The belief that Elijah and other faithfuls are in heaven is wrong. According to the Bible, apart from heaven being the dwelling place of God, the cloudy region of the sky above the earth where the birds fly is called heaven. (Gen. 1:20, Job 35:11)  In fact God dwells in the highest heaven known as the heavens of heavens or third heavens (1 Kings 8:27, 2 Cor. 12:2). Therefore, the correct understanding and interpretation with reference to Elijah, is that he was carried up by a whirlwind into the atmosphere out of sight and turned to nothing. He was made not to die the ordinary death like the case of Enoch who was translated by God. (Heb. 11:5) He and other faithfuls like Noah, Abraham, David and so on will at the resurrection receive their reward in God’s Kingdom on earth and then all opposers of truth and righteousness would gnash their teeth in punishment (Matt. 8:11,12; Luke 13:28,29; Acts 2:34) If they were in heaven, Christ would have said so, rather he said in clear terms, “No man hath ascended up to heaven…” John 3:13

The teaching of some Christians that one of the two criminals hanged with Jesus Christ at his crucifixion went to even even on that same day, has no root in the Holy Bible. It should be noted that no thief is good and none will enter the Kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:9,10). However, one of the malefactors was penitent but he did not ask to be taken to heaven. Rather he said to Christ, “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy Kingdom.” This gives the idea that he must have heard of Christ’s coming to his Kingdom on earth. Jesus then answered, verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:42,43) The wrong notion people have about heaven led to the mistake in punctuation during translation and the erroneous belief that the penitent thief went to heaven that same day which could not be.

First, Christ did not go to heaven the same day he was crucified but remained in hell or grave three days before he was raised by God – Matt. 12:40; 1 Cor. 15:4.

Secondly, after his resurrection he was seen of the apostles on earth for 40 days. (Acts 1:3,9-11) 

Thirdly, the penitent thief could not have gone to heaven before Jesus Christ who must first be there to prepare the place as he had promised and return to receive his saints to meet himself there. (John 14:1-3) 

Lastly, the penitent man was not one of the apostles to whom or whose class Christ made the promise. However, the words of Christ in answer to the demand of the repentant thief shows that he would have the grace of being among the meek who will inherit paradise or God’s Kingdom on earth. – Matthew 5:5

Many people today, have the belief that things happen to a man according to his destiny. That everyone directs the course of events of life before one was born into the world. This makes some people refuse to change from one trade or profession to another believing that whatever happens is his destiny. 

It is common to hear people say when certain events occur, “it is his destiny That being so there is nothing anybody can do about it. But from the standpoint of the Holy Bible, this belief is unfounded and unacceptable What is obvious is that God Almighty, the Creator and Possessor of the heavens and earth made man (Adam) in His own image and likeness and intended that man should live and enjoy the good things on earth without any. trouble (Genesis 1:26-31; 2:1-7) Adam’s disobedience (at the instance of Satan, the devil) in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 2:15-17) resulted in sin and this brought in its train all forms of evil or wickedness now being experienced by mankind. (Gen. 3:1-19) Things were never the same again. 

The biology of procreation makes it abundantly evident that man was not in a position to order the course of events of his life. Adam and Eve were created from the dust and man’s rib, respectively, and through the divine mandate of procreation the earth is populated. At what stage then could man make his destiny? 

God made man a free moral agent. It is in this life you choose for yourself your trade or whatever you want to be or do. He through Mases said to Israel: “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live -Deut. 30:19. 

And Elihu stated: ‘Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: He is mighty in strength and wisdom He preserveth not the life of the wicked: but giveth right to the poor (afflicted). He withdraweth not His eyes from the righteous… if they obey and serve Him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures. But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge.” (Job 36:5-12) For the reason that the world is evil the devil has caused lots of inequalities things the wicked ought to suffer are experienced by the righteous and vice versa. Eccl. 8:14, 9:2. 

In order that man may live forever without any trouble, especially in the Kingdom of God (New Jerusalem) fully established, where there would be no sickness, sorrows, pains or death, God sent a second Adam in Christ that whosoever believeth in him (by deeds of righteousness). might not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16,17. 8:31,32; Rom 5:14-19, 1Cor 15:21,22, Heb 12:1,2, Rev. 21:1-5 etc) Therefore, everyone still has the right to decide his/her destiny either by obeying or disobeying God’s word ne taught by Christ and his anointed servants.  

However, there are a privileged few whom God. Almighty has predestinated to do His work of spreading the gospel of peace to the world. Jeremiah was an example. God said to hint “Before I formed thee in the belly I know thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” (Jer. 1:5) Jesus Christ was predestinated and all that happened to him were foreordained. (Acts 4:26-28) Similarly, the apostles of Christ and those of their class who make up the “Little Flock” (Luke 12:32) chosen and anointed Christians are predestinated by God. Thus St. Paul stated: “For whom He did foreknow, He also predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”-Rom 8.29. 

It is God who predestinates or foreordains them to be His apostles or prophets. They could be artisans, civil servants or so, but once God’s time strikes, they forsake all to follow Jesus Christ as faithful servants to preach the gospel for the salvation of God’s children St Paul who was one of them gave this testimony, to wit “For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it and profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by His grace, to reveal His Son in me that I might preach him among the heathen: immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood.”-Gal. 1:13-16 

Furthermore, the apostle Paul wrote: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will – Eph. 1:3-5.

The Bible leaves no one in doubt of the fact that Mary had other children after she had given birth to Jesus Christ. That is why Jesus was said to be her firstborn. As it is written: “Then Joseph… took unto him his wife: and knew her not (had no sexual intercourse with her) till she has brought forth her FIRSTBORN Son: and he called his name JESUS”. (Matt:1:24,25) It would be superflous to call an only child firstborn. Jesus was firstborn because there were other children. In fact, Mary had sons and daughters after the birth of Christ and some of their names were mentioned at Nazareth, Christ’s home-town, where he preached to the people in the synagogue. They, astonished by his wisdom and mighty works, asked “Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And his brothers, James, and Joses and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?” (Matthew 13:55,56) Space will not allow us to go into more details. The truth is clear, “for we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.”

This statement of Christ in John 14:2 has been interpreted by some pastors to raise the hope of their followers that buildings (even block buildings) were being erