₦airaland Forum

It's up to atheists to help you understand that just because someone is an atheist does not mean he is of the devil. QED.
[quote author=pilgrim.1 link=topic=177268.msg2870016#msg2870016 date=1222711247]From here, me sef I go just [/quote]

olabowale:
Alhamdulillah, you at least didn't call yourself,
And how are your church leaders dealling with the case of "TRINITY" since it is not found in the "SCRIPTURE?"

Quite well, thank you. And how are your muslim councils dealing with the shrines of your holy men built inside numerous mosques all around the world?

I have told you: there's nothing atracting me to the muslim section to type or post anything there. If you still want to confirm your restlessness there, welcome over here to enjoy what you lack there. Jesus is Lord.

affee:
Sister, how are you doing?
I showed your testimony to one of the chapter presidents of The Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship in Uyo
and he could not stop praising God for your life. He was almost moved to tears.

your testimony will reach the far end of the earth and Lives will be changed

@affee, na wah O! God be praised! The glory is not mine - all belong to Jesus Christ who saved and delivered me. God bless you again.

@Nimshi,

You have acute sense of discernment! I thought I was the only one seeing what you saw!

[quote author=plus_Queen link=topic=177268.msg2870003#msg2870003 date=1222709944]there are some threads here that are just
and you wonder if the originators are [/quote]I never cease to be amazed at your godly wisdom.
From here, me sef I go just     
Thank you and blessings.

helpee:
have you forgotten that many ogboni cultist are anglicans?

That does not make Anglicans cultists.

helpee:
Bill Gate na your family? ok.
tell me which church is Bill Gate attending?

There is a church of Satan. I never heard Bill Gate was on their register. I asked a simple question - what's the hullabaloo about?

helpee:
show me where Bill Gate ascribed credit to Jesus for his success?

I don't see where he ascribed credit to the devil. Don't accuse the man for what he never ascribed to himself.

helpee:
But really, this is not about Bill, it is about you.

I can speak for myself - I don't worship the devil, thank you.

helpee:
tell me, if there is no PILGRIMage to hell, will you still be pilgrim or follow the devil?

Good luck to those who are pilgrimaging themselves to hell. I made a choice to follow my Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. Such a choice does not make me ascribe the devil to anyone who has not confessed it so for themselves. My username has nothing to do with what I don't belong to; just as your username does not suggest that you're here to HELPee others to your nuances, abi?

@Nimshi,

Nimshi:
We'll get to the "only begotten" part.

I was answering in reference to this line in yours:

Nimshi:
2) If you do have any other meaning of "son of God" other than that in the context of 1) above, please tell, enlighten me.

Nimshi:
The question was: what does it mean to be "son of God"?

The contexts demonstrate various meanings, and not just a singular meaning.

1. Believers in Christ are called "sons of God" - by virtue of their having believed the Gospel of Christ:

"But as many as received him, to them gave he power
to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name"
~~ [John 1:12]

"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus."
~~ [Galatians 3:26]


2. Adam was "son of God" by virtue of his having being created by God:

"Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth,
which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God"
~~ [Luke 3:38]


3. The angels are "sons of God" by virtue of the their very nature as spirit:

"Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister
for them who shall be heirs of salvation? " ~~ [Hebrews 1:14]

"Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire"
~~ [Psalm 104:4]

By virtue of the fact that angels are spirits beings, they also derive their appellation in relation to God who is called "the Father of spirits" (Heb. 12:9). This is in consonance with what the prophets had declared when they referred to God as "the God of the spirits of all flesh" (Num. 16:22 & 27:16). There is also a fourth meaning:


4. The nation of Israel is called the son of God - by covenant relationship:

"Ye are the children of the LORD your God: ye shall not cut yourselves,
nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead. For thou art
an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee
to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are
upon the earth. ~~ [Deut. 14:1-2]

There is more than just these four above; but those are just to demonstrate the various meanings in their contexts. However, the appellation "Son of God" is ascribed to Jesus in reference to His being Deity, which is not shared by any of the others in their various contexts.

helpee:
why are you so particular about Bill Gates?
i never said he is of the devil, i only said he doesnt pay his tithe, at least not full tithe.

