₦airaland Forum

@Jesoul

JeSoul:
Q1: Most of us know where you stand on tithes, but can you briefly summarise for the record?

Tithing is based on spiritual laws. It is our worship to God ,recognising him as our provider. It came by revelation in the life of men of faith who had walked with God. It did not originate under the law of Moses . The law only amplified it's importance. It was  an institution under the priesthood of Melchizedek who was greater than Abraham .
 
After the Levitical order was over, we've been brought back under the Melchizedek order. Tithing was an institution under him in time past and in paul's day and also now. Jesus is our high priest in the Order of Melchizedek . There is no scripture that made mention of stopping tithing. As long as there is a high priest there must be tithing. Even if tithing was instituted under the law, it still stands because it's based on spiritual laws. There are things instituted. Under the law that are still binding in our lives today because they are based on spiritual principles, such as honouring your father and mother.But tithing and offerings existed before the law. If a man say I will only give offerings but I don't believe in tithes, the same principles hold the two of them . They existed before the law. God says you rob me in TITHES and OFFERINGS. They go together , you can't just choose  only one of them. And if you say "I will not give either of the two"  are you saying we should not worship God by our giving?. So which ever way we look at it. Tithes and offerings still stands. It's our worship to God to honour him as our source and provider.   

Q2: What do you have to say directly to those who believe tithing is optional? Do you see any merit to their arguments against required tithing?

it's just like prayer and fasting. Do we say it's optional?. Well God will not force anybody to pray. The issue is prayer has benefit in our lives. It shows our reverence and submission to God. If you don't pray, you lose the benefit that comes with it. The same thing goes for tithing. If you don't tithe , you lose the benefit that comes with it. 

Q3: Is it okay for a believer to tithe in other churches? in other non-profit organizations such as orphanages, food banks etc

God specified where we should put our tithes. It is the place where his name is called. A believer is supposed to tithe under the pastor  There was another10 % in Israel that is gathered and shared with the poor and strangers in Israel every 3years. This was different from the regular tithes. 

Q4: On what is the tithe supposed to be spent/used on? the leadership? the staff? the church members? the church property?

All the above is applicable . Different churches have their structures. One thing is clear. The church money is nit the pastor's own . Its for the work of the ministry generally according to the structure there. The welfare of the full-time ministers are of-course not overruled .

1 Corinthians 9:13-14
13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live[ of the things] of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? 14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. 

@MyJoe

MyJoe:
@Joagbaje
Great art! I see you also do illustration. Have saved your contact info, as I have had considerable difficulties finding good illustrators in Lagos.

I will be delighted to give you a good service. I illustrated couple of children books and some comics yet to be published.

The message of john was different from the gospel of christ. There is a difference betwen the repentance if the jews,the gentiles and the church. Johns repentance does not give life. It was merely to prepare the jews for the ministry of the messiah.

Repentance is neccesary but it depends on what kind of repentance,

@jesoul

JeSoul:
Q1: A year or two ago, a friend of mine came back from a Benny Hinn Crusade. She was complaining about how the entire 'service' was about raising money to be able to pay for the use of the venue. If a preacher always seems to be emphasizing on money - are people wrong for concluduing that such a person is not true ministers of the gospel? Especially as the bible warns us many will pervert the gospel for financial gain.

It is carnal for people to think that way. Venue money is for venue and not for pastors pocket,  It is the church responsibility to pay for such. People should learn to trust their pastors.

 

Just a small observation - I think sometimes the way you phrase your responses is what draws the ire of many. When you say Jesus and Paul "collected" from members . . . it just sounds . . .   - though I think I understand what you may be saying . . . 
Q2: but do you care to show some verses in scripture to support this? thanks.

Luke 8:3
3 and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him a from their substance.

Philippians 4:15-18
15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. 18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet- smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. 

 Galatians 6:6-7 
6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. 
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 

Q3: Would you say that if a known corrupt person wants to give to the church, the pastor should not turn down his gift?

