Tattoos?

Oh no!

So many carry read the Bible as if it is a manual, without proper digestion through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Just the other day, I met a fellow who is given to much drink, telling me he was at the bar for "stomachs sake".

Christianity is not moral instructions, neither is it a set of do's and dont's.

As many as led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

If you are in the number, you should know.

The old testament had "Thou shall not tattoo", but the new testament says, "thou shall be led by the Spirit".

What does it mean that the law has been abolished?

It means I am not subjected to dos and donts, rather I am subjected to the Spirit of God.

Whereas initially, I struggle with sexual immorality because the law says "Thou shall not commit adultery" (if not, I would have?), now being "spiritually minded" lifts me from the struggle that I no longer even remember to lust.

If there is curfew from 6pm to 6am, such a law has no power over someone bed ridden who cannot stand up let alone come out. This is the meaning of dying to self.

I think I blame Pastor Chris who wastes time answering such academic questions.

It is well.

danbouy:
how many years was Jesus Christ when he start miracle.
To whom Jesus was sent to
the word son ave been used for other prophet before Jesus .
Where did Jesus said is blood is for sacrifice?.
Who is the comforter Jesus promise is coming after him?
Y did Jesus said am going back to my father?. Because ye believe me not
Its stated in the bible that Jesus prayed to God. How will one God prayed to other God?.
Jesus said i do not know the day the our but only of God in heaven telling us that Jesus is not lord what did u think.

Someone ask me all dis question pls help am fedup

There are three approaches to the Jesus Christ's person and character.

1. To disprove Him as the Lord and Saviour
2. To know Him as the Lord and Saviour
3. An academic exercise.

On a general note, Jesus the Christ was born on the earth, walked on the earth and made it clearly that He is the Saviour of mankind whose rebellion has offended their Maker.
Those who were with Him recorded what they saw and heard!
My joy is this: these accounts are from more than one person. There perspectives might differ though, but they did not disagree about His Person and Mission.

I inherited Christianity as a religion, but I was more than 20 years of age when I found the Saviour and gave my heart/life to Him.

Okay, God is a Spirit and worshiping Him must be in spirit. To reduce spiritual issues like the Personality of the Christ to a mere academic exercise is completely a waste of time and energy.

We can only discover God through revelation, we can only know the Christ through revelation.

I will find time to answer your questions, but for now may you find Grace in His sight, even as I hope that you are sincere.

Peace!

1 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, that which is born of the spirit is spirit
2 As many as received Him, to them He gave the power to become God's children.
3 As many as are led by the Spirit, they are the sons of God.
4 To live after the flesh is death, to follow after the spirit is life.
5 "I know my sheep and my sheep know me and they hear my voice"
6. the Kingdom of God, is righteous, peace and joy.


I am sure these lines a familiar.
It is a pity that many have reduced Christianity to mere moral instructions.
Yet, as many as are in Christ Jesus who have received salvation by grace and faith, know themselves.

It is heart breaking that the children of Adam have continued to rebel against their Maker, but
It is far more a strategy that our churches are filled with unbelievers who gladly warm the church chairs but Christ have no single space in their heart let alone in their lives.

Some day, it would be time up for the whole earth!

He that have ears, let him hear.

Hey! Excuse me please!

I think I recognise you.

Yes, you were on fire for Him. Your conversion was so real that you knew that really you have got the power to call "Abba, Father".
You were reading your Bible, no, studying your Bible as if you were searching for some treasures and you trembled at His Word.
You prayed till you almost missed appointments, you preached like you want to win the whole world. And in the church? My oh my! you served as if you were on salary.

Yet, it was all because of your zeal, all because you love Him so much!

Em excuse me.

You are have changed a lot. The glory that once shone on your face is gone, what happened to the joy you use to have? Prayer has become boring and Bible is so uninteresting. You mingle with the perishing but have no word for them. Your love has waxed cold.

Ahhhh! your garment is even filthy. I can see that redness in your eyes? So you have been crying?
You are missing Him, right?
Comon on beloved. Its okay. He has been waiting for you.
He wants you back even now?

Will you love to come back?

