote
I thought christians were confused either to call it holy spirit or holy ghost? hmm all these mind control gathering.

Holy Ghost is old English it means “spirit”

But the modern translations “spirit” which is correct translation but in the Hebrew there is many words for the same word in English spirit


Greek and Hebrew Word Studies from the Scriptures

The Various Renderings
Personifications?
Identifying the Original Words in Each Text; End Notes After Each Verse
The Soul - Old Testament (94 Verses)
The Soul - New Testament (33 Verses)
The Spirit - Old Testament (27 Verses)
The Spirit - New Testament (4 Verses)

Preface
The most common conception of the nature of man is that man has an immortal soul and/or spirit within him that can be conscious after death. This was the understanding of the Greek philosophers, the Pharisees of Jesus’s day, and numerous pagan religions. But was this the understanding of the Bible writers?

What follows are a total of 157 verses in which the Greek and Hebrew words for "soul" and "spirit" are used in ways that do not fit in with this common conception of the nature of man. For example, some of these verses declare that souls can die, can touch, can eat, can thirst, can hunger, etc. These seemingly peculiar uses of the words for "soul" and "spirit" must be explained somehow, and these explanations should be taken into account when considering the other verses where these words occur.


The Various Renderings
Before we actually look at the verses, let's first look at all the various ways these Greek and Hebrew words are translated:

The word for "soul" in the Old Testament is nephesh. Nephesh is translated in following ways (the numbers being the number of occurrences of each way):

any 3
appetite 2
beast 2
body 4
breath 1
creature 9
dead 5
dead body 4
desire 4
fish 1
ghost 2
heart 15
hearty 1
herself 2
himself 8
life 117
lust 2
man 3
mind 15
mortally 1
myself 1
one 1
own 1
person 29
pleasure 3
soul 475
thing 2
themselves 3
thyself 1
will 4
would have it 1
yourselves 6

Some of these renderings may be confusing. For instance, how can the same word be translated "life," "body," and "dead body"?

The meaning of nephesh's root word is "to breathe." Since those who are breathing still have "life," one of the meanings for nephesh is "life." Since the "body" is what we use to breathe with, one of the meanings for nephesh is "body." Since a "dead body" is what once breathed, one of the meanings for nephesh is "dead body." Thus, all three renderings of nephesh, though apparently quite different, are derived from the same basic meaning of the root word.

In the New Testament the word for "soul" is psuche. Psuche is translated in the following ways:

heart 1
heartily (combined with ek) 1
life 40
make doubt (combined with airo) 1
mind 3
soul 58
you 1

The word for "spirit" in the Old Testament is either ruach or neshamah. Ruach is translated in the following ways:

air 1
anger 1
blast 4
breath 27
cool 1
courage 1
mind 6
quarters 1
side 6
Spirit or spirit 240
wind 94
vain 2

Neshamah is translated in the following ways:

blast 3
breath 17
inspiration 1
souls 1
spirit 2

The Greek word pnoe is used in the Septuagint (the Greek version of the Old Testament) for neshamah, but it is only used in the New Testament in Acts 2:2, where it is translated "wind," and in Acts 17:25, where it is translated "breath."

In the New Testament the word for "spirit" is pneuma. Pneuma is translated the following ways:

ghost 2
Ghost (with Holy) 90
life 1
spirit 151
Spirit 137
spiritual gift 1
spiritually 1
wind 1


Personifications?
One brief thought before we look at the verses: There are some verses that seem to use "soul" and "spirit" in ways that harmonize with the common concept of the nature of man. How can this be? Is the Bible contradicting itself?

Here is one suggestion: It was commonplace for the Bible writers to take parts of man’s being and personify them, give them attributes they did not in actuality possess. Perhaps sometimes they personified the "soul" and "spirit" as well.

The most familiar example of a part of a person being personified is the heart. The heart, simply an organ that pumps blood, is said to have qualities that the mind does have, but that the heart definitely does not have.

Another example which is not so familiar is the personification of the kidneys, called the "reins" (Ps. 7:9; 16:7; 26:2; 73:21; Prov. 23:16; Jer. 11:20; 12:2; 17:10; 20:12; Rev. 2:23). The kidneys seem to have been made the seat of the affections and emotions.

