Nameless, if your relationship with the pastor is getting sexual, break from him. Do not create room for any personal interactions as in the past where you stay alone with him in your room or some dark places.

If that is difficult, then leave the church. There is nothing that says one cannot change church when being in a particular church turns to be a spiritual drawback.

If the man is indeed a man of God, he will be more worried about the relationship than you are now, and he will welcome anything that will restore his own spiritually – including breaking with you.

Did I hear you fearing that he will curse you for leaving him? Curse you in the name of who? Curse you for what reason? A curse without a cause NEVER works. Moreover, New Testament ministers do not curse, it is not their purpose. A pastor’s job is to teach and guide the flock to more and more spirituality and growth.

Get out of there if you don't want to hurt yourself unnecessarily. Anyway, I still think this story is made up to get reactions!

Pro-tithers should seek better grounds for their argument. If you want to pay tithes like Abraham, go get other people's stuff, then pay a tenth to God, give the rest away! These tithers don't notice that it was a one-time affair for Abraham. He never did it again,

When Israel paid tithes under Moses, the tithes were given to one tribe that was NOT allowed to work, NOT alloted land or any property. The Levites only ate if their brothers gave tithes: they were lean and starved if others did not tithe. They were the priests and hence, 'food in my house'.

The tithes were of course used for the widows and orphans as well.

1. Question is, where do we see an injunction to give (or pay) tithes in the NT?
2. Who are the Levites today? Not pastors, (I am a pastor, by the way) because every church should pay their pastor an agreed salary for his work.
3. Why are Christians ignoring the clear NT teaching on giving which allows believers the LIBERTY to worship with their substance - giving as they have purposed in their hearts, giving sacrificially, giving as able, giving cheerfully?

Am I to believe that man just loves laws hanging over his neck or he will not do what is right?

the old testament is the picture, the NT is the reality. We have type upon type in the OT to show us who the person and office of Jesus Christ will be. Without the prophecies of the OT, the NT will be an intrusion on history. So, the NT does not invalidate the OT. However, the NT does show that a lot of the religious ceremonies and rituals are abolished. The believer should wonder why he needs animal sacrifice when the supreme sacrifice - the cross - has been made.

Yea, only the marketers, producers & directors have any real power to change the face of Nigerian films. Yes, they are sold all over the world and the 3rd largest market does not make them good. Nigerians have dis funny idea that if most people buy something, then it is good. Call a blade a blade, brothers: Our films have not passed the elementary stage. The show of beautiful houses and nice cars should not take our minds from the failure to present real art in our storylines, drama and concept.

Some guys here and simply interesting.
Hero-worship is what I see even if u don't call it by that name.
If the messenger becomes more visible than the message, something is wrong.
A lot of gifts to this generation are being ignored right here on this forum by these same people who have identified one as a gift to this generation. U know why? They don't see yuo spending money on the internet, speaking nicely in front of adoring crowds and tv cameras, showcasing the highest collection of suits and shoes, etc.
There's a guy with THE VERY MESSAGE for the church today. Grace. No one knows him probably. Because he's not been packaged like the prosperity guys all around.
While we are not to judge, what should we do with error?

Healing:

I. There are three categories of illness:
A. Physiological: A physical illness; organic disease
B. Psychosomatic: Mental illness
C. Demon induced illness: When demons possess unbelievers, they can produce certain kinds of diseases. Also Satan and or demons are permitted by God at times to affect believers health from the outside. No believer can be indwelt by a demon.
1. Satan was permitted (from the outside) to buffet
Paul with a thorn in the flesh type of disease or pain. 2 Cor 12:7
2. Satan was responsible for Job's illness: Job 2:6-8. Permitted by God (since Job is a believer).
3. Satan uses demons to produce disease in individuals:
a. Acts 10:38, ", and healing all who were oppressed of the devil": These illnesses had as their source, the devil.
b. Luke 13:16 (vv 10-17) The cause of this woman's disease is demon possession. The doctors could not heal her because she was bound by Satan. Doctors today are baffled with demon illness. THIS IS NOT A PASSAGE AGAINST DOCTORS!

There are two ways of getting well according to James 5. Prayer here is the spiritual aspect, praying for the individual. The anointing of oil is medical help. This was doctoring in those days--see the parable of the Good Samaritan. (Luke 10:30-37) Oil was used medicinally. Don't read our 1970 modern medicine picture into NT times!

