TheNewsGuru

Tag: PASTORS

  • Drama as pastors refuse to officiate at burial of 82-year-old kidnapper

    Local pastors on Friday refused to officiate at the burials of an 82-year-old kidnapper, Wangari Muturi Karanja and her nephew, Sammy Mwangi Kang’ethe, 26, in Irewa village, Kiharu, Muranga County in Kenya.

    Karanja, Kang’ethe and another man from Njumbi village in Mathioya constituency had been shot dead when armed police stormed the grandma’s home in search of a victim, Margaret Waitherero from Samar village in Maragua who had been kidnapped by her gang reports TUKO.co.ke.

    It was learnt the pastors who officiated the burials came all the way from Kayole in Nairobi and in Naivasha.

    An AK 47 assault rifle, a homemade gun and several bullets were recovered from the grandmother’s home during the raid.

    The kidnappers had demanded ransom from Waitherero’s family before they could release her, with police sources confirming that the woman’s husband had sent part of the ransom.

  • Don’t idolize pastors, they are not infallible- Simi

    Nigerian songstress and X3m music artiste, Simi has urged her fans who are Christians not to idolize their pastors, adding that pastors are human and not infallible.

    The Jamb Question singer shared these thoughts in a series of tweets on her Twitter handle.

     

    Simi disclosed that she has seen a lot of people make terrible decisions because of the influence of their pastors.

    “Guys, your pastor is not God. God has given you the power to communicate with him directly. He’s ur Father! Don’t let any pastor bully you into submitting out of fear to a God of love. Your pastor ‘might be’ anointed – but so are you!

    “Seen a lot of people make OBVIOUSLY stupid, life-changing decisions because “pastor said”. Some of these people, very close to me. We can’t leave our lives and choices in the hands of ministers, when God has empowered us as.”

    Speaking further she countered the notion that all pastors are bad, stating that there are still genuine ones.

    “The genuine ones are teachers and spiritual leaders. They can help us learn and even become better Christians, but you should never idolize ur pastor. In God’s eyes, you are no less. Plus they are human beings and not infallible”.

     

  • Pastors, Imams angry at Buhari because they no longer receive tithes from looted funds – Gov Bello

    …Insists Buhari will win 2019 elections by landslide

    Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has reacted to news that some Catholic Bishops that visited President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday are angry with his (Buhari) style of leadership.

    The governor noted that while it is true that some Nigerians are happy, however, those that are angry are those that the president blocked their access to the nation’s treasury.

    Bello said this on Friday in an interactive session with State House correspondents after observing the Friday Ju’mat prayer at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    In his words: “It’s very true that Nigerians are angry but the question is: who are this category of Nigerians that are angry?

    “The Nigerians that are angry are those who used private jets to cart away Nigeria’s money in dollars out of the country to South Africa. I’m sure you are aware that our money is still locked down there. Such money if you bring it into the economy, a lot of youths that are unemployed will surely be employed.

    “And of course those that have looted the country dry and normally go to church and mosque to pay tithe are no longing doing so. Of course these are the people that are angry.”

    “I think those that are benefiting from these crimes and criminality will be angry and they are Nigerians. So it is important to define the category of people who are angry.

    The governor futher said President Buhari would be reelected regardless of the order of the 2019 elections.

    Commenting on the proposal by the National Assembly that the elections into the Senate and House of Representatives should kick-start the polls, the governor said: “If you observed critically what happened in the last election, where Mr. President was elected along with other members of the National Assembly, then we called it Buhari Tsunami, where the good, the bad and the ugly were all put together and elected.

    “It’s either going to be in their interest that the Buhari Tsunami will return them or everybody will be on his or her own. Let Buhari return and let Nigerians select the good ones out of the bad ones to return to the National Assembly.

    “Whichever order is adopted for the coming general elections, I can assure you that Mr. President will win with a landslide and the good ones will return to the National Assembly.”

    Bello urged Nigerians to give Buhari a chance to complete what he has started adding that he supports the Bola Tinubu-led committee set up during the week, by Buhari, to reconcile all aggrieved members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “Whatever Mr. President believes in, his judgment and his wisdom, I believe in him. And I believe in his ability to bring all party members together,” he said.

     

  • Bishops, Pastors, others back anti-Buhari protesters, say ‘Resign if you can no longer function as president’

    Bishops, Pastors, others back anti-Buhari protesters, say ‘Resign if you can no longer function as president’

    …Says its time for him (Buhari) to open up to Nigerians on his health status

    Sequel to President Muhammadu Buhari’s ailing health, which has kept him permanently out of the country for over 90 days, some Bishops have advised him (Buhari) to resign to fully concentrate on his health to aide his fast recovery.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that President Buhari traveled for medical check-up in London on Sunday, May 7, more than a month he came back into the country from a previous medical vacation.