Dear Lord,

We seem to living at the thresh hold of history;

1. There is no much difference between believers and unbelievers
2. Our church services are much of entertainement than worship of the Almighty
3. Divine Presence which caused sinners like Ananiahs to loose breath is not known in our time
4. Fornicators and their partners do join hands to go to church service
5. The emphasis is not on becoming desciples but on becoming successful
6. Pastors are sleeping with their church members and those seeking the Lord are decieved
7. Fat offerings and Tithes are accompanied by fat sins
8. Indeed, iniquity is abounding and the love of many have gone cold
9. Repentance and conversion have appeared to be old versions
10. Our prayers are no different from that of pagans; for despite all teachings in the bible, we command our "enemies" to die.
11. Restitution is no longer mentioned
12. Homosexuality is now a debate in the church, and who knows maybe soon, we shall debate adultery and murder.
13. Everybody is now "born again" and there are no more "sinners" to preach to.
14. Prayers are more of religious ritual than fellopwship with the Heavens
15. Jesus is more of a house hold name, than Saviuor and Lord.
16. Demons no more flee when we command, that is if we recognise them.
17. Our praying in tongues are just noise without power

The list can go on and on, and their Lord, please we need revival

Raise us men of prayer who will pray down a revival.

We need a great out pouring of your Spirit:

1. To convict sinners of their sins
2. To Revive Christians whose fire have gone down
3. To proof to unbelievers that our faith is not vain.

Send us Revial Oh Lord, and let come quickly.

Amen.

The dangers of misguided devotion which most often leads to idol worship has recently reared its ugly head in a nuns convent at Canada. " The Army of Mary" started out as just a "devotional" movement until recently when things got so bad that the authorities of Vatican have no option than to ban them.

As at now, they have been excommunicated from the Catholic Church.

When the sect was starting, it stated its goal as

"The Goal of the Army of Mary
The goal of the Army of Mary is the sanctification of souls through devotion to the Triple White – the Eucharist, Mary and the Pope –, so as to instill anew in the world the evangelical message of peace and love, thus preparing the way for Christ the King’s return"

This looks innocent enough, but anyone reading between the lines will recognise that it is a platform for idolatory. The santification of souls is the work of Holy Spirit, given freely in Christ alone. For there is no other Name given among men by which we must be saved, except the Name of Christ.

The Catholic Church was happy with this sect, until its founder claimed she is present day incarnate of the Virgin Mary. Then and only then, did the Catholic Church deem it necessary to ban them. Yet, so many have bought the lies.


The truth is, we dont need to bow down to images for us to show devotion. Bowing down to images might appear harmless, but soon the image might become the object of the worship. True worship is a spiritual thing. Also, there is a thin line between these devotions and worship.

One of such devotaional prayers asks the Mother of Christ to "deliver us from all evil", yet the last time I checked the bible, it was the duty of Our Heavenly Father to deliver us from all evil, even as thought by no other person than the Lord and Saviour, Christ Jesus Himself.

Many of these doctrines came during the dark ages, all those with the love of God in their hearts, should check them very well, some of them are dark doctrines.


http://www.religioustolerance.org/army_mary.htm

smile4kenn:

so wats wrong with this now?


u guys will never leave katoliks alone

Have you gone through the website very well? This is not about leaving Catholics alone, it is because misguided devotions can lead to idolatory. For your information, the authority of the Catholic Church have officially banned the "Army of Mary" and the founders excomunicated from the the catholic church.

The dangers of misguided devotions cannot be over emphsized.

The current challege to the Catholic Church is sect call the "Army of Mary"

see the website for details.

http://www.communaute-dame.qc.ca/oeuvres/OE_armee_AN.htm

Eclairs:

See u about mkin a mstake. Wld advise you remain a christian as more and more people are turnin into christians not the other way round.

Pros and cons? No disrespect to n religion but christianity has more to offer

Thanks

Dear Eclairs, your advice will depend on if he is actually a christian. Being a christian is much more than belonging to and attending church. So many people are church members but not christians.

Jesus made it clear, "that which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the spirit is spirit"

It will be good to know if topefisayo did recieve the new birth in the spirit. Was he ever washed clean by the blood of the Lamb? Had there been any encounter with the ever living Jesus whom the grave could not keep? Or is his christianity just a matter of association and religious obligations?

There is every need to ask this questions because a lot of people are walking in presumption thinking they are christians, while they are only church goers.

Dear topefisayo , are you born again?

Oby1:

Make you no go o, because all those Jagons dey help build mine faith as a Catholic i no go lie. Na the truth and the only truth

Dear Oby1,

Please, be careful about statements such as this: "build mine faith as a Catholic". Denominationalism is mans problem. There is no catholic, anglican, penticostal, apostolic, charismatic, etc denominations in His Presence. Furthermore, there is only one God, one Saviour, one Throne of Grace, one Holy Spirit, one Book of Life, one Body of Christ, one church. One church? Yes: Only those who are saved by Faith in the Christ belong to Him. The Lord Jesus referred to them as "My Sheep". He further states that they know Him and they here His Voice.

