SISTERS SISTERS SISTERS!!!

YOU saw him in a facebook group:
•U check his Profile picture.
•He Drives A Range Rover Sport 2016.
.He is handsome.
•He inboxed you.
•You reply, all excited.
•You'll want 2 hook up.
•You set a date.
•You dress up that Legging With No underwear.
•Smelling good.
•You put on a make up - fresh breath and new weave.
•He takes you 4 lunch @ Serena Hotel.
•He Takes you for - Drinks At Java.
•You two have a good time.
•He rubs your hand,
•Makes you laugh,
•Gives you looks and smiles.
•You stupidly fall in love.
•It's like you've known him Forever.
•He takes you to his apartment.
•He makes you feel comfortable and lays u on his bed.
•Kiss you passionately.
•You love his aggression, strength, power and you give in.
•It feels good.
•You know it's wrong, but it feels good.
•You ask for protection, he says it's too late.
•You obey and don't disturb.
•He says he loves you and you don't hesitate to say you love him too. He hits it nice and slow
•After, he goes to the kitchen to get a glass of water.
•He helps you drink it, ohh man.
•You feel special.
•"He must be the one" you think to yourself.
•You get dressed.
•He takes you to the taxi park.
•He kisses you on the cheeks and  says
•"I had a great time,"
•Gives You cash.
•U smile and say.
•"See you tomorrow babe."
• He stays silent.
•Your taxi drives away,
•In the taxi u can't stop smiling.
•You get home and inbox him that you got home safe.
•He is online, but doesn't reply.
•It's unlike him, so you inbox him again.
•He doesn't respond.
•Minutes later you can't find him on ur friend list.
•HE BLOCKED YOU.
•Days, weeks, months passes by.
•You start feeling sick, weak, loose weight, act strange with sores in your mouth.
•You go to the clinic.
•Get tested.
•Minutes later,
•Nurse walks in."I'm sorry. You're HIV Positive and Pregnant!"
•".HOW ?"
•You don't understand.
•Reality hits you.
•You walk home.
•Scared.
•Confused.
•You go to the bus stop.
•You lay, hopeless, emotionless.
•You see death coming nearer.
•You look into the sky & mumble a prayer.
That's the end of you.
Don't be that girl !Live well. Stop Chasing Material Things. Stop chasing SPONSORS!!
Be A Girl You Want Your Daughter To Be!
TO ALL THE LADIES.
LIVE A LIFE
NOT A LIE.

Read More

Are there limitations to Speaking in Tongues and Performing Miracles?

My bunkmate, Emeka, returned from the impartation service held at the Corpers' Fellowship at the NYSC Camp looking worried. A senior pastor had come from town to lay hands on those who had responded to the altar call. They were told that speaking in tongues would be the sign that they had been given the gift of the Holy Spirit. Emeka couldn't speak in tongues like others and so he thought something was wrong with him.
Emeka's experience brings the following questions to one's mind:
1. Are all believers expected to speak in tongues and perform miracles?

2. Are these gifts for all Christians of all time?

3. Who benefits from speaking in tongues?

4. Who benefits from miracles?

5. Have these gifts ceased today?
Shall we listen to the Bible?

In Mark 16:17-20, Jesus tells His disciples that they would do many signs, among which are speaking in tongues and miracles. But verse 20 affirms that these signs were *to confirm the Gospel preached to those who heard them*.