Another example is the use of the words for "bowels" (Ps. 40:8 (translated "heart"; Cant. 5:4; Is. 16:11; 63:15; Jer. 4:19; 31:20; Lam. 1:20; 2:11; Luke 1:78 (translated "tender"; 2 Cor 7:15 (translated "inward affection"; Php. 2:1; Col. 3:12; Phm. 1:7, 20; 1 Jn. 3:17).

In the light of these scriptures, the possibility that the Bible writers also occasionally personify the "soul" and "spirit" should be considered. In other words, the "soul" and the "spirit" may in some verses be given qualities that they do not in actuality possess.


Identifying the Original Words in Each Text; End Notes After Each Verse
Special Note: The words in bold are those translated from the Greek and Hebrew words in question. Within the parentheses following these bolded words are the particular Greek or Hebrew words used in the text. If the Septuagint uses the corresponding Greek word for the Hebrew word in question, this Greek word is also included within the parentheses.

After each passage is a sentence or so in brackets which emphasizes the inconsistency between that verse and the popular concept of soul and spirit. Sometimes the sentence may appear a bit humorous.


The Soul - Old Testament (94 Verses)
"And God created great whales, and every living creature (nephesh, psuche) that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good" (Gen. 1:21). [According to the first occurrences of the word for "soul" in the entire Bible, animals are "souls." The same Hebrew phrase for "living soul" is also found in vs. 20.]

"And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature (nephesh, psuche) after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so" (Gen. 1:24). [According to this second occurrence of the word for "soul" in the Bible, animals are "souls."]

"And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul (nephesh, psuche)" (Gen. 2:7). [He became a "soul" rather than received a "soul."]

"Whatsoever Adam called every living creature (nephesh, psuche), that was the name thereof" (Gen. 2:19). [Animals are "souls."]

"But flesh with the life (nephesh, psuche) thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat. And surely your blood of your lives (nephesh, psuche) will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life (nephesh, psuche) of man" (Gen. 9:4, 5). [Either the "soul" is in the blood, or the blood is the "soul."]

"And with every living creature (nephesh, psuche) that is with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you; from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth" (Gen. 9:10). [Animals are "souls."]

"And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature (nephesh, psuche) that is with you, for perpetual generations" (Gen. 9:12). [Animals are "souls."]

"And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature (nephesh, psuche) of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature (nephesh, psuche) of all flesh that is upon the earth" (Gen. 9:15, 16). [Animals are "souls."]

"Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul (nephesh, psuche) shall live because of thee" (Gen. 12:13). ["Souls" can die.]

"And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons (nephesh), and take the goods to thyself" (Gen. 14:21). ["Soul" here refers to the entire person.]

"And the LORD said unto Moses in Midian, Go, return into Egypt: for all the men are dead which sought thy life (nephesh, psuche)" (Ex. 4:19). [Someone can take someone else's "soul."]

"And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man (nephesh, psuche) must eat, that only may be done of you" (Ex. 12:16). ["Souls" can eat.]

"And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life (both are nephesh, psuche)" (Ex. 21:23). [You can give a "soul."]

"And if any of the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings be eaten at all on the third day, it shall not be accepted, neither shall it be imputed unto him that offereth it: it shall be an abomination, and the soul (nephesh, psuche) that eateth of it shall bear his iniquity" (Lev. 7:18). ["Souls" can eat.]

"But the soul (nephesh, psuche) that eateth of the flesh of the sacrifice of peace offerings, that pertain unto the LORD, having his uncleanness upon him, even that soul (nephesh, psuche) shall be cut off from his people. Moreover the soul (nephesh, psuche) that shall touch any unclean thing, as the uncleanness of man, or any unclean beast, or any abominable unclean thing, and eat of the flesh of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which pertain unto the LORD, even that soul (nephesh, psuche) shall be cut off from his people" (Lev. 7:20, 21). ["Souls" can eat, touch, and be cut off.]

"Whatsoever soul (nephesh, psuche) it be that eateth any manner of blood, even that soul (nephesh, psuche) shall be cut off from his people" (Lev. 7:27). ["Souls" can eat and be cut off.]

"And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing (nephesh, psuche) which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you" (Lev. 11:10). [Animals are "souls."]

"This is the law of the beasts, and of the fowl, and of every living creature (nephesh, psuche) that moveth in the waters, and of every creature (nephesh, psuche) that creepeth upon the earth" (Lev. 11:46). [Animals are "souls."]

"And whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, that eateth any manner of blood; I will even set my face against that soul (nephesh, psuche) that eateth blood, and will cut him off from among his people. For the life (nephesh, psuche) of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls (nephesh, psuche): for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul (nephesh, psuche). Therefore I said unto the children of Israel, No soul (nephesh, psuche) of you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger that sojourneth among you eat blood" (Lev. 17:10-12). ["Souls" can eat. The "soul" is in the blood.]

"For it is the life (nephesh, psuche) of all flesh; the blood of it is for the life (nephesh) thereof: therefore I said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall eat the blood of no manner of flesh: for the life (nephesh, psuche) of all flesh is the blood thereof: whosoever eateth it shall be cut off. And every soul (nephesh, psuche) that eateth that which died of itself, or that which was torn with beasts, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger, he shall both wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even" (Lev. 17:14, 15). [The blood is the "soul." A "soul" can eat a "soul."]

"And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto the priests the sons of Aaron, and say unto them, There shall none be defiled for the dead (nephesh, psuche) among his people" (Lev. 21:1). [A dead body is a "soul."]

"Neither shall he go in to any dead body (nephesh, psuche), nor defile himself for his father, or for his mother" (Lev. 21:11). [A dead body is a "soul."]

"Whoso toucheth any thing that is unclean by the dead (nephesh, psuche), or a man whose seed goeth from him" (Lev. 22:4). [A dead body is a "soul."]

"And whatsoever soul (nephesh, psuche) it be that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul (nephesh, psuche) will I destroy from among his people" (Lev. 23:30). ["Souls" can work and be destroyed.]

"And he that killeth a beast shall make it good; beast (nephesh, psuche) for beast (psuche)" (Lev. 24:18). [Animals are "souls."]

"Command the children of Israel, that they put out of the camp every leper, and every one that hath an issue, and whosoever is defiled by the dead (nephesh, psuche" (Num. 5:2). [A dead body is a "soul."]

"All the days that he separateth himself unto the LORD he shall come at no dead body (nephesh, psuche)" (Num. 6:6). [A dead body is a "soul."]

"And the priest shall offer the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering, and make an atonement for him, for that he sinned by the dead (nephesh, psuche), and shall hallow his head that same day" (Num. 6:11). [A dead body is a "soul."]

"And there were certain men, who were defiled by the dead body (nephesh, psuche) of a man, that they could not keep the passover on that day: and they came before Moses and before Aaron on that day: And those men said unto him, We are defiled by the dead body (nephesh, psuche) of a man" (Num. 9:6, 7). [A dead body is a "soul."]

"Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If any man of you or of your posterity shall be unclean by reason of a dead body (nephesh, psuche), or be in a journey afar off, yet he shall keep the passover unto the LORD" (Num. 9:10). [A dead body is a "soul."]

"He that toucheth the dead body (nephesh, psuche) of any man shall be unclean seven days" (Num. 19:11). [A dead body is a "soul."]

"Whosoever toucheth the dead body (nephesh, psuche) of any man that is dead, and purifieth not himself, defileth the tabernacle of the LORD; and that soul (nephesh, psuche) shall be cut off from Israel" (Num. 19:13). [A dead body is a "soul." A "soul" can be cut off.]

"And whosoever toucheth one that is slain with a sword in the open fields, or a dead body (nephesh), or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days" (Num. 19:16). [A dead body is a "soul."]

"And a clean person shall take hyssop, and dip it in the water, and sprinkle it upon the tent, and upon all the vessels, and upon the persons (nephesh, psuche) that were there, and upon him that touched a bone, or one slain, or one dead, or a grave" (Num. 19:18). ["Souls" can get sprinkled upon.]

"Whosoever hath killed any person (nephesh), and whosoever hath touched any slain, purify both yourselves and your captives on the third day, and on the seventh day" (Num. 31:19). ["Souls" can be murdered.]

"The slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person (nephesh, psuche) at unawares" (Num. 35:11). ["Souls" can be murdered.]

"Every one that killeth any person (nephesh, psuche) unawares may flee thither" (Num. 35:15). ["Souls" can be murdered.]

"Whoso killeth any person (nephesh, psuche), the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person (nephesh, psuche) to cause him to die" (Num. 35:30). ["Souls" can be murdered. And the "soul" that killed the "soul" can receive the death penalty.]

"Only be sure that thou eat not the blood: for the blood is the life (nephesh, psuche); and thou mayest not eat the life (nephesh, psuche) with the flesh" (Deut. 12:23). [The blood is the "soul." The "soul" can be eaten.]

