₦airaland Forum

Antoeni:
WHEN THE CHURCH BECOMES A BUSINESS

1) Pastors function like CEOs
2) Members are turned into customers
3) Other churches are seen as competitions
4) Evangelism is reduced to marketing
5) Church planting looks more like franchising.

6) Numbers are primary measure of success
7) Prayer and Word study are replaced by formulas
Revival is reduced to a few days fund-raising
program
9) Preaching sounds more like motivational speech. All the people do is shout "I receive, Amen," throughout the concert. I mean the "service".
10) Praise and Worship is turned into a
performance. The best actors are made the worship and praise leaders.
11) The Spirit of God is reduced to "emotionalism". No real power of God other than hypnosis and sensationalism.

12) The saints are entertained instead of equipped
13) Disciples of Christ have become papa's sons, daughters and fans.
14) The Church, a living Body has now become a lifeless body
15) A leader's empire is built instead of the
Kingdom of God advanced
16) The pastor becomes the super man and Jesus Christ reduced to just another religious figure.

You've said it all.
Nothing to add or remove.

hoopernikao:
I pointed it out to you that the scriptures in your hand that you read, the very word of Jesus you read are documented by man. They are man's doctrine Sir. God used man to speak to you. Get that right. The commanded of Jesus you speak about, was it not given to you by man?

Secondly. You said you obey and trust Jesus commandment.

Is Mathew 28:19 not Jesus commandment again.

So,

1. Are you making disciples in obedience to His words?
2. How are you making disciples without gathering with such?

You're quite slow.

That men wrote down the words of Jesus makes them man's doctrines?
You're beginning to sound like one who simply argues for argument sake.

Even a babe in the faith knows the words of Jesus Christ scripturally can't be compared to the words of any of the old prophets or apostles. After all, no one has seen God at any point except Christ.

In your typical mode of blind arguments instead of just letting Kobojunkie see why other books are also important you've succeeded in calling the doctrines Christ taught simply no different from man's doctrines.

At this point, it is pointless to engage you any further. You simply argue off-point.

hoopernikao:
You didn't read Jesus word properly Sir.

Matthew 11:4
4 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:

He wasn't giving testimony.

Read the bold again.
They heard and saw. So you will do the hearing and seeing, hence start going from one church to another and spectate so as to gather your conviction.
. In fact if you read properly you will know that Jesus was actually scolding John and his disciples.

So, if you want to be as John's disciples go on the streets of men and start investigating and looking for the power of God so as to be convinced.

No where is the miracle worker giving PR of His miracles. Not even Paul or Peter or any of the apostles. No such practice. Such PR is left for the unbelievers.

Lol he even scolded them in your own bible?

Like I said earlier, you already have all it takes to be a fine politician.
Well, I'll take your posts as your testimony. Shikena

You could easily have made it easy for yourself by just being honest but spiritual pride will not kill you. I hope you said a big amen to that.

Have a good night.

stancydg:
It is only those whose eyes are veiled by the god of this world that'll interpret such good news that The Lord Himself commanded to be preached throughout the world as a licence to sin, instead of the Power of God to salvation to the Jews first and then, the Gentiles. How on earth can a man share the divine nature with God and still be subject to iniquity? I quoted the scriptures or are you saying the Word of God is untrue? Please back up your belief that Christians should continue to struggle not to sin by trying to observe the laws you listed, with the Word of God or are you just following what they told you since birth?

For your information, Col3:3 says it already of the believer; For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God. The believer is dead to sin and it can't have dominion over him. The righteousness of God confers a supernatural nature on the believer. That nature doesn't even know what sin is all about. Its your "homo sapienic" nature that has been sin programmed and that's why it is subject to it. Indeed it can't please God even if it tried. Check this out in Rom 7 from verse 4.

" Likewise, my brethren, you have undergone death as to the Law through the [crucified] body of Christ, so that now you may belong to Another, to Him Who was raised from the dead in order that we may bear fruit for God.