✔Note that not all Christians in the first century spoke in tongues or performed miracles. 1Cor.12:5-10
✔1Cor. 12:11 shows us that it was the Holy Spirit who determined which gift to give to those who had spiritual gifts.
✔Because these gifts could only be received by the laying on of the Apostles' hands, it indicated that they were for a specific period. Acts. 8:17-19; 1 Cor. 13:8 No pastor today reserves the right to lay hands on you to receive gifts of the Holy Spirit talk less of determining the gift you are to receive.
✔Possession of spiritual gifts did not make the possessor more spiritual. Otherwise, Paul would not have had to write to the Corinthians rebuking some of them for abusing the gifts. Also, God would be partial for not giving these gifts to all the Christians then and now if the gifts enhanced the spirituality of the possesors. 1 Cor. 12:28-30
✔ What All Christians of All Time share in common is the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Acts 5:32; 2:38; Romans 5:5.
✔The Holy Spirit indwells Christians who obey the Gospel of Christ by being baptized. Acts 19:1-7
✔The Apostles and first Christians on whom the apostles laid their hands did not use their gifts indiscriminately. They used it solely for the purpose of confirming the message preached. 2 Timothy 4:20b and 1 Timothy 5:23 affirm that Paul had companions who needed healing but did not use the gift of healing on them. Even he was not healed of a 'thorn in his flesh' 2Cor.12:7-8. The signs and wonders performed by the Holy Spirit through them was for confirmation of the word. Hebrews 2:4
✔Those who claim to speak in tongues today do not speak in human languages but claim to speak in 'angelic' languages whereas those who spoke in tongues in the Bible spoke human languages could be understood and interpreted. Acts 2:1-12; 1Cor.12:10b shows that some had the gift of interpreting tongues(languages).
✔The tongues spoken today are for their edification and not for unbelievers but 1Cor.14:22 says tongues are to benefit unbelievers and NOT for believers.
✔Our focus as Christians should be on the salvation of our souls and worshipping God in an acceptable manner. Jesus said one could perform miracles and still go to hell. Matt7:21-24.

I hope with these truths, you, like Emeka my bunkmate, will be equipped to know the truth about speaking in tongues and miracles. Prove all things and hold fast to the truth.
Written by Daniel 'Jimi for evangelismportal.org

Read More

THE ISSUE OF POCKET MONEY FOR WIVES. LET'S ADOPT THE IDEA

I have often wondered why is it that most men forget to give gifts to their wives? Why is it that we overlook the need to give our wives pocket money? Say.. "my dear, take this and buy yourself something or this is your pocket money for this month." This pocket money is not the same thing as soup money or money to buy things at home. I mean money strictly for her and her alone. Understand?
Now, I am not saying all our wives are in need. I am not relegating women to the background. I know that in this age and time, most women work and some of them earn well enough to take care of their basic needs... and their children, if not even earn better than their husbands and in good position to shoulder the loads of the family. But God forbid that men will wait on their wives!.
But my take here is: is anything wrong in saying "my dear, take this as your pocket money for this month" ? I guess there is nothing wrong in that even if she earns better than you the husband. I guess its an act that God will be glad we men still play, not minding how much you give or if your wife needs it or not.
Now ask the woman next to you: if your husband gives you pocket money regularly, monthly, often or seldomly not minding if its N5k or N10k, or N100k, will you take it or not? Will you appreciate it or not?
You know women naaaaw, na bring bring bring, be their philosophy. They will take it. I guess if we men cultivate that act, it will go a long way to make our wives believe their husbands love them. And watch what such women will do in response.
Let me tell you a story. One day, a client paid me a big sum and i just felt like tripping my wife. I put her in the Toyota Camry car i was using then and off i drove to Shoprite. I did not even tell her we were going to Shoprite. When we got there, she exploded
"Do you have money? What are we doing here?
I said "just follow me and pick anything you want."
Right inside Shoprite, I picked cart and wheeled it behind her. "Pick anything you want my love."
See women o! Na so she dey pick, pick, pick. The cart was full. Then she picked her own cart too, and in minutes, her cart was full too. I picked the bill, almost N86,000. As we were going out of the mall, something struck her ...
"Honey, You did not buy yourself anything!" she wondered
Ah, i have no cash left. Let us go home ...
"No, i have some money. Lets go back and pick what you want".
So we went back. My wife picked a bill of N42k for me alone.
Now, you know i never knew my wife had money on her? But she brought it out and spent on me because i had impressed her. Dear Brothers, Impress your wife, she will spin surprises on you.
Now look at this again: when i scrutinised all we bought with my N86k, hardly was there anything strictly for her. Almost everything we bought were things we used at home and for the children. But when it was her turn to buy for me, i bought things for MYSELF! Shaving cream, boxers, stockings, slippers, clipper, DVDs, singlets, my kind of juice, (understand?) etc. Things me alone use!
It taught me a great lesson: most women are good. Most women are not greedy. All they want is show them you love them, you will catch them for life!
Men, give your wives pocket money today. Cultivate the habit. Don’t say sebi she is working.
And women, don’t say how much are you giving me gan sef? Appreciate it and say thank you.

