₦airaland Forum

Pastor Tunde Bakare of the Latter Rain Assembly tells Punch, they have signaled the campaign by going to kneel down before Pastor Adeboye.

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See, I am not saying that pastors should not pray for presidents, that man was representing an office; a whole nation crumbling before men of God because of political advantage they think they can get.

And if the prayer will bail him out, let us wait and see. The truth is who is preparing for 2015, which faction of the PDP? Is it the (Olusegun) Obasanjo faction? Or IBB faction? Or Jonathan faction? The governors’ faction? Because PDP is a house divided against itself; it’s a chicken that has begun to eat its own intestines.

By going to kneel down in the open before the pastor, the man (Jonathan) did not even recognise the dignity of his office. If it were a private thing, it is okay for you to crawl or kneel but it is a whole nation.

That office has been diminished by a man who does not know the worth of it and does not deserve to stay there for one more day.

Samsung Galaxy S IV Release Date

The hype around Samsung’s (005930) next-generation Galaxy smartphone is at an all-time high and is even giving Apple’s (AAPL) next iPhone a run for its money. It is widely believed that the company will announce the Galaxy S IV at an upcoming press conference rather than a large trade show such as Mobile World Congress. According to Asia Economic News, Samsung will reportedly hold a press event on March 22nd “at Apple’s doorstep” in the United States to unveil its next flagship smartphone.

The Galaxy S IV is rumored to be equipped with a 4.99-inch 1080p full-HD display, a 1.8GHz 8-core Exynos 5 Octa processor and a 13-megapixel rear camera. The smartphone is also believed to include 4G LTE connectivity, 2GB of RAM, a microSD slot, wireless charging capabilities and Android 4.2.1 Jelly Bean.

SamMobile added that its sources have indicated that Samsung plans to ship the Galaxy S IV in April, which is in line with earlier reports.

What are some things you should do or take care of in order to make sure that your relationship continues perfectly?
I'm a 27 year old male. Its been almost an year since I've been in a relationship with my best friend (we were friends for 3 years before we entered into a relationship). This is why we both know and understand each other perfectly. It is going well and I am definite that she is the one I wish to ultimately settle down with, that she is perfect for me. This makes me very insecure about her and I want to make sure that it works out well and that I don't make any mistakes. We have arguments sometimes because I tend to worry way too much but its just because I really love her and am probably very possessive. She has always been very patient, loving and reassuring. I really wanna make sure we stay together . What can I do to lower my insecurities and make sure things continue working perfectly? PLease, help me out with good advice.

The most common questions that arise around this topic are:

1. What kind of justice is this?
2. Why would anyone be willing to give up their freedom in exchange for monetary compensation?

It's not justice, any way you slice it. It's a sad reflection of the reality of power abuse, corruption, and the things that the wealthy and powerful can get away with. Ding zui is illegal, but corruption runs deep and many in the judicial system (with enough bribery) simply turn a blind eye.

The practice of standing in for others' crimes goes way back. The rationale ran like this:

Crimes call for punishments
Punishments are partly a display to warn other potential criminals against the repercussions of committing said crime
The criminal, by paying for a stand-in, is - quite literally - "paying for his crime".


Stand-in punishments have also been, at times, an act of self-sacrifice. Examples include:

A parent serving a child's sentence, and thus allowing the child to have a better future
A child serving a parent's crime, in order to provide a comfortable life for the parent
A family member serving someone else's sentence in exchange for monetary compensation for their family.

These altruistic motives can still be seen today. For example, people sometimes take the blame for a family member's drunk-driving incident, since the punishment for a deadly accident is far more severe if the driver was intoxicated. This means that overall the family spends less time is prison.

In other cases, there are people who willingly stand-in in exchange for money for their family (Owing to the large income gap in China, this amount of money can often be very small). The family then can afford to live a life that is better than the one they were facing previously.

There is nothing just about the wealthy paying their way out of a crime. Everyone knows that, and cases of power-abuse are often accompanied by massive public outrage, such as with the case of Li Qiming, who drunkenly ran over two girls on the campus of Hebei University. When he was finally stopped by security guards, his response was "Sue me if you dare. My father is Li Gang." "My Father is Li Gang" quickly became a bitter inside joke that's used to dodge responsibility in anything and everything. A contest was even started around incorporating the phrase "My father is Li Gang" into classic Chinese poems.

Much of this is a reflection of a society where people emphasize power over individual liberty. The sad reality is that, at least for now, it can be easy for the wealthy and powerful to get away with things that they really shouldn't be able to.