When the trumphet sounds, only those whose garments are white as snow will follow Him: those whose robes are washed in the Blood of the Lamb. Denomination is not an issue. Concerning the Catholic doctrines, the truth is that something went wrong during the dark ages, and all manner of "dark" doctrines were introduced.

For example, Our Lord Jesus is the only mediator between God and man. There is no mediator between the Lord Jesus and mankind. He came for sinners, He died for sinners. "As many as recieve Him, to them He gave power to become Gods children". As a result of His death on the cross, we are no longer "banished children of eve". We are not to remain sinners "till the hour of our death", we are to be saved now!

Your allegiance must be to the Lord Jesus and not to any denomination or organisation. It should be to "build your christian faith" and not to "build your catholic faith". Do you know why? Occasions do arise where your denominational faith might clash with true christian faith! Mind you, it is not only the catholic church that have issues like that, but theirs is more pronounced, because they place the church traditions far above the scriptures. Yet, these scriptures are the only lagacies left for us by the Apostles. May the Lord whom you love bless you abundantly!

I care.

Much more, the emphasis placed on church buildings by the Roman Catholic Church is also contrary to the teachings of Jesus and his Apostles. God no longer dwell in buildings made with hands.

Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. The place of the His Presence is in our herats and not in the Chapel. We are to be filled with the Holy Spirit and not the church building. The church building is the place of our meeting for worship not where God lives.

There is no need for images and statues in true christian worship. Our worship is a spiritual exercise and not in some rituals. Counting of beads have pagan origin.

We do not say these things because we hate Catholics, rather because there is a huge disception being sold out in the name of the gospel. So many unsaved people are decieved that they have hope.

This gospel is nothing but Christ and Him Crucified, resurected and ascended.

God bless you all, especially Oby.

It may seem so harmless to bow down to images, yet it provides a perfect opportunity for idolatory. I see Catholics who carry scapular and chaplets for protection.

It is natural for todays Catholics to defend the practices, yet it will do them some good to check church history to discover that most of these things crept in during the dark ages. My advice is that every doctrine introduced during the dark ages must be examined incase they are "dark" doctrines. Did Peter wear scapular? Paul would had encouraged the Ephesians to say their rosary.


The danger of doctrines like the "infallability of the Pope" is that even when the Popes teaches error, it is accpeted without any question. Yet, we saw in Galatians 2 that Paul withstood Peter when he entered into error.

True worship is in the spirit for God is a Spirit. Those who have had an enocunter with the Lord do not images to remind them of Him.

Concerning the honouring of the Mother of Christ, Catholics must know the difference between honour and worship.

Hymns like "O Come to the Thrown of Grace" is not just honour but worship.

O COME TO THE THRONE OF GRACE (Where is the throne of Grace?)
O come to the throne of grace!
O come to the heart most pure! (I thought God Himself is the Most Pure?)
To Mary, our hope of life, (I thouhgt that our hope is in the Lord?)
In whom salvation is sure. (I thought that the Lord is our salvation?)

O Queen of the Rosary , hail!
Immaculate Mother of grace! (Is this not equal to the the Father of Grace?)
O pray for us, help us today, (but is it not Jesus who is interceding for us)
Thou hope for the human race. (this one bits me, hope of human race?)

Immaculate Heart, we kneel
To consecrate all to thee, (Now this is the ultimate worship)
The present, its pain and joy,
The future, all it may be.

The Rosary, white and gold,
We take from thy virgin hand;
A pledge of the power of God, (I thought the Power is to come from the Holy Spirit as pledged by the Lord Jesus)
To heal and strengthen our land. (I thought we are healed by His stripes)

O Mother of Sorrows, hail!
We mourn for our evil done
O soften our selfish hearts (No!, that is the work of the Holy Spirit)
And lead us back to thy Son. (No!, the Son leads us to the Father)

"For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time", (1 Timothy 2:5-6 NKJV)

Repent and believe the gospel.

The worst calamity to befall our generation is to have
Believers who do not fear the Lord,
unbelievers who think they are believers
and preachers who do not preach the Christ and Him crucified.

Cosmas Okechukwu Okeke

Dios:

Idiots

I would not mind being an "idiot" over and over again provided it that it makes me to know the Christ and His Salvation.  If "wisdom" means to deny the Maker of mankind then I choose to a be a "fool".  Though I know that it is actually only a fool that will say in his heart, "There is no God".