5 When we were living in the flesh (mere physical lives), the sinful passions that were awakened and aroused up by [what] the Law [makes sin] were constantly operating in our natural powers (in our bodily organs, in the sensitive appetites and wills of the flesh), so that we bore fruit for death.

6 But now we are discharged from the Law and have terminated all intercourse with it, having died to what once restrained and held us captive. So now we serve not under [obedience to] the old code of written regulations, but [under obedience to the promptings] of the Spirit in newness [of life].

7 What then do we conclude? Is the Law identical with sin? Certainly not! Nevertheless, if it had not been for the Law, I should not have recognized sin or have known its meaning. [For instance] I would not have known about covetousness [would have had no consciousness of sin or sense of guilt] if the Law had not [repeatedly] said, You shall not covet and have an evil desire [for one thing and another].

8 But sin, finding opportunity in the commandment [to express itself], got a hold on me and aroused and stimulated all kinds of forbidden desires (lust, covetousness). For without the Law sin is dead [the sense of it is inactive and a lifeless thing].

9 Once I was alive, but quite apart from and unconscious of the Law. But when the commandment came, sin lived again and I died (was sentenced by the Law to death).(Study and meditate on the rest of the chapter into the next one)

The earlier you believed God's Word, the better for you. When you accept God's free gift of righteousness as against your self effort, you'll find out that you'll stop being so conscious of sin as to be able to list it out the way you did previously on this thread. Rather, you'll start being righteousness conscious and doing right will be natural with you because what's right and how to do it will be engraved on your heart, not on those tablets of stones.

Get it right now, NOT EVERYONE IS STRUGGLING WITH SIN THE WAY YOU DO. You can free yourself. You know what to do. Be born again!

You need to marry your theology with the Lord's prayer.
To establish the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven.
Does the kingdom you see presently resemble what the kingdom of heaven was described to look like?

Now if the Bible says a Christian can no longer sin. That would be great. Cos apparently a lot of verses in the new testament would be redundant and pointless.

What's the point of Galatians 5:16-21 when a Christian can no longer sin?

16 I say then: (U)Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For (V)the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, (W)so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But (X)if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 Now (Y)the works of the flesh are evident, which are: [d]adultery, [e]fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, [f]murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that (Z)those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.


Whats the point of Revelations 3 & 4 where God addresses the 7 churches judging them according to their works?

Whats the point of Revelations 21:7-8 if a Christian can no longer sin?

He who overcomes [d]shall inherit all things, and (O)I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8 (P)But the cowardly, [e]unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in (Q)the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

stancydg:
My friend, that's a lame definition of righteousness. Righteousness means right standing with God. The state of being seen by God to be correct. Now, that tells you God is the Judge of that and is solely dependent on what He Says is correct or incorrect.

That leads you to the topic; The Righteousness of God, in other words, the Rightness of God. Now, the Rightness of God IS NOT A STATE OF CORRECTNESS OF THINGS BUT A POWER. It means God's Supernatural Ability to be right/correct. That is independent of what any creature thinks. For instance, if God says a car is a tree, He is Right/Correct because the car becomes a tree. Rightness is what God says it is because as the scripture has said, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR GOD TO LIE.

So, even if what God says in human terms seems to be a lie, IT BECOMES THE TRUTH. God is truth. His Word is truth. Let GOD BE TRUE and all men liars. In the case of Abraham, God called him a father of many nations. In the natural, logical sense, that statement was a lie, but what did Abraham become? That's the reason it was said that "Abraham BELIEVED God and it was accounted/reckoned/recorded to him AS RIGHTEOUSNESS/RIGHT STANDING WITH GOD.

So you see, for simply believing God, the state of being correct/right or right standing with God was TRANSFERRED TO HIS ACCOUNT/GIVEN AS A GIFT TO ABRAHAM.

Therefore, contrary to your definition, righteousness which is right standing with God can't be attained by just doing what's right or following some moral routine. It can only be gotten as a GIFT from God. That's why Jesus Christ emphasized in John3 to that pharisee, who had kept all the moral rules/routine that HE'S GOT TO BE BORN A(SECOND TIME)GAIN.