Can these happen in Nigeria or does it happen?

Wow, impressive pictures. Why the good roads we have in Akwa Ibom but NO TRAFFIC LIGHTS?

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Thursday seized 48 choice property belonging to the former Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Timpre Sylva, who is being prosecuted at a Federal High Court in Abuja for alleged misappropriation of N6.46 billion state funds when he was governor of the state.

The interim forfeiture of the property followed an order by the Justice A. R Mohammed of the Federal High Court Abuja obtained on December 28, 2012.

Assets belonging to the former governor against which a forfeiture order was obtained by the EFCC are: a mansion at 3 River Niger Street, plot 3192 Cadastral zone AO, Maitama District Abuja; nine units (comprising six one bedroom and 3 two bedroom apartments) at 8 Sefadu Street Wuse zone 2, plot 262 Cadastral zone AO2, Wuse Abuja; and 2 units duplexes at 5 Oguta Street, plot 906 Cadastral zone Wuse 11 Abuja.

Others are: a duplex at Plot 1271 Nike Street Cadastral zone AO5, Maitama District Abuja; a duplex at Phase 1 Unit No. 1 (Villa 1) Palm Springs Gold Estate, Cachez Turkey Projects Limited, Mpape, Abuja; 10 units of one-room apartments at 8 Mistrata Street plot 232 Cadastral zone Wuse 11 Abuja; 5 units duplexes at Plot No 1070 Dakibiyu District Cadastral zone B10, Abuja; 16 units service apartments at Plot 1181 Thaba Tseka Crescent, Off IBB Way, Wuse 11, Abuja and 3 units of three- bedroom flats at No. 1 Mubi Close, Plot 766. Cadastral Zone A01, Garki, Abuja.

Sylva was first arraigned on Tuesday June 5, 2012. The first three of the six count charge against him reads: “ That you, Timpre Sylva, as Governor of Bayelsa State, with others now at large, sometime between October, 2009 and February, 2010, at various places in Nigeria, including Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court did conspire to commit a crime to wit: conversion of properties and resources amounting to N2 billion belonging to Bayelsa State Government and derived from an illegal act, with the aim of concealing the illicit origin of the said amount and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 17(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition Act), 2004 and punishable under Section 14(1) of the same Act.

“That you, Timpre Sylva, as Governor of Bayelsa State, with others now at large, on or about the 22nd of January, 2010, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, converted the sum of N380 million property of the Bayelsa State Government, through the account of one Habibu Sani Maigidia, a Bureau De Change Operator with Account No. 221433478108, in Fin Bank, Plc, which sum you knew represented the proceeds of an illegal act with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceeds of the said illegal act and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition Act) 2004 and also punishable under section 14(1) of the same Act.

“That you, Timpre Sylva, as Governor of Bayelsa State, with others now at large, on or about the 5th of February, 2010, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, converted the sum of N50 million, property of the Bayelsa State Government, through the account of one Enson Benmer Limited with Account No. 6152030001946, in First Bank, Plc, which sum you knew represented the proceeds of an illegal act with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceeds of the said illegal act and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition Act) 2004 and also punishable under section 14(1) of the same Act.”

The substantive suit has been adjourned to 10th January, 2013, for trial.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Monday advised Nigerians not to lose hope in God.

Obasanajo gave the advice in Kaduna when he paid a condolence visit to Governor Mukhtar Yero and members of the State Council of Chiefs over the demise of former Governor Patrick Yakowa, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

He described Yakowa’s death as sudden, adding that the late governor was a “bridge builder” who struggled to secure and develop the state during his tenure.

Obasanjo said Nigerians must not feel desolute, but rather trust and appreciate God at all times.

“We must not mourn or lose hope like unbelievers because we believe in the ultimate goodness of God,” he said.

Obasanjo congratulated the new governor, urging him to continue with the good work of his predecessor.

He commended traditional, religious and other political leaders in the state for the smooth and peaceful transmission of power to Yero.

Responding, Vice-President Namadi Sambo expressed appreciation to Obasanjo for the visit.

Sambo said the demise was a great loss not only to the family, but to the entire country.

He urged traditional leaders and the entire people of the state to support the new governor, in order to continue with the legacies of Yakowa.

The Chairman of the Council of Chiefs and Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, declared the support of members of the council to the new administration.

Shehu assured the governor that the traditional leaders would cooperate and support him in discharging his duties, especially in securing, uniting and developing the state.

He advised Yero to continue with the legacies of the late governor, as it would aid in achieving the transformation agenda of the state.

