Prof Ben Onyeukwu SUBTLE DIVERSION OF THE GOSPEL

SUBTLE DIVERSION
OF THE GOSPEL:

By Prof Ben Onyeukwu

   By way of a simple citation, the "Gospel Commission" is just the LORD'S directive, urging His people to,..."go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature, in which,  HE said,...he who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned".
   Pointedly, the Scripture in focus, does not cite the COMMISSION as saying, "go into the world and pray", or "go into the world and interpret dreams", nor does is say, "go into the world and make people millionaires, or declare prayers of faith, for economic breakthrough, just as it is not a well list of articulated principles put in place to help one attain success. Furthermore, the Scripture under review, does not trace the "so called" Family Liberation Prayer or the New Month Faith Declaration prayer, as part of the items in the menu of the Gospel Commission, but just said, "go into the world, and preach the gospel to every creature"...
   But, unfortunately, some hirelings and mindless wolves are, in today's world subtly diverting the attention of the gullible and unsuspecting members of the human society, from the truth of the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST, to empty pep talks, which promise them perishable worldly wealth and opportunities, instead of the WORD OF ETERNAL LIFE, which is the core message of the gospel. This, informs the basic reasons why from the pulpits and social media handles, of such ever-increasing demonically covenanted preachers, drafted by hell to destroy the redemptive work of CHRIST, come unrelented vibrations of adulterated gospel talks, with topics like, "GOD IS SENDING YOU A DESTINY HELPER", "TOMORROW IS YOUR DAY FOR AWESOME BANK ALERT", "WITHIN TWO DAYS, SOMEONE IS COMING TO BUILD YOU A MANSION", YOUR VISA WILL BE READY BY NEXT WEEK, and stuff like these, that have nothing to do with the gospel message, which urges everyone to,..."seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to them".
   For your information,..."God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life" So, any gospel that is not genuinely centered on the ETERNAL LIFE which JESUS CHRIST alone gives, is a subtle diversion of the gospel, which Satan is the mastermind. REPENT AND BELIEVE THE GOSPEL! (See Mark 16:15-16, Matthew 6:33 and 1 John 5:11-12).

   

Prof Ben Onyeukwu ENOUGH MONEY FOR FREE SECURITY

ENOUGH MONEY
FOR FREE SECURITY:

By Prof Ben Onyeukwu

   Ironically, we live in a world of waste and lack, pains and comfort, bitterness and sweetness, an imbalance, which many see as routines of fate. Honestly, this world is a place of heart-rending evil, where some privileged ones lavish wealth, while the vast majority of the people live in abject poverty and scarcity.
   The foregoing is a background to the topic under review, and concerns the security issue in the HOUSE OF GOD, the Church of JESUS CHRIST, where so many hallowed preachers, have more than enough money to pay state security details for safety, for the security that GOD has offered His people free of charge. These unbelieving and heartless folks spend millions of dollars and naira every month, paying for human security, while seeing their members die in excruciating pains of lack. Pointedly, these wolves in pastoral clothing, are known for the pep talks, which picture GOD as the SUPREME place of safety, but would never believe HIM for their own protection.
   But, according to GOD'S WORDS, "he who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty....He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler....You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked. Because you have made the LORD your refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways"...
   Having cited the above, how real, therefore, is the preacher who heralds the above "Protection-Scripture", without believing GOD, for his own safety? And, where would such reckless pulpit deceivers, who waste resources, for the already DIVINELY provided security, be ranked in the scale of wickedness? Also, how can one describe the preachers who publish angel as DIVINE security agents on guard, but still have police orderlies hired for their protection? For your information, GOD is not the respecter of persons, as HE will definitely bring to justice, all those who think they have enough money to waste on things that are not part of HIS DIVINE budget.
   No doubt, EZRA would stand out as a measure of standard, against the faithless preachers of the present world, who now claim that their social status warrants their use of the state security apparatus, for protection. For, when Cyrus, the King of Persia, made a proclamation to let Israel go, in fulfillment of  the prophecy of the Prophet Jeremiah, did not bother to seek security from the King, but said,..."I was ashamed to request of the king an escort of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy on the road, because we had spoken to the king, saying, "The hand of our God is upon all those for good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him. So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer"
   In conclusion, let it be known to the unbelieving and prodigal preachers, who think they have enough money to waste on personal security, while members of their churches suffer and die in penury, that they will, for sure, give account of every kobo spent from the coffers of their churches and ministries, which they now spend recklessly. REPENT AND BELIEVE THE GOSPEL! (See Psalms 91:1-12 and Ezra 8:22-23)
   

Prof Ben Onyeukwu BEAUTIFUL WORSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP

BEAUTIFUL WORSHIP 

AND FELLOWSHIP:

By Prof Ben Onyeukwu 

   Worship and fellowship are indispensable ties of any religious life, christian or non- christian. By way of definition, worship is one's devotion to GOD. It is a feeling of strong or fervent affection and dedication to one's Creator. On the other hand, fellowship, has to do a feeling of friendship or connection between people.