That second birth comes by BELIEVING GOD...that's believing the Lord Jesus Christ in your heart and confessing same with your mouth..."for with the heart, MAN BELIEVETH UNTO RIGHTEOUSNESS, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation. Rom 10:10 The Amplified puts it this way; " For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) and confirms [his] salvation."

When you believe, righteousness is given to you as a gift and you'd naturally produce good works or the things God considers right/correct because rightness is exclusively God's prerogative.

Thanks for confirming exactly what I said.

As long as you're in right standing with God by believing in God and Jesus Christ, you are righteousness and can no longer commit any sin.

This is the gospel that has destroyed not only Nigeria but the world at large.

When Christians believe they can get away with any sin, tell me why we should expect Christians not to steal, lie, fornicate, commit adultery, and commit every evil even unbelievers won't?

leye4u:
You can lie against your father walahi...


Bishop Oyedepo never exalts prosperity over righteousness


A no-nonsense preacher that is so strict with issues of corrupt practices is the one you are describing like this

...have you even ever listen to his messages....


You are a pathetic liar..chai

Before I posted this comment, I googled his messages on righteousness just to be sure.

Please prove me wrong.

I'm not saying he's not a strict man. After all even unbelievers are very strict when it comes to their homes and businesses.

I'm simply focusing on his messages.

Samade7:
which branches of winners chapel do u attends that preaches only prosperity to u? Cos winners' members are very rich does not mean they only preach prosperity oga.

Wonder why u guys always thinks winners only preaches prosperity.

Ota sir, that was the headquarters last time I checked. Although I'm not sure anymore since I heard a new structure is being built.

That said, you need to understand the subtlety of the message of righteousness being preached.

Yes, the word righteousness may have been mentioned in the course of the message but were the actions that define righteousness enumerated?

Not once will you hear,
Do not lie
Do not steal
Do not fornicate
Do not covet another man's belongings, etc

Because as far as they're concerned Righteousness simply means believing in God just like Abraham.
It does not matter the level of sin you commit as long as you believe in God and Jesus, you're righteous and you cannot commit sin.lol

Standing5:
You need English tutor. Happy Sunday!

In what aspect please?
I'm guessing you're a winners member, right?

Onyi22:
From my inbox

I met this guy in my final year in school, we almost shared the same view in life, he possesed all the qualities I need in a man.

He's so caring, kind, handsome, a good pay Job n from a humble home, I can't deny the fact that I Love him.

But the issue is that he's a Muslim while am a christian lady.

Pls house does religion matters in marriage

Are you a Christian? Then the Bible teaches that you should not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. 2 Cor 6:14.
Likewise Islam does not allow you to even eat with non-muslims talkless of marrying one.

So if you're religious or from a religious background, marrying outside your religion is unacceptable.

But if you're really born of love, you'll know that love is beyond religion, tribe, creed, etc.

It really depends on if you know that you're both mutually feeling the same way.

julie89:
Still available

For more information Please contact Juliet

+2348036932789

Price: N2,000,000 ( Slightly negotiable)

A friend just bought this same car for 1 million.
When you're ready you'll reduce the price.
Except your own is toks which is still quite expensive.

PeterC1:
FOR SALE:
Distress Sale
2016 Honda Accord
Price: 4.7m
Location: Lagos

08146139213
08121717073

Whats the difference btw the 2008 and 2016 models besides the year?

Dawinlove:
How do you get prosperous in God without salvation?
Does God cut corners to bless his people?
Mat 6:33- once applied I believe you will shut up and seek God kingdom first cos, thats the platform for everyone kingdom prosperity. I just gave you a secret that will change your life for good
Its your year of supernatural turnaround

As a human being with desires to prosper, I also believe God wants us to all prosper.

But do you know that there are scriptures against seeking the kingdom for gain/prosperity? But there's almost no single scripture that promotes the prosperity gospel?

Jesus actually said it is impossible to be rich and enter the kingdom of heaven. Luje 18:24-27

In fact the only scripture that I know supports prosperity is 3 John 1:2

Other verses from Jesus teachings and his apostles teachings seem to be against earthly prosperity.

If I'm wrong please do prove me wrong.

obonujoker:
This question has lingered amongst many believers... Some believe there will be a secret rapture, and some do not... However what does the word of God say about the question?

Firstly... What does rapture mean? Rapture has many synonyms i.e caught up, snatched away, removed from.. the Bible states, a day will come when the Lord Jesus will come to remove his saints (the believers in the Earth), so that they can be with him forevermore. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Wherefore comfort one another with these words."

However does the Bible say this event will be secret to believers alone?

What exactly is the “secret Rapture” teaching? It is the teaching that the Christian church will be secretly removed from the world (to meet Jesus in the sky, where they will stay for years), so that the unbelievers who are left behind will not know where all the Christians have gone.

These unbelievers will be left on the earth to endure seven years of tribulation, which will be initiated by the Antichrist, who will be revealed only after the Rapture has taken place. The prophecies of the seven seals, the seven trumpets, and the seven bowls (in the book of Revelation) will supposedly be fulfilled during the Tribulation.

What, then, does the Bible teach? At the time of Christ's ascension, the disciples were told that “this same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11).
His ascension was visible and physical; his second coming will likewise be visible and physical.

Matthew 24:21 & 31 teaches that the coming of Christ will be “as the lightning” (vs. 27), that “all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet” (vss. 30-31).

In addition to describing this event as noisy and visible to all the inhabitants of the earth, this passage also warns us against belief in a secret coming of Christ: “Then if anyone says to you, Look, here is the Christ! or There! do not believe it” (vs. 23). And “if they say to you, Look, He is in the desert! do not go out; or Look, He is in the inner rooms! do not believe it” (vs. 26). There will be no question about what has happened after Christ has returned.
People left behind will not be dreaming up explanations they will be mourning because their judgment has come

Also going against the theory of a secret Rapture is 2 Thessalonians 2:1-10, which teaches that two events will occur prior to the coming of Christ: (1) “the falling away” (or “the rebellion” [niv], or, literally, “the apostasy”) and (2) the revelation of “the man of sin” (vs. 3), who is generally identified with “the Antichrist” (1 John 2:18).
Now whether we understand the Antichrist as nothing more than the spirit of Antichrist (1 John 4:3; cf. 2:22 and 2 John 7), or as a particular individual, one thing is clear: this revelation of the Antichrist will occur prior to Christ's coming, not afterwards.

The passage that is most frequently used to substantiate the idea of a secret Rapture, with unbelievers being left behind, is Luke 17:31�37, which speaks of “two men in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left” (vs. 34). This passage does indeed teach that unbelievers will be left behind, but comparing Scripture with Scripture, we must conclude that those left behind are left behind to suffer judgment.

Unbelievers will not be left behind to go through a seven-year Tribulation and have a second chance to accept the Lord during that time. This idea of a second chance is emphasized again and again in Left Behind, but it is foreign to Scripture.

You can never enter heaven with your blood... You only overcome with the blood of the lamb, and by the words of your testimony (Jesus Christ).

Prepare!!!!

REFERENCE

https://opc.org/new_horizons/NH99/NH9907b.html

Why do you ask men what Jesus himself said no man not even him knows about? Except God only?

Did you read any of the apostles speak of rapture?

hoopernikao:
I have explained to you and also asked you to show where the scriptures pointed to a miracle worker being same as the PR guy or social media journalist. Point to one. All healing and miracles are reported by spectators, recipients etc. Hence why I advise you that if you want what you are asking for you must follow the path of needing healing? Spectator?.

Bro, don't major on the minor and end up losing both ways.

I showed you Jesus when he addressed Jonh's disciples.

eyinjuege:
Any organisation whether spiritual or physical will fail without a structure.
I believe their calendar is made prayerfully too.
Being a Christian should be shown in all aspects of your life. Not just holiness aspect.
Christ himself was a multifaceted man. He dined with poor, rich, sinners etc.
He performed what can be termed as miracles regarding health, wealth etc.
He brought money out of the inside of a fish caught to pay Caesar his dues, he made wine from water to prevent shame upon the celebrant, he miraculously fed thousands from 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread. So many other things done which can be termed miracle or paranormal.
Don't limit Christianity to just catering to the poor, as it caters to the rich also. Don't limit it to just salvation of sinners, as it caters to 'holy people too. Don't limit it to building factories, as it can build churches too.
I know these men of God are just human like I am, and they don't always get it right, so they can be condemned too if they do anything wrong.
The question now is what do we consider as wrong morally, and what does God consider as wrong?

Can you share any scripture where Christ preached prosperity?

runningriot:
"Interestingly you can't blame this pastors because there are Bible verses that support this claim, mostly James and Paul's epistles"

Sorry, please I don't understand this paragraph, particularly the dependent clause "There are Bible verses that support this claim". I want you to shade more light and be direct bro"

1 John 3:9
Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.

Galatians 3:10-12
For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.”
But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.”
Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.”


These pastors preach that once you're a Christian, nothing you do is considered a sin because God no longer sees you but sees the substituted Christ in your place.

These verses have often been also been interpreted to mean any attempt to obey any of the commandments of the law means you're cursed and not living by faith.

As long as you attempt not to lie or steal or fornicate, etc you're cursed since you're living under the kaw instead of accepting the finished works of Christ.

Yet we see other verses that say those who commit such sins would end up in the lake of fire. It becomes a contradiction.

eyinjuege:
I have been to several churches.
They have topics they focus on every month.
The whole of January may be prosperity, the whole of the following month may be divine health, the next month holiness and sanctification etc..
If you visit the church the whole of January, it will be as though all they do there is prosperity, which is a fallacy. Depending on the month you visit, it will seem as though that's their focus.
It's simply untrue that all they focus on is prosperity.
It's the model most of these big churches run, so they can cover a lot of topics.
I know churches ask for tithes and offering in every service which has always been the norm too and perhaps that's why people think all they focus on is prosperity. You however cannot be forced to give it.
I haven't been in a church or paid tithes in years btw.
Now speaking generally winners has provided employment for thousands from their schools- primary, secondary and various universities. Education is also key for any society to grow. The West/Europe is seriously worried because of how covid disrupted the education of their children. They know the value and the implication of this.
Other than academic staff, administrative staff are plenty, cleaners, cooks/kitchen staff etc are all employed too.
Nobody should downplay the impact of these private universities in Nigeria. They have been a plus.
Tithes and offerings do not run the schools.

You're right. The have a calendar on what to preach.

But is it scriptural or simply human devising? Human devising being mostly attributed to devil's inspiration.

Did you read anywhere in the Bible where Jesus or his disciples dedicated some epistles for messages of prosperity while other days were for righteousness?

Now as a visitor to the church, who strolls in during one of their Prosperity month, what will I learn of the gospel except that it is only for gain which is against the scriptures.

StagethemTVee:
Davido say "Who dey Breathe"? This guy like to throw sucker punches. I love the man

lalasticlala

The difference between Davido and Wizkid.

You won't hear all this noise from Wiz.

He'll just tweet when the single will drop and the world would be anticipating the banger!

Well that's the good thing about the industry everyone with their personality.

MaxInDHouse:
Satan knows and fully understands the nature of man, he's well aware of our freewill so he wants each and everyone of us to either start his own PERSONAL religion or just as you said find a gathering that would be suitable for each person's heart desire! Luke 11:23 compare to Genesis 3:2-5
But God's children must be prepared to break away from the ways of life that's common to the world {1John 2:15-17} put of their old personality {Romans 6:6; Ephesians 4:22; Colossians 3:9} surely this is not going to be easy so each child of God must exact himself vigorously {Luke 13:24} after finding God's congregation then start learning how to put on the new personality! Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10
That's why Jehovah's Witnesses must congregate as one family {John 17:20-23} that's totally different from those who just want to maintain their heart desires {John 17:14 compare to Revelations 18:4} striving to stick together as one and encouraging one another to keep the new personality that we are putting on! Hebrews 10:24-25 compare to Revelations 7:13-14
May you have PEACE!