Breaking News--- Popular and well famous nollywood actor "PETE EDOCHIE" is DEAD....!!!! Actor Pete Edochie was reported died earlier this morning by exactly 4:30am while filming a movie in "Kitzuhel Austria". The Austrian police officials indicate he fell more than 50feet to his death ontop a mountain in a remote area while on set during the filming of the movie....what a world!!! Please, i need Nairalanders to help confirm the news. If true, REST IN PEACE PETE EDOCHIE. We love you but GOD LOVES YOU MOST.

Former RCCG Pastor Berates Adeboye For Turning Holy Ghost Congress To Political Congress.

A former pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Bankole Solomon has taken on the General Overseer (GO) of the church, Pastor E A Adeboye for allegedly turning the yearly Holy Ghost Congress into a political congress.

The former pastor said in a post that the yearly spiritual programme, which attracts millions of visitors to the Redemption camp venue of the congress located along the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway, is gradually becoming a place where politician come to deceive worshippers with 'fake' promises.

Bankole, who claimed to have resigned as a pastor of RCCG in 2010 due to some rights discrimination, stated in his post that it was wrong for President Jonathan to have stood on the 'once sacred altar' to speak to the congregation when he knew he was not being truthful with what he was promising Nigerians.

Bankole's full post reads
"I know this post will attract a sharp condemnation because I worship in RCCG and I was once a pastor before I resigned voluntarily because of rights violations in the name of religion. I resigned in December 2010 but I am still worshipping there as an ordinary member. So, whatever. I have here is without prejudice.

"Holy ghost congress of our great church is now a political congress where all shades of corrupt leaders will mount our altar to fool Nigerians on what they will do.

"Holy Ghost congress is now a supermarket where all kinds of people like charlatans and political opportunist come shopping turning God to father Christmas to give dem end of d year bonus.

"Jonathan was even there turning our once sacred altar to political podium talking deceitfully and indirectly campaigning for 2015. My question is this? On what ground was president Jonathan allowed to speak to people. Is he a pastor? Because the gathering is purely a spiritual gathering and event.

"I've been a pastor in Redeemed for the past 10 years and I've not got any opportunity to sit on dat altar not to talk of holding mic. If because Jonathan is a President and he is recognised, it means some are more equal than others.

"Immediately I left camp on Saturday morning, I looked at the camp very well because I know that would be the last time I willl set my foot to that Eagle Square called Redeemed camp."

Do you think Bankole is right?
http://nigeriafilms.com/news/19916/7/former-rccg-pastor-berates-adeboye-for-turning-hol.html

Nigerian's, please pay serious attention to this. Don't use these three ATM PIN codes
Yahoo! editors have selected this article as a favorite of 2012. It first appeared on Yahoo! Finance in September and was one of the most popular stories of the month. Readers joked about people who use the most common PIN codes, and shared how they came up with their own. "My pin number is my post office box number from my time in the Air Force 30 years ago on a base that no longer exists," wrote user Nick. "Feel free to hack that."

If you lost your ATM card on the street, how easy would it be for someone to correctly guess your PIN and proceed to clean out your savings account? Quite easy, according to data scientist Nick Berry, founder of Data Genetics, a Seattle technology consultancy.

Berry analyzed passwords from previously released and exposed tables and security breaches, filtering the results to just those that were exactly four digits long [0-9]. There are 10,000 possible combinations that the digits 0-9 can be arranged into to form a four-digit code. Berry analyzed those to find which are the least and most predictable. He speculates that, if users select a four-digit password for an online account or other web site, it's not a stretch to use the same number for their four-digit bank PIN codes.

What he found, he says, was a "staggering lack of imagination" when it comes to selecting passwords. Nearly 11% of the 3.4 million four-digit passwords he analyzed were 1234. The second most popular PIN in is 1111 (6% of passwords), followed by 0000 (2%). (Last year SplashData compiled a list of the most common numerical and word-based passwords and found that "password" and "123456" topped the list.)


Berry says a whopping 26.83% of all passwords could be guessed by attempting just 20 combinations of four-digit numbers (see first table). "It's amazing how predictable people are," he says.

We don't like hard-to-remember numbers and "no one thinks their wallet will get stolen," Berry says.

Days, Months, Years

Many of the commonly used passwords are, of course, dates: birthdays, anniversaries, year of birth, etc. Indeed, using a year, starting with 19__, helps people remember their code, but it also increases its predictability, Berry says. His analysis shows that every single 19__ combination be found in the top 20% of the dataset.