In this Luke 13 passage Christ heals. Note that in cases where demon possession causes illness the casting out of the demon cures the illness. This is TERMED healing. Matt 10:1, Mark 1:32-34, 6:13, Acts 8:7, 19:12.

In cases where demon possession did not cause illness--they are
just cast out--no mention of healing.
4. Satan uses Demons to cause deafness, dumbness (NOT ALL OF THIS IS CAUSED BY DEMONS HOWEVER) and paralysis. Matt 9:32-33, 12:22; Mark 5:5, Mark 9:17-18.
5. Satan is able to heal people by his power:
a. Matt 7:21-23 This passage describes a very prevalent situation today in the large "mass healing: meetings.
1) The use of "me, Lord, Lord" refers to the constant use of the name of Jesus
Christ in apostate meetings of the healing and tongues variety. 7:21.
2) "Many": Many are duped into believing Satan's power is God's power.
3) "prophesied, cast out demons, done many wonderful works (in thy name--in the name of Jesus Christ) This includes prophecies, healings, tongues--and other rank apostasy of this day.
4) "I never knew you, ": These are unbelievers.
5) "ye that work iniquity": Their prophecies, casting demons and MANY
wonderful works are called iniquity (sin). God's power is not sin--therefore this power by which they operate is SATAN'S.

For example: A demon-possessed faith-healer (unsaved) will be very nice, very well-dressed, very well versed in using the name of Jesus Christ repeatedly--doing everything IN THE NAME OF JESUS. Note the use of "in thy name" in Matt 7:22.

He will use emotion, he will take up a huge offering, he will have an empiricism (senses) approach. The people who come up to be healed may have demon induced illness, or they may not. But the demon possessed individual cooperates with the individual with demon-induced illness. When he shouts "heal" the demon comes out of the victim and the demon induced illness is no more. The whole crowd of simple and stupid believers or non-believers
watching shouts, "Praise God", etc. If the faith healing is not demon possessed--and the victim is not demon possessed it is purely psychosomatics--emotionally charged atmosphere which makes the person think they have faith--and think they are healed.
b. 2 Thess 2:9, ", with every kind of power and signs and lying wonders." This is Satanic power in the Tribulation, and its mystery of iniquity is already at work in the Church Age.

II. When someone gets well in a miraculous way it can be one of four sources"
A. God: God is the divine healer--and the ONLY DIVINE HEALER.
1. He heals sovereignly when He does and on the basis of grace and who and what He is.
2. God does not heal through a spiritual gift of healing, there is no spiritual gift of healing since the Canon of Scripture has been completed.
3. There is no bona fide faith-healing operating on earth. All are deceivers and frauds, very stupid, very sincere, and very much showmen in enacting their thing. SEE SPIRITUAL GIFTS CATEGORIES for scripture of why healing was a temporary spiritual gift.
4. When God heals directly He heals without:
a. Oil
b. Handkerchiefs dipped in the Jordan or some radio preacher's olive oil from the Holy Land.
c. Without someone commanding God to heal!
d. Without sending in your offering
e. Without some mumbo-jumbo deal called tongues
f. Generally this appeals to the toothless, brainless, simpleton, unthinking emotional crowd.
5. When God heals He heals on the basis of His character:
a. People don't get healed because they are "worthy" to be healed.
b. People don't get healed because they "have faith". Then the gimmick--they are told if they didn't get healed, "well, you didn't have enough faith."
c. In every case where God heals, it does not depend upon the faithfulness of the individual, the faith of the individual, the works of the individual, it depends upon the Sovereignty of God, not human approbation.
GOD DOES AT TIMES SOVEREIGNLY HEALS PEOPLE.
6. There is not "healing in the atonement" as taught by A.B. Simpson and others. Isa 53:5 in the Hebrew is "By His bruise we are drawn together." So the first of four reasons why people have a miraculous healing--is that the healing is directly caused by God.


B. Caused by Medical Research and Application: It seems to be prevalent among a certain type of 20th century believer to poo-hoo doctors, medical research, they are "going to directly depend upon God."
1. But they use hearing aids
2. They wear glasses
3. They have false teeth
Even Paul had physician friend (luke) with him at times on his travels--and Luke practiced medicine.

C. Caused by Satan: (unbeliever)
1. In cases of demon possession
2. Faith-healer in cooperation with the devil (whom he calls Jesus) heals in connection with demon-induced illness.