Read More

A Study of Priests

The term priest is used today in many different religious settings. If you were to ask a person what his understanding of "priest" is, he would respond based on his experiences and familiarity. The common definition of priest is, "A person whose office it is to perform religious rites, and especially to make sacrificial offerings" (Random House College Dictionary, pg. 1051). Regarding priests, please consider the following:

     "And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests ("a kingdom and priests," ASV): and we shall reign on the earth" (Rev. 5: 9, 10).

     The New Testament makes it abundantly plain that Christians are priests. John again, "And hath made us a kingdom…priests unto his God and Father; to him be the glory and the dominion for ever and ever. Amen" (Rev. 1: 6, ASV). The inspired apostle Peter perhaps made the fact of each Christian being a priest even plainer:

     "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, and holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" (I Pet. 2: 9).

     Since each Christian is presented in scripture as a priest unto God, our time would be spent well in studying the matter of priests. We shall approach a study of the priesthood under three headings, the Jewish Priesthood, the Catholic Priesthood, and the priesthood concept set forth in the New Testament.

     The Jewish Priesthood. The Jewish or Levitical priesthood served a vital need and purpose under the Law of Moses. I shall insert the following from Smith's Bible Dictionary pertaining to the Levitical Priesthood:

    "When established. The priesthood was first established in the family of Aaron, and all the sons of Aaron were priests. They stood between the high priest on the one hand and the Levites on the other. [HIGH PRIEST; LEVITES] The ceremony of their consecration is described in HIGH PRIEST - 1986 (Ex. 29: 1, Lev. 8: 1…. Duties: The chief duties of the priests were to watch over the fire on the altar of burnt offering, and to keep it burning evermore both by day and night, (Lev. 6: 12, 2 Chroni. 13: 11), to feed the golden lamp outside the vail with oil (Ex. 27: 20, 21, Lev. 24: 2), to offer the morning and evening sacrifices, each accompanied with a meet offering and a drink offering, at the door of the tabernacle. (Ex. 29: 38-44) They were also to teach the children of Israel the statutes of the Lord (Lev. 10: 11, 33: 10, 2 Chroni. 15: 3, Ezek. 44: 23, 24). During the journeys in the wilderness it belonged to them to cover the ark and all the vessels of the sanctuary with a purple or scarlet cloth before the Levites might approach them. (Num. 4: 5-15)…. "

     The chief function of the Levitical priests was that of offering animal sacrifices for the sins of the people. However, "…it was not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins" (Heb. 10: 4). The Aaronic Priesthood was only temporary and looked to Christ and his "once for all" sacrifice (Heb. 7; 8). Since the priesthood and the Law of Moses were interrelated, a change in one affected the other. This is the meaning of the language, "For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law" (Heb. 7: 12). The priesthood and the Law of Moses were both taken out of the way (Heb. 7; 8).

     The Catholic Priesthood and other man-made systems. Out of all the human introduced priesthoods including the occult, the Catholic Priesthood is the most universal and well known. If you attend a traditional Catholic religious service, you see men dressed in robes and peculiar hats conducting a very solemn service or liturgy (their official readings, prayers, and utterances). Some present confess their sins to the officiating priest in a booth. The Catholic priest administers "baptism," "mass," and performs the "last rites" over the dead (the scriptures know nothing of sprinkling/pouring for baptism, mass, or the last rites). The priesthood is over the common man and directs, administers, and determines the spiritual instruction of the common man.

     It is the claim of Catholicism that it is the true church, going all the way back to the apostle Peter as the first Pope. It is strange that you cannot read about Catholicism as an acceptable system in the New Testament. There were no popes, Catholic priests, or Catholic Church in the First Century (cp. Rom. 16: 16, I Cor. 4: 16). The only intimation of Catholicism in the New Testament is seen in the prophecies pertaining to the early church falling away (Acts 20: 29, 30, 2 Thes. 2: 1-9, I Tim. 4: 1-3). In these verses, we do read of error and apostasy beginning within the eldership; one man sitting in the temple of God as God and receiving worship; and certain teachings such as abstinence from meats and marriage characterizing this falling away. Beloved, Roman Catholicism with its attendant priesthood is the result of error and spiritual perversion of the true church of which we read in the scriptures, the church over which Jesus is the head and Savior (Matt. 16: 18, 19; Eph. 1: 22, 23, 5:23).

     The priesthood in which every Christian is a functioning priest. We began this study by noticing verses in which it is stated that Christians are priests and collectively constitute a "royal priesthood" (Rev. 1: 5, 6; I Pet. 2: 9). The pertinent question is how does each Christian serve as a priest?

     One way in which each Christian functions as a priest unto God is by directly officiating in his worship. Regarding the fact that the Christian directly officiates as his own priest in religious service to God, please consider the teaching resident in the Hebrew Epistle:

     "10: We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. 11: For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. 12: Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. 13: Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. 14: For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. 15: By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name" (Heb. 13).

     Notice that the Christian has "an altar" and Jesus is the sacrifice belonging to the Christian (vs. 10, 12). The Christian offers up the sacrifice of praise to God continually and the Jewish priests who do not even believe in Jesus have no place at this altar (vs. 15, 10). Instead of animal offerings and "odours," there are the prayers of the saints (Rev. 5: 8, 8: 3). The Christian does not go through a human priest, but is able to himself approach God through Jesus Christ, the High Priest for all Christians who intercedes in heaven (I Tim. 2: 5; Heb. 4, 5).

     The sacrifice of the Christian is perpetually valid. In fact, this offering is so perfect that one offering was all that was required for all time, I refer to the sin offering of the Sinless Lamb of God. To this end, please consider what God's word says:

     "23: It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24: For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: 25: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; 26: For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27: And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation" (Heb. 9).

     The idea of a mere man having to serve as a priest today for others is repulsive. Moreover, the thought of a professional priesthood is not only reprehensible, but also such removes the Christian from his place of direct proximity with God. The Christian through Jesus is now able to directly approach God regarding the expiation of his sins and Jesus is the means of that forgiveness (I Jn. 1: 7, Heb. 4-9). The Lord's Supper that is celebrated each Lord's Day proclaims Jesus' offering and provides the Christian with the opportunity of spiritually participating in Jesus' death by remembering Jesus (Acts 2: 42, 20: 7; I Cor. 11: 23-29).

     We are to shun the antiquated Levitical Priesthood and all man-made priesthoods such as the Catholic Papacy and embrace, cherish, and maintain the purity of each Christian being a priest unto God. Such a priesthood, though, requires activity as opposed to passivity.

For questions, visit the Church of Christ nearest to you

 

Read More

ALCOHOL IN THE BIBLE, 75 POINTS NO DRUNKARD SHALL INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD 1 COR 6,10.

