Did Paul preach repentance Week 9, 2012

Of course he did. Whilst speaking to Gentiles at Mars hill in Athens he clearly said: Though God has overlooked those times of ignorance, he now commands everyone everywhere to repent Act 17:30(ISV). “He did not preach it often then.” He did, he did. Listen to his plea at Lystra: "Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them…” Act 14:15(ESV), and his summary at Ephesus: I testified to both Jews and Greeks about repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Act 20:21(ISV). This message was the same whether to Jews or non Jews, and it is the same message he preached in every church. That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church 1Cor 4:17(ESV). Those who say differently either have not read the Bible, or don’t see well, or are mischief makers.
“Is there no difference between what Paul preached and what other apostles preached?” Not regarding how one can be saved; they compared notes at a time you know. “Is that so?” Yes: I went in response to a revelation, and in a private meeting with the reputed leaders I set before them the gospel I proclaim among the gentiles. I did this because I was afraid that I was running or had run for nothing Gal 2:2(ISV). God demanded it. “What was the outcome?” Now those who were reputed to be important added nothing to my message. So when James, Cephas, and John (who were reputed to be leaders) recognized the grace that had been given me, they gave Barnabas and me the right hand of fellowship, agreeing that we should go to the gentiles and they to the circumcised Gal 2:6, 9(ISV).
There is no gospel according to Paul or according to Peter. There is only one gospel. Actually, there is no "other gospel," but I say this because there are some people who are upsetting you and trying to change the gospel of Christ Gal 1:7(GNB). It was commissioned by Jesus; take careful note of what He says: that the Christ was to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all the nations… Lk 24:46, 47(ISV)

Must I repent to be saved Week 8, 2012

“Why did you write that people have to repent before being saved? Do you not know that we are not saved by works but by faith? Therefore it is faith in Jesus’ sacrifice alone that saves and not any action like repentance.” Did you actually read the bible well? When anyone wants to have a new life in Jesus, before anyone can actually be born again, repentance must first happen. When the apostles began preaching after Jesus ascended to heaven Peter answered them, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the Holy Spirit as a gift.”Act 2:38. “I knew you would go there. The early disciples misunderstood the gospel. They did not fully appreciate the work of grace until the emergence of Apostle Paul. They emphasized works you know.”
Is Peter preaching a salvation by works here as you suggest? No: clearly he understood the gift of God for he describes the Holy Spirit as a gift. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to him Rom 8:9(ISV). However he insists on repentance for forgiveness. Listen to the next recorded sermon: Therefore, repent and turn to him to have your sins blotted out Act 3:19. “I still maintain Peter and other apostles did not fully understand the gospel of grace and faith, and that their message was more suited to a Jewish audience. When Paul began to preach to Gentiles he said "Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you and your family will be saved." Act 16:31(ISV). Nothing said about repentance. Paul had a clearer revelation of the gospel of grace, that is why Paul says by the Spirit: For we conclude that a person is put right with God only through faith, and not by doing what the Law commands Rom 3:28(GNB).”
This argument does not agree with what Jesus told Paul: I want you to open their eyes, so that they will turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then their sins will be forgiven, and by faith in me they will become part of God's holy people Act 26:18 (CEV). “This passage does not say repent.” What is repentance but to have your eyes opened and then turn from darkness and Satan to God? Repentance and faith are necessary for us to be forgiven and become God’s people. Note repentance always comes first. Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God Heb 6:1(ESV). We are saved by grace through faith all right, but no one has true faith unless he first repents.

Serve God now week 7, 2012

“You cannot be serious; what did you say?” Uncle I want to spend some time there. The church needs my skills and it is a good opportunity to preach the gospel. However, I will be staying on in Ephesus until Pentecost, because a door has opened wide for me to do effective work, although many people are opposing me 1Co 16:8-9(ISV). “Youthful exuberance! What of your postgraduate programme? Finish that first before running off to this your adventure”. But why uncle? A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: And they all with one consent began to make excuse Lk 14:16(KJV). “You must prioritise your life. Do things to help you settle in life first...” You keep telling me that. “And it is true my child.” So when do I get to serve God uncle? It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth Lam 3:27(KJV). “What do you mean by that?”
Do you remember that as a schoolchild you said “Do not be a fanatic, I am not saying you should not serve God, but pass your exams first”... “Should you not pass? Aren’t you glad you did? Do you want to live on charity?” I am glad God gave me success even as I served Him then, as you know. In university you said I must graduate first. Remember Jesus said to a man: Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God Lk 9:59-60(KJV).
“Listen, I do not want you to waste your life. Settle all these things before you focus on religion. Besides people will listen to you more when you are well accomplished, an influential member of the society.” Uncle! Soon you will remind me of the need to marry, bear children, and build a house. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come Lk 14:19-20(KJV).
My life cannot be a waste because I choose to serve Jesus wholeheartedly. Besides being a good disciple does not in any way mean I will live on charity: make it your goal to live quietly, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you, so that you may win the respect of outsiders, and have need of nothing 1Th 4:11-12(ISV). Christ encourages hard work. I must serve God now I am young and give Him the very best of my life.
Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth Eccl 12:1(ESV)