It is hard to define. It is relative. Kunleoshob praises Donald Duke, but to many, he was corrupt and a thief. Every office is labelled corrupt ; police, lecturers,politician, road safety and lastma.  If a man is in office and he makes donations to a church. The church can't reject it because he gave it in the name of the office. The church has respect for rulers. Because They are Gods servants also.(Rom:13:4) We don't speak against rulers and ministers , we are to pray for them.
 
Let the court determine who is corrupt.  We only know what we read in papers. The church is neutral in politics. The door is open for all. I may not be using appropriate word but I hope You understand my point of view anyhow.

Negro_Ntns:
Joagbaje,

Just a quick feedback.  I like your view.    You have an in-depth understanding of the scripture but it seems you are heavily focused on the letters. In the places where you gave meanings to the spirit, it is quite enlightening, except that you may have been too broad in your interpretation.  

Some texts ought to be interpreted narrowly. Many pastors fear the dilemma of pushing a narrow interpretation of the Bible at the cost of sacrificing a scriptural truth. Using wisdom to navigate the borderlines should not and does not in any way challenge the truthfullness, instead, it upholds the mystery of the word and the office.  

A good example is where you said "-a pastor should be involved in every aspect/sphere of a believer's life."

That's true, but could you have given it a narrower revelation and still hold onto the truth,. . . . absent the controversy?

". . . . .  a believer needs to maintain a healthy relationship with his/her spiritual guide.  It's the path of success, divinely and in mundane realities"

I wish you could elaborate more on the  matters you raised. I'm not very clear.

@Jesoul

JeSoul:
Oya Joagbaje over to you  please respond to PAIO's question here.

who is at the top of the pyramid structure of pastors in the world today.

That's a difficult question,it's a spiritual one that no one can answer. I only know the pastor I'm submitted to. And if you ask me , I will tell you he's the greatest bible teacher of our generation.

who is the pastor that is above Chris Oyakhilome.

I don't have answer to that .He is an apostle to the body of christ today.several ministers all over the world listens to him. I only know from his messages of ministers that has inspired him. Like T.L OSBORNE and KENNETH E. HAGIN . Many of them have passed on into glory now. It's a new generation.

I would also like to know who the penultimate pastors are, ie those that are immediately below the top pastor.

Different churches have their structures. But the bible says after the apostles, others come in.

1 Corinthians 12:28
28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

Q1: You've made mention to 'motives' several times now over the interview - that since we cannot judge a person's motives we should leave it be or cease from critisizing them. If it were all about "not knowing a man's motives" then why would the scriptures tell us to "test the spirits"? and reject/expose what is not of God, instead of simply folding your hands and saying "well I don't know their heart so I can't judge".

You must have misunderstood me. We judge according to truth by the word and not by feelings. If an action is clearly contrary to the word, the word has judged it already. But when we begin to read our own meanings into another person's action and doing guess work into his motive, it's a sin. Except by gift of discernment. For example a man holds a large crusade and someone says, he held the large crusade to make big money. That's my point . We have no right to think that way. But we condemn actions that the Word condemns. And we still submit to the Word in handling it.

Q2: In relation to 'jugding', the recommendations of Paul below are pretty stern. Under what circumstances would you say it is okay to "jugde" a brother/sister?

1Cor 5:9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. 11 But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.
12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.”

The church has it's judicial system. It come from head down and not from down up. The elders judge members and not the members judge the elders. And God is against the church embarrassing itself by washing dirty linen before the world.There is judicial structure within the body.

1 Corinthians 6:1-5
1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? 2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? 4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. 5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?

Q3: You say a pastor should accept all gifts unless the Spirit tells him otherwise. Will it be okay for a pastor to accept gifts/money from known or suspected corrupt leaders/politicians etc if the 'Spirit' doesn't tell him otherwise? Should not the pastor also use his own discernment of what's right/wrong appropriate/inappropriate?

I'm talking about brethren giving to their pastors. This is scriptural . Jesus collected from members, paul did also. But a politician coming to give to a pastor, sound strange. And suspicious. Is he born again? What's the intention? . A pastors dealing with such people is to get them saved and not to collect from them.

But there is difference between giving to the pastor and giving to God. Anybody can give in a church to God. The church money doesn't belong to the pastor. It belongs to God , the pastors is only a steward. He has no right to turn anyone back who wants to give to God. But if it's a personal gift , then he has to use discernment and discretion. It's not everything a man of God collects. Abraham turned down the gifts of king of Sodom .

Colossians 1:27
To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory

The Christian is not a religious fellow, but one in whom all the fullness of Deity resides. If you’re born again, God dwells in you. This should give you a new mindset and confidence in life. There’s a big difference between us today – the new creation – and the Old Testament folks. God’s plan was to be in them, but they couldn’t enter into His rest because unbelief.

When Jesus came, He came as “Emmanuel,” meaning “God with us”, and thus was with them until His crucifixion. After His resurrection and the arrival of the Holy Spirit, the new creation – the Church – came into being and now, He lives IN us by the Spirit. Hallelujah! He’s no longer Emmanuel, God with us, but God in us. God was with the prophets of old, but He is more than with us today, He is in us. This is the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but has now been made manifest to His saints. That mystery is: Christ in you, the hope of glory.

So how do I know that my life is going to be glorious? The answer is because Christ is in me! That’s my hope for a healthy, prosperous, vibrant and successful life! That’s my confidence that I’ll never be defeated in life. The Bible says when He died, I died with Him; when He was buried, I was buried with Him; and when God raised Him from the dead, I was raised together with Him. And now that I’ve been raised together with Him, and made to sit together with Him in the heavenly realms, no more death; no more defeat; no more sickness. In Him I live now and forever! Hallelujah.

Remember, you’re not an ordinary person; you belong in a special class of divine beings – “the Christ-in-you-species!” This is your hope for the transcendent life of the miraculous.

Romans 8:10
And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

Colossians 3:1-4
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

It's a choice . God didn't create anyone to suffer, sickness , poverty ,failure ,etc. However there is a Christian suffering with every real Christian must experience. It's the suffering of persecution and our personal sacrifices in his name.

There is difference between hardship and hardness. He wants us to endure hardness .

It wasn't yet time.

Because we are still here. It will take place 7years after the church is taken up by the rapture.

InesQor:
The 25 year old book "the Seduction of Christianity" (at the link below) discusses the future of the Seduced Church, which today we see all around us in various forms of heresy. The authors make references to Napoleon Hill of the 'Think and Grow Rich' fame because he was the one making those waves at the time.

What has motivational teaching got to do with seduction. People usually criticise what seem to be out of the conventional. The teachings of motivational speakers are mostly based on biblical principles. Principles that many Christians have lazily abandoned through ignorance. For example what is wrong with a teaching that says "YOU CAN BE A SUCCESS" "MAXIMIZING YOUR POTENTIALS"?.

Many motivational speakers are Christians. John Maxwell has been a pastor for years. They use biblical principles to bless the world.in my opinion.

Acts 3:6-8
Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God

I’ve heard some Christians say they called the Name of Jesus while in some kind of distress and nothing happened. Well, that’s rather unusual because the Name of Jesus is the Name with power, and it always produces results. However, you must realize that the Name is not a magic wand. Anyone who calls that Name with the understanding of the power vested therein will certainly have the right results.

To know how to effectively use the Name of Jesus, let me first explain to you what a name is. A name is more than a mere article of identification. A name depicts “authority” or “character.” The Greek word is “onomah.” So when you command something to happen in the Name of Jesus, you’re actually speaking or acting in the authority or character of Jesus. That’s the power of attorney Christ has given us.

Moreover, when you make a demand in the Name of Jesus, you don’t need to squeeze up faith to make it work. That’s because faith is evidence – the evidence of unseen realities – and when an unseen reality becomes available, you no longer need any evidence for it. Thus, we require no evidence to use the Name of Jesus because it’s not an unseen reality; it’s an instrument that has already been made available to us. The Bible says,

Acts 4:12
“there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved”

Isn’t this wonderful? It means you don’t have to cross-examine your life first to know whether or not the Name of Jesus will work for you. The Name has been given to you as a gift, so you need no extra faith to use it. Use that Name today with this understanding and it will produce results for you.

Philippians 2:9-11
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

If it's in a community that is not so enlightened, you can use JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH . They even now have it now in ibo, Hausa ,ijaw and Yoruba!

Pastor AIO:
This is your interview and not mine. a beg. Besides I will not tell you. But what I will tell you is that I like your Art. It's good to see that you actually have a craft. You leapt up in my estimation by an astronomical distance. I dey think say you be useless person before.

With all your barrage of blows on me , your sense of humuor never cease to win my admiration . You've got a talent there o. If you will give it attention. Your are more than ÀWÀDÀ KERÍ KERÌ and BABA MERO, SALA, SUE.

Vivian. SA:
@Joagbaje:
Yes I am using blackberry to post my comments.Why do u ask? Is it that obvious.
That's why on my previous post the BB went haywhy on me and wrote words on top of each other instead of writing words in a sentence but that is not the end of the world.

Verily verily I say unto you, it's obvious and not advisable. .

Pls send your number to my box.

Pastor AIO:
So oyakhilome knows about Nairaland,

He doesn't have time for all these, I think Vivian is talking her own. Pastor chris, will never call anybody by name to start with. He may say things like . "I don't have time for critics"  but to mention a website by name or a thread. It not in his gentleman nature. If he were aware of NL or sir johns thread , he would rather have been concerned to find out the problem. I even wish I have a way of passing the issue to him. But a man that is too busy reaching. The world , even if i mailed it to him, will he have time to read such.

@Vivian

though he states that he knws abt this thread he will never take time to address their concerns because to Pastor Chris, such ppe are not a factor

Come and explain yourself. Where did you hear this?

@PASTOR AIO

I thought as much.  I even still feel that Joagbaje was sent specifically to deal with all matters oyakhilome on NL.

Verry funny. That would have been a great honour and recognition for me   but you know it's not true. If the ministry knows about NL officially and they are concerned. They have the machinery and fire power to overrun this place. With thousands of people . You will not even see space. Didn't you hear how we crashed Twitter website with over 3million followers in 2months? They had to call us for negotiation and cut some followers.

I would have loved some official response to sir johns case. So if I'm sent , I should have official answers. I wasn't happy at the way Sirjohn was handled By certain people he spoke to. They shattered the guys faith by lack of sensitivity.

@Vivian,
Do you use blackberry to make post?

@PASTOR AIO
I will like to know what church you attend and who's your own pastor ?

It is said that If you want to sell a news paper, just create  any story about oyakhilome. Any story at all, and you'll smile to the bank. .  Pastor chris is an honourable man. He won't indulge in a crime such as money laundry. His ministry is too important in this generation to engage in such. We will soon see that it's a false alarm by one of the devils sons.

@Vivian ,
I've not had the opportunity to attend a whole healing school session like you did. But as a healing school partner. I had attended 2 in Lagos and one session in S.A. I will like to ask you some personal question about the healing school if you don't mind. I will appreciate if you send your e mail to my box. Joagbaje@yahoo.com thanks

Tonye-t:
Falling under the Anointing scriptural? No!  
'Laying of Hands' does not transfer anointing, oil (symbolic) does. And Anointing oil is symbolic of spiritual consecration [to set someone/something apart for God].

Jesus never told the church to use oil. The anointing is recommended to be transferred by laying on of hands in the church.

 Acts 6:6
6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid[b][ their] hands[/b] on them. 

1 Timothy 4:14
14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. 

Saul when anointed did not fall but rather turned into another man. . .David had no record of falling but was consecrated King.