You did say much for me to understand you very well, nevertheless, just know that God loves you and I do also.

Repent and believe the gospel and you shall be saved.

Cheers.

I thought they are supposed to be stoned to death?

Just kidding though. Christ has died for the sins mankind and whosoever believes in Him will recieve pardon for their sins. Man by his nature have no absolute power over sin for it is in hi nature to sin. There is a new life and salvation for those who repents and calls upon the name of the Saviour.

Someone should please share this good news with that Imam and the partner.


For God so love the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life.

Cheers

Oh?  Was is it all about heated arguments coming to an end?
We all must understand that it is not just the issue about argument for or against a doctrine or a church.  To accept error in the name of different "biblical interpretations" is a only snare by the enemy of mankind to still ensalve many.

I think that the Cahtolic Church which was responsioble enough to acknowldege the mistakes of the dark ages, should further show more responsility by examining all doctrines that were introduced during those dark ages as some of them might be "dark doctrines".  Some of us are yet to understand how the mother of Christ, became "the Gate of Heaven".  We are yet to understand how she became the one to "deliver us from all evil" .  

The following were lines from the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and some of us are yet to understand how they are so.  

Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary[i][/i]
Virgin most powerful, (than God?)
Virgin most merciful,  (than God?)
Virgin most faithful,   (than God?)
Seat of wisdom,  (I thought the Heavenly Father is the Seat of Wisodm)
Cause of our joy, (so who said that the joy of the Lord is our strength?)
Singular vessel of devotion, (devotion such as this, must be to the Lord himself)
Tower of David, (I thought the Lord is the Tower?)
Ark of the Covenant, (which of the Covenants, new or old?)
Gate of Heaven, (but the Lord declares, " I am the Way, the Truth and Life, no body comes unto the Father except by me."also He says, " am the door of the sheep"
Morning star, (The Lord declares, "I am the bright and Morning star"
Health of the sick, (but the Lord took our infirmities)
Refuge of sinners, (please who died for sinners?)
Comforter of the afflicted, (I thought the Lord promised us the Comforter?)
Help of Christians, (And what is the work of the Holy spirit?)
Queen conceived without Original Sin, (The scriptures decalred all under sin with exception of one: the Christ)
Queen assumed into Heaven, (well, at least, they acknowledged it was an assumption.)

Consider this Hymn,

O COME TO THE THRONE OF GRACE

(verse 1)  O come to the throne of grace! (When Heb 4:16 talked about throne of grace, we know where it is)
              O come to the heart most pure! (MOST? Really?)
               To Mary, our hope of life, (Our hope of life? )
               In whom salvation is sure.  (In other words, all that seek Salvation must go to her?)

Ch.    O Queen of the Rosary , hail!  
        Immaculate Mother of grace!
        O pray for us, help us today,
        Thou hope for the human race. (Yet we know that Christ Jesus is the hope for the human race).

Verse 2:  Immaculate Heart, we kneel
              To consecrate all to thee, (When the scriptures commanded to consecrate our lives, it also told us to whom)
              The present, its pain and joy,
              The future, all it may be.

Verse 3: The Rosary, white and gold,
              We take from thy virgin hand;
              A pledge of the power of God, (Yet we know that Power of God is by His Spirit through His Word)
              To heal and strengthen our land.

Verse 4: O Mother of Sorrows, hail!
             We mourn for our evil done
             O soften our selfish hearts
             And lead us back to thy Son. (Yet the Lord says, "No man can come to me, except he Father draws Him"

Or Consider this prayer:

**********************************************************************************
We fly to thy patronage

We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God; (while using this title, we must bare in mind that she is not His mother in the sense that she is older than God or the source of her Son’s divinity. She had to worship the Son too, she was among the disciples who obeyed the commandments of Christ)

despise not our petitions in our necessities,  
but deliver us always from all dangers, (just as in Our Lords Prayer)
O glorious and blessed Virgin.  Amen.

*****************************************************************************************

This gospel is about Christ Jesus.  His death, Ressurection and Ascention.  To honour the Mother of Christ is not a bad idea, but yet the above words are not words of honour.  They are words of worship.  There is no other name given among men by which we must be saved except the name of Jesus.  

I am sure that Peter did not sanction Rosery, neither did he say it.  It was introduced in the "dark ages" and like I said, some od those things that came in during the dark ages are nothing but "dark" doctrines.  They have a form of godliness, but beneat is nothing but idolatory.  This is not about argument nor is it out of hatred for Catholics.  