IV. Caused by a change of mental attitude: Psychosomatics. The frontal lobe gets upset, and it sends signals down to the body and that causes everything from hypertension to rash.
A. Now when the mind affects the body, and suddenly there is an emotional charged experience when a very determined and sincere type says you are going to be healed--it actually in some cases was only a change of mental attitude.
B. Here is an individual who is convinced mentally that they have a tumor, cancer, warts, an ulcer or something else.
1. They go to a faith-healer and he goes through His mumbo-jumbo.
a. First swingy hymns: Loud speakers with a big bass beat.
b. There is a great deal of repetition of the name of Jesus.
c. There is a great deal of emphasis on the "wonderful crowds" present, a lot of public relations, testimonials to prove that "god is working". Their motto is diametrically opposed to Christianity, they say SEEING IS BELIEVING, FEELING IS BELIEVING, TOUCHING IS BELIEVING, HEARING IS BELIEVING, SMELLING IS BELIEVING (Jesus filled the room with a heaven-scent fragrance). This is empiricism. Only faith unlocks the Word, first in salvation and then proper spirituality.
d. There is tremendous emphasis on the offering, and some project like a tent or truck to proclaim the Gospel.
e. And more singing, and maybe a verse or two on what Jesus did with handkerchiefs and oil.
f. Then the grand climax is the healing service.

All of this is pure deception, and phony all the way. It is the chief form of apostasy in this century. On the basis of Bible Doctrine don't get mixed up in it.

2. Now as the healing exhibit moves into high gear--he does his "formula" on the stage--and it is a sight deal all the way. The Word says, "We walk by faith, not by sight." 2 Cor 5:7, Col 2:6.
a. Suddenly the internal problems disappear--and they walk off the stage.
b. The emotional surge of the meetings has given them the adrenalin that they need to throw their crutches away.
C. Purely psychological: Doctors are saying that 60% of the patients that walk in the office and say, "Doc, I've got an organic problem, a physical problem", actually have a mental hangup. Get the mental hangup removed, and their physical body doesn't ache.

The owner of the building wants N15m. Told me so a month ago, is still saying so, I guess because others with the same kind of building sold for 15. Note it's not those kind of houses in Mutaka. If you remember those ones behind Channelview Hotel or MCC road, that's it.

Do you have an offer?

Anyone interested in buying a house in Calabar? Big 4-Bedroom apartment with plenty of grounds, carpark, port and BQ. It's for N15m. Send me an email to cbti25@yahoo.com, if interested

I hope my Bible Study notes can help you!

The Royal Priesthood of Melchizedek
LESSON: \DOCTRINE\Melchizedek.doc

The historical pattern of Christ’s royal priesthood is found in Melchizedek, a king who was the head of his family and a priest, Heb 7:1?3.  He was both a king and a priest with no emphasis on his genealogy.  He was a priest as the head of his family, not by birth.

2. The superiority of this priesthood is noted by the fact that Abraham was ministered to by Melchizedek with bread and wine (Genesis 14:18-20).  This means that your priesthood is far greater than the Levitical priesthood.

3. The cross is symbolized through bread and wine as the only ritual of the royal priesthood.  That was the only ordained ritual then as it is now in the CA, we are all royal priests (I Peter 2:1 and Revelation 1:6).

4. The Levitical priesthood was based on natural generation while the royal priesthood is based on regeneration.

Hebrews 7:3    Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he abides a priest perpetually.

Now here is where we run into some controversy.  Many people, even some of my friends, believe that this verse indicates that Melchizidek was really a throphany, a pre incarnate appearance of the the Lord Jesus Christ.

Six things are said of him:

1. No father
2. No mother
3. Without genealogy
4. Neither beginning of days nor end of life
5. Made like the Son of God
6. He abides a priest perpetually

Yet: Vs. 7:3  Without father . . . This does not mean that Melchizedek had no parents or that he was not born or did not die, but only that the Scriptures contain no record of these events so that he might be more perfectly likened to Christ.
Now while there is no doubt that at least four of these can apply to the Lord Jesus.  Two cannot.  He did have a mother and his priesthood was not granted until he was in heaven following His glorification and ascension.

While each of those points could be argued, I think the greater issue is that germane to the entire argument of the writer of Hebrews is that Jesus, in His humanity, became a priest who could very well represent those who believe in Him before the father.

GREAT CONTRIBUTION THERE!
I guess the source of the cash was not in contemplation when the issue was raised. Will you give it? is the main issue.
Indeed every opportunity is also a test - of the integrity of our hearts - will we take knowing it is from an ungodly source. This is delicate, guys. Will you take an offering from a politician? We know most are corrupt. Will you ask people what their source of income is before you receive their offerings? It goes on and on.
God's spirit will help those who need that help through their consciences

every opportunity to give is a test for the giver. Will he hold on as if nothing else will come into his account? Will he let go and trusst God to provide - many times through this person's own work? Will he treat that which hhe has as not being more important than life itself? Will he treat it as the reason he was born? etc.

