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Saturday, August 28, 2010
Episode 6 :: Question 6 on Homosexuality
9:01 AM | Posted by
St. Burnish
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| Pastor Chris Oyakhilome |
Question 6—Winnie (USA): I would like to ask concerning homosexuality? What does God say about the lesbians and gay people? Is it God who made people to be like that, because psychology tells us that some of those people are born bisexual and their sexual intercourse, abnormal?
Answer 6: Alright. Let me read. I have several scriptures to read to you, and this would be very instructive. The first one would be from Romans 1: “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse. [Romans 1:20]” Now, what this is saying is this, that the invisible things of God can be understood by visible things around us. In other words, you look at natural things of life and you can have an idea what God’s real will is and how to interpret spiritual things—some spiritual things. Alright! Now, verse 21: “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, [Romans 1:21]” Now, notice he’s talking about a certain group of people who rejected God in their minds. I want you to notice what it says. Verse 22: “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this cause. [Romans 1:22-26]” I want to read to you, just in case you are wondering how to put these people in perspective—who he’s talking about. I want to read verse 18 to you. It says, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; [Romans 1:18]” It’s talking about people who God is angry with because of their behavior. It says they hold truth in unrighteousness. They know the truth, but they are not acting accordingly. He says, because that which may be known of God is manifest in them for God has shown it unto them. So, they are without excuse. Alright, now go back to verse 24: “Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature [Romans 1:24-26]”. Notice what it says about the women; they changed the natural use into that which is against nature. What’s he saying? You will get a glimpse of it when we read the next part: “And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet”[Romans 1:27]. You see that? That’s homosexuality.
It says, the women left the natural use and went after that which is against nature. He’s referring to women and women. Then it says, “likewise [just like them] the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error.” So, it’s an error. So, God is saying it is wrong. Verse 28: “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; [Romans 1:28]” Let me read to you God’s mind about this thing right from the Old Testament. Leviticus 20:13: “If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.” That’s God’s thinking. See, He says if a man also shall lie with man as he does with a woman, it says both of them have committed an abomination. It tells you that God always kicked against this thing. It was never natural at any time. God always kicked against it.
Let me read Deuteronomy to you. Deuteronomy 23: 17: “There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel.” In the same way that he condemned a whore, he condemned a sodomite. A sodomite is a homosexual – a gay [person] - that’s what he’s saying. 1 Corinthians 6 from verse 9: “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate”, [mark effeminate], “nor abusers of themselves with mankind”. He says these shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Effeminate is talking about those who are womanish; he’s talking about boys – guys - who act like women and are used as though they are females by their male counterpart. So, those are the members of the gay community that act like women. They are effeminate and then the next one, it says: “…nor abusers of themselves with mankind”. That’s homosexuals. Newer versions will tell you that’s homosexuals. It says they shall not inherit the Kingdom of God. I think that that’s really strong.
So, God didn’t make them to be like that, and it is not a deformity of some kind. It is a mental deformity rather than a physical problem. And, if you have a problem with homosexuality, you need prayer. You need that devil to be cast out of you, cast out of your mind, because it’s devilish; it’s demonic. It’s an oppression of the mind. You need to reject it and not to accept it. Don’t have an explanation for it. From the scriptures I’ve read to you, God is absolutely against it. So don’t explain it away.
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Episode 6 :: Question 5 on Jesus Christ and Speaking in Tongues
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| Pastor Chris Oyakhilome |
Question 5—Robson (South Africa): Why did Jesus not speak in tongues when he was on earth?
Answer 5: Okay. There are two important reasons. The first one is that speaking in tongues was reserved for the New Testament. It was designed to be a sign of the arrival of the Holy Spirit to begin his full ministry in the earth. Now, you have to understand that even though the Holy Spirit functioned in the Old Testament with certain people—there are people who were anointed by the Holy Spirit; they had the presence of the Holy Spirit with them—his full ministry had not taken off so he functioned behind the Father in the Old Testament. And when Jesus came, Jesus received the Holy Spirit; he was full of the Holy Spirit but the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the earth - the full ministry of the Holy Spirit - had not taken off. And so, speaking in tongues at this time had not been given. It was not given to Jesus nor to the prophets of old, because it was to be a sign of the fulfillment of the prophesy of the Holy Spirit’s coming, and he hadn’t come. Jesus said, “I will pray the father;” he said, “when I go to heaven I will pray the father and He shall send you another comforter, even the spirit of truth” [John 14: 16-17], talking about the Holy Spirit. So, the Holy Spirit had not been sent even though Jesus had the Holy Spirit. He said he would ask the Father to send the Holy Spirit. So, though he had the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit had not been sent to carry out his full ministry and so when he came to carry out his full ministry, the sign of his full presence in the earth had to be given to us and speaking in tongues is that sign.