As for leaving people with their beliefs, there would had been no need for Jesus and His disciples to had preached at all; He would not had commanded us to make disciples of all nations; everybody would had been left with their beliefs.  This idea of leaving people with their beliefs (as even Eckankar teaches) looks so humble and pius, yet we know that we commanded to preach this gospel which is summarised by John 3 :16

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."  (NKJV)

And 1 John 5 : 12 - 13 summarises thus;
 "He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God."  (NKJV)

Blessed be the Name of the Lord and God bless you all. Amen.

Seun:

How can we be sure?

Beloved Seun,
I am more sure of Him than I am of the sun that rises everyday.  Seun please, seek Him and you will find Him only you must seek with all your heart.  I agree with you, it is not good to follow blindly, each one of us must get to know Him.  This was why at another thread, I mentioned that there are chances that you did not know Him one on one and thus your faith then was based on hear say only.  Hear-say only faith cannot abide.  True faith only comes through the knowledge of Him.  Knowledge of Him only comes through the revelation of Him.  He reveals Himself to those that seek Him.  Seun, He is alive and well. He is and He is and will ever be.  Praise God.

Seun:

Repent of what?

Man has a problem! The earth is full of trouble caused by mans choice to live independent of His Maker.  Can the clay argue with the porter? Man must repent from rebellion.  Repent from unbelief and reconcile with His Maker.

Seun:

What will I be saved from if I do this?

To be saved from sin. Sin?  Yes, sin is rebellion against God.
To be saved from eternal damnation. Whats that?  The earth will not abide forever. Evil will not continue.  The Maker will cleanse the earth in due time. Now is the time to make peace with Him.

Beloved Seun, may you recieve grace to trust and thereby call upon Him.  He Loves you.

lafile:

@www_pastor
Quite impressive, this write up. Just read it and will need to read it again. But Just incase, is it copyrighted?

Dear Lafile,
You can use it, but always reference the author.

Cosmas O. Okeke (www_pastor)

The Gospel According To Satan
by Cosmas O. Okeke

The gospel, this gospel of the grace and mercy of God is the one and only thing that have the potency to disarm the devil as well as equip mankind with what it takes to be reconciled to the Almighty Father whose original intent was not to make rebels and vagabonds as we have both experienced and witnessed, but that we should be in His image and likeness.

If it were, possible to stop the spreading of this one great and only gospel, the enemy of all mankind would had done that years and years ago.  Of course he did try, but failed and failed woefully.  Thus, when it dawned on him that this grand gospel cannot be stopped, he changed tactics.  Rather than outright rejection, he accepted that the gospel is true, but then modified it to suit his purpose. Today, while the true gospel is yet making men whole, the counterfeits from the pit of hell are making them blind. The worst part is that as a result of the counterfeit, it is very hard for some to accept the original. Worse still, is the fact that even some preachers are blindly and unknowingly preaching Satan’s version while at the same time claiming to be the only ones doing the Lords work.  They ignorantly fight the Lord whom they think they are serving. My head cannot imagine the great pains the Lord goes through when He see the sons of men devouring one another in His name, but much more, I know that my heart cannot contain it, were I to have an idea. Honestly speaking, it is better that this gospel is not preached at all, than this infestation from the pit of hell. Experience has shown that the counterfeit gospel is easier to spread as the prince of this dark world would do everything possible to give all men this counterfeit that they might not seek for the real thing. Further more, as even the saints are not keen in preaching this gospel; those hungry for God are left with no option than to embrace the only thing available to them: some diet of lies coated with some elements of the truth. The fact is that it is easier to preach to an atheist than to preach to one who has been outwitted by the enemy and has embraced the fake gospel believing it in their hearts that they have the true gospel

From several outright manipulations and perversions like distortion of the scriptures in the name of “true” translations to some so called “Later Day” revelations, the enemy has blinded many and are taking them captive at his own will.

The grand design to pervert this gospel did not start today, for even in the Garden of Eden, the enemy perverted Baba’s instruction and thereby caused Adam and his wife to turn against the Lord. He thought he had won over mankind forever until Jesus came. He tried severally to stop Jesus and when he failed, he descended on the disciples. The things suffered by so many great a saint in the time past cannot be quit understood until we face the King on His Thrown. How the enemy must had been disappointed that no matter what he did, men still dare to call upon the Name of Jesus the Christ whom he could not keep in the grave for He rose from the dead.