A million naira. Yes. Even if I don't have 9m left.

Easier said than done, but if I doubt what I just said in the paragraph above, then I need to work on my faith and priorities!

Guys, you're great!

Christianity in nigeria can move out of the comfortable church hall to the mission field!
If you are interested in MISSIONS OUTREACH, Send the word Missions in an email to cbti25@yahoo.com and we will begin sending you details of our missions outreach to Obudu in Cross River State on 1st - 5th November, 2007.

so what's your point? Preaching the gospel does cost money. These days of the internet. It is costing us money to be having this chat! I am actually feeling like it's some kind of bible study.

It cost money to do oversea mininistry. Monney to camp in the villages, start school with the aim of reaching parents. Everything the church does in terms of missions cost money, the cost might be relative to what exactly they are doing.

Anyhow, I hope to see your post when I come back

I am not talking about expensive programmes and crusades - and it depends on what you call expensive!

I should give you a few scriptures that show that the giving of believers moved the work forward. Have you read of the Philipian church in the Bible that supplied Paul's needs? It might not have been in the exact same terms as giving today but it was giving.

Be careful: When we react to extravagant preachers who look for every means to get money from believers, we should not fail in responding to the word of God. You have a major responsibility in choosing your church. If you choose the wrong church, you will have problems with their giving

Romans 16:26  For Macedonia and Achaia have decided with pleasure to make a special offering to the poor believers who are in Jerusalem.

Galatians 2:10  They only asked us to remember the poor; the very thing I was also eager to do.

Charity is from God; socialism and welfare are from man.

Giving is an expression of free will, without gimmicks, without coercion.  

II Corinthians 8:3  I testify on the basis of their ability and beyond their ability they gave willingly.

II Corinthians 8:2  That in the midst of severe testing and great pressure, the superabundance of their happiness and their deep poverty overflowed in rich generosity.  

II Corinthians 8:5  And not even as we anticipated, but they gave first of themselves to the Lord, then they gave to us by the will of God.  

The pastor must never make an issue out of money.

  II Corinthians 11:7-9  . . . because I preached the gospel of God to you without charge?  I robbed other churches, taking wages from them to serve you; and when I was present with you and was in need, I was not a burden to anyone; for when the brethren came from Macedonia, they fully supplied my need in everything, and I kept myself from being a burden to you, and will continue to do so.

Paul was supported by other churches such as the Ephesians and Philippians while he was in Corinth.  In this way he could make an issue out of the Gospel and truth.

The function of the board of deacons is to make issues clear that pertain to the economic survival of a local church.  The people must be informed of prosperity and adversity in the finances of the L.C.

The Corinthians were very wealthy; and yet Paul could not make an issue out of money with them.

The pastor-teacher exchanges spiritual blessing to the congregation for material blessing from the congregation, fulfilling the principle of mutual blessing by association,

Philippians 1:3 and 5  I am giving thanks to God for every memory of you, , because of your contribution from the first day until now for the purpose of spreading the gospel.

Giving reflects the mental attitude of the congregation toward their pastor-teacher.  

Philippians 4:10  I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you have been concerned, but you lacked opportunity to give.

Giving establishes a partnership between the pastor and the congregation.  The congregation provides the financial contribution as they are spiritually blessed by the pastor's teaching.  

Philippians 14:14  However, when you shared [by giving] and became partners with me in my adversity, you functioned honorably.

Giving is the application of Bible truth on the part of the congregation.  

Philippians 4:15-16  And you yourselves also recognize, that in the beginning of my ministry with reference to the gospel, when I had departed from Macedonia, not one church contributed to me in the application of truth of giving and receiving except you Philippians only; because even in Thessalonica you had sent an offering more than once for my needs.

Giving is a grace production in Christian service.  

Philippians 4:17  Not because I seek the gift, but I seek after the grace production of divine good which accumulates to your account.

Giving to supply for the communicators of truth is maximum blessing to the communicators and pleasing to God.  

Philippians 4:18  Moreover, I have received in total all of your gifts, and I have an abundance; I have been filled with blessing, having received from Epaphroditus the things [money] from you, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.


These are excerpts from some of my teachings. Let's be balanced in our viiews of God's word. We can't possibly make it suit us![color=#006600][/color][color=#990000][/color][color=#990000][/color][color=#990000][/color]

giving to the poor is not a good replacement to giving too the church and for missions. Yes, we are to help those less priviledged among us.

We are also to give towards to spread of the gospel. It means more if one more person puts faith in Christ than when one more mouth is fed with physical food. You could give to a thousand poor like many social groups are doing today but will never touch God's heart as when your giving moves the gospel further.

I know most of us are distracted by pastors who use offerings to live big. Without judging them because most of them who bellieve and teach tithing do so out of ignorance. WATCH YOURSELVES: giving for the work of mininstry is important and all Christians should do it as a duty. If you would rather give to the poor and if the last consideration is the church, you are not giving like Christians are commanded in scripture to do.

I speak boldly about this because I do not believe in tithing. my church's income is terriibly low because of this belief and because people preferr to be 'taxed' and levied. And I won't. I have no second thoughts about it, I have studied the Bible and I know it is clearly not a New Testament practice. Really, most preachers who hammer on tithes, tithes, tithes, do not know that there were three kinds of tithes. 1. for the upkeep of the levitess who were not to do any work except temple service. They owned no land, etc. 2. for the maintenance of the temple. 3. for the poor. THE POOR! The tithe was for them too. Who are the levites today? I don't see them.

Quick question: Can you really keep track of your income and pay your tithes accurately? I ask because some of you really want to be taxed rather than to love your God willingly.

Anyhow, I hope someone is being helped here. Take care and God bless you.

hi lawisong
I live in calabar. My hosting company is www.globat.com. They have these templates they call globuild. you just click and fill in your information. I think you can log in and find out what you need. My package is their TO1.

Am sure you won't have to add. I will send you my site information, the pictures i want on it, other info, etc by an agreed means.

why are people who claim to be christians never curious enough to go dig out the truth from the bible they claim to believe? It is a big book. You have problems cos you don't know that the book is also a historical book. It gives the history of life and particularly of Israel.

God doesn't change - He changes his ways. inn Eden, Innocence, Immediately outside Eden, Conscience, After that he moved to the dispensation of Law (which we try to hold on to, though it passed with the age of Israel). We are now in the church age. Grace. This is not Israel, no ceremonial laws or government that is mixed with religion. The church is the church, the state is the state. Does it not make sense?

You guys need to find a Bible teaching church, nont a mirarcle service. A place where the truth is taught, not a place where someone wants to excite you and take what you have!

Do I believe in giving? Yes. Am a pastor. I live on what people give. but I know that giving in the church age is not a tax (tithe). It is a sacrifice. It is a firstfruit given out of appreciation. Should be done willingly and cheerfully. Should be as each one has purposed in his heart, not as the preacher persuades or carjoles!

Because of my beliefs, I live poorly because people feel they don't have t give since God will not kill them for holding back their ten percent! We should even give more today than the Israelites. We should see ourrselves as custodians of God's wealth and always ask, 'What does he want me to use this resources for?' Note that giving is not always aaboout money. It could be time, talent, etc.

Send me a mail: cbti25@yahoo.com

See ya!

A clear way to indicate interest in hearing God's voice is by obeying the clear commands in the Bible.

God does speak today in many ways.

1. The Bible is the surest way - however, it can be difficult, you are a witness! But a good Bible class that reveals God's principles to you is God speaking. It grows over time and eventually, you have a lot of things you know God has told you.

2. Your conscience witnesses to what God is telling you. God didn't write in the Bible that you should work in a bank or do business but such details of life he helps us with by our conscience.

3. Peace. When we are about to do something that He is leading us to, we experience peace. Yes, those who never listen to Him have peace with evil as well, so be careful.

4. Circumstances often tell us what God is saying now. If you are desperate to hear a voice, Satan is ever-willing to talk to you. God doesn't speak like that a lot because we are to live by faith. Believing the Bible is great faith.

When we can't change circumstances, we can accept them as His will for us.

I have my own site but I need it to be built up, I am using their template forr now. My subscribtion still valid till 2010. Can u do that for me. How cheap?

Tithing is indeed an OT practice. The NT standard is giving - sacrificially, according to how each has purposed in his heart, on the first day of the week, willingly, cheerfully, according to the giver's ability and not out of compulsion.

Christians must realise that this really means that we can, and should, give more than just 10% of our income. We should give, not what is left but, from off the top - our firstfruits. It is not to an organisation but to God. It might be through your church, another ministry or people in need known to you.