It's not a must to fall by the anointing. But when the power of God comes upon a man. Sometimes the legs give way.

1 Samuel 19:24
24 And he stripped off his clothes also, and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down unclothed all that day and all that night. Wherefore they say,[ Is] Saul also among the prophets? 


1 Kings 8:11
11 So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of the LORD.

John 18:6
6 When Jesus said to them, I am He, they went backwards( drew back, lurched backward) and fell to the ground.

For whatever the reason, it is the spirit of God that cause such falling. We should not seek falling but rather the blessing of the spirit.

adolfe bad:
But is there any founded reason why most celestial churches are located beside streams and rivers?

Because of regular water baptism , which is carried out almost on daily basis. One can be baptized as many times as possible. It's not really called baptism but spiritual bath. They believe its For protection, deliverance etc.

harakiri:
Anyone who "falls" under the anointing does it for the following reasons :

(1)They don't want to embarrass whoever it is that's laying hands on them (coz they know it ain't real)
(2)They are either drunk or under the influence of drugs
(3)They have been compensated to do the deed
(4)They have a lot history of mental health problems (the perfect candidates).

Jude 1:18
18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time . . . .

Why would a well dressed man fall down so as not to embarrass the person ministering. It is not a must to fall. It is not about falling . Only few fall most times. Majority are standing.

@Vivian

Insteas they defended in error something they dont know and as a result we lost a strong brethren whose eyes and heart are on the word of God.

I hope I'm not among this group that you classified as defending in error, because I told John too that his experience may have been true (probably) but it was his conclusion that was wrong.

2. During these teachings the pple wheal chair bound or on cructhes are taken  to see the Pastor for the group they are in so that the Pastor can minister to them directly one on one, they are asked how they are feeling and to demonstrate their faith in the authentic and

This is what Sirjohn probably saw and claimed that they were never sick. People need to demonstrate their faith physically so as to receive. 

Acts 14:9-10
9 The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed
10 Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.  

Many people get healed this way even before pastor chris prays for them. Their faith which had been built through teaching made hem whole.

Its their faith in God that heals pple that attend the healing school. Hence the teachings on faith for two weeks,

That is why it is call healing SCHOOL. And not a PRAYER HOUSE.

nwakaibe:
past. So to save myself from the nightmare when the service closed, i called my wife and fled home with her :-

. You should have tried the inner city mission. There's is parking space there. And the compound connects to. LCA.

maxxy:
I have come to understand that people generally criticize things they don't understand.

My first experience of somebody falling while am praying was sometime in 2000, and I was not even a pastor! As I began to pray for the person, the next thing I knew was that the person was flat on the floor, not because of demon possession but as a result of the wave of God's power that overwhelmed that person, as falling is not necessarily a sign of demon possession.

Granted that some folks tend to push the one they are praying for, it doesnt mean that's what happens everytime because some people are blown upon and you see them responding by falling. And I can bet that so long as what's on your mind is "I will not fall/the pastor is pushing me" you are already too distracted to focus on God, and therefore will not fall.

Falling is scriptural, it happened in the old testament and even Jesus had it in His ministry.

So the next time you are being prayed for, forget about whether or not you will fall. Focus on God and on His power that is present, because when the chips are down, that's all that matters.

I had similar experience during my youth service. A brother told me he wasn't speaking in tongues and wants to receive the holyghost. I used to struggle I. Ministrying to holyghost to people before this time. Some will say "NOTHING IS COMING" I had to be encouraging them to believe that utterance will come. But this particular case , as I laid my hands on him and said "BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY-GHOST!" instantly , the power of God threw him on the ground , he began to roll from one end to the other speaking in tongues very rapid and loud! I was surprise . I became more courageous to lay hands more in ministering the holyghost to people.