Firstly and right at Jerusalem, the enemy began a propaganda that Jesus did not resurrect and many till today are holding unto it. Some are even convinced that He was not crucified. To some, Jesus was just a prophet in the category of Moses and to some He was just a great philosopher in the category of Socrates. To some, He was just another religious leader in the category of Muhammad and to some He was one of the “grand masters” that worked on the face of the earth. While to some He was one of the angels above, to some He was more of the little Child of the Virgin Mary than the Son of Most High God.

The original gospel states that “there is no other name given under heaven by which we must be saved, except that of Jesus the Christ”, today there are so many names called upon by the children of men other than the Name of the Christ.

The original gospel states that “there is only one mediator between God and man”, the perverted gospel teaches that apart from the Christ, there are co-mediators who can mediate for us. Or put more subtly, that there are mediators between the Christ and the rest of us, forgetting that He calls out to “all who are heavy leaden” to come to Him.

The original gospel states that we all need the atonement for our sins as “all our righteousness are like filthy rags” since “all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God”, the perverted gospel has undermined the Blood that was shed for us and has presented the gospel to be mere moral instructions as if we can be good by our selves.

The original gospel states that a man has only one chance to live on this earth and after that to face judgment, the perverted gospel has given the sons of men some comfort that they have several chances to return to the earth to atone for their sins.  Or on the other hand there is a place where they will take “some punishment” for their sins even after death, after which they will be qualified for eternal life. Hence, rather than repent and be saved, they are thrusting in the vanity of their minds. 

The original gospel teaches that one must be born of the Spirit through faith in the Christ and then be baptized, the perverted has been baptizing men who have know single faith in the Lord of life. Thus, are we surprised to see the so called “Christians” going to Satan’s alter to worship. 

The original gospel centers on the teachings of the Lord, the perverted gospel centers on the tradition of men. Even oral traditions are sometimes regarded more than the Holy Scriptures. 

The original gospel states that we should pray for our enemies and those that persecute us, the perverted gospel is asking that we pray against our perceived enemies and if possible witness their death. Yet the Lord is not interested in the death of any one especially if they are sinners: Jesus died for sinners only. Dear Lord, please help us.

The original gospel is not only in words but in great power to save, heal, deliver, and protect those that believe, the perverted gospel is so weak that it cannot even cast out a demon, let alone bring about the salvation of a soul.

The original gospel has the power to give men assurance of salvation as God would normally forgive believers their sins, give them a new heart, put His Holy Spirit in them and write their names in the book of life; the perverted teaches that no one is sure of salvation until the last day. Mind you by then, it would have been too late.

The original gospel brings the children of men to the Christ; the perverted gospel brings them to religion.

Jesus is alive and well.  Repent and believe the gospel.  Open up your heart and let the Saviour in.

by Cosmas O. Okeke

efuah:

If you are born into a christian family, does it automatically makes u a christian?

No. Though unfortunately that is the thinking of many that we are christians automatically because our parents our christians. For one to become a christian, the person must be born again (the second birth)

The first birth (perhaps into a christian family) is by the human parents,
The second birth (into the family of God) is by the Holy Spirit.

For the first birth, that which is born of the flesh is flesh
For the second birth, that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

The first birth is not by faith and we dont know when
The second birth is by faith and we know when

The first birth is smeared by the Adamic nature
The second birth is cleansed by the nature of Christ

The first birth has life but for a short time and is mortal
The second birth has life everlasting in immortality.


If your father is a pastor and your mum an evagelist, yet that which is born of the flesh is flesh. You must be born again.

Kuns:


Hey did you know the Jesus charged his disciples not to tell people that he was the Christ?

Here in Matthew 16: 20 and I quote " Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ."

He didn't stop there, he went on to say that people would say that he was the Christ and deceive many. See Matthew 24: 5 and I quote "For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many."

Don't believe me, check it out for yourself.

You will see what Jesus is teaching. don't you see?

Who are the people going around today telling people that Jesus is the Christ?

Christians are actually going against what Jesus Charged his disciples.

Who are those people saying that Jesus is the Christ today? When Jesus Charged his disciples not to do so?

Dear Kuns,

The Lord gave that command in Mt 16: 20 because He was not yet glorified as at then. I was wondering if it will be any good to give you several references about the Christ, but looking at your logics, I have discovered that you purposely interprete scriptures out of context to suit your thoughts. Thus, you can read Mat 16: 20 (out of context) but you will not read several other places. Yet, let me drop just one reference.