Em, I don't see the need for blood to rise here! You had mentioned Bill Gates as one of those who was in the racket of the devil's prosperity, No? I only wondered why you would connect quite like so if you had no point to stick it. Like this one in yours,

devil makes life easier, quick money, fame, popularity.
lets be sincere, do you think people like bill gates are paying their tithe? why are they so rich?

Nimshi:
You want references?

Will appreciate some.

Una no go quench me with laff!

Naughtyjeff:
Dividends & Bonuses

Would it help if you had posted it here: https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/board-24.0.html ?

@Nimshi,

Nimshi:
2) If you do have any other meaning of "son of God" other than that in the context of 1) above, please tell, enlighten me.

I don't know a lot of theology; but I do know that in so far as "son of God" is used, Jesus is the only one referred to in the Bible as "only begotten" (μονογενής, monogenēs). There are others who are called "only begotten", but not in reference to "son of God". Of all the appellations in that connection, Jesus is the the "only begotten" (μονογενής) Son of God (John 3:18).

What does this mean? First off, let me say categorically here that the term does not connote any sexual connection such as men would sire children. That was one of the ignorant accusations I used to peddle about (even when none of the prophets ever used such ideas in that connection) until I became the wiser after becoming a Christian. But this is what it means:

"μονογενής, monogenēs" -
the only one who is essential the very same in nature.

That is my own definition, and may not serve the meaning viewed by others. The reason why it seems so to me is that:

(a) none of the angels are described in scripture as "monogenēs" (μονογενής) for they are not deity;

(b) none of the others (Adam, believers, etc) described as son(s) of God are ever referred to as "monogenēs" (μονογενής) - again, because they are not deity;

(b) only Jesus is described as Deity in connection to the appellation "monogenēs" (μονογενής) - only begotten Son of God.

Now, I have said that the understanding conveyed in that term is "the only one who is essential the very same in nature" as Deity. I think one of the strongest statements that points this out in Scripture for us is John 1:1 - "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." This is not an esoteric or exclusive declaration by Christian apostles or theologians. Actually, the OT prophets declared that the Messiah to come is Deity Himself: so said the following ~~

Prophet Isaiah:
Isaiah 9:6 -- "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:
and the government shall be upon his shoulder:
and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor,
The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."

Prophet Zechariah:
Zechariah 12:10 -- "And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon
the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of
supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they
have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth
for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that
is in bitterness for his firstborn."

Prophet Malachi
Malachi 3:1 -- "Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare
the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek,
shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant,
whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts."

What is interesting to note here are that --

1. Long before Christian apostles were born, the OT prophets declared that the Messiah Himself is Deity ( - Isaiah);
2. The Messiah is the One who pours out the Spirit, but then notes that He would be pierced ( - Zechariah)
3. The Lord is also called the Messenger of the Covenant, who was to come suddenly to His temple ( - Malachi)

The above are a few of the prophets I never read when I ignorantly argued against the deity of Jesus Christ.


However, as I studied and found that Jesus is the only one referred to in Scripture as the "only begotten" (μονογενής, monogenēs) in connection to the appellation 'Son of God', I soon realized the difference in the use of such terms as "son(s) of God" for Adam, the angels and others.

Nimshi:
Since you don't know, better ask God for directions rather than sprinting to rebuke.

But that's simply the point we've been trying to make, No?

Nope, not difficult to see.

helpee:
there is no other way to it. if you are not obeying God, you are following the devil or so we are told.
consider most of the great men in this world, leonarddo da vinci, celine dion, micheal faraday, roberto baggio and many more were cultist and they really really made it.
so who do chose, devil or God?

If Bill Gates has not told you he chose the devil, why name him among those you allege to have done so?

Nimshi:
He was a top Apostle, no?

Lol. . . well, the apostles did not regard anyone as "top apostle" (Galatians 2:6)

DeepZone:
Moderator please ban Olabowale here. He's anti christian.

Hmmm, let am be! I dey beg.

DeepZone:
Let the somebody head to agboju and not in the church abeg.

C'mon DZ. . . look again - you know who d person b naw!

It is well O!

DeepZone:
i just don't know why women are always the culprits in these gimmicks.

Ehen. . somebodi wan buy market!

Hi @helpee,

helpee:
lets be sincere, do you think people like bill gates are paying their tithe?

Did Bill Gates personally tell you he chose the devil?