@ nwakaibe

nwakaibe:
Bros, I have to disagree with you on this.Camera men also fall under the anointing. Even the ministering pastor at times fall. Watch Papa Hagin in  'when the Spirit gets moving'. Even papa Hagin couldn't stand the anointing. The lead singer couldn't stand. His son Hagin Jr couldn't stand it also.
Pastor Chris in one of new year services asked the camera men to focus on him, leave the camera and go out of the way. So we need to examine a wide sample space before drawing conclusions.

Thanks ,I agree with you , I have seen Benny Hinn to fall under the power. I was only speaking in childrens language for the natural men. There is no explanation that will suffice .

1 Corinthians 2:14
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know[ them], because they are spiritually discerned.

Whosoever will practise that does not understand Christianity. He is probably just a nominal religious man. If you're born again, your first duty is to share your faith the unbelievers not to enter relationship with them.

2 Corinthians 4:13
We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak

For the divine provisions of the Gospel made available to you in Christ Jesus to become your vital experience in life, you must acknowledge what God has done for you and in you, and confess it. Many live beggarly lives, far below their calling because they don’t know how to make these “joyful confessions.” A joyful confession is declaring what God has said about you; rejoicing over who you are, what you have, and what you can do in Christ, and confessing it!

Others may say you’re boasting when you joyfully confess God’s Word about you, but it makes no difference. You’re what God says you are!

2 Corinthians 8:9,
“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.”

1 Corinthians 3:21 says “Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours.” Also,

1 Peter 2:24
“Who his own self bare our sins in his body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”

Thus, on the basis of these scriptures, you ought to make your joyful confessions and say “I refuse to be broke, poor or sick!” Say this today and every day; make it your language. Remember, Jesus said you shall have what you say (Mark 11:23). Therefore keep talking right! Learn how to use your mouth to take possession of that which is already yours in Christ Jesus. Keep declaring who you are in Christ. Testify to what God has done for you, in you and through you!

The Psalmist said
“I believe therefore have I spoken” (Psalm 116:10);

and in our opening scripture we read that “We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak.” That’s because our confessions rule us. So keep making those joyful confessions of God’s Word that reveal your identity, ability and inheritance in Christ Jesus.

Further Study
Mark 11:23
For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

Proverbs 18:21
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

@Jesoul

JeSoul:
One last question and we shall move on to a very controversial quote you've made on NL in the past. You believe its not the pastor's fault, but do you believe that this 'pastor-worship' phenomenon is widespread today? Do you see members of the church where you go to fall to this error?

No I do see our members fall into this error. Not that I know.We correct such things , especially those who are new , who want to pray to "The God of Oyakhilome" like some do to their pastors .Pastor chris emphasis is on christ not on himself. Pastor chris once corrected some things like that before. That the focus is not about the person of pastor chris but it's about the message that we preach. I remember on NTA Benin , couple of years ago . In an interview , he was asked:"Tell us about the man CHRIS OYAKHILOME" he answered politely " I will rather talk about THE PERSON OF JESUS. CEC is a Word based church.We develop personal intimate relationship with God and the holyghost.  But somethings can be misunderstood by outsiders. 

 

What should be the pastors response to members of the church who idolise him?[/Quote] 

It's a dangerous thing for him and the members. He should correct it openly . But we also have to define what is mean by "idolize"  some people dint have respect for pastors and they are offended when they see someone that has respect for his man of God.

[quote]furthermore should he accept lavish gifts and spending from those who do this to please him?

We can't judge a man's intentions or motive , we live that to God. How do we know that the motive for the gift is to please him?. You don't give to an anointed man by the flesh. You sow into his life by the spirit . Recognising the anointing upon his life which, will be a blessing to you. It's a spiritual law to give to men of God. 

Galatians 6:6-9
6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate (give) unto him that teacheth in all good things. 7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 

Matthew 10:41
41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward;

He should accept the gift for their blessing . Except the spirit of God tells him otherwise.

@Mabel
That's not the man o. This one is pastor Velly and his daughter , he doesn't speak English . Ive forgotten his country. The Egyptian man speaks English .

cid:7E54522D-3831-4944-B75C-C60EB8DEEA09/photo.JPG