Now, I will read to you from 1 Corinthians 14 from verse 21: “In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. [22] Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. [1 Corinthians 14:21-22]" So you can see that tongues are for a sign to them that believe not, so that they would know. What sign is it? It is for them to know that the Holy Spirit has come to begin His ministry, and He is here. So, when you hear someone speaking in tongues, you know that what he said, “In the last day, saith God, I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh;” [Joel 2: 28]. Now, before that prophesy, the Spirit was only given to certain people. Now, the Holy Spirit has come to the earth and everyone can receive the Holy Spirit, who obeys God. The bible says, “He gives the Holy Spirit to them that obey him. [Acts 5:32]” So, you obey the gospel and you receive the Holy Spirit, and you will speak in other tongues.
The second reason that Jesus didn’t speak in tongues was that speaking in tongues was for the believers’ edification - the believer’s building, self-building of the Christian - and this was not what Jesus needed, because Jesus did not require to build himself. He was the Word made flesh. He didn’t require to build; no, He didn’t need that. Remember something that they said that Jesus knew all things having never learned. They never knew Jesus to go to any school, and yet, He knew all things. Where did He know from? Not from any school. The bible says [that] they knew He never learned, and yet, He had all information, because He was the embodiment of all knowledge [John 7:15]. So, he didn’t receive the Holy Spirit for the same reasons that we receive the Holy Spirit. We receive the Holy Spirit, because He is the one to make us children of God. But, Jesus was born the son of God and then He needed the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to carry out ministry. And, we need, not only the empowerment, but first we have to be made the sons of God. So, there is a difference between us - how we had to receive Holy Spirit and how Jesus had to receive the Holy Spirit.
Now that we have received the Holy Spirit, what accompanies salvation is required of us and that’s why we have to be built continually through that power of the Holy Spirit; that, Jesus did not require. So, we need to speak in tongues. Let me read that to you. 1 Corinthians 14 says, “He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church” [1 Corinthians 14:4]. This is, specifically, a New Testament blessing. Not even the Prophets of Old had this and there is a reason for that. They were not people who were born of the Spirit; they didn’t require this. They were not made Sons of God in the Old Testament; they couldn’t have, because Jesus had not come. So, always remember Jesus occupied a very different class. You know, He was not an ordinary man; He occupied a very different class. So, though we are born again and we have been brought into His class as to having the same nature with Him, remember Jesus Christ is the son of God and co-equal with God. We are sons of God but not could equal with God.
Episode 6 :: Question 4 on Studying the Bible & Christians Raising the Dead
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| Pastor Chris Oyakhilome |
Question 4—Eric (Ghana): My question is how do I study or learn the bible? Will I have to open from Genesis and start reading all the verses and keeping them in mind? Also, as Christians, do we have the power to raise the dead?
Answer 4: I will answer your second question first. Yes, we have the power to raise the dead. Jesus says to us, “heal the sick, cast out devils, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead:” [Matthew 10:8]. So, we can raise the dead. He gave us the power to do it. He gave us power over death.
But here, the first part of your question says, “How do I study or learn the bible? Will I have to open from Genesis and start reading all the verses and keeping them in mind?” There are different ways to study the bible, and the several ways are all important. My suggestion would be, first, that you get a hold of our Rhapsody of Realties and in it we have designed for you a very simple way — simple method of studying the scriptures from Genesis to Revelation through the year. So, in one year, you can actually cover the bible. And, we have an option: a two-year program, so you can read it from Genesis to Revelation following the portions that we recommend every day and in two years you can cover the whole bible.