1) Genesis 9:20-26 - Noah became drunk; the result was immorality and family trouble.
2) Genesis 19:30-38 - Lot was so drunk he did not know what he was doing; this led to immorality
3) Leviticus 10:9-11 - God commanded priests not to drink so that they could tell the difference between the holy and the unholy.
4) Numbers 6:3 - The Nazarites were told to eat or drink nothing from the grape vine.
5) Deuteronomy 21:20 - A drunken son was stubborn and rebellious.
6) Deuteronomy 29:5-6 - God gave no grape juice to Israel nor did they have intoxicating drink in the wilderness.
7) Deuteronomy 32:33 - Intoxicating wine is like the poison of serpents, the cruel venom of asps.
Judges 13:4, 7, 14 - Samson was to be a Nazarite for life. His mother was told not to drink wine or strong drink.
9) 1 Samuel 1:14-15 - Accused, Hannah said she drank no wine.
10) 1 Samuel 25:32-38 - Nabal died after a drunken spree.
11) 2 Samuel 11:13 - By getting Uriah drunk, David hoped to cover his sin.
12) 2 Samuel 13:28-29 - Amnon was drunk when he was killed.
13) 1 Kings 16:8-10 - The king was drinking himself into drunkenness when he was assassinated
14) 1 Kings 20:12-21 - Ben-Hadad and 32 other kings were drinking when they were attacked and defeated by the Israelites.
15) Esther 1:5-12 - The king gave each one all the drink he wanted. The king was intoxicated when he commanded the queen to come.
16) Psalm 75:8 - The Lord’s anger is pictured as mixed wine poured out and drunk by the wicked.
17) Proverbs 4:17 - Alcoholic drink is called the wine of violence.
18) Proverbs 20:1 - Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging.
19) Proverbs 23:19-20 - A wise person will not be among the drinkers of alcoholic beverages.
20) Proverbs 23:21 - Drunkenness causes poverty.
21) Proverbs 23:29-30 - Drinking causes woe, sorrow, fighting, babbling, wounds without cause and red eyes.
22) Proverbs 23:31 - God instructs not to look at intoxicating drinks.
23) Proverbs 23:32 - Alcoholic drinks bite like a serpent, sting like an adder.
24) Proverbs 23:33 - Alcohol causes the drinker to have strange and adulterous thoughts, produces willfulness, and prevents reformation.
25) Proverbs 23:34 - Alcohol makes the drinker unstable
26) Proverbs 23:35 - Alcohol makes the drinker insensitive to pain so he does not perceive it as a warning. Alcohol is habit forming.
27) Proverb 31:4-5 - Kings, Princes, and others who rule and judge must not drink alcohol. Alcohol perverts good judgment.
28) Proverbs 31:6-7 - Strong drink could be given to those about to perish or those in pain. Better anesthetics are available today.
29) Ecclesiastes 2:3 - The king tried everything, including intoxicating drink, to see if it satisfied. It did not. (Ecclesiastes 12:8)
30) Ecclesiastes 10:17 - A land is blessed when its leaders do not drink.
31) Isaiah 5:11-12 - Woe to those who get up early to drink and stay up late at night to get drunk.
32) Isaiah 5:22 - Woe to "champion" drinkers and "experts" at mixing drinks.
33) Isaiah 19:14 - Drunken men stagger in their vomit.
34) Isaiah 22:12-13 - The Israelites choose to drink; their future looks hopeless to them.
35) Isaiah 24:9 - Drinkers cannot escape the consequences when God judges.
36) Isaiah 28:1 - God pronounces woe on the drunkards of Ephraim.
37) Isaiah 28:3 - Proud drunkards shall be trodden down.
38) Isaiah 28:7 - Priests and prophets stagger and reel from beer and wine, err in vision, and stumble in judgment.
39) Isaiah 28:8 - Drinkers’ tables are covered with vomit and filth.
40) Isaiah 56:9-12 - Drinkers seek their own gain and expect tomorrow to be just like today.
41) Jeremiah 35:2-14 - The Rechabites drank no grape juice or intoxicating wine and were blessed.
42) Ezekiel 44:21 - Again God instructed the priests not to drink wine.
43) Daniel 1:5-17 - Daniel refused the king’s intoxicating wine and was blessed for it along with his abstaining friends.
44) Daniel 5:1 - Belshazzar, ruler of Babylon; led his people in drinking.
45) Daniel 5:2-3 - The king, along with his nobles, wives, and concubines, drank from the goblets which had been taken from God’s temple.
46) Daniel 5:4 - Drinking wine was combined with praising false gods.
47) Daniel 5:23 - God sent word to Belshazzar that punishment would be swift for the evil he had committed.
48) Hosea 4:11 - Intoxicating wine takes away intelligence.
49) Hosea 7:5 - God reproves princes for drinking.
50) Joel 1:5 - Drunkards awake to see God’s judgment.
51) Joel 3:3 - The enemy is judged for selling girls for wine.
52) Amos 2:8 - Unrighteous acts of Israel included the drinking of wine which had been taken for the payment of fines.
53) Amos 2:12 - Israel is condemned for forcing Nazarites to drink wine.
54) Micah 2:11 - Israelites are eager to follow false teachers who prophesy plenty of intoxicating drinks.
55) Nahum 1:10 - The drunkards of Nineveh will be destroyed by God.
56) Habakkuk 2:5 - A man is betrayed by wine.
57) Habakkuk 2:15 - Woe to him that gives his neighbor drink.
58) Habakkuk 2:16 - Drinking leads to shame.
59) Matthew 24:48-51 - A drinking servant is unprepared for his Lord’s return.
60) Luke 1:15 - John the Baptist drank neither grape juice nor wine.
61) Luke 12:45 - Christ warned against drunkenness.
62) Luke 21:34 - Drunkenness will cause a person not to be ready for the Lord’s return.
63) Romans 13:13 - Do not walk in drunkenness or immorality.
64) Romans 14:21 - Do not do anything that will hurt your testimony as a believer.
65) 1 Corinthians 5:11 - If a Christian brother is a drinker, do not associate with him.
66) 1 Corinthians 6:10 - Drunkards will not inherit the kingdom of God
67) Galatians 5:21 - Acts of the sinful nature, such as drunkenness, will prohibit a person from inheriting the kingdom of God.
68) Ephesians 5:18 - In contrast to being drunk with wine, the believer is to be filled with the Spirit.
69) 1 Thessalonians 5:6-7 - Christians are to be alert and self-controlled, belonging to the day. Drunkards belong to the night and darkness.
70) 1 Timothy 3:2-3 - Bishops (elders) are to be temperate, sober, and not near any wine.
71) 1 Timothy 3:8 - Deacons are to be worthy of respect and not drinkers.
72) 1 Timothy 3:11 - Deacons’ wives are to be temperate and sober.
73) Titus 1:7-8 - An overseer is to be disciplined.
74) Titus 2:2-3 - The older men and older women of the church are to be temperate and not addicted to wine.
75) 1 Peter 4:3-4 - The past life of drunkenness and carousing has no place in the kingdom of God.