"And thine eye shall not pity; but life shall go for life (both are nephesh, psuche), eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot" (Deut. 19:21). [If a "soul" is killed, the "soul" that killed it must be killed.]

"Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person (nephesh, psuche). And all the people shall say, Amen" (Deut. 27:25). [A "soul" can be murdered by a hit man.]

"Deliver our lives (nephesh, psuche) from death. And the men answered her, Our life (nephesh, psuche) for yours, if ye utter not this our business" (Josh. 2:13, 14). ["Souls" can be saved from physical death.]

"We were sore afraid of our lives (nephesh, psuche) because of you" (Josh. 9:24). [One's own "soul" can be rather scary.]

"And that day Joshua took Makkedah, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king thereof he utterly destroyed, them, and all the souls (nephesh) that were therein; he let none remain" (Josh. 10:28). [All the "souls" got destroyed.]

"And he smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls (nephesh) that were therein; he let none remain in it" (Josh. 10:30). [All the "souls" got destroyed.]

"And the LORD delivered Lachish into the hand of Israel, which took it on the second day, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls (nephesh) that were therein" (Josh. 10:32). [All the "souls" got destroyed.]

"And all the souls (nephesh) that were therein he utterly destroyed that day" (Josh. 10:35). [All the "souls" got destroyed.]

"But destroyed it utterly, and all the souls (nephesh) that were therein" (Josh. 10:37). [All the "souls" got destroyed.]

"And he . . . utterly destroyed all the souls (nephesh) that were therein; he left none remaining" (Josh. 10:39). [All the "souls" got destroyed.]

"And they smote all the souls (nephesh) that were therein with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying them" (Josh. 11:11). [All the "souls" got destroyed.]

"That the slayer that killeth any person (nephesh, psuche) unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood" (Josh. 20:3). ["Souls" can be killed.]

"Whosoever killeth any person (nephesh, psuche) at unawares might flee thither, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood" (Josh. 20:9). ["Souls" can be killed.]

"Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeoparded their lives (nephesh, psuche) unto the death in the high places of the field" (Judg. 5:18). [These people almost had their "souls" killed.]

"And the children of Dan said unto him, Let not thy voice be heard among us, lest angry (nephesh, psuche) fellows run upon thee, and thou lose thy life (nephesh, psuche), with the lives (nephesh, psuche) of thy household" (Judg. 18:25). [If they died, they would lose their "souls."]

"I have occasioned the death of all the persons (nephesh, psuche) of thy father’s house" (1 Sam. 22:22). ["Souls" can be killed.]

"And Joab came into the house to the king, and said, Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, which this day have saved thy life (nephesh), and the lives (nephesh, psuche) of thy sons and of thy daughters, and the lives (nephesh, psuche) of thy wives, and the lives (nephesh) of thy concubines" (2 Sam. 19:5). ["Souls" can be saved from physical death.]

"And he said, Be it far from me, O LORD, that I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives (nephesh, psuche)? therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men" (2 Sam. 23:17). [These men almost had their "souls" killed.]

"Now therefore come, let me, I pray thee, give thee counsel, that thou mayest save thine own life (nephesh, psuche), and the life (nephesh, psuche) of thy son Solomon" (1 Kings 1:12). ["Souls" can be saved from physical death.]

"And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life (nephesh, psuche) of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment . . ." (1 Kings 3:11). [A king can receive the "soul" of his enemy.]

"And his servants said unto him, Behold now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings: let us, I pray thee, put sackcloth on our loins, and ropes upon our heads, and go out to the king of Israel: peradventure he will save thy life (nephesh, psuche)" (1 Kings 20:31). [A "soul" can be saved from physical death.]

"And as the king passed by, he cried unto the king: and he said, Thy servant went out into the midst of the battle; and, behold, a man turned aside, and brought a man unto me, and said, Keep this man: if by any means he be missing, then shall thy life (nephesh, psuche) be for his life (nephesh, psuche), or else thou shalt pay a talent of silver" (1 Kings 20:39). [If the prisoner's "souls" didn't die, the guard's "soul" would have to.]

"And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Because thou hast let go out of thy hand a man whom I appointed to utter destruction, therefore thy life (nephesh, psuche) shall go for his life (nephesh, psuche), and thy people for his people" (1 Kings 20:42). [Since the Syrian king's "soul" didn't die, King Ahab's "soul" would have to.]

"Wherefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their horses, and their asses, even the camp as it was, and fled for their life (nephesh, psuche)" (2 Kings 7:7). [The Syrians were extremely interested in saving their "souls."]

"And said, My God forbid it me, that I should do this thing: shall I drink the blood of these men that have put their lives (nephesh, psuche) in jeopardy? for with the jeopardy of their lives (nephesh, psuche) they brought it. Therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mightiest" (1 Chr. 11:19). [These men almost had their "souls" killed.]

"And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life (nephesh, psuche) of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king . . ." (2 Chr. 1:11). [A king can receive the "soul" of his enemy.]

"And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life (nephesh, psuche)" (Job 2:4). [Everyone will give anything to keep from losing their "soul."]

"And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life (nephesh, psuche)" (Job 2:6). [God asked Satan to save Job's "soul."]

"The things that my soul (nephesh, psuche) refused to touch are as my sorrowful meat" (Job 6:7). ["Souls" can touch.]

"What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life (nephesh, psuche)" (Job 6:11). ["Souls" can be prolonged.]

"[Leviathan’s] breath (nephesh, psuche) kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth" (Job 41:21). [Leviathan has a "soul." His "soul" is rather hot.]

"All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul (nephesh, psuche)" (Ps. 22:29). [The "soul" cannot be kept alive, humanly speaking.]

"Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life (nephesh, psuche)" (Prov. 7:23). [Traps for birds are designed to catch the bird's "soul."]

"A righteous man regardeth the life (nephesh, psuche) of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel" (Prov. 12:10). [Christians will take care of their animal's "soul."]

"And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite (nephesh)" (Prov. 23:2). [Drastic measures for those who like their "souls."]

"As cold waters to a thirsty soul (nephesh, psuche), so is good news from a far country" (Prov. 25:25). ["Souls" like ice water.]

"The full soul (nephesh, psuche) loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul (nephesh, psuche) every bitter thing is sweet" (Prov. 27:7). ["Souls" can be either full and hungry. Full "souls" hate sweets.]

"Therefore hell hath enlarged herself (nephesh, psuche), and opened her mouth without measure" (Isa. 5:14). [Even hell has a "soul." Her "soul" has gotten larger.]

"And they shall be broken in the purposes thereof, all that make sluices and ponds for fish (nephesh, psuche)" (Isa. 19:10). [Fish are "souls."]

"Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves (nephesh, psuche) from the power of the flame: there shall not be a coal to warm at, nor fire to sit before it" (Isa. 47:14). [The fire of hell will totally burn up the wicked "souls."]

"And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the women that sew pillows to all armholes, and make kerchiefs upon the head of every stature to hunt souls! Will ye hunt the souls of my people, and will ye save the souls alive that come unto you? And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people that hear your lies? Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against your pillows, wherewith ye there hunt the souls to make them fly, and I will tear them from your arms, and will let the souls go, even the souls (all eight are nephesh, psuche) that ye hunt to make them fly" (Ezek. 13:18-20). ["Souls" can be hunted, slain, and saved by people.]

"The soul (nephesh, psuche) that sinneth, it shall die" (Ezek. 18:4). [The sinning "soul" will die.]

"The soul (nephesh, psuche) that sinneth, it shall die" (Ezek. 18:20). [The sinning "soul" will die.]

"And it shall come to pass, that every thing (nephesh, psuche) that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither" (Ezek. 47:9). [Fish are "souls."]

"Then said Haggai, If one that is unclean by a dead body (nephesh, psuche) touch any of these, shall it be unclean? And the priests answered and said, It shall be unclean" (Hag. 2:13). [Dead bodies are "souls."]


The Soul - New Testament (33 Verses)
"Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life (psuche)" (Mat. 2:20). [People can look for "souls" in order to take them somewhere.]

"Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life (psuche), what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life (psuche) more than meat, and the body than raiment" (Mat. 6:25). ["Souls" can eat.]

"And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul (psuche): but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul (psuche) and body in hell" (Mat. 10:28). [God won't just destroy the body in hellfire. He'll destroy the "soul" too.]

"He that findeth his life (psuche) shall lose it: and he that loseth his life (psuche) for my sake shall find it" (Mat. 10:39). [People can both find and lose their "soul." If they find their "soul," they'll lose it, but if they lose their "soul" for Jesus's sake, they'll find it.]