    The bishops also reprimanded the Presidency for persistently refusing to disclose Buhari’s health status, saying they were in support of protesters demanding the President’s resignation.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that since Monday, the ‘resume or resign’ protesters — backed by a popular artiste, Charles Oputa (also known as Charly Boy) — had accused Buhari’s handlers of holding him captive.

    The protesters had also advised the President to demonstrate his “touted integrity” by resigning from office as it was evident he wasn’t physically fit to carry on the number one job in the country.

    Speaking on Friday at the second session of the Twelfth Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Owo, the Bishop of Owo Diocese, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Rt. Revd. James Oladunjoye, asked Buhari to resign and give room for another person to do the job.

    The bishop said the situation whereby the President had spent several months abroad had not helped the country, adding that it was wrong to conceal his (Buhari) health status as he was no longer a private person.

    Oladunjoye said, “We thank God for the President and for the way he had been ruling according to the law, but there is something wrong that we want him to address.

    “He has been ill for so many months in his tenure and so, is it not proper for the country to know his health condition as he is no more a private personality?

    “He is public property and if he is not strong enough to continue as the leader of this country, it is better for him to resign so that another qualified individual can take up the office legitimately.”

    Speaking based on his personal relationship with Oladunjoye, the Bishop of the Ibadan South Diocese of the Anglican Communion, Rt. Revd. Jacob Ajetunmobi, said his counterpart at the Owo Diocese was speaking based on the experience he (Oladunjoye) had.

    Ajetunmobi said Oladunjoye had had accidents which forced the latter to consider early retirement, adding that if a cleric could be forced to retire early because of his health, the President should also be able to do so.

    However, Ajetunmobi advised Buhari that should he decide not to resign, he should not contemplate running for the second term.

    Ajetunmobi said, “He (Oladunjoye) had separate accidents that led to him suffering from a broken hand. He had taken treatment in Nigeria but had to travel to the United States for more treatment. He is now being forced to retire early before turning 70 as a result of that.

    “He is speaking from personal experience that if health challenge will not permit him to function properly in his position, he would rather resign.

    “Acting President Yemi Osinbajo should be able to carry on with the administration of Nigeria. Buhari was one of those calling for late President Umaru Yar’Adua’s resignation then, but now, he knows that what goes around comes around. We should be careful what we wish others.

    “Here, I am a bit more radical in my opinion, but it is much more complex than we think. There are underpinning theological positions involved.”

    Asking Buhari not to consider running for a second term, Ajetunmobi said, “Buhari has about one more year to spend as President, but he should not think of coming back for a second term. The All Progressives Congress should think along and restructure its leadership or be ready to fail in 2019.”

    Also, the Catholic Bishop of Auchi Diocese in Edo State, Most Revd. Gabriel Dunia, told one of our correspondents that while the constitution was silent about how long the President could be away after transferring his power to the Vice-President, an honest leader ought to voluntarily declare his inability to continue in office (when he is physically unfit).

    Dunia said, “A sincere person who wants to sincerely help but can no longer perform his function should be able to say, ‘I cannot perform this function anymore.’

    “So, there is no need pretending, unless the person is not honest. And if the person is not sincere, he is not out to help anybody. If I am helping somebody and I know that it is beyond my power to help again, I should be able to come out to say I cannot go further.”

    Dunia also described the Presidency’s prolonged silence on Buhari’s health status as deceptive.

    “That is deception; if they cannot tell Nigerians what is wrong with the President, who is their son, father, brother and friend, then the children (Nigerians) should know what is wrong with their father,” he said.

    The Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, Kano State Chapter, Bishop Ransom Bello, indicated his support for the ‘resume or resign’ protest, insisting that it was high time the Presidency opened up on Buhari’s health status.

    The General Overseer, Christ Alive Power Assembly, Bauchi, Pastor Emmanuel Kanti, said the Nigerian constitution should be allowed to take its course in that Buhari should resign because of his illness.

    He said, “If the President is not strong enough to rule the country, he should give way to someone who is healthy and strong enough to rule the country.

    “The number one citizen of a country shouldn’t conceal his health status and put the whole country in dilemma; I think it is unfair. If he’s unhealthy, he should give way to someone else and stop being a ghost President. But if he feels he’s okay, he should come back and continue ruling the country.