"People use years, date of birth — it's a monumentally stupid thing to do because, if you lose your wallet, your driver's license is in there. If someone finds it, they've got the date of birth on there. At least use a parent's date of birth [as a password]," says Berry.
Somewhat intriguing was #22 on the most common password list: 2580. It seems random, but if you look at a telephone keypad (or ATM keypad), you'll see those numbers are straight down the middle — yet another sign that we're uncreative and lazy password makers.

The Least Predictable Password

The least-used PIN is 8068, Berry found, with just 25 occurrences in the 3.4 million set, which equates to 0.000744%. (See the second table for the least popular passwords.) Why this set of numbers? Berry guesses, "It's not a repeating pattern, it's not a birthday, it's not the year Columbus discovered America, it's not 1776." At a certain point, these numbers at the bottom of the list are all kind of "the lowest of the low, they're all noise," he says.

A few other interesting tidbits from Berry:

-The most popular PIN code (1234) is used more than the lowest 4,200 codes combined.
- People have even less imagination in choosing five-digit passwords — 28% use 12345.
- The fourth most popular seven-digit password is 8675309, inspired by the Tommy Tutone song.
-People love using couplets for their PINs: 4545, 1313, etc. And for some reason, they don't like using pairs of numbers that have larger numerical gaps between them. Combinations like 45 and 67 occur much more frequently than 29 and 37.
- The 17th most common 10-digit password is 3141592654 (for those of you who are not math nerds, those are the first digits of Pi).

https://36ng.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/otolo.jpg

If report reaching us is anything to go by, the popular actor, Otolo may be no more. We were informed by a reliable source that the comic actor gave up the ghost yesterday. All effort to call Otolo has been futile. Most of the Nollywood stakeholders we tried to question about the situation could not give any concrete answer as they seem not to be informed about it.
http://www.nigeriafilms.com/news/19949/2/popular-actor-otolo-dies.html

http://hotgistshotnews.

True life story from someone i know very well....

I can only speak to my relationship with my husband who is 16 years younger than me. He is 45 and I am 61. We met 3 1/2 years ago and married 6 months later. We have many of the same interests and of the ones we don't share, we are very tolerant and find another who does share that interest. We talk about all things very openly, even my insecurities sometimes at being older. We are both sensitive, kind, loving people and had been in bad relationships before. That makes it easier to be considerate and forgiving and to feel blessed by what we now have. We are committed to making it work and it does. We have promised that there will be no divorce, and there won't be.
We laugh about the things that come up related to our ages and just go on. We enjoy mostly the same music and movies. He is very "thinky" and I am more outgoing. I tell him he has to add 5 years to his age every birthday. Faith and shared values are important to us. Sex is not a problem because we are so open. We talk about any issues we may have and view them as something we will work on, not something that comes between us.
I guess it's no different for us than if we were the same age or the ages were reversed. What do you think?

How does it feel to get fired (lose your job) suddenly?

It’s fine Monday morning, like every other day you’re on time at your seat.
A coworker then tells you, “Boss needs to see you”.

You are at Boss’s room in ten minutes, expecting a bonus…
“Well Mike, this contract is over and you’re no longer needed.”
You are shocked and mutter, “Can I hang on till Friday to complete this?”
“No, you may leave today.”
You will be feeling like the worst loser.

How much time it’ll take to overcome the shock? A week? A month?
How’ll be your next day (onwards)? Please, i need you good advice.

Is tis real?

Man sets self ablaze, attempts to kill judge
Al-Kazeem worked as a security guard for the judge
Article | January 12, 2012 - 3:09pm | By Tony Tamuno

A man identified as Abdulsalam Al-Kazeem, on Wednesday in Delta State, set himself ablaze at about 2.30pm and attempted to wrap his burning body around his boss.

The suspect, Al-Kazeem, worked as a guard at the residence of Justice Patience Keujubola, an Effurun High Court judge, until he attempted to set her ablaze along with himself.

Security sources said the suspect had bought a keg of fuel and hid it in the premises of his boss’ house and when the judge came out, he immediately soaked himself with the fuel and lit a match.

Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Charles Muka confirmed the incident.

“We have a report that an Hausa man poured petrol on himself and set himself ablaze and he attempted to wrap his burning body around the judge, but she was rescued. The suspect sustained severe burns all over his body in the process,” he said.

It was gathered that Al-Kazeem was angry that the judge was paying him peanuts and therefore decided to kill his boss and commit suicide.