I don't think JW would be suitable for him simply because your organization is just as guilty of the reason he has forsaken gatherings altogether. Having tried JW myself.
You not only twist the bible to suit your own meaning. Your organization even created it's own version of the bible where most of the parts that speak of the Holy spirit, Trinity etc and things your leaders don;t agree with have even been completely removed.

But then again, if he desires to find out for himself, it's his choice after all.

HellVictorinho:
Gods are imaginary.
They don't really exist.
They are just like Spiderman, Superman,Hulk,Flash, Batman,etc.
I consider life as the manner in which different species carry out different activities.
The manner in which different species carry out different activities is an absurdity.
Life is an absurdity.
Life has no purpose.
There is no reason for the manner in which different species carry out different activities.
Different species carry out different activities anyhow.

Well, that's a school of thought.
But I believe atheists have their philosophy of life.
How then do you explain your existence, nature, family, etc?

I would rather not derail this topic but interested in your own philosophy?
How do you make sense of life?

budaatum:
I love your thread because it shows mind use.
I love this particular post a lot.

Questions

How do you define religion, and what works about it?

Thanks Buda.
However, I don't have my definition, just the same generic one.

Religion: The belief in a deity or deities and the activities that accompany such belief.

Of course the bible defines true religion as the acts of charity to orphans and widows. James 1;27

My question to you is, does faifh work?

If you believe faith works then you should believe that if one places their faith in any religion, it just may work for them.

Kobojunkie:
Please try to follow along!

Let's say there are 46 commandments in total. Now, these 46 commandments were given to you by the person of Jesus Christ, the Word of God Himself. And of the 46 commandments, none is a commandment instructing you to gather with other believers or fellowship with other believers. So, when you refuse to follow men in their "gathering unto God", do you do so in disobedience of any of the commandments given you by Jesus Christ? The obvious answer to that is NO!

Now, one of the 46 commandments given by Jesus Christ instructs you against adding or removing from His teachings/commandments. So when men take it upon themselves to suggest that Jesus Christ commands their many "gathering unto God", in an attempt to add their lie to the teachings of Jesus Christ, it is done in direct disobedience to the very teachings/commandments of Jesus Christ.

Now, since we are clear at this point that your gatherings are not commanded of you by Jesus Christ i.e. God. What you should ask is what your church leadership model and the lot have to do with God if none of what they do was commanded them of Jesus Christ/God Himself, and that question you ought to direct at your so-called church leaders.

Sin is disobedience. In the case of those who believe in Jesus Christ(the New Covenant), Sin involves rejecting/going against the teachings/commandments of Jesus Christ - His teachings define for us what sin is. And according to Jesus Christ's own teaching, the only way to overcome sin is to instead accept(trust) and obey His commandments. That is the only way to transition from being a slave to sin, to become instead a Child of God.

So, I am not sure why you feel your "gathering unto God" is of God when God Himself never said so. Rather than continuing to believe what you are told to by men through their many doctrines and tradition(lies), why not instead invest your time and effort into actually learning what Jesus Christ wants of you and putting that into action instead.

I can understand your position both not to gather in fellowship and also to focus strictly on the 4 gospels.

Going to churches especially in Nigeria, one can easily get discouraged at the way most pastors twist the bible to the own interest using the old testament and epistles of the apostles especially if you're one who is given to study yourself.

I've visited several churches in my search of the oneness of the body of Christ in the several denominations, Winners inclusive and I can tell you it is the same virtually everywhere.

But the bible does not speak against being part of gatherings, in fact observing the life of Christ, we can agree that he himself assembled in such gatherings. In fact his ministry involved preaching to large gatherings.
Even upon his resurrection he still commanded his disciples to assemble together in Galilee to wait for him.