In the Hollow of His hands Week 6, 2012

I was only a primary school pupil in the mid 90’s when crisis broke out in Kaduna, in the northern part of the country. It was due to religious and also political instability to some extent. Thereafter the atmosphere became peaceful and the tension doused so all went back to work; normal city life seemed to have returned. Few weeks after, on a bright busy Friday afternoon, we were happily on our way home in our school bus, about 50 young children from a known private nursery and primary school in Kaduna central, when the atmosphere changed as we suddenly saw everywhere in chaos. People were running, yelling, some with bleeding wounds, I could see smoke seen ahead of us, rising from a nearby vehicle altogether in flames.
Completely barricading the road an angry mob was violently destroying and killing while chanting & shouting religious slogans. They seemed to have just left from the Friday afternoon prayers. I and all my childhood friends were thrown into panic and crying and the group of boys carrying all kinds of dangerous & crude weapons alighted on our bus. Our driver started pleading with them in their language but they were irate and started closing the windows of the bus. We heard them say in their language “burn them...” The bus was ignited after fuel was poured over it. In my memory I still see my childhood friends and innocent children burning alive. Smoke had filled everywhere in the bus.
The glass near where I sat towards the back shattered. I don’t understand how, the mighty hand of God I believe, and I felt as it were someone’s hand carry me and throw me out through that window. One from the mob chased after me, I believe probably to kill me, as I got up from the express road and ran without direction across the road. I narrowly escaped a fast oncoming ash coloured 504 Peugeot saloon car, which the one coming after me with a dagger fell upon and was crushed. I thought to run into the railway line and cross to the other side of the road when I looked back and my school bus was altogether in flames. I continued running and crying, not knowing where I was or where to run to, yet could see some of the mob appearing to be interested in pursuing me.
I then ran into a compound and into a house saw a man in probably his late 50’s whom I ran into his arms, I don’t know who he was. Few minutes later two among the mob arrived and greeted the man in their usual slogan of religious identification. That was when it dawn on me that I was in the hands of my enemies but surprisingly he had hidden me in his inner room and lied to them that I had ran out via the back gate and the boys went on. That was how I was delivered to stay in his house for two days. He took me home as I told him where we lived but everyone had run away. He still took me to the army barracks and there I found my mother. The LORD's kindness never fails! If he had not been merciful, we would have been destroyed Lam 3:22(CEV).
Moses is a physician and minister of the gospel in Nsukka diocese

Could you not help it Week 5, 2012

How could you have behaved like that? It is reprehensible and not to be mentioned among believers. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving Eph 5:3-4(ESV). “Look it’s not my fault. I have been made to behave that way...” Don’t you dare blame the devil! We have been given victory over Satan. “I am not blaming Satan; it’s a human being that is causing it.” Who can that be? “Is it not that apology of a human being I am living with? I have been provoked and denied. I’ve been made to do things I never imagined I would do.”
Come off it, are you trying to suggest you are being controlled? That you can no longer determine what you do? “Look when it happens I just don’t know what comes over me; I doubt if I even think on the matter but find myself just taking action.” No, no, no you can’t say this. We have been given the spirit of self control, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control 2Ti 1:7(ESV). What is really happening? “Well when my opinion in sensitive matters is not sought, and things are done contrary to agreement, when I am repeatedly ignored I tune off. When my authority is questioned, nay, set aside and disregarded I have to act. Teach these things and use your full authority as you encourage and rebuke your hearers. Let none of them look down on you Tit 2:15(GNB). I must not let people ignore my authority.” Indeed! Did you skip Tit 1:7 before deciding on what you did? be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre You must however accept that the blame is yours. You are fully responsible for your actions. Confess your sins and ask God’s forgiveness beloved.
“How can you say that? You insult me. I have told you what is happening in my very home and you dare suggest I have a fault; in fact you are blaming me!” It takes two to tangle. “Well the circumstances around me, that thing at home precipitated it.” You are still abusing people; anyway I agree with you: it was precipitated. “Thank you! You see it was not my fault.” I never said so. “Ah-ah. But you agree it was precipitated.” Yes. Have you considered you can never precipitate what is not in solution? If anger, wrath, adultery are not in you no set of circumstances would have been able to bring them out. If sin were dead in you nothing around you would have succeeded in bringing about this mess. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry Col 3:5(ESV). Let me tell you quite plainly: you are inexcusable.