"For whosoever will save his life (psuche) shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life (psuche) for my sake shall find it" (Mat. 16:25). [People can both save and lose their "soul." Those who do save their "soul" will lose it, and those who lose their "soul" will find it.]

"Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life (psuche) a ransom for many" (Mat. 20:28). [Jesus paid someone His "soul" as a ransom for us.]

"And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life (psuche), or to kill? But they held their peace" (Mark 3:4). [Physically saving a "soul" is the opposite of killing it.]

"For whosoever will save his life (psuche) shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life (psuche) for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it" (Mark 8:35). [People can both save and lose their "soul." Those who do save their "soul" will lose it, but those who lose their "soul" for the sake of the gospel will save it.]

"For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life (psuche) a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45). [Jesus paid someone His "soul" as a ransom for us.]

"Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life (psuche), or to destroy it?" (Luke 6:9). [Physically saving a "soul" is the opposite of destroying it.]

"For whosoever will save his life (psuche) shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life (psuche) for my sake, the same shall save it" (Luke 9:24). [People can both save and lose their "soul." Those who do save their "soul" will lose it, and those who lose their "soul" for Jesus's sake will save it.]

"And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life (psuche), what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. The life (psuche) is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment" (Luke 12:22, 23). ["Souls" can eat.]

"Whosoever shall seek to save his life (psuche) shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life (psuche) shall preserve it" (Luke 17:33). [People can both save and lose their "soul." Those who try to save their "soul" will lose it, and those who lose their "soul" will preserve it.]

"I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life (psuche) for the sheep" (John 10:11). [Shepherds that lose their lives while protecting their sheep from wolves, robbers, bears, and lions have just given their "souls" for their sheep.]

"As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life (psuche) for the sheep" (John 10:15). [Jesus laid His "soul" down somewhere for His sheep.]

"Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life (psuche), that I might take it again" (John 10:17). [Jesus laid His "soul" down somewhere, and then picked it up again.]

"Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt (psuche)? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly" (John 10:24). [To "lift up" (the meaning of the Greek word for "make" another's "soul" is to make them doubt.]

"He that loveth his life (psuche) shall lose it; and he that hateth his life (psuche) in this world shall keep it unto life eternal" (John 12:25). [Jesus wants us to hate our own "soul."]

"Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life (psuche) for thy sake. Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life (psuche) for my sake?" (John 13:37, 38). [Peter wanted to lay his "soul" down somewhere too.]

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life (psuche) for his friends" (John 15:13). [If you are a really special friend, given the right circumstances, you will lay your "soul" down somewhere too.]

"Men that have hazarded their lives (psuche) for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 15:26). [Some have risked losing their "souls" for Jesus.]

"But none of these things move me, neither count I my life (psuche) dear unto myself" (Acts 20:24). [Paul didn't like his "soul."]

"And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives (psuche)" (Acts 27:10). [Their "souls" were going to get hurt or damaged.]

"And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life (psuche) among you, but of the ship" (Acts 27:22). [No one on board was going to lose their "soul."]

"Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life (psuche)" (Rom. 11:3). [Jezebel wanted to obtain Elijah's "soul."]

"Who have for my life (psuche) laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles" (Rom. 16:4). [It was as if Priscilla and Aquila had given their physical life in order to save Paul's "soul."]

"Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life (psuche), to supply your lack of service toward me" (Php. 2:30). [Epaphroditus didn't care about his "soul."]

"Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life (psuche) for us: and we ought to lay down our lives (psuche) for the brethren" (1 Jn. 3:16). [As Jesus laid His "soul" down somewhere, so should we.]

"And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life (psuche), died" (Rev. 8:9). [Fish have "souls."]

"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives (psuche) unto the death" (Rev. 12:11). [Christians will not love their "souls," even if threatened with death.]

"And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul (psuche) died in the sea" (Rev. 16:3). [Fish are "souls."]


The Spirit - Old Testament (27 Verses)
"And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath (neshamah, pnoe) of life; and man became a living soul" (Gen. 2:7). [God put the "spirit" into Adam's nose.]

"And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath (ruach, pneuma) of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die" (Gen. 6:17). [Animals have the "spirit" in them too.]

"And they went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein is the breath (ruach, pneuma) of life" (Gen. 7:15). [Animals have the "spirit" in them too.]

"All in whose nostrils was the breath (neshamah, pnoe) of life, of all that was in the dry land, died" (Gen. 7:22). [The "spirit" lives in the nose.]