We do not know much of his early life as this was not documented but his ministry did not even start until he had gathered disciples to himself.
The place of discipleship would be inadequate if such gatherings do not exist.

My advice is to pray for divine direction about a gathering that would be suitable for you.

MaxInDHouse:
God called Moses Sir so Moses was right to have asked for back up.


Jesus wasn't talking about the signs for his listeners to believe his teachings Sir, rather he's talking about the signs God promised Israelites that they will see when the Messiah is around! Matthew 11:2-5


Please remind me the name of that disciple who didn't even believe in the resurrection of Jesus despite all what Jesus taught them?
So our faith surpasses that of Thomas Sir!

Smh

iwaeda:
It seems EKEDC has major issue for the past 4 days, there has been no light in my area.

Dear Customer,
We are still awaiting TCN, one of the other partners in the electricity delivery supply chain to complete their ongoning maintenance and allocate energy to Eko Disco.
*From* all indications it is unlikely they will be able to restore tonight.

Thanks for your understanding as they make every frantic effort to restore asap.

EKEDC IBEJU .

It seems to be rotated. Lately there's been major improvement here in Lagos, Okota area where I reside.

debaj10:
most billionaires today were introverts, growing up.
most geniuses are introverts.
most novelists, same.
ur problem isn't being an introvert; it's lacking purpose.
find it and u will h8 disturbance!
also, stop being a narcissist-
laugh at urself and make others laugh.
(starting with ur family and ur only friend, lol).
cos whatever ur traits, only u can make u happy.

Apparently any intelligent person can deduce from this post that he's the lonely type of introvert.

He clearly wishes to change that.

Finding purpose is an abstract solution. A larger demographic of the world is still trying to figure out their purpose. I'm pretty sure that includes you.

Why not offer him a more practical and realistic solution.

Righteousness2:
Pleasw Who is holding u from giving him your "Pratical advice"?

We are quite interested in your practical advice.

I wish to meet you in person.

It's easy to quote scriptures and judge people online. But when it comes to your personal life, thats what actually shows you're a Christian or not.

MaxInDHouse:
The bolded shows you don't understand what the Bible means by the phrase "righteousness of God" Romans 10:2-3
Of course all the peoples on the planet do practice one form of righteousness or the other but the only people God called his own people are those living by his own standards. My friend that's where you missed it! Exodus 19:5-6



@ John 3:16 God's word made it clear that all those who failed to believe in Jesus will perish but instead of you to learn from the true Christians (JWs) you keep confusing yourself with what misinformed churchgoers are saying.
Well let me tell you that God's standard totally differs from the standard of the world, you must humble yourself to learn it not just presume how it should be.
So when you're ready to know why only Christian will live forever in PARADISE i'll TEACH you! John 17:3


This is why you continue to mix everything up as if you must set standard for God, don't worry you will soon become an atheist!
God has purpose why he performs miraculous signs but you're insisting He must prove himself to you whereas he already has more than enough worshipers WITNESSES globally.
Churchgoers will tell you they're worshiping the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. They want that God to perform wonders in their favour but what was the FAITH of these three Hebrews back then? Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego never expected God to rescue them from trouble, they knew he can but whether he chooses to or not their FAITH in Him remains unshakable!
Daniel 3:16-18
You are now expecting that same God to use you in healing sick yet you don't even know the difference between His righteousness and that of the world! Matthew 16:4, 12:39
JEHOVAH doesn't need people like you who feels He must show them favour before they worship him, he cherishes faithful people who knew that there must be a distinction between worshipers of God and unbelievers and are fervently paying rapt attention to know such difference! John 20:29

May you have PEACE!

Are you better than Moses? Who demanded that God shows him signs before people can believe him?
Which God constantly obliged to?

Or are you better than Jesus who himself said people will not believe unless they see signs?

Yes, faith is best when it does not wait for signs but neither God nor Jesus deprived people of signs when they demanded for it. Except fir the Pharisees.