Now, while that is going on, you can study the bible in several different ways that will help you learn many things quickly, because you don’t really have to study it from Genesis to Revelation to get to know some of the things you need to know. Now, how are you going to do this? Every time you listen to God’s word preached or taught like you are listening now, there are references that are given from the scriptures. Go back to those references and study them. When you study them, they will become a part of you, because you can immediately identify them and link them with certain topics that were discussed. Every time a character in the bible is mentioned, go to the bible, study that character; find out more of what the bible says about that character - that personality that is described for you in scripture. It will help you also learn about that one; and so, you can make several personal studies like this through listening to God’s word being preached or taught. And then also, when you study books, you would get references like this. Then you go back and make your own diligent search — diligent study - and that’s the way you get to learn so much from the bible before you finish reading from Genesis to Revelation. Even when you finish reading from Genesis to Revelation one time, it’s not enough; you have to keep studying like this.
Episode 6 :: Question 3 on Christians 'Hanging Around' Unbelievers
Question 3—Catherine (South Africa): Dear Pastor, is it wrong for a born again Christian to hang around with old friends who are not born again?
Answer 3: Well, 'hang-around' is what I would like to look at more clearly. When you give your heart to Christ, you become a member of the kingdom of God. And, you become his representative, and you are expected to reach your old friends who haven’t known Jesus. So you’ve got to reach them. You have to go back to them and share the word of God with them. You’ve got to minister the word to them; you are the Lord’s representative to your old friends. The difference is, you cannot fellowship with them. See, you may move among them for the purpose of witnessing to them, but you really can’t fellowship with them anymore, because you have a new set of values. Your life has changed. Especially when you are just beginning, you have to distance yourself to a large extent, because you want to separate yourself from those influences that they have had and you also had before. Now you have a new life; you are the light. While shining the light on them and to them, you have to walk a different route. So, that’s what it’s all about. Fellowship, you cannot have with them but contacts with them, yes, you will maintain, because you seek to reach them. So, your new friendship has to be redefined or your friendship with them has to be redefined.Watch the full episode 6 [June 30, 2010] video here!
Episode 6 :: Question 2 on the Kingdom of God Versus the Kingdom of Heaven
Question 2—George (Ghana): Dear Pastor, I thank God for your life. I want to know the difference between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven?
Answer 2: Alright, the kingdom of God is all of the Kingdom of God, in heaven and in earth. It has to do with the realm of God, where God’s presence extends - His rule, His reign, all of His realm - and it covers everywhere in the world and in the heavens. But then, the kingdom of heaven, even though it’s called the kingdom of heaven actually operates in the earth. It is God’s extension by Jesus Christ to the world. It is the kingdom that Jesus Christ came to set up in the earth; it is headed by Jesus. The kingdom of God is headed by the Father, but the kingdom of heaven is headed by Jesus. It is that kingdom that he came to the earth to set up, of which we are a part. It’s like a missionary organization - a missionary kingdom - in the earth to lead people into the kingdom of God. And so, He has come to establish His kingdom here in the earth. So, that is said about Jesus. And, when you study the scriptures, especially in St. Mathews Gospel [or] the synoptic gospels - Matthew, Mark and Luke - you would notice these terms are used interchangeably though, but there are specific differences that’ll help you to understand what I have just told you.
Episode 6 :: Question 1 on the Importance of Child Dedication
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| Pastor Chris Oyakhilome |
Introduction: Hello, I want to welcome to today’s program. I believe God will answer your questions and bless you in a very special way today.
Question 1—Saint (Namibia): Pastor, can you please explain to me what dedication is all about and how important it really is. As a born again Christian, why is it important to get your children dedicated?
Answer 1: St. Luke’s gospel Chapter 2 from verse 22. Now the scriptures don’t directly instruct us on that but give us clear guidance on what to do. From verse 22, “And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; [Luke 2:22]” Now it’s talking about Jesus Christ when he was a baby and just a few days old. The bible says, when Mary’s days of purification were ended, she brought her baby to Jerusalem according to the Law of Moses. They brought him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. Verse 23: “(As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) [Luke 2:23]" Now, what this means is that in the law of Moses, God had said that when a child was born as the first child [really the male], he said he should be brought to the house of God, should be brought to the Lord as an offering to the Lord. Now, the woman also had her offerings to give, according to the law, at the end of the days of purification; that was why Mary had to do this. So, you notice that there were two things here. First was Mary’s own condition and then, the child had to be brought to the Lord. Now, that was in the Old Testament.