"And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage (ruach, pneuma) in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath" (Josh. 2:11). [Their "spirits" were all gone, but they were still alive.]

"And it came to pass, when all the kings of the Amorites, which were on the side of Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, which were by the sea, heard that the LORD had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over, that their heart melted, neither was there spirit (ruach) in them any more, because of the children of Israel" (Josh. 5:1). [Their "spirits" were all gone, but they were still alive.]

"God hath delivered into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb: and what was I able to do in comparison of you? Then their anger (ruach, pneuma) was abated toward him, when he had said that" (Judg. 8:3). [Their "spirit" weakened or relaxed towards him.]

"And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon’s wisdom, and the house that he had built, and the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up unto the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit (ruach) in her" (1 Kings 10:4, 5). [Her "spirit" totally left, yet she was still alive.]

"There was no more spirit (ruach) in her" (2 Chr. 9:4). [Her "spirit" totally left, yet she was still alive.]

"All the while my breath (neshamah, pnoe) is in me, and the spirit (ruach, pneuma) of God is in my nostrils" (Job 27:3). [The "spirit" lives in the nose.]

"The Spirit (neshamah, pnoe) of God hath made me, and the breath (ruach, pneuma) of the Almighty hath given me life" (Job 33:4). [God's "spirit" gives us life.]

"If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit (ruach, pneuma) and his breath (neshamah); all flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust" (Job 34:14, 15). [Man cannot live without his "spirit."]

"Into thine hand I commit my spirit (ruach, pneuma): thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth" (Ps. 31:5). [After being redeemed, the psalmist asks God to take care of his spirit for him.]

"So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts. . . . Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath (ruach, pneuma), they die, and return to their dust. Thou sendest forth thy spirit (ruach, pneuma), they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth" (Ps. 104:25, 29, 30). [They don't get their own "spirit" back again when they are recreated. Instead, it's God's spirit that enters into them.]

"Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. His breath (ruach, pneuma) goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish" (Ps. 146:3, 4). [When the "spirit" leaves, the person can no longer think.]

"For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath (ruach, pneuma); so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity. All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again. Who knoweth the spirit (ruach, pneuma) of man that goeth upward, and the spirit (ruach, pneuma) of the beast that goeth downward to the earth" (Eccl. 3:19-21). [There is no difference between the "spirit" of animals and the "spirit" of people.]

"Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit (ruach, pneuma) shall return unto God who gave it" (Eccl. 12:7). [The "spirits" of all, both good and bad, go back to God.]

"Cease ye from man, whose breath (neshamah) is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of" (Isa. 2:22). [The "spirit" lives in the nose.]

"The breath (ruach, pneuma) of our nostrils, the anointed of the LORD, was taken in their pits, of whom we said, Under his shadow we shall live among the heathen" (Lam. 4:20). [The "spirit" belongs to our nose.]

"Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath (ruach, pneuma) to enter into you, and ye shall live: and I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath (ruach, pneuma) in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD" (Ezek. 37:5, 6). [One thing these bones absolutely had to have before they could live again was a "spirit."]

"And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath (ruach, pneuma) in them. Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind (ruach, pneuma), prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind (ruach, pneuma), Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds (ruach, pneuma), O breath (ruach), and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath (ruach, pneuma) came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army" (Ezek. 37:8-10. [You can have a perfect human body, but if it doesn't have a "spirit," it won't be alive. This "spirit" that gives life to the body is the same thing as the wind.]

"And shall put my spirit (ruach, pneuma) in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land" (Ezek. 37:14). [If God puts His "spirit" in us, we will live.]


The Spirit - New Testament (4 Verses)
"And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit (pneuma): and having said thus, he gave up the ghost" (Luke 23:46). [Jesus asked His Father to take care of His spirit for Him.]

"For as the body without the spirit (pneuma) is dead, so faith without works is dead also" (James 2:26). [Here "spirit" must refer to the "breath" of life.]

"And after three days and an half the Spirit (pneuma) of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet" (Rev. 11:11). [It wasn't their own "spirit" that came back into them. It was the breath of life from God.]

"And he had power to give life (pneuma) unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed" (Rev. 13:15). [A false prophet will have the power to give an inanimate object a "spirit."]

let make clear there is no such thing as ghosts there evil spirits imposters pretending to be the dead person the bible makes clear the dead know nothing

Ecclesiastes 9:5 For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even the memory of them is forgotten.

another perfect post with you again the lord is using your deeply blessed