Grade A Good condition. normally used, no damage, no screen defects. All functions workwell. The battery does not apply

Model and Configuration

1 Fujitsu Siemens LifeBook S6120 PM 1,40GHz, 512Mb, 40Gb, DVD-CDRW, GMA 855, 13,3'XGA, WIFI

2 Fujitsu Siemens LifeBook S7010 PM 1,70GHz, 512Mb, 40Gb, DVD-CDRW, GMA 855, 14,1'XGA, WIFI

3 Fujitsu Siemens LifeBook S7010 PM 1,80GHz, 512Mb, 40Gb, DVD-CDRW, GMA 855, 14,1'XGA, WIFI

4 Fujitsu Siemens Esprimo M9500 Core 2 Duo T7250/T7300 2,00GHz,2048Mb, 80Gb,DVD-RW, Intel X3100,15,4'WXGA,WIFI BT

5 Fujitsu Siemens Esprimo M9400 Core 2 Duo T7300 2,00GHz,2048Mb, 100Gb,DVD-RW, Intel X3100,14,1'WXGA,WIFI, BT.

6 Fujitsu Siemens LifeBook S7210

7 TOSHIBA Portege M300 PM 1,20GHz, 512Mb, 40Gb, DVD-CDRW, GMA 855, 12,1'XGA, WIFI, used, bad batt

8 TOSHIBA TECRA M9 Core 2 Duo T7100 1,80GHz,2048Mb, 80Gb,DVD-RW, Quadro 130M, 14,1'WXGA, WIFI, bad battery

9 HP Compaq nc6220 PM 2,00GHz, 1024Mb, 40Gb, DVD-CDRW, GMA 900, 14,1'XGA, WIFI

10 HP Compaq nc6400 Core 2 Duo T5500 1,66GHz, 1024Mb, 40Gb, DVD-CDRW, GMA 950, 14,1'WXGA, WIFI, BT, bad battery

11 HP Compaq nc6400 Core 2 Duo T5500 1,66GHz, 1024Mb, 40Gb, DVD-CDRW, GMA 950, 14,1'WXGA, WIFI, BT

12 HP Compaq nc6400 Core 2 Duo T5500 1,66GHz, 1024Mb, 60Gb, DVD-CDRW, GMA 950, 14,1'WXGA, WIFI, BT

13 HP Compaq nc6400 Core 2 Duo T5500 1,66GHz, 2048Mb, 100Gb, DVD-CDRW, GMA 950, 14,1'WXGA, WIFI, BT

14 HP Compaq nc6400 Core 2 Duo T5600 1,83GHz, 1024Mb, 60Gb, DVD-CDRW, GMA 950, 14,1'WXGA, WIFI, BT

15 HP Compaq nx7300 Core 2 Duo T5500 1,66GHz, 1024Mb, 60Gb, DVD-CDRW, GMA 950, 15,4'WXGA, WIFI, BT

16 HP Compaq nc6320 Core 2 Duo T5600 1,83GHz, 1024Mb, 60Gb, DVD-CDRW, GMA 950, 15,1'SXGA+, WIFI, BT

17 HP Compaq nc6320 Core 2 Duo T5600 1,83GHz, 1024Mb, 60Gb, DVD-CDRW, GMA 950, 15,1'SXGA+, WIFI, BT

There are over 50 pieces of laptops in stock. Pls, tell me your needs and quatity and i will give you the prices as those laptops are not in Nigeria but in Europe. My email is adil.bella2012@gmail.com and i would like to know the prices of laptops, computers, monitors, printers at computer village. I can supply hp, fijusit, dell cpu and monitors, some with hard drives and some not. Please, i will really appriciate your advices. Thanks

Hello fellow NL. I based in europe and i want to ship computers to Nigeria market. Please, i want to know how much is a complete set of computer? How much in the market is monitir(by inches), cpu, keyboard, mouse and what brand is mostly marketable in Nigeria markets? What printers, i mean home use and for business use is selling fast e.g hp, canon, samsung etc? Please, i will really appreciate a honest and straight forward answers from my brothers in Nigeria. And, i want to ask again, clothes is it a contra-ban in Nigeria?

Hello fellow NL. I based in europe and i want to ship computers to Nigeria market. Please, i want to know how much is a complete set of computer? How much in the market is monitir(by inches), cpu, keyboard, mouse and what brand is mostly marketable in Nigeria markets? What printers, i mean home use and for business use is selling fast e.g hp, canon, samsung etc? Please, i will really appreciate a honest and straight forward answers from my brothers in Nigeria. And, i want to ask again, clothes is it a contra-ban in Nigeria?

