Pastor Chris Online Transcripts

Episode 5 :: Quick Vote Question on the Death of Ananias and Sapphira

4:20 AM | Posted by St. Burnish |

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.”

Now, the question, “couldn’t they have been forgiven?” No! They lied to the Holy Ghost; they planned to come to lie to the Spirit of God. That’s exactly what Jesus said. On this occasion, this man and his wife fell down and died. Now, there are other things; the bible doesn’t say that everyone who does [commits] this sin will fall down and die immediately. The point is, they will be punished. He says there is no forgiveness in this world nor in the world to come. So, they will be punished and there are different kinds of punishment: death immediately is there, and then there are others, suffering through life, hardships [untold hardships]. So many things could happen, and that’s why a Christian must be very careful. The bible says, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” [Hebrews 10:31] So, we have to be very careful. So, don’t be deceived that someone did a similar thing and got away with it. No! No one gets away with it – no one. Jesus said so. Jesus said so; they don’t get away with it.

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!

Labels: quick vote question, sin and transgression, the HolySpirit |

Episode 5 :: Question 8 on Heaven and the Book of Life

4:00 AM | Posted by St. Burnish |

Watch the full episode 5 [June 23, 2009] video here!

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.

Labels: rapture, second-coming of Christ |

Episode 5 :: Question 7 on Winning Souls for Christ

3:51 AM | Posted by St. Burnish |

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!

Another one is in St. Matthew’s gospel chapter 4; when you read from verse 18, it tells us about Simon Peter and Andrew his brother and those who were fishermen. And Jesus came, he met them there and said, “follow me and I will make you fishers of men. [Matthew 4:19]” Jesus always knew how to engage others in a conversation on a subject that was of interest to them. So, that’s what you do. You look at what they are interested in, and get to talk to them about that, because your question is “What is the best way to start a conversation with someone you want to win for Christ?” Look at what he’s interesting in. He may be reading a newspaper or something. Look at what he is interested in, and ask a question or make a comment and get his attention. Begin with what that man or woman is interested in. Begin with their own area of interest, and you will get their positive attention. And don’t forget, when you start out with something that is of interest to them, speak positively and not negatively. Don’t start out and condemn what’s on their mind or what they are doing. Start out and speak from the positive side of whatever it is. There is a positive side. Maybe it’s a question you just want to ask, maybe you just want them to explain something to you [and they’ll be glad to explain it to you]. And, be a listening ear; if you are a listening ear, they will also give your their attention. So, that’s the way to go on.

Watch the full episode 5 [June 23, 2009] video here!

Labels: soul winning/evangelism |

Episode 5 :: Question 6 on the Christian and the Global Financial Crisis

3:44 AM | Posted by St. Burnish |

Watch the full episode 5 [June 23, 2009] video here!

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.

Labels: prosperity and finances |

Episode 5 :: Question 5 on Marriage

3:39 AM | Posted by St. Burnish |

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?

Answer 5: Well, let’s look at the bible very briefly. 1^st Corinthians chapter 7, from verse 25 [Pastor Chris repeats question]:“Now concerning virgins [meaning people who are not yet married] I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful. I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be. Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.” [1 Corinthians 7: 25-27] Seek not a wife? So, if God already chose somebody for you and God is saying now, don’t seek one. So what’s going to happen to that one? That means frustration for that person. Alright, lets read on, “But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you. But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; [1 Corinthians 7:28-30]” So, you keep all this in focus. Now, we go down to something here. It says, verse 39: “The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.” That scripture gives you the answer right there. I will go again; it says “The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.” [1 Corinthians 7: 39] That means she has a choice here. The only thing the Lord is saying, it should be a Christian. That’s all he is asking for. That it’s got to be a Christian. So, God said she is at liberty to be married to whom she will. Now, who is this? Let’s get it straight: this is someone who was already married, which means she is no longer under her parents. So, she didn’t require parental guidance here, because she was already married to somebody else and the husband died. And now, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wills [only in the Lord] which means that’s all God’s asking for - that he’s got to be a Christian. But she is making a decision, because she is no longer a young lady that’s under her parent’s or guardian’s charge. Okay! Alright, I know that you might be getting another question because of what I just said, but that will be another day’s talk.

Watch the full episode 5 [June 23, 2009] video here!

Labels: dating and relationships, marriage |

Episode 5 :: Question 4 on the Function of the Prophetic Ministry Today

3:29 AM | Posted by St. Burnish |

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.

And, here is another thing that’s very important. The children of God in the New Testament are placed under pastoral ministries. Now, understand this, sometimes a pastor can have several offices. A pastor can be a teacher, a prophet , an apostle; the same pastor can have several offices. Remember the book of Acts chapter 13, the bible says there were certain prophets and teachers because the prophetic office comes first; so, there were certain prophets and teachers as Barnabas and several other men [you know] with complex names. Let me read them to you and you get an understanding of how this functions today. In the New Testament, it says in Acts chapter 13, verse 1: “Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch;…and Saul.” So, Saul - this is talking about Paul, the Apostle, which means he was both a prophet and a teacher. Later on, he became an apostle; so he was an apostle, a prophet and a teacher. And, of course if we study further, we may find that he actually had some more offices. So, it is possible for the pastor to have more than one office. So, I’m not saying that if you are under a pastor, definitely he is not a prophet, or that if it’s a prophet, he is not a pastor. No, he could have several offices.

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!

Labels: laws of Moses, New Testament, prophecy/prophetic ministry |

Episode 5 :: Question 3 on the Anointing of the Holy Spirit

3:17 AM | Posted by St. Burnish |

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.

Back in the Old Testament, the prophet anointed a man to become king with the oil that was separated for the use of that religious ceremony, and there were the others who were watching as the prophets poured the oil on the man who would become king. And, when he did it, the man was said to have been anointed. The oil symbolized to the people the presence of the Holy Spirit. So, in the Old Testament, the teaching of the Old Testament shows us that the oil of the anointing symbolized the presence of the Holy Spirit. So, several times in the bible, that was used. The priest used it, the prophets used it and this helped us to understand the meaning of the anointing. When that oil was poured on a man, he was consecrated. And, if anything was to be anointed [or rather consecrated unto God], such a thing was anointed with the oil and that meant the presence of God was on it, and it was consecrated [separated] unto God. That’s what happened to several different men in the bible. Now, in the New Testament, the Holy Spirit himself has come. And that’s why there is no need to use the oil, because the oil symbolized the Holy Spirit. And, now that the Holy Spirit himself is here, you don’t need the oil. So, that’s the anointing of the Holy Spirit. It’s the power of God, the consecrating power of God. Praise the Lord!

Watch the full episode 5 [June 23, 2009] video here!

Labels: the HolySpirit |

Episode 5 :: Question 2 on Receiving Healing for a Loved One

3:07 AM | Posted by St. Burnish |

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.

Now, another example is in St. Matthew’s gospel chapter 15, and I’m reading to you from verse 21: “Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.” They were getting embarrassed. “But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.” Now, remember, she wanted healing [deliverance] for her daughter. Her daughter was not with her. She came crying after Jesus and asking for help. Well, [in] verse 28: “Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.” [Matthew 15: 21-28] See, this was on the basis of her faith, not her daughter’s faith but her own faith. So, you can actually receive healing for your loved one.

Watch the full episode 5 [June 23, 2009] video here!

Labels: faith, healing and health |

Episode 5 :: Question 1 on the Trinity

2:57 AM | Posted by St. Burnish |