Even his own disciple Thomas asked for signs and he showed him.

oluwaseyi0:
Mumu profesy

If he died, he professed it, if he didn't it was averted with prayers

You people that can't even foresee that your churches will all be locked down last year
And people who attempt to attend will be arrested without you or your God bend able to do anything about it

Prophets of doom.
All they see is death and hell fire when Christ preached life and life abundantly.

Sensational pastors. He's hoping to gain fame through Davido. How shameless.

HellVictorinho:
May the Gods people create in their heads leave their heads and find a house in Lagos to live so that LordReed and HellVictorinho will ask them if they like their creators.
In Jesus Name,
Amen.
Wetin remain??

I'm interested in your philosophy of life.

Do you believe there's God? If not, what's your belief?

MaxInDHouse:
There are two keys to salvation for someone who doesn't know anything about God!
Righteousness and Meekness! Zephaniah 2:2-3

Meekness: While going from place to place you will come in contact with someone somewhere who knows better than you, humility will help you to admit this and learn from those who know more than you, then Meekness will help you to remain OBEDIENT to those who taught you! Hebrews 13:7

Righteousness: You won't give God conditions nor think of setting standards for God {Romans 10:2-3} you will search for those practicing the righteousness of God {Psalms 1:1-3} and associate with them for more enlightenment {Proverbs 2:1-5 compare to Hebrews 10:24-25}

Whoever missed this two vital keys will only continue to argue with everyone there will be nobody to associate with as brethren, of course the next thing is to conclude there's no group of worshipers practicing pure worship, so what is the proof of God's existence if there's no organized people worshiping Him?

Actually the 2 keys to salvation for an unbeliever according to the Bible are Faith and Humility (Meekness).

Actually it is just Faith.
But also Humility because God resists the proud.

Righteoness is imputed on one who has faith (believes God) such as Abraham. Galatians 3:6, 15:6

Your claim that any group of worshippers who practise righteousness is a proof of God's existence is faulty simply on the basis that even non Christians practise Righteousness. In fact Islam exalts righteousness more than the Christianity of our generation does.

Confucianism, Buddhism and even some of our local traditional religions exalt righteousness more than what we see in Christianity today.

As much as I would like to believe that all religions that practise righteousness are godly, we both know that Christianity doesn't preach that.

As long as their righteousness is without faith in Jesus Christ, they are hellbound.
Here in lies the fault in your preaching of JW as a body that practises righteousness.

The only confirmation and attestation to God's existence both scripturally and according to human reasoning is the Power of the Holyspirit that confirms every word of the scriptures.

Unfortunately your denomination/organisation believes the purpose of the Holyspirit was simply to produce the Bible and now the Holy spirit does not perform anything else.

You be the judge, what then separates you from every other religion when you do not belueve nor manifest the powers of the Holyspirit as expressed in the Bible.

hoopernikao:

Like I said, if what you call judging you is about you not reading the scripture properly, so be it. I have no qualms with such judgment.

A Bible text read out of context or misinterpreted wield more destructive power to the hearer than a fall from Everest. It kills, destroys, divides, and its spread is like widefire that can consume a city in a twinkle.

So, if I judge you on giving false Interpretation, I am only fulfilling the scriptures which is very loud on identifying, rejecting and exposing false and errorneous teaching.

---

The truth is for you, I believe they aren't deliberate but an issue of experience and improper reading, if not I would have handle this differently for you. But I know you aren't doing this to deceive men but just an issue of not having a proper context. Hence I admonish you to calm down and read again. I say again, you haven't read the scriptures properly and also in bringing the whole book into a systematic unveiling of God's wisdom. You must get this.

So, take the "judgment" and correct yourself Bro. You know I love you and want to see you seeing the scriptures as they are. It's the greatest thing to see in you.

But the interpretation I'm getting wrong here is still the work of the Holy spirit.
How can I believe I'm wrong when you've not been a witness to the Power of the Holyspirit?

You claim Paul was not referring to signs and miracles, what of Jesus Christ?