Read More

THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE CHURCH AND DENOMINATIONS

It is not uncommon these days to hear the question: “Which denomination do you attend?” This question is very strange and unknown to Bible characters. In the early days of Christianity, people simply belonged to the one and only Church established by Christ. Jesus Christ promised to build his Church in Matt.16:18. The possessive pronoun “my” and the singular word “Church” are quite instructive in that passage.
The promise of Christ to build his Church in Matt. 16:18 came to fulfilment in the book of Acts 2. Note that the word “Church ” is from the Greek word ecclesia which means the called out or an assembly. The church therefore is an assembly of people who are called out of the darkness of this world into the marvelous light of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 1Pet. 2:9. Thus, the word Church does not refer to a building, as many erroneously believe today.
On the other hand, the word “denomination” connotes division, segregation and sectarianism. All these are condemned as work of the flesh in Gal.5:19. Moreso, in John 17:20-21 Jesus prayed for the unity of believers. The intention of Christ is to have one united body where all believers are to worship in spirit and in truth. John 4:23-24; Eph.4:3-6. But just like the parable of Jesus in Matthew 13:24-30, the kingdom of heaven is likened to the man who sowed good seeds in his farm but while men slept, the enemy came and sowed tares on the same land. The differences between the Church of the bible, which Christ built and denominations established by men are quite many and glaring. Let us consider them one after the other:
1. The Church in the Bible has Christ as head and founder Matt.16:18; Col. 1:18, whereas denominations have human heads and founders.
2. The Church in the Bible has its headquarter in heaven, where the head is, Mark 16:19; Acts 2:33, whereas denominations all have their heads and headquarter on earth here in various cities of the world.
3. The mode of becoming a member of the Church in the Bible is through the new birth according to salvation steps of heariing God’s word Rom 10:17; believing God’s word John 8:24; repenting from sins Lk13:3,5; confession of faith in Christ Rom.10:9, Matt.10:32-33 and baptism by immersion into Christ Mk.16:16. But in denominations, membership is through “altar call”, “sinners’ prayer” and any other method proposed by the owners of the Church.
4. For the Church in the bible, worship to God is in spirit and in truth John 4:23-24. The worship in spirit is that which is from the heart as against any extraneous consideration John 6:63; and worship is in truth if it is in accordance to God’s word John 17:17. But in denominations, there is no clear-cut pattern as to mode of worship, but according to the whims and caprices of the leader or “as the spirit directs” such clapping, dancing, drumming, shouting, burning insence, candles,  shaking, etc.
5. The organization of the Church in the Bible is such that the universal Church (Matt.16:18) has local congregations that are scripturally activated to worship God by praying (devoid of ecstasy) Matt.6:9-15; 1Thes. 5:17, singing (vocal music only and non-instrumental music) Eph.5:19, Col.3:16, teaching and preaching Acts2:42, giving of their means to God through free-will offering (not by tithing) 1Cor.16:1-2; observing the holy communion every Sunday according to Bible example. Acts 20:7; 1Cor 11:23-30.
6. The local congregations of the Church in the Bible are ruled by qualified elders and deacons in accordance with Titus 1:5-11; 1Tim.3:1-13 and also have Evangelists/Preachers, teachers and members according to Eph.4:11-12 for the edification of the Church. The scriptural organization is such that it allows for plurality of elders, also known as pastors, presbyters, overseers, bishops Acts 14:23; Acts20:17,28. In the denominations on the other hand, it is possible to have a one-man pastor (most times unmarried) contrary to the qualifications of pastors in 1Tim 3, presiding over a local congregation.
7. The goal of members in the Church of the Bible is to inherit eternity with God in heaven on the last day John 3:16; 1Thes.4:13-17, whereas in denominations, their goals are as diverse as they are many. Some, like the Jehovah Witnesses, have the goal of  inheriting this physical earth together with all the fine houses on earth here while others simply believe in the breakthroughs, power, miracles and financial prosperity they will get here on earth.
Therefore, it is our plea dear reader that you take necessary steps to come out of denominational Churches and belong to the Church established by Christ for your own salvation 2Cor 6:17-18. God bless you.