[b]By Don Matzat. Why is it that many Christians become so upset over the doctrine of infant Baptism? After all, baptizing infants has been a part of historic Christianity since the first century. Could the issue be one of pride? It is difficult for some Christians to embrace salvation as a free gift of God with no strings attached. They cannot put away the notion that there is something they must do or have already done to merit eternal life.

In this edition of the Issues, Etc. Journal we will examine the doctrine of infant Baptism biblically, theologically, and historically. While I know that many of you who read this journal are not proponents of infant Baptism, I am merely asking you to examine the issue with an open mind. May God the Holy Spirit grant you understanding.

What does the Bible teach about the Baptism of infants? Are infants to be included or excluded from Baptism?

There is no doctrine that has caused more unrest, disagreement, and at times angry responses from opponents than the doctrine of Baptism. Those within denominations who baptize infants are put into the position of having to defend the practice, even though the baptism of infants is rooted in the history of the Christian Church and practiced by out 75 percent of Christendom. The response of the adversaries is often angry.

One evangelical radio network discontinued broadcasting The Lutheran Hour after the speaker made a presentation on infant Baptism. In an earlier issue of this journal I spoke about Baptism of my granddaughter and stated that God applied the full righteousness of Jesus Christ to this "empty" infant. I received some angry letters from Baptist pastors who no longer wanted to receive the Issues, Etc. Journal because of my stance on infant Baptism.

The fact of the matter is that those who reject and even disdain the Baptism of infants promote a "Believer’s Baptism" are in the minority and actually out-of-step with the historic position of the early Christian Church. They promote an understanding of grace and faith that is of recent origin. In fact, their theology arrogantly suggests that the mode of Baptism received by church fathers the likes of Athanasius and Augustine and by the Reformers Luther and Calvin was not proper. In this regard, Martin Luther writes:

   Now if God did not accept the Baptism of infants, he would not have given any of them the Holy Spirit nor any part of him; in short, all this time down to the present day no man on earth could have been a Christian. Since God has confirmed infant baptism through the gift of the Holy Spirit. . . our adversaries must admit that infant Baptism is pleasing to God. For he can never be in conflict with himself, support lies and wickedness, or give his grace and spirit for such ends. (Tappert: Book of Concord, [St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959] pp. 442-3).

Even though the title of this article is In Defense of Infant Baptism, the truth of the matter is that those who reject the Baptism of infants are the ones who should be in the position of defending their stance. While infant Baptism is rooted in the history of the early Christian Church, the so-called "Believer’s Baptism" originates in the post-Reformation Anabaptist movement of the sixteenth century. But be that as it may, the fact still remains that any theological position has to find its basis in Scripture. So, what does the Bible say about the Baptism of infants?

What Does the Bible Say?

Those who reject the Baptism of infants accurately point out that the Bible does not specifically command that infants should be baptized nor are there any specific examples in the Book of Acts of an infant receiving Baptism.

While this is true, it is not difficult to explain. The Book of Acts deals with first generation adult converts to Christianity. The Bible does not tell us what these first Christians did with their children as far as Baptism is concerned. In order to definitively answer that question, we must look into the writings of the early church fathers.

Yet, the Bible is not silent in the matter. What you see in the Word of God concerning the Baptism of infants depends upon how you approach the Word. When searching Scripture in order to answer the infant Baptism question, the issue is not whether or not there are any specific references including children and infants in Baptism. Rather, the issue is whether or not there are specific references in Scripture excluding children and infants from Baptism. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is an inclusive message. "God so loved the world," and Jesus commanded us to "baptize all nations." Obviously, infants are a part of the world and represented in all nations.

The reasoning used by those who reject infant Baptism was the same reasoning used by the Supreme Court in dealing with the abortion issue. The Court was faced with the question of whether or not a fetus is a person who is guaranteed the right to life under the constitution. Should the unborn be included or excluded from the rights of personhood? Since they were unable to answer the question, rather than potentially erring on the side of inclusion, they excluded the unborn and made abortion legal.

Those who reject infant Baptism claim that there is no biblical warrant for including infants and children in Baptism. But the real question is, does the Bible specifically exclude infants and children from Baptism? Definitely not!

In Mark 10: 14 our Lord Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." The Greek word for children in this text is paidia, which means babes in arms. What means other than Baptism has God provided whereby little children can be brought to Jesus? Baptism is the only way we know of. If you want to obey the command of the Lord Jesus concerning your little children, have them baptized!