@Nimshi,

Nimshi:
better to pray that God lets the dream emerge in full form - if the dream is from God.

Lol, it's nice to kid around sometimes; but he hasn't hinted that the dream was from God.

jennykadri:
@pilgrim

how body?

My sister, I dey! Still enjoying the grace of God over my life. U nko?

DeepZone:
I also noticed that 99% of people that walked up the altar were women. It was so distracting and annoying.

Wetin naw! You wan buy market? Abi na only our specie you dey see wey dey waka go the stage?

Wait people:

camchupa:
i am also a member of living faith church. please your source is wrong, those withot a degree were asked to go to school and acquire it then return if they are still interested.

shilling:
You've been misinformed. Not all pastor's who've been with the church for over 7 years were told to leave. Those without degrees or diplomas were told to leave.

Em. . . something seems to be confusing us here from the report of the incrowd. Is it that

           (a) they were asked to leave
           (ie, sack you and please don't dream of us again O)

           (b) they were asked to leave and return
           (ie., go get the pali and then resume where you left things on pause)

or -      (c) they were asked to re-enrol after 7 years
            (ie., you don do one cycle complete - oya either go or re-register for another 7).

Okay, I'm not trying to be naughty, please forgive me. But what is the real gist here?

[quote author=plus_Queen link=topic=177098.msg2869300#msg2869300 date=1222700527]In my opinion,there's actually nothing with sowing.
You reap when you sow,that is scripture.
The only thing I wonder is how distracting this must be for people to walk up to the altar so many times to do this.
It doesn't sound like a good idea.
They could have a collection box at the back where people could put in whatever they have on the way out if the message of the day touched them.
The way this sonds,some people may just walk up to be noticed.
Secondly this introduces carnality where the pastor may be noting those that walk up so often
and his head may swell up when people keep walking up.
so in any sermon where no one walks up,people where not blessed?
There's a better way to do this.[/quote]Gbam! Well done - good sense!

[quote author=dudu-bobo link=topic=177098.msg2869297#msg2869297 date=1222700433]it couldn't have been a biblical culture[/quote]That's the point DeepZone was making in his reply to us.

Nimshi:
Do you think your dreams are from God?

Lol. . . @Nimshi,

Pardon me, but I don't remember he claimed or hinted that is the case.

Hi @DZ (mind if I call you that sometimes?),

DeepZone:
I know but that culture originated from Nigeria because I've never heard of it in American churches.

Well, that is news to me. . . although I cannot categorically say where I first noticed it. I once watched a service in progress and people just kept going to drop stuff at the pulpit so much so that to a casual observer it seemed to be a market place.

There are so many cultures that have crept into almost every religion in the world today. You name them and you will find sects, denominations, factions, and coteries in almost all of them. Our church is not the best, but one thing I so enjoy there is that the leaders ill not encourage anything that they cannot find in Scripture; yet, they encourage the members to not overwhelm other groups with what we believe.

idupaul:
@pilgrim

I am a neo catholic. my faith isnt really at it strongest right now, but av always had that mustard seed level of Christian faith.

@idupaul,

Okay, thank you for sharing frankly. I don't have any theological advice to yan or bore you with; and I've learnt that in such instances, a good listening heart pays far more. In which case, I would only say this: we're not going to pretend anything. And just as you requested, please know that you will be in our prayers. Periodically several Christians (even friends and brethren from the Catholic Church) will encourage you with the goodness of God's Word.

God bless you real good for sharing.

Hi @idupaul,

I don't want to sound brash or anything, but just to know: are you a Christian? I mean, born again and know it for sure?

@plus_Queen,

[quote author=plus_Queen link=topic=177134.msg2869175#msg2869175 date=1222698247]My sister this has made my week already
With your permission,I'll love to post your testimony in another forum.I know it will not only lead to convictions for unbelievers but it'll also sharpen believers.
That's what it did for me.
I realize that I cannot convert anyone.
Only the Holy Ghost can[/quote]Nne, you don't need my permission. Just go ahead and do as you're led. Maybe someday people like Seifa will also touch people with hers in many places. God bless you.

Omenuko:
@pilgrim.1

One does not have to be Christian to have common sense.

I will not insult you. My common sense does not lead me to say that Jesus Himself is guilty of anything; nor does my common sense argue that His commandments are "impossible".

Blessings.