    “In fact, the Presidency is playing on the intelligence of Nigerians and there is no reason whatsoever for doing that. They should just tell us the present state of our President.”

    Also speaking, a Pastor at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Christmas Mark, asked President Buhari to honourably resign if he was not fit to rule the country on health grounds.

    He said, “Nigerians have the right to protest in the sense that the President is not a secret position holder; it is not a position that is answerable to a community and inasmuch as he is the President of the country, he is answerable to the people. And the people want to see him at all costs.

    “So, it is not right for the Federal Government to hide him. What they should have done is to set up a medical panel to know his health status. Nigerians do not want information (again); they want to see him.

    “It can even be right for one to say that if he is not fit to rule, to ask him to resign is not out of place. The reason is that people want to see the person they elected. They voted for him to rule.

    “They voted for the President and the Vice-President to rule. Now we are seeing only the Vice-President. Inasmuch as we know the constitution, the Vice-President has limited powers. So, if the President is not fit or if he is incapacitated, let him honourably resign.”

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the presidency has however rejected calls for the president’s resignation, insisting he formally transmitted powers to the acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo before embarking on his medical trip.

     

  • Oyedepo, Adeboye, Oritsejafor, 4 other Nigerian pastors make Forbes world 20 richest pastors

    Seven Nigerian pastors have made it to the list of top 20 richest pastors in the world and their estimated net worth in the latest release by Forbes.

    The list, which is a collection of men of God all over the world, sees the founder of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God in Brazil, Pastor Edir Macedo in number one spot.

    General Overseer of Living Faith Church, Bishop David Oyedepo tops the lists of Nigeria pastors in the fifth position in the world ranking, while Pastor Enoch Adeboye occupies the sixth position.

    See the list below:

    1. Edir Macedo is a Brazilian pastor and preacher worth $1.1 billion. Macedo is the founder of Universal Church of the Kingdom of God. He is also the founder of Grupo Record and Record News. Macedo is the richest pastor in the world.
    2. Kenneth Copeland is the founder and owner of Kenneth Copeland Ministries. His church is located on a 1,500-acre campus and the property has loads of structures. He has a net worth of $760 million.
    3. Pat Robertson’s net worth is $500 million. Pat Robertson is an executive chairman, media tycoon, and a Southern Baptist minister. Robertson has amassed this wealth from setting up many corporations and organizations, and a University too.

    The International Family Entertainment Inc. (ABC Family Channel), the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), the American Center for Law & Justice (ACLJ, the Christian Coalition, Regent University, Operation Blessing International Relief and Development Corporation, a Boeing 757 Flying Hospital, and CBN Asia were founded by Pat Robertson.

    1. George Foreman is a former professional boxer who is worth $250 million. He is a preacher at The Church of Lord Jesus Christ in Houston. Recently, he released a book entitled God in My Corner: A Spiritual Memoir.
    2. Bishop David Oyedepo is a Nigerian preacher. He is the founder of Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota; Living Faith Church Worldwide A.K.A Winners Chapel International World Headquarters. Oyedepo has two universities – Landmark and Convenant University. He is worth $150 million. He is the richest pastor in Nigeria and Africa.
    3. Pastor E.A Adeboye is General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God. He is worth $130 million.
    4. Bishop Ayodele Oritsejafor is one of the richest pastors in Nigeria. He is also worth $120 million. He has investments in banking, real estate, transportation and the media.
    1. Prophet Uebert Angel is the founder of the Spirit Embassy Church. He is very popular and associates with both the less privilege and widows in his country. He is rumored to be worth $60 million.
    1. Chris Oyakhilome is the founder of Christ Embassy and his church boast of up to 40,000 membership. He is worth up to $50 million. Many of his church members are politicians and entrepreneurs.
    1. Benny Hinn runs a program titled Miracle Crusade and the programs are usually held in big stadiums. He is worth up to $42 million.
    1. Joel Osteen is a pastor, televangelist and has also written a number of Christian books. The name of his church is Lakewood Church Houston Texas. His net worth is $40 million.
    1. Pastor Tshifinwa Irene is Divine Truth World Restoration Services for World peace by Jesus Christ. She is a televangelist and her church is situated in Venda.
    1. Creflo Dollar is a pastor and a teacher of the Word of God. Name of his church is World Changers Church International. He is a popular pastor in the United States and he is worth up to $27 million.
    1. Pastor Ray Macaulay is based in South Africa. The name of his church is Rhema Bible Church. He received his training in 1979 and he started his church afterward with his family.
    1. Billy Graham is a very popular televangelist and preaches on many radio and television stations. His net worth is $25 million.
    1. Rick Warren is the founder of Saddleback Church Lake Forest California. He is worth $25 million.
    1. Bishop T.D. Jakes is worth $18 million. He produces movie and he is a preacher and a writer. His house costs up to $1,700,000.
    1. Prophet T.B. Joshua is also one of the richest pastors in Nigeria and he is a philanthropist. The name of his church is Synagogue Church of All Nations. He is worth up to $15 million.
    1. Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo is the founder of Kingsway International Christian Center located in the United Kingdom. He is worth over $10 million.
    1. Chris Okotie was a pop star before switching to preaching as a pastor. His hit song ‘Show Me Your Backside’ was popular in the 80s. The name of his church is Household of God Church. He is worth $10 million.