Joh 4:25 - 26 "The woman said to Him, "I know that Messiah is coming" (who is called Christ). "When He comes, He will tell us all things." Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am He." (NKJV)

Now, I know that the likes of you will accpet Mt 16: 2o but reject John 4: 25 - 26.

Your interpretation of Mat 24: 5 is quite hilarious that I wonder if you are not delibrately being mischiveous. The Lord said that in the last days, some people will come out to claim that they are the Messiah (The Christ). The "I am the Christ" there is an individual claiming to be the Christ and we have seen all such things. Now compare this with the same Mt 24:24, "For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. (NKJV) These fellows will rise to claim to be the christ even declaring it, "I am the Christ".

It is not any intent of mine to start citing so many Bible references, for I know that it might not do you any good. Yet, since you read the Bible, will you not rather do some detailed study before you make your conclusions. We have seen so many funny things: you do not accept that the record of the Bible is true, still here you are quoting from it.

Nevertheless, Jesus is the Christ! Whether you accept Him or not, does not make a difference. Just like a man born blind may never accept that there is light, yet will that nulify the fact that there is no light? It is true that not everybody will be saved (though I wish that all men be saved), all I want to ask you is this, must you be among the unsaved? Repent and be saved. God loves you and I do too.

orobo 50cl:

@ Pilgrim

Abeg you guys stop refering to the past and move on,[b][/b] any thing wey don happen na june 12 and look to the future. Any small comment he make about christianity, people wey no be catholics go de find every fault for the speech. Even if he talk say *good morning o!*, them go talk say, "Bible no use the word good morning, say na shalom them use", so why pope and catholics go they use am!

Beloved orobo 50cl,

It is not as if we dont want to forget the past, yet the state of the chruch today is as a result of that past.  We know that a lot has changed; for example people like us would had been burnt at stake for "teaching heresy".  Yet, what is heretical to say that Salvation is by Grace and Faith in the Saviour, and not by human efforts and works.  What is heretical about teaching that
        There is only one mediator between God and Man - Jesus Christ the Lord and Saviour.

We are very sure of these facts; that those statues and images, rosery and stuffs like that, were never part of the Church pastored by Peter or any of the Apostles.   You might wonder what harm they do?  I have seen people who piut their trust in Scapulars instead of in Christ.  It looks both religious and spiritual, yet behind it is idolatory.

You might think that it is hatred for Catholics, yet it is that so many are dying and are going to perish for though they heard about Jesus, they never really trusted in Him.  Jesus is the Saviour, yet let me ask you orobo, are you saved now?  Is your name written in the Book Life?  If He comes today, are you ready to meet Him?  You might ask if I am ready?  Yes and yes!  The next question is how?  What am I making myself?  I am not making myself anything other than that I have discovered the Saviour of Mankind - Jesus the Christ and He is my Salvation, my victory and Eternal Life.  Salvation is real and God gives it free to men who humble themselves and put their trust in Him. This is the summary of this gospel.  
                                     "Jesus is alive and well, making sinners to become saints" yet, some teach that we are to remain sinners till the hour of death.  Jesus died to set us free from sin and Satans strong holds.  To become a christian is to be transfered from the kingdom of Satan into the kingdom of God.  Being born of the Spirit of God is real, New Life in Christ is real, Being Filled with the Holy Spirit is real, Salvation is real.  The Spirit of God bares witness with our spirit whether we are saved or not.  

Do you really think it is about church?  Beloved, there is no Catholic, Anglican, Deeper Life, Penticostal, Charismatic, Methodist or any of such things in Heaven.  There is only One God, One Thrown, One Saviour, One Flock, One Book of Life and finally, One Body of Christ, One Church (Those that are saved by Grace who worship the Lord in spirit and truth).  If your name is not yet in the Book of Life, then repent this very moment and ask the Lord for Salvation.  God bless you.

The Catholic cathecism teaches that people become christians through water baptism, yet the truth is that to have ones name written in the Book of Life, one must be regenarated in the spirit man which is an operation carried out by the Holy Spirit. Baptism is of value only after that, else it would just be a mere ritual which cannot give eternal live. Further more, they are that taught that Church (that is Catholic Church) saves, yet we know that it is only Jesus the Christ that saves. They are further taught that there is no salvation ouside the Catholic Church, yet we know that instead, there is no salvation outside Christ.