In addition, there are five references in the New Testament to the Baptism of entire households. Peter baptized the household of Cornelius (Acts 11: 14). In Philippi, Paul baptized the household of Lydia and the household of the jailer (Acts 16: 15, 33). He also baptized the household of Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue in Corinth. In his first epistle to the Corinthians, he speaks of baptizing the household of Stephanas (1: 16). The Greek word for household is oikon and refers to all the inhabitants of the house including slaves, servants, infants and children. Can anyone seriously suggest that within the households of Cornelius, Lydia, the Jailer, Crispus and Stephanas there were no children or infants present?

In addition, if the members of these households had converted to Judaism, all the males would have been circumcised. This included infants who were at least eight days old. In Colossians 2: 9-12, the Apostle Paul compares the effect of circumcision with the effect of Baptism.

While there are no specific references to infant Baptism in the New Testament, there is every reason to believe that children and infants were included. As you will see when you read Pastor Kastens’ article Infant Baptism in Early Church History, the witness of the early church fathers is very clear. Children and infants were included in Baptism.

But Can Infants Believe?

Those who reject infant Baptism practice what they call a "Believer’s Baptism." On the basis of Mark 16: 16 ("Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.", they claim that a person must believe and be able to confess his faith before receiving Baptism. According to this way of thinking, since infants are unable to believe and confess, they are excluded from Baptism. Only those who have reached the "age of reason," or the "age of accountability" are baptized.

This position is specious for a number of reasons.

First of all, Mark 16: 16 is not speaking chronologically. In other words, the text is not saying first believe and then be baptized. The verbs "believe" and "baptized" are participles. Any Christian who has been baptized as an infant can confidently say, "I believe, and I have been baptized." The commission of our Lord Jesus in Matthew 28: 19-20 commands us to make disciples by "baptizing and teaching." If we read this text chronologically, we would contend that teaching follows Baptism. But, it is not intended to be chronological.

The opponents of infant Baptism teach that a person must first believe, confess their faith, be saved. and then baptized. From this perspective, Mark 16: 16 should read, "Whoever believes and is saved will be baptized," rather than "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved."

Second, the issue not whether or not an infant can believe. Infants are not baptized because they believe. They are baptized because of the clear Word, command and promise of God. They are baptized on account of God’s grace, not on account of their faith. Martin Luther writes, "For my faith does not constitute Baptism but receives it" (Tappert: p. 443).

Third, to claim that a person must reach the "age of reason" or the "age of accountability" before receiving Baptism is to claim that there is something within the person that is able to cooperate with the grace of God. This is called synergism, a theological perversion that places man into a cooperative relationship with God in the salvation process. In some cases, the proponents of a "Believer’s Baptism" fall into the trap of Pelagianism, an early heresy that denied that man is dead in his trespasses and sin and therefore unable to contribute anything to his salvation - not even his human reason and understanding. Concerning the role of human reason, Martin Luther wrote:

"My friend, what good does reason do when faith and God’s Word are concerned? Is it not a fact that reason most violently resists faith and the Word of God so that because of it, no one can come to faith or put up with God’s Word unless reason is blinded and put to shame? A man must die to reason and become a fool, so to speak, yes, and must become more unreasoning and irrational than any child if he is to come to faith and accept God grace. (Plass: What Luther Says, [St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959], Vol. 1, p. 51)

Do those who suggest that human reason is a necessary ingredient for faith to exist also believe that when they are sleeping and their reason is inactive they have lost their faith?

Faith is a miraculous gift of God worked in the heart by the Holy Spirit without human cooperation. If God can bring a stubborn, unbelieving adult to faith through the preaching of the Gospel, would anyone foolishly suggest that he is unable to work the same miracle in the heart of a passive infant through the vehicle of Baptism?

Grace First!

I have on numerous occasions discussed if not debated the subject of infant Baptism with callers on my daily radio program. The scenario is always the same. The opponent of infant Baptism is put off by the fact that we teach and confess that an infant can become a believing Christian by God’s grace through Baptism. The issue is, "Is that all they have to do is be baptized?" The focus is always on what the person is doing or not doing and never on what God is doing and able to do.

Those who teach a "Believer’s Baptism" are usually also proponents of Arminian decision theology. They spend more time talking about the fact that they went forward, made a decision, and got saved than upon the grace of God in Christ Jesus. Those who focus upon what they have done in order to be saved will be invariably put off if not angered by the truth of infant Baptism.

Paul writes in Ephesians 2: 8-9 that we are saved by grace through faith, and it is not of our doing. Grace comes before faith. Baptism is a pure administration of the grace of God in Christ Jesus.