  • The mischief of pastors – Femi Aribisala

    By Femi Aribisala,

    Sacrifice is an ancient human expression of worshiping deities. It existed among Jews long before the giving of the Law. It was not instituted by God but by pagan man. However, according to Jesus, what is of man cannot be of God. (Matthew 21:25). Sacrifice has passed away. But what God prescribes does not pass away. (Matthew 24; 35).

    As a matter of fact, God denies initiating the elaborate sacrificial system established by Moses: “Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Add your burnt-offerings to your sacrifices and eat meat. For I did not speak to your fathers, or command them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices.’” (Jeremiah 7:21-22).

    Law of sacrifices

    But why would Moses institute what God did not sanction? He did so for the same reason he established the protocols of divorce, which Jesus says is not of God: “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.” (Matthew 19:8).

    Moses did not believe the Israelites could obey a divine ordinance that proscribed divorce. Therefore, he decided to limit the tendency to divorce by instituting a series of procedures that must be undertaken before divorces could be granted.

    Similarly, Moses was convinced the Israelites would not accept the worship of God without sacrifices. They were familiar with the worship of pagan deities who were always approached through sacrifices. Therefore, Moses concluded the best he could do was to carefully circumscribe and limit the sacrificial practice.

    According to the Law of Moses, sacrifices were no longer permissible under every green tree but only in the temple and at prescribed times. They could only be performed by Levites and for specific purposes. Only animals and not human beings could be sacrificed. By these limitations, it was expected that the Israelites would be easily differentiated from their idolatrous neighbours, and might eventually be weaned away from sacrificial rites altogether.

    Den of robbers

    However, Moses’ regulation of sacrifices was soon subject to abuse. The priesthood passed a law stating that only Jewish money was acceptable for the procurement of animals used for temple sacrifices. Thereby, they set up their own exclusive foreign-exchange bureaus at the entrance of the temple where foreign money had to be exchanged for the so-called “sanctified” currency of Jerusalem for a lucrative fee.

    They also controlled the market for the sacrificial animals used in the temple, including the oxen, sheep and doves, and sold them at exorbitant prices to pilgrims. In effect, the sacrificial system soon became very good commercial business for the priests who literally made a killing out of it. This is why Jesus railed at them: “Is it not written: ‘’My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations?’ But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” (Mark 11:17).

    Nevertheless, Moses’ regulation, and not the crucifixion of Jesus, as most Christians mistakenly believe, eventually led to the destruction of the sacrificial system. Moses stipulated that sacrifices could only be offered in the temple. (Deuteronomy 12:13-14). But in AD 70, the Romans attacked Jerusalem and completely destroyed the temple. With the temple gone, sacrifices could no longer be offered.

    Divine providence also ensured that the temple could not be rebuilt and sacrifices resumed because two Islamic structures, the Al Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock are now standing where the Jerusalem Temple used to be. Any attempt to damage these Islamic sites, or to rebuild Jewish structures on the Temple Mount, would presage a world war pitching Muslims against Judeo-Christians.

    419 pastors

    You might have thought that with the destruction of the temple, the sacrificial system would be dead and buried. Indeed, animal sacrifices ceased among Jews. But the sacrificial system is so profitable that Christian pastors today have simply resurrected it under a different guise.

    They now insist that in place of the animals and crops sacrificed in the past, Christians now need to sacrifice their money. This ignores Jesus’ commandment: “Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:13). Thus, an ungodly sacrificial system destroyed by divine providence has been resurrected by covetous pastors, intent on extorting money from naïve and gullible Christians.

    Jesus told a “rich young ruler” to go and sell all he has, give the proceeds to the poor and then come and follow him. Pastors now have a modern “new and improved” Christian version. They tell men to go and sell all they have, bring the proceeds to their churches and then come and follow them.

    Jesus says: “If you love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15). But pastors have replaced this with: “If you love God, give him some money.” “If you love God, give him a tithe of your income.” But God is spirit, so how can we possibly give him carnal things? What is he to do with them?

    God himself pours scorn on the entire crooked sacrificial system: “I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine. If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it. Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats?” (Psalm 50:9-13).

    David’s inspired understanding should be instructive. He says to God: “You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” (Psalm 51:16-17).

    Lovers of money

    So why do pastors still insist we give money to God? They do so because they are thieves and robbers. Jesus says money has nothing to do with God but with Caesar or, in today’s economy, with the government: “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” (Matthew 22:21). Under the law, God did not even accept money as tithe.

    Nevertheless, pastors have found an ungodly way out of this cul-de-sac. Since money cannot be given to God, they insist it should be given to pastors who are said to be God’s chief representatives here on earth.

    This is deceitful. Contrary to what Christians have been led to believe, the pastor, the bishop, or the priest is not God’s representatives here on earth. God does not take anything done to them as something done to him. He only takes those things we do for the poor, the widows and the orphans personally. (Proverbs 19:17).

    Jesus says: “Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:40). Today’s pastor is not the “least” of the kingdom brothers of Jesus, but the most exalted. Therefore, when you give to your pastor you are not honouring God; you are honouring man.

  • Today’s pastors are all fake: Jesus is now the only real pastor – Femi Aribisala

    By Femi Aribisala

    Frustrated by the magnitude of the miracles attending Jesus’ ministry, the chief priests and elders of the Jews challenged him in the temple. They demanded to know by what authority he was doing the things he was doing and who it was who gave him the authority.

    In his reply, Jesus presents a dichotomy between what is of God and what is of men. He asks them: “The baptism of John- where was it from? From heaven or from men?” (Matthew 21:25).

    The question is loaded. By implication, Jesus maintains what is of God cannot be of men and what is of men cannot be of God. This dichotomy between God and men finds its most eloquent expression in Jesus’ categorical assertion that: “What is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” (Luke 16:15).

    It is pertinent, therefore, to ask whether the ordination of pastors today is of God or of men.

    Fake pastors

    The answer is straight-forward: the ordination of pastors today is of men and not of God. It does not come from the commandments or teachings of Jesus. It comes from the writings of Paul.

    Paul does not say Jesus specifically instructs him to create ministerial positions in the church. Instead, he bases his authority for doing this on a messianic Old Testament scripture. With reference to psalm 68, he writes: “This is why it says: ‘When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men.’” (Ephesians 4:8).

    Undertanding that this scripture foretells Christ’s resurrection, Paul then says: “(Jesus) himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-12).

    However, on investigation it becomes apparent that Paul’s position misquotes and even distorts the original psalm. The psalmist says: “When you ascended on high, you led captives in your train; you received gifts from men, even from the rebellious- that you, O LORD God, might dwell there.” (Psalm 68:18).

    Can you see the difference? The psalmist says men gave gifts to the Lord. Paul, in quoting the psalmist, changes this to say the Lord gave gifts to men.

    Unauthorised ministerial posts

    Apparently, Paul wanted to create posts in the churches he established so as to bring them more effectively under his control. So he twisted an Old Testament scripture to make it seem as if it was the Lord who authorised it. As a result, there are people today who insist the Lord has called them to be pastors and teachers, not knowing that Jesus does not envisage any of these positions under the New Testament.

    This is what Jesus says: “I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes.” (Matthew 23:34). Nothing here about pastors and teachers. On his resurrection, he said furthermore: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to everyone.” (Mark 16:15). This means all believers are called to be evangelists, it is not a special calling for a select few.

    In creating unauthorised posts, which have since spawned many others such as popes, arch-bishops, and right-reverends, Paul enshrined the spirit of the Pharisee in the heart of Christianity, contrary to the teachings of Jesus.

    Jesus discourages honorific titles and warns that those who exalt themselves will be humbled. He mocks the pomposity of the Pharisees, insisting that we should not follow their example: “Don’t let people do that to you, put you on a pedestal like that. You all have a single Teacher, and you are all classmates.” (Matthew 23:8).

    This show Jesus permits no differentiation among his followers. We are all equal. The pope is no different from the lay Catholic. The arch-bishop is the classmate of the members of the laity. None of them is greater in status than the other. So how come some classmates are now calling themselves teachers?

    Nevertheless, Paul tells Timothy: “I was appointed a preacher and an apostle- I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying- a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.” (1 Timothy 2:7). This cannot be true because Jesus expressly forbids this: “Do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. (Matthew 23:10).

    Moreover, Jesus tells us God, and not men, will be our teacher: “It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me.” (John 6:45).

    No contradiction

    Jesus says furthermore: “Don’t set people up as experts over your life, letting them tell you what to do. Save that authority for God; let him tell you what to do.” (Matthew 23:9). This means the pastor is not the head of a church. He cannot lord it over members of his congregation. As a matter of fact, pastors are now anachronistic. Jesus says: “There shall be one flock and one pastor.” (John 10:16). This establishes Jesus as the one and only “Good Pastor.” (John 10:11).

    God the Father is the source of all authority and from him it flows to Jesus, the Son. Does it then flow from Jesus to the pastor, the bishop, or the pope? Certainly not! On his resurrection, Jesus declared to his disciples: “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.” (Matthew 28:18). The authority remains firmly with Jesus.

    Jesus says: “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:25-28).

    Strange doctrine

    What are we to conclude from all this? All those who call themselves pastors are not disciples of Jesus. Their authority is not from heaven, but from men. They are fake pastors with Jesus being the only legitimate pastor. David says: “The Lord is my pastor, I have all that I need.” (Psalm 23:1). If Jesus is our pastor, we don’t need fake pastors. Jesus does not outsource his church to pastors. He says: “I will build my church.” (Matthew 16:18).

    Wittingly or unwittingly, pastors today disobey the voice of Jesus by heeding instead the voice of Paul. Eternal life is not in the words of Paul. Eternal life is in the words of Jesus. (John 6:68-69). Jesus, not Paul, is “the author and finisher of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:2). Therefore, Jesus’ words are the only acceptable basis of church doctrine.

    The Holy Spirit does not speak on his own authority; he only says what he hears. (John 16:13-15). Not so with pastors. They insist on being answerable to themselves. Jeremiah says: “A horrible and shocking thing has happened in the land: The prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way. But what will you do in the end?” (Jeremiah 5:30-31).

  • Some politicians sponsored soothsayers, pastors to pray, ensure Buhari’s death – aide

    Some politicians sponsored soothsayers, pastors to pray, ensure Buhari’s death – aide

    President Muhammadu Buhari’s Personal Assistant on Social Media, Lauretta Onochie, yesterday alleged that some members of the political elite in Nigeria travelled to Niger Republic and India among other countries to hire marabouts to ensure the President dies.

    She claimed that the same set of people also engaged pastors and bishops to pray for the President’s death and that the religious leaders resorted to attacking Buhari when he did not die despite their prayers.

    Onochie disclosed this on her Facebook page just as the President’s latest medical vacation entered its second week.

    She however did not disclose the identities of the politicians and the pastors she claimed were hired.

    The presidential aide said there must be a reason why the politicians did not want to see Buhari in power.

    She said that was why they rigged him out in his first three shots at the Presidency and now they wanted him dead after he got his victory at the 2015 presidential election with the support of the card readers introduced by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

    Onochie alleged that before the election, when it was obvious that Buhari would win, the politicians “scammed” former President Goodluck Jonathan to postpone the election so that they could further empty the treasury.

    She wrote, “There must be a reason why some members of the political elite in Nigeria do not want to see President Muhammadu Buhari in power. They rigged him out of elections in the past and now that Nigerians overpowered them with the support of the card reader, they want him dead.

    “In 2015, when it was obvious the electorates had their eyes set on him, they scammed President Jonathan to postpone the election and to further empty the Nigerian treasury so they could ‘buy’ more electorates.

    “But they knew Nigerians were not ready to be bought so they pocketed the campaign loot. Those who took part in the scamming of ex-President Jonathan, are being asked to cough up and the junkiest of them all, is cursing and swearing because he is being held accountable.

    “Transition was a scam. Financial books were cooked. They tried to cover up their financial wickedness and recklessness against this nation. They hired some school dropouts, products of their 16 years of mis-governance across the nation, to try to disrupt the nation.

    “And then they hired red, green, blue, and all shades of media outfits to unleash a coordinated attack on his government. Bravely, he soldiers on.

    “They travelled as far as Niger Republic, India, etc. and in vain, they engaged the services of marabouts and soothsayers (mere men), to their own disappointments.

    “Pastors and bishops (mere men), whose unholy services were engaged to pray for his death, resorted to attacking him once they have prayed and he did not die.”

    Onochie further alleged that the unnamed politicians had been announcing the President’s death on cloned websites, therefore raising exaggerated concerns about his health.