In the New Testament, we all belong to God. Now, notice that this child was to be brought to the Lord as an offering to the Lord, because the Lord said, every man-child that opened the womb belonged to Him. Now, the other children belonged to the parents; so, God made a choice. But we all are now in Christ. Now, if that child that was chosen by the Lord, being the first child, had to be brought to the Lord to be presented to the Lord formally, it just explains why we do it. We all now belong to the Lord. Every child, whether the first or the second or the last, every child that is born of a Christian should be brought to the house of the Lord to be presented to the Lord, because now it’s not just the first child or the man-child that opens the womb but everyone of us that is chosen of God. We all belong to him now and that’s why we do it.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Episode 5 :: Prayer/Conclusion
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| Pastor Chris Oyakhilome |
Prayer: In the name of Jesus, I pray for you to be well. I pray for you to be sound. I pray that the spirit of God would touch you and make you well and strengthen you. I command the pains to leave you, the infirmity to go from you, the growths to leave! That you be cleansed and healed in the name of Jesus. I pray for your prosperity, prosperity in your job, in your finances, in your family, that things will go well with you. Be blessed in the name of Jesus! Be blessed in the name of Jesus! Thank you Lord. Receive healing for your body, receive healing for your bones, receive cleansing for your blood, right now, in the name of Jesus! Yes, anyone can be healed right now. Anyone can be healed, so you receive that healing now in Jesus name, Amen!
Conclusion: I want you to get involved on the blog and get into any of those discussions of interest to you. Let’s know what you think. Let’s hear from you. I always like to read your comments and see what thoughts you have as to what God is working in your life. So, get involved. Let’s hear from you. I’ll see you again next week. God bless you.
Episode 5 :: Quick Vote Question on the Death of Ananias and Sapphira
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| Pastor Chris Oyakhilome |
Quick Vote Question of the Week: In the book of Acts chapter 5, Ananias and his wife Sapphira fell down and died at the feet of the Apostles because of what they had done. They did wrong, but why did they die? Wasn’t there forgiveness for them? They were already in the New Testament, so why couldn’t they be forgiven and given a chance to repent? In today’s world, so many people do worse things and get away with it.
Answer: [Laughs] Well, it’s a very complex question with a simple answer. So, we will read this story here; it’s in a few verses of scripture and the answer will be right there. From verse one: “ But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.” [Acts 5: 1-6] Now, shortly afterwards, by the space of three hours, his wife came and said the same kind of things, and Peter also reprimanded her and she died as well.
Well, why did they die? Because of what Peter said in verse four [the latter part]: “thou hast not lied unto men but unto God”. Let me give you what Jesus said here: St Matthew’s gospel chapter 12 from verse 31: “Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.” [Matthew 12:31-32] That’s really tough. Now, you know the Holy Spirit was the one that gave the instructions and the members, [the Christians] the brethren in the church, began to give their possessions as they were led, and they brought these things to the apostles’ feet. They sold and brought to the apostles’ feet and distribution was made. This was the guidance of the Holy Spirit on that occasion. And then, these two, a man and his wife, decided to sell a property, and when they sold the property, they brought part of the money to the apostles. Now what they did was this: they chose to bring part of it and to lie that that was all of it. And, in that forth verse, Peter said, “why have you decided to lie to the Holy Spirit…before you sold it, it belonged to you, you didn’t have to sell it; you could have chosen not to sell it. After you sold it, it was still yours, you didn’t have to give.” So, you could have come to say we sold the property and we have brought part of the price to you. They could have said that, but they wanted the glory of others thinking that they were so humble and had given so much, but they were lying. They brought only part of it, kept back part of the price, and tried to deceive the apostle by saying, “we brought all of it”. And the apostle knew through the spirit of God that they had conceived this lie within them and he said, “why hath Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Ghost; you haven’t lied to men but unto God.”
But, you don’t have to be afraid whether or not you might sin against the Holy Spirit. No! A genuine Christian shouldn’t sin against the Holy Spirit. You shouldn’t. You shouldn’t blaspheme the Holy Spirit. You shouldn’t speak against the Holy Spirit. We’ve been warned; it’s in the word. So, that’s very important. So, that’s the question of the week - the quick vote. And, I’m glad that you made that selection. I thought about it myself; I might have chosen the same. Now, next week, I’m sure we’d have some more for you, and you can make a choice. Actually, we’ll put it up today and then you can make a choice. I want to pray for you right now. Expect a miracle right now.
Watch the full episode 5 [June 23, 2009] video here!
Episode 5 :: Question 8 on Heaven and the Book of Life
Question 8 – Kofi (Ghana): Dear Pastor, what will make a Christian not to go to heaven? Also, what will make a Christian’s name to be blotted out of the book of life?
Answer 8: Yes, Revelation 3 verse 5 talks about God not blotting out the names of those who overcome from the book of life. He will not blot out their names from the book of life, if they overcome. Now, in Revelation 20: 15: “whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast in the lake of fire.” So, the bible talks about the possibility of someone’s name being blotted out, being erased, from the book of life. Now you are asking, “What will make a Christian not to go to heaven?” Nothing can make a Christian not to go to heaven, but a Christian should live a Christian life. If a Christian is not living a Christian life, then how can he go to heaven? That will be the problem. Jesus said, “Watch and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come upon the world.” [Luke 21: 36] So, if you want to go to heaven, then live the heavenly life. There is a heavenly life given to us; you are going to have to live that heavenly life here on the earth through the power of the Holy Spirit and through the light of the word of God that’s given to us.
And then, as for blotting out of one’s name from the book of life, we call it apostasy. That means a complete turning away from the truth – a complete fall - when someone rejects the truth of God, when someone completely turns away from the word of God, turns away from Jesus, rejects Jesus out rightly. That’s the only thing that can have his name blotted out, because he has turned away. The bible says, if someone does that, it is impossible to renew him again to repentance [Hebrews 6:4-6]. So, that’s the only way, but if a Christian has not done that and does not do that, his name will never be blotted out of the book of life.
Episode 5 :: Question 7 on Winning Souls for Christ
Question 7 - Tunespa (Canada): What is the best way of winning souls? What is the best way to start a conversation with someone you want to win for Christ?
Answer 7: Jesus was a master soul winner. And, I believe if we look at his exact examples and follow those examples, we can be great soul winners as well. If you study in John 4: 6 - 42, Jesus encounters a woman at the well of Samaria, and what did he do? He engaged her in a conversation. And what kind of conversation? She was coming to fetch water, Jesus had a word of knowledge, he knew what kind of a woman she was. But, he started out the conversation by talking about something that was of interest to her - the water. So, Jesus got her attention and said, “Woman, give me water to drink”. And there was where Jesus started, and he eventually won her heart, and she preached and talked to others about Jesus. That was a very beautiful experience!
Watch the full episode 5 [June 23, 2009] video here!
Episode 5 :: Question 6 on the Christian and the Global Financial Crisis
Question 6 – Sam (Nigeria): The financial global crisis in the world, does it really, or can it affect the believer or the one who is born again, because a lot of Christians are complaining about the financial crisis?
Answer 6: Well, “does [or can] it affect the believer?” Yes, it can affect a believer, because we live in the world. See, we are not of the world though we live in the world, so the things that happen around us can affect us. But then, that’s why we need to be in the word of God. That’s why we need to function by the power of the Holy Spirit; that’s why we need to function through higher principles of life. Otherwise, the things happening around us can affect us. So, in Job 22:29, it says: “When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and shall save the humble person. He shall deliver the island of the innocent: and it is delivered by the pureness of thine hands” So, when men are cast down, thou shalt say there is lifting up. It tells you what you are going to say. So, we can be affected by happenings around us, but that’s why we need the word of God so we can function, because we are in the world but not of the world. Jesus was hungry; he was affected by hunger and when there was no food he could not get anything but then, he could operate through the word of God. So, you use God’s word and that’s why you’ve got to learn the word of God and become a man or woman of faith.