I knew a young couple who had affiliated with a Lutheran Church but did not embrace the practice of infant Baptism. They were both products of the "Jesus Movement" in the 1960’s and 1970’s and had been baptized in a river. After seriously studying the issue under the guidance of their pastor and especially reading the infant Baptism defense in The Book of Concord, they changed their minds and had their three children baptized. The father explained his change of mind by saying, "We thought we were saved by faith through grace rather than by grace through faith. According to the Bible, grace precedes faith. Therefore, we brought our children under the grace of God."

A Wonderful Gift!

Infant Baptism is a wonderful gift of God. While it is most certainly true that the practice has been abused, as Luther put it, "Precisely because infant Baptism has been wrongly received it has existence and value. The saying goes, ‘Misuse does not destroy the substance, but confirms its existence.’ Gold remains no less gold if a harlot wears it in sin and shame" (Tappert, p. 444). The very fact that infant Baptism has been abused indicates its value.

Opponents of infant Baptism are quick to point out that millions of people have been baptized as infants and have never really "come alive" or grown in their relationship with the Lord Jesus. This may indeed be true, but this is not the fault of infant Baptism since the alternative is also true. Millions have been baptized as infants and have in faith laid claim to the benefits of Christ’s death and resurrection and lived victorious Christian lives.

If the issue here is which method is more successful in making Christians, one might ask the question as to the spiritual condition of the hundreds of thousands of people who have gone forward, made a decision and got saved at the Billy Graham crusades over the past 50 years. What percentage of these people have remained true to their commitment and become alive, victorious Christians?

The issue is not my opinion or your opinion or which method is more effective. The issue is: What does the Bible say? Scripture is very clear: Infants and children are not to be excluded from Baptism. By Don Matzat

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President Jonathan to ban importation of rice

Friday November 18, 2011

To encourage local rice farmers, the Federal Government may in no distant time, put an end to the importation of rice. President Goodluck Jonathan disclosed this while receiving the report of the Northern Economic Summit organized by Professor Jerry Gana, who led the G-20 Group to the president in Abuja.

Jonathan said the country has adequate arable land that could be tilled to grow enough food for Nigerians and even feed the rest of Africa.
Besides, he argued that Nigeria can no longer rely on rice import most of which have been stored in silos for over 10 years, to feed her population.
The G-20 Group made up of eminent politicians of Northern extraction had on March 17, 2011, organized the First Northern Economic Summit in Kaduna.
“If you have exotic taste for foreign rice, then be prepared to fly your private jet abroad to buy it, as I will make a major pronouncement on rice in my budget speech to the National Assembly soon,” Jonathan said.

Jonathan also dismissed foreign rice as lacking in nutrient after they have been preserved with so much chemicals for over 10 years, saying the commodity is again polished on its way to Africa.
He however assured that his resolve to revolutionize the agricultural sector remained unshakeable.
Jonathan further argued that for the poverty index of the agriculture-driven North Central Zone to be better than the highly industrialized South-West Zone, is a testimony of the huge and great potentials that abound in the agricultural sector.

The President also pledged to support a private sector driven initiative under the auspices of the G-20 Northern Group for the establishment of Northern Nigeria Development.
Pledging his administration’s sincere intention to cooperate with it in any area that could be beneficial to the aspiration of the North, Jonathan expressed optimism that if crude oil could be found in neighboring countries around the North, then there should be oil in the region, adding that the ongoing search would continue.

Jonathan noted the link between politics and economy, saying a bad economy would naturally breed violence and many other social vices, and that the first interest of his government was the economy.
Earlier in his remark, Gana told the President that “the report identified challenges and constraints such as poor energy supply; weak physical infrastructure; and weak governance systems drained by corruption, as current impediment facing the North.

He listed other factors to include lack of finance for private sector investments; inadequate human capital development; policy inconsistencies and ineffective institutional frameworks for development administration, saying that added to these, were recent internal security challenges.

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Hello my honorable Nairalanders, am happy to meet you guys here to share ideas and thoughts. Problems share, is problems solve wisely with wise mind and thoughts. Am here to ask questions and all questions are very important. No call my mobile, check tis site or whatever. All ideas and thoughts must be open, examine and share here. My question is i want to make business, i mean a successful business. I like to start from small then proceed to HIGHER LEVEL. I have a brother in Europe, he based in Czec and ask me what can he import to Nigeria for selling. He said importing anything from autobile parts (car engines--what type, year, mode). tv, what inches, computers, monitors, cpu, keyborad etc, phones, what model (3310 included?) car jacks, wheel spanner, etc. Apart from importing goods, what business can one do in Nigeria without FRAUD? Please, share your ideas here and let others learn. THANKS

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