  • Pastors are Jesus killers – Aribisala

    Pastors are Jesus killers – Aribisala

    By Femi Aribisala
    The presumed principal custodians of our faith; the pastors, bishops and popes of our churches, are ungodly and unrighteous.
    Christians are told lies so repeatedly; many no longer recognise the truth. Answer me this: did your pastor happen to mention that Jesus was killed by pastors?
    Not likely! Pastors don’t want people to know their fore-fathers killed Jesus; otherwise they would soon recognise they too are in the same business. Jesus says to the pastors of old: “You are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets.” (Matthew 23:31). Even so, the pastors of today testify against themselves that they are the descendants of those who killed Jesus.
    Testimony of Jesus
    Let me tell you a story you must have heard before but have probably been led to misunderstand. Jesus told the story to some pastors and they were very angry with him because they recognised it was a veiled attack on them. They even wanted to kill him right there and then but held back because of the crowds. Perhaps you need to listen to the story one more time.
    “There was a certain landowner who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a winepress in it and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country. Now when vintage-time drew near, he sent his servants to the vinedressers, that they might receive its fruit. And the vinedressers took his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another.”
    “Again he sent other servants, more than the first, and they did likewise to them. Then last of all he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But when the vinedressers saw the son, they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.’ So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him.” (Matthew 21:33-40).
    Let us get certain things straight about this true-to-life story. The landowner is God. The servants of the landowner are the prophets. The son is Jesus Christ. The vinedressers are the priests and the pastors.
    What you may not have realised is that, precisely because Jesus told this story against pastors, they have gone to great lengths to distort it. They now insist it was not the vinedressers who killed the son of the landowner, but that the landowner himself killed his own son. They tell men God sacrificed Jesus for their sins, instead of the fact that pastors killed Jesus in order to continue in their own sins.
    Mercy and not sacrifice
    Jeremiah says: “Among my people are found wicked men; they lie in wait as one who sets snares; they set a trap; they catch men.” (Jeremiah 5:26). Who are these wicked men? Make no mistake about it; pastors are at the top of the list.
    Hosea says: “The priests are like a gang of robbers who wait in ambush for a man. Even on the road to the holy place at Shechem they commit murder. And they do all this evil deliberately!” (Hosea 6:9). Today, there are even gangs of Catholic priests raping young boys.
    Jesus said prophetically to the Pharisees: “If you had known what this means, I desire mercy and not sacrifice, you would not have condemned the guiltless.” (Matthew 12:7). What did he mean? He meant if they understood the love of God, they would not kill him, an innocent man, in order to protect their corrupt lifestyles. If pastors today knew the love of God, they would not continue to kill Jesus by misrepresenting him.
    A man walked in on a gang of men robbing a bank. He switched on the light and declared: “Repent. I am the light of the world.” What do you think the robbers did to him? They had him killed, switched off the light and continued with their robbery. They then claimed it was God who killed him as a sacrifice for the sins of men. But God demonstrated unequivocally that he was not responsible for Jesus’ death by raising him from the dead.
    Fleecing the flock
    Jesus says: “I am the good pastor.” (John 10:11). “All who ever came before me are thieves and robbers.” (John 10:8). Those who came after him are no different. Their primary focus is to fleece people of their money so as to build up their own kingdoms. Jeremiah says: “They are as greedy as dogs, never satisfied; they are stupid pastors who only look after their own interest, each trying to get as much as he can for himself from every possible source.” (Isaiah 56:11).
    In many respects, what holds today is no different from the falsehood popularised in the days of Martin Luther, when priests maintained a man could purchase forgiveness of sins for a dead relative by giving money to the Catholic Church. The Dominican monk, Johann Tetzel, was one of those sent out by the pope to preach this message in order to raise money for the church.
    His message was straightforward: give money and your sins will be forgiven. Like the pastors of today, he came up with a popular refrain: “As soon as a coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs.”
    Unrighteous pastors
    Jesus came to set the captives free by giving us true first-hand information about God. But after he did, pastors have endeavoured to distort even the true portrait he gave.
    They pretend to reveal God to men but have a vested interest in ensuring they don’t know him. How would they continue to rip people off if they were to know the truth of Jesus’ message that makes men free? (John 8:32). The result is that more falsehood about God is taught in the churches today than almost anywhere else.
    So what does Jesus do about this? First, he tells us a parable that a man travelling from Jerusalem to Jericho was attacked by armed robbers and left for dead. A priest came along, saw the dying man but quickly walked away.
    A pastor also came along but he too ignored the dying man. Finally, a Good Samaritan came along. He bound up the wounds of the poor man, took him to the hospital and paid for all his medical expenses. When the man recovers, should he remain the disciple of priests and pastors? Certainly not!
    Jesus is the Good Samaritan. One of his major assignments is to convince us that the presumed principal custodians of our faith; the chief priests, the Pharisees, the religious hierarchy; indeed the pastors, bishops and popes of our churches, are ungodly and unrighteous. Accordingly he says to them: “Assuredly, tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you.” (Matthew 21:31).
    Jesus’ life demonstrates this conclusively because these so-called “men of God” kill him, an innocent man, in order to protect their interests and positions. Jesus’ adversaries were not “sinners” but “holy” and religious pastors. Therefore, contrary to what it seems, many of those who claim to speak for God are not of God. Instead, they rob men of God. They rob them of his knowledge by presenting counterfeit portraits of God. They rob them so that they and not God would be the gods of their lives.

  • “We don’t operate Pension Scheme, 2000 Pastors unknown to the Church” –Assemblies Of God

    The Assemblies of God Church, Nigeria on Thursday described as mischievous, media reports linking some of its leaders to alleged missing pension fund belonging to retired ministers of the Church.

    In a press statement issued in Enugu and made available exclusively to TheNewsGuru.com, the Church said the publication was rather a clever but criminal design by some elements to divert attention from some atrocities they committed while they held sway in the Church.

    The reaction followed reports that the Inspector General of Police invited the Church’s General Superintendent, Rev Dr. Chidi Okoroafor, Rev Vincent Alaje and Tony Ewelike, over a petition by one Mr. C. N. Idris, wherein the church leaders were accused by 2000 pastors of embezzling the pension fund.

    However, the Church’s General Secretary, Rev. Dr. Godwin Amaowoh, who signed the statement said the contents of the said petition as published in the media “are lies from the pit of hell, merely intended to distract the Church.”

    He said, “We had wanted to ignore this report but following the insistence of some of our members that these liars should be exposed to stop them from further deceiving the innocent public, we have now deemed it fit to make these clarifications.

    “May we make it bold that we do not have a pension scheme in the Assemblies of God Church as we never in the first instance employed any minister, Assemblies Of God only operates what we call Assemblies Of God Ministers Benefit Scheme”

    “Every minister with the Assemblies of God Church is on voluntary service. Therefore, we have no such thing as pension fund; rather we operate a welfare scheme for our ministers.

    “All the ministers involved signed contracts in that regard in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Church. We follow the provisions of that constitution strictly.

    “It is also apt to make it clear to the members of the public that we do not know about 2000 ministers; perhaps they are with the disfellowshiped Rev Paul Emeka.

    “Our constitution provides that those who are under discipline are not entitled to the welfare scheme, until after certain years depending on the level of discipline.

    “A minister who is dismissed is not entitled to welfare except only his own contribution to the welfare; but if the minister is suspended and he leaves the church, he will not be entitled to the welfare scheme. But if he remains in the church till after the period required for restoration, he knows the normal processes to follow

    “It also needs to be stated that the body administering Assemblies Of God Ministers Benefit Scheme is distinct from the General Council and is appropriately registered with the CAC.”

    While accusing Rev. Paul Emeka of bolting away with N17m from the Assemblies Of God Ministers benefit Scheme account, he explained that “the General Superintendent, Rev. Dr. Chidi Okoroafor and the General Treasurer, Rev. Dr. Vincent Alaje are not members of that body, however, as an officer of the Council, I am aware that Paul Emeka took a whooping N17m away from that account.”

    “Emeka is not qualified for the welfare scheme because he took a loan of N17m from AG-HOMES and instead of paying back the loan, he wrote a letter to AG-HOMES that they should take his entitlement for the loan. His entitlement was not even up to that amount.

    “When he held sway as the General Superintendent, he appointed Rev. Ejikeme Ejim, the current Assistant General Superintendent of the Church as the chairman of the welfare Board, however when Rev Ejim discovered that Rev Paul Emeka was constantly taking money without given proper account, he voluntarily resigned as the Chairman of the Board”

    He further stated that any minister in the Church who so desired to receive his package from the scheme, “should apply in accordance with the Constitution of the Church and will receive same if qualified.”

    The Church also denied media reports that the Inspector General Of Police invited some of its Officers on Tuesday 24th February 2017

    “It was a Crude and Dishonest effort by Rev Paul Emeka and his gang to embarrass the church and paint it black by conniving with some Junior Police Officers in an attempt to ruin the Church he claims he wants to be returned as the Leader”

    “So, we urge the general public to discountenance the said petition and media publications as they were merely meant to cover up some mess committed by these same petitioners.”