Episode 5 :: Question 5 on Marriage
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| Pastor Chris Oyakhilome |
Question 5– Amy (Australia): Thank you Pastor Chris. I love you very much. My question is concerning marriage. Is it true that God has chosen a spouse for each and every person?
Watch the full episode 5 [June 23, 2009] video here!
Episode 5 :: Question 4 on the Function of the Prophetic Ministry Today
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| Pastor Chris Oyakhilome |
Question 4 - Nthabiseng (South Africa): When a prophetic word is spoken about me by a Prophet, how do I know for sure that it is true and a real prophecy from God?
Answer 4: Well, first and foremost you’ve got to understand that in the New Testament, we are not led by Prophets; we are led by the Holy Spirit. That’s what the bible says. In the Old Testament, they were led by prophets, but in the New Testament we are not led by prophets. Why? Simple! In the Old Testament, there were only three offices that were anointed by the Holy Spirit: the king’s office, the High Priest’s office, and the Prophet’s office. Now, the King was anointed with political power to run the business of state; the Priest was anointed to minister unto God in Heavenly things and to intercede on behalf of the people; the Prophet was anointed with the Holy Spirit to give guidance, to give the word, to give guidance to God’s people. Outside of these three offices, nobody else was anointed with the Holy Spirit. Now, you’ve got to understand that, prior to this time [back in the Old Testament] when they were preparing, when the lord gave instructions for the tabernacle to be constructed and for the garments of the priests [the High Priest] to be made, he had to anoint certain men to get the job done. Now, that was a special occasion. After that, he really didn’t do that. Now, even thought the bible does tell us that Joshua and Caleb had a different spirit, he wasn’t talking about the anointing into an office. This was different. So, you understand that, in the Old Testament, only the office of the king, the priest and the prophet had the Holy Spirit [the anointing of the Holy Spirit], and so everybody had to listen to the guidance of the prophets.
Now, in the New Testament, he fulfilled what he prophesied back in the Old Testament. He said “in the last days saith God.” This was the prophet Joel. He said, “I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon my servants and upon my handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit [And they shall prophesy].” [Joel 2:28-29]. Meaning, that he would release His Spirit upon his children in the New Testament days and that every one of them will have the word of God, and they will prophesy. And, then again he said, they will not need to be told, ‘lo here’ or ‘lo there’; they will not need that kind of guidance, because the Holy Spirit will put the word of God in their hearts. That’s what we have today. Does that rule out the office of the prophet? Emphatically no! The office of the prophet is still very important. In fact, the office of the prophet is just one of the several offices that we still have in the New Testament today. The difference is the New Testament prophet doesn’t give you the original and only guidance. What happens is, he brings guidance to you that is in conformity with the scriptures or with the guidance that the Holy Spirit is giving to you. He may have it before you even know yours or he may have it to confirm what you already have. Whichever the case, you are going to know. Now, if you have doubts as to what the prophet says to you, you don’t have to follow it.
But, the point is this: children of God today are placed under the pastoral ministry, because the local church is the ground and pillar of truth. The local church is where the children of God are nurtured. You are nurtured through the word. You grow up with the word, you learn the word, [and] you become grounded in the word. When you are that grounded, no matter the guidance or instruction that a prophet gives, you will have the word of God in you to determine whether or not this is right. And plus that, you will also know through the Holy Spirit how to bear witness [whether that thing bears witness within you]. So, you take that seriously. So, prophets are important, but they are not the sole guide in the New Testament. You‘ve got to have your own conscience of the Spirit leading you through the power of the Word of God.
Watch the full episode 5 [June 23, 2009] video here!
Episode 5 :: Question 3 on the Anointing of the Holy Spirit
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| Pastor Chris Oyakhilome |
Question 3- John (United Kingdom): Dear man of God, I would appreciate if you could teach us what the anointing of the Holy Spirit is and how to understand it.