As for the doctrines, there are so many things introduced into the church when the pagan-Roman emperors took over the Church. The church leaders of today would want to sweep under the carpet the atrocities of the dark ages, yet we know that people like Huss, were burnt publicly for daring to translate the Bible from Latin/Hebrew/Greek to English language by the same church that claims sole ownership to salvation.

The bowing to images is very logical but not spiritual in any sense. The worship of God (who incidentantly is a Spirit) is in the spirit and besides, it really looks funny to imagine Apostle Peter (who they claim was the 1st Pope) to be bowing to to graven images in the name of honour. Al those things crept in into the church when pagan emperors took over the church.

Jesus is the one making intercession for us as the scripture says. For there is only one God and only one Mediator between God and men, Jesus the Christ.

Shalom.

First and fore most,

Divine health is part of the new covenant:
Some step into it (because they know it and accpet it)
Some don't step into it (though they know, but somehow they don't have faith)
Some don't even know about it
Some don't care about it.

Secondly,

Properity is also like Divine health:
Some step into it (because they know it and accept it)
Some don't step into it (though they know, but somehow they don't have faith)
Some don't even know about it
Some don't care about it.

Thridly,

Salvation is just like Prosperity and Divine Health
Some step into it (because they know it and accept it)
Some don't step into it (though they know, but somehow they don't have faith)
Some don't even know about it
Some don't care about it.

Fourthly,

Power over sin is Just like Salvation, Prosperity and Divine Health:

Some step into it (because they know it and accept it)
Some don't step into it (though they know, but somehow they don't have faith)
Some don't even know about it
Some don't care about it.

Fifthly,

The in filling of the Holy Spirit is like Power over sin
Some step into it (because they know it and accept it)
Some don't step into it (though they know, but somehow they don't have faith)
Some don't even know about it
Some don't care about it.

Sixthly,

Power over demons is like the In filling of the Holy spirit

Some step into it (because they know it and accept it)
Some don't step into it (though they know, but somehow they don't have faith)
Some don't even know about it
Some don't care about it.


Seventhly,

Every other promise of the new covenant is as all mentione above

Some step into them (because they know them and accept them)
Some don't step into them (though they know, but somehow they don't have faith)
Some don't even know about them
Some don't care about it.


Finally,

Forgive my repeatations, I just want to communicate in a style.

And don't forget, not all those who "defended" Jesus, God, Bible or even their church will be saved, but those who humbled themselves and trusted the Saviour with their lives.  Jesus is alive and well, making sinners to become saints. 

Beloved, have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power?  Are you yet delivered from sin? Is your name written in the Book of Life? Repent and believe the gospel. Shalom

Above all that He is,

He is "my" Saviour and "my" Lord!

Why so personal? one might ask.

'cos,
1. a lot of people know that He died for the sins of the whole world, yet they are still in their sins and except they repent will yet die in them.

2. a lot of people know that He is the Lord, yet they are not His subjects as they go about living their lives as if He does not even exist, let alone ruling over them.

It is not enough to know that He is the Saviour, we must ask Him and then trust Him for our Salvation. His word is always true. Beloved, have you been to Jesus for the cleasing power? Are washed in the blood of the lamb?

It is not enough to know that He is the Lord, we must submit to His Lordship and trust Him to lead to victory, else we will become the same with those who put a crown of thorns on His head then turned around to mockingly bow to Him.
Not those that say Lord, Lord but those that do the will of the Father.

Jesus is coming again. Shalom

IDINRETE:

oga pasitor
just because i don't believe that the world will end in 5days[SUNDAY] does it mean that I don't believe that christ is going to return? Therefore, you have concluded that I am wicked, perverse and a sinner that needs to repent and be saved,
By your analogy are you sure that christ is coming back this sunday?

Dear Idinrete,

I am sincerely sorry if you got offended. Yet, I was not referring to you. Check the thread and you will see pronounced unbelief in the Second coming of the Lord. Shalom.

cgift:

We are also told search all things and lay hold of that whoch is true. The church you are has a great influence on your chances of knowing him and consequently pleasing him. You don't please him more than you know him. I stand to be corrected.

I do understand exactly what you mean, but let me tell you a secret (if it is really a secret), if you meet a church goer who does not know the Lord and you start attacking his church, he will either attack back or stay away from you.  On the other hand, if you preach the gospel (the pure gospel) and such a one repents, they might easily change church.  i am telling you from experience.

I have ministered to a Catholic without attacking her church.  She gave her life to Christ and left the church of her own accord.  If I had attacked her church, she might not listened to me.

The message of the cross is straight enough, let us keep our focus on Jesus.  It is well.