   Worship is strictly being connected to GOD, in an unbroken relationship in which every worshipper is enjoined to remain faithful. Thus, the Holy Scripture, stresses that, "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth". 

   Furthermore, worship can only be beautiful, when it is done in holiness. In keeping with this, the Holy Scripture, equally admonishes that, we must always "give unto the LORD the glory due to His NAME, as well as worship HIM, in the beauty of holiness".

   The crux of the matter is that, worship belongs to GOD alone, whether in places of worship or not, as fellowship is a corporate worship, or the coming togather of a people, in any place of worship, to express a collective adoration to GOD. The epistle to the Hebrews urges that, we must not be in habit of..."forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching". 

   In conclusion, please note that , beautiful worship and fellowship always bring people and GOD together in mutual Love and friendship. This, you cannot afford to miss. REPENT AND BELIEVE THE GOSPEL! (See John 4:24, Psams 29:2 and Hebrews 10:25)

Prof Ben Onyeukwu NEEDLESS ADVERTISEMENT

NEEDLESS
ADVERTISEMENT:

By Prof Ben Onyeukwu

   The records of the miraculous works of JESUS CHRIST, as we have in the Holy Scripture, were just simple journalistic reportage, which catalogued the infallible miraculous signs that go with genuine preachers, and not intentional media or personal advertisements that seek to market or magnify any individual. This is because genuine miracles will always attract the people to the source, and not the source advertising them.
   The Gospel according to Matthew, narrates that, "JESUS went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. This, resulted in great multitudes that followed Him, from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan."
   Worthy of note, is that, the biblical account of the miracles of JESUS CHRIST above, carries no trace of His personal or media advertisement, trying to showcase Himself as a great miracle worker, as most modern preachers presently do, for self-projection, which has often resulted in rented crowd and fixing of miracles. But, JESUS CHRIST, our exemplary LEADER, was never in the habit of attention seeking, or the advertising of His miracles, which HE demonstrated when..."a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean." Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. And Jesus said to him, "see that you tell (or advertise it) to no one; but go and show yourself to the priest, (to confirm your healing), as well as offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them".
   From the afore-stated, it becomes obvious that, the present day "advertising of miracles", by most preachers, is not a biblical practice, but a dubious strategy to deceive the unsuspecting public, or to divert the attention of the gullible individuals in society. To this end, this "Gospel Treatise" becomes a clarion call that seeks to alert the general public  of the need to be wary of the unsubstantiated claims of miracles, from certain religious leaders or quarters, as advertised in both social and other media platforms. Furthermore, since, genuine miracles can never cease, just because JESUS CHRIST, the SOURCE of real miracles, is the same yesterday, today and forever, there is, therefore, the need to checkmate the excesses of certain self-aclaimed "faith-healers", who are all out to take undue advantage of the people.
   In conclusion, please, be certain, that media advertisement of the miraculous works of GOD, by the standards of JESUS CHRIST, is not biblical, but if the self-willed deviants insist on doing so, they should be compelled to backup their claims with medical certificates from experts, as the evidence(s) of the genuineness of their claims, just as JESUS CHRIST sent the lepers HE cleansed, to the priests of His time, who also served as medical personnel, to confirm their healing. REPENT AND BELIEVE THE GOSPEL! (See Matthew 4:23-24; 8:2-4, Mark 1:44 and Luke 5:14).

Prof Ben Onyeukwu MINISTERS WITHOUT THE MESSAGE

MINISTERS WITHOUT
THE MESSAGE:

By Prof Ben Onyeukwu

   Without controversy, CHRIST is the core MESSAGE of the Gospel. The Apostle Paul confirms this irrefutable truth, as he says,..."we preach CHRIST crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block, and to the Greeks foolishness". The Holy Scripture, also shows that, CHRIST is lubricated in the WORD, when it says, "in the beginning was the WORD, and the WORD was with GOD, and the WORD was GOD. He was in the beginning with GOD. All things were made through HIM, and without HIM nothing was made that was made. In HIM was LIFE, and the LIFE was the LIGHT of men".
   The above cited Scripture, clearly reveals that, the written WORD explains CHRIST, and throws up HIS LIGHT that illuminates the human race. This, equally implies that, no religious dogma is close to becoming the message of the Gospel of CHRIST, which has nothing to do with any religious codes, that are often designed for blindfolding indoctrination, as in the case of the Jewish Religion, where the Gospel is viewed as a stumbling block.
   Furthermore, the Message of the Gospel, is not a philosophical stuff, which the educated folks, like the Greeks, often treat with disdain, or see as foolishness, for lack of worldly distinctions and glamour, as the true message of the Gospel of CHRIST advocates that, nothing else be known ..."among the believers except JESUS CHRIST and HIM crucified". So, any Gospel Minister whose message(s) lack(s) the above description, is a minister without the message.
   Having, biblically, established the unchallengeable truth that, CHRIST is the Main Message of the Gospel, and that, the written WORD explains the truth about HIM, it becomes glaring that, most Gospel Preachers have not, and do not preach the true message of the Gospel of CHRIST. If the above assertion is anything to go by, how does one explain the ethnically biased messages, by some preachers, that are vested with bitterness and rancour, against people of other tribes or religions, in the name of preaching the Gospel of CHRIST, who, in love died for the redemption of all? Or, how does one brand any religious discourse the message of the Gospel of CHRIST, without an uncompromised emphasis on HIS LORDSHIP?
   For your information, the message of the Gospel of CHRIST must be CHRIST-centered, embellished with the biblical truth that sincerely highlights HIS PERSON and not the preacher, or any other object or personality. Without mincing words, anything short of this, is but a ruse, and not the message of the Gospel of CHRIST, and suggests that, the preachers whose messages are below the aforestated standard, are indeed, Ministers without the Message. REPENT AND BELIEVE THE GOSPEL! (See 1 Cor 1:23, John 1:1-4, 1 Cor 2:2).

Prof Ben Onyeukwu IDENTIFIABILITY OF PRAYER

IDENTIFIABILITY 

OF PRAYER:

By Prof Ben Onyeukwu 

   Prayer is DIVINELY designed for identifiable persons, animals, places or things, that require it. In other words, prayer targets specific, animate or inanimate objects, which the person(s) who pray(s) must aim at, for  desired results. Biblically speaking, there is nothing like random shooting of the arrows of prayer, which anybody can claim by chance. This is why the Apostle Paul could say, "brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved", just as the Prophet Samuel specified Israel, for prayer, when he said,..."far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you"....

   The cited scriptural references, and a host of others littered everywhere in GOD'S WORD, readily cast a clear shadows on the randomization of prayers, which many unscrupulous preachers aimlessly shoot out as firecrackers, on social and mainstream media platforms, which they believe people could claim, by just saying amen, is not just stupid, but an unconscious bastardization of the holy principles of prayer.

   In prayer, we talk to GOD, and expect HIM to answer. Certainly, the LORD identifies the particulars of everyone who prays, as well as the request they make for themselves or for other people. This means that GOD takes records of every prayer, and determines when, and how to answer them. So, the idea which seems to portray certain individuals as having the power to invade or open the TREASURE HOUSE of the Kingdom of GOD, and in turn, distribute the valuables at will, is a demonically inspired act of falsehood, and spiritual criminality taken too far. 

   Worthy of note also, is that GOD desires specificity in prayer. HE needs to know one who prays, as well as the persons, places, animals or things one is praying for. In furtherance, the LORD requires identifiable prayer points, for identifiable persons who desire identifiable answers to their prayers. Therefore, it is always correct to pray, or ask someone to pray for you, on a specific prayer requests, but always wrong to have a poor, or nonchalant attitude to prayer, yet with the unholy readiness to say amen, in an effort to claim the answers to the prayers offered to GOD, for those who had long waited for them.

   In conclusion, please, note that prayers are requests from individuals to GOD, for self, or for other individuals who have specific addresses for the delivery of the answers to the prayers, and so, GOD does not send answers to prayers, to those who are not identifiable with specific addresses, as HE equally has no business sending answers to prayers to those who the prayers were not prayed for. So, random prayer for anybody, is prayer for nobody, and those who pray such prayers, or say amen to them, on social media or elsewhere, are but "Prayer Robbers" on the Highway of prayers. REPENT AND BELIEVE THE GOSPEL! (See Romans 10:1 and Samuel 12:23)

Prof Ben Onyeukwu POWER OF GOD'S GRACE

POWER OF 

GOD'S GRACE:

By Prof Ben Onyeukwu 

   The Grace of GOD is the POWER to overcome sin, and not, a LICENSE to continue in sin, under the guise of GOD understands our human weaknesses.

   In keeping with above, the Holy Scripture says, "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age".

   Equally, the Grace of GOD is the only means of SALVATION from sin. This, the Apostle Paul observes when he says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast".

    In conclusion, please note that, the Grace of GOD does not permit sin, but removes it. REPENT AND BELIEVE THE GOSPEL!(See Titus 2:11-12 and Ephesians 2:8-9)