Written by Bro. Ben Yamah for Evangelismportal.org

Read More

PREACH JUST CHRIST

The common refrain today is “preach Christ and not Church. Afterall there is no church in heaven”
So of recent I have decided to follow that line of thought but it is simply not making sense.
The more I preach Christ the more the church is featured.
The Christ I am told to preach only is the one who promised to build a church. Matt 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
The Christ I am told to preach only is the one who died and his blood used to purchase the church. Act 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
The Christ I am told to preach only is the one declared to be the head of the church. Eph 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
Dear friends, it is practically impossible to separate Christ from the church.
The church is the orientation agency of Christ. Eph 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
The church is the home of the saved who have been rescued from the kingdom of darkness. Act 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
The church today is liken to the ark built by Noah. Those who were inside escaped the flood. If you are not inside, you are outside.
The church of Christ is not so much a name, as it is a description.. We are a congregation of people who belong to Christ. Each of us recognized the sins in his or her life and came to God for salvation as the Bible instructs.
We do not use creeds, teachings of men or revelation newer than the Holy Bible. We are simply Christians following the teachings of Jesus, His apostles, and prophets found in the New Testament. It is our commitment to live by these teachings to the best of our ability.
Our Worship
When you visit our assemblies, you will be greeted and feel welcome. These are the things you will find us doing in our worship services:

On the first day of every week, we observe the Lord’s Supper in His memory, in the manner He has prescribed in the New Testament.

At our Sunday assemblies, we cheerfully contribute to the work of the church of our own free will as directed. We do not ask non-members to financially support our work.

At every assembly, we pray...more than once. Prayer is a part of what we do as a congregation, as well as privately each day.

We love to sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. It is the most often heard comment of visitors...I so enjoyed your singing."

We listen to messages from God's Word. Biblically sound sermons are an edifying way to grow nearer to the Lord.
We invite you to come and study with us at any church of Christ near you. There is power in following the pattern set by Christ for his people for all ages. We believe that the Bible explains everything we need to know to best live our days and go to heaven when our earthly days are over. If this is you, we will be happy to talk with you or study with you from the Bible as you seek to learn more about God and bring your life into harmony with His will. 
Put together by Mike Udam and powered by Evangelismportal2017

Read More