Answer 3: Well, first of all, the very word ‘anoint’ means ‘to rub’. Okay? Like you rub oil. That’s why sometimes in the Old Testament, when somebody used the oil over himself, the term [the expression] was “and he anointed himself.” Now, that did not mean that he anointed himself in the same way that you talk about the priest being anointed or the prophet anointing the king and so on and so forth. It’s just because the word means ‘to rub’. But, in its expression for spiritual symbolism, it does mean something more. And, I will like to take you straight to the New Testament and explain to you so that you see it in today’s light. St. Luke’s gospel chapter 5, from verse 17 “And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them. [Luke 5:17]” It says the power of the Lord was present to heal them. Where was this power? What was it like? What in the world is being described? What do you mean the power of the Lord was present to heal? That’s talking about the anointing of the Holy Spirit. That means the presence of God that heals. So, this is the power of the Holy Spirit. That’s what we refer to when we talk about the anointing. It means when a man is clothed with the presence of God.
Watch the full episode 5 [June 23, 2009] video here!
Episode 5 :: Question 2 on Receiving Healing for a Loved One
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| Pastor Chris Oyakhilome |
Question 2 - Taz (Zimbabwe): Is it possible to have faith for someone to be healed or is it a personal thing?
Answer 2: Yes, it is possible to have faith for someone to be healed. You’ve got to remember the cases in the bible. First, I will like to read to you from St. Matthew’s gospel chapter 8, from verse 5: “And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion beseeching him. And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. And Jesus said unto him, I will come and heal him. The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another Come and he cometh and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the Kingdom of Heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour. [Matthew 8:5-13]” The servant of this centurion never met Jesus, never talked with Jesus, never heard from Jesus. On whose faith then was he healed? On his master’s faith - the centurion’s faith! Jesus said the centurion had great faith and said, “as thou hast believed, be it done onto you.” Who believed? The centurion believed. On whose behalf? His servant’s behalf and [he] got healing for his servant. So, you can stand in faith and get healing for your loved one.
Watch the full episode 5 [June 23, 2009] video here!
Episode 5 :: Question 1 on the Trinity
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| Pastor Chris Oyakhilome |
Introduction: Hello! I want to welcome you again today to a very special program. And, we will be dealing with several subjects - very interesting subjects - and I am sure you will be blessed.
Question 1– Lebo (South Africa): Pastor, thank you for this opportunity. Sir, I would love to have a full understanding of the Trinity.
Answer 1: Now, Lebo wants a full understanding of the Trinity; well, there is so much for us to say about the Trinity which time will not allow us, but I will give you some information that will guide you in the scriptures to a greater understanding of the Trinity. 1st Timothy chapter 3 and verse 16 is where we will begin: “And without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness: (That means the nature of God) God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. [1 Timothy 3:16]” It says God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into Glory. He must be talking of someone who was manifest in the flesh - Jesus! The bible tells us that the Word was made flesh, the Word of God. It says “In the beginning was the word, the word was with God and the word was God [John 1:1].” Then, in that fourteenth verse of the first chapter of St. John’s gospel, it says “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us [John 1:14].” So, the Word, that is God Himself was made flesh, became flesh; he was manifest in the flesh. It says “God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit.” The bible says that when Jesus was raised from the dead, he was justified in the Spirit. So, he was justified by the resurrection from the dead. And then it says, seen of angels; the angels saw him and we know that. Then, preached unto the Gentiles. Who was preached unto the Gentiles? Jesus! Believed on in the world; he is the one we are preaching today, and he is the one that people around the world are believing today. Then it says, received up into glory, and we know that Jesus ascended up into Heaven according to Acts chapter 1. So, this is talking about Jesus and it calls Him God. It says God was manifested in the flesh and all of this that we just read. So Jesus is God. Now, we’ll read [that might sound very big to a lot of people and they think well, that’s not possible but it’s real].
I want to read something else to you from St. John’s Gospel chapter 14 from verse 6: “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had know me, ye should have know my Father also and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. Philip said unto him, Lord shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.” In other words, show us the Father and we will be satisfied. “Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? He that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very work’s sake [John 14: 6-11].” Jesus is letting us know here that he and the Father are one and that’s very powerful, very powerful. I’ll read you one other portion here: “I and my Father are one. [John 10:30]” Great declaration from Jesus [repeats John 10:30]!
Now, we’ve talked about Jesus and his father; and, then we’ll look at St. John chapter 14, from verse 15: “If you love me keep my commandments and I will pray the Father and he shall give you another comforter, that he may abide with you forever. Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you [John 14:15-17]” Jesus said, “I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter.” Now, the expression of the Master here in discussing the Holy Spirit tells us exactly what the Holy Spirit is like. And the words, ‘another Comforter’ are from the Greek ‘allos’ meaning another one of the same kind, different from if he had said ‘heteros’ but he says ‘allos parakletos.’ ‘Allos’ means another one of exactly the same kind. Now ‘heteros’ means another one of a different kind. Now, in describing the Holy Spirit, Jesus said he is ‘allos parakletos’, so ‘parakletos’ is one…it means one called to go along side you - one who goes with you. And, the Amplified translation gives us seven words that we can take as synonyms for that very word ‘parakletos’ from where we get the English here, ‘comforter’. And, you can look through the Amplified Version and get all the details. But, here, Jesus is letting us know that the Holy Spirit looks like him, talks like him, loves like him and he is just like Jesus. Now, the Spirit of God - the Holy Spirit - is actually the one who carries the presence of God, because the Father is always on the throne. The Father is always on the throne. It’s the Holy Spirit, the one who proceeds from the Father: He is the doer. He is the one who moves from the Father. The Father never goes away from the throne. When he has to do something, it’s the Holy Spirit that does it. So, the Holy Spirit is the conveyor of the presence of God. That’s why he is called the Spirit of God. He is the one who functions for the Father in place of the Father. That’s the one who proceeds from the Father. He is the Spirit of God. So, the bible tells us here; it says, “Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him for he dwelleth with you and shall be in you. [John 14:17]” When Jesus said “my Father which dwelleth in me, he doeth the works [John 14:10]”, he was talking about the Holy Spirit, because the Father himself is always in Heaven. So, how then did he dwell in Jesus? He dwelt in Jesus through the Holy Spirit.
Now, let me read to you another simple verse that can give you a little more light into this. In St. Matthew chapter 1, from verse 18: “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together she was found with Child of the Holy Ghost [Matthew 1:18].” Jesus was described as ‘child of the Holy Ghost’. In other words, the Holy Spirit was his father. So, when he said my Father which dwelleth in me, he was talking about the Holy Spirit, because he had received the Holy Spirit at the baptism at the Jordan by John, you remember that. So, the Holy Spirit came to live in Jesus; from then on, the Father dwelt in Jesus. And you know that’s exactly what he’s done for us today. The Holy Spirit lives in us and through the Holy Spirit, the Father lives in us. That’s how we carry the presence of God today, because the Holy Spirit brings us the presence of God, and he dwells in us. So, we have been born of the Spirit of God; as Jesus was called a child of the Holy Ghost, we are children of the Holy Ghost.
And now, something beautiful in St. Matthew’s gospel chapter 28; you know he is called the Holy Spirit. What name does the Father answer today? You know back in the Old Testament they called him several names; they called him…now, Elohim was God, alright! That was the name - God. And then they had several names, Jehovah Rapha, Jehovah Tsidkenu, Jehovah Shammah, Jehovah Shalom; all of these names describe his character but over in the New Testament, he does not answer those names. He answers one name. Even the Holy Spirit; we call him ‘Holy Spirit’, but what is his name? Let me show you the name of the Father and the name of the Holy Spirit. In St. Matthew’s gospel chapter 28, reading from verse 18: "And Jesus came and spake unto them saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” [Matthew 28: 18-20] Now look at that verse 19; it says “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” It didn’t say in the names of the Father, the son and the Holy Ghost. One name for the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost and what name is that? Jesus! How do you know? Because he said to baptize people, those who believe in him, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and he gave this instruction to the apostles and over in the book of Acts, they always [when they baptized] said they baptized in the name of Jesus, which means in responding to what Jesus said [responding to Jesus’ instruction] they knew the name of Jesus was the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. That’s very important. So, when you call the name of Jesus, the presence of God is there. That’s why he said, “where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in their midst of them” [Matthew 18:20] How? Through the Holy Spirit! So, the Holy Spirit brings us the presence of the Father and brings us the presence of Jesus. So, that’s very important. That’s great!
Watch the full episode 5 [June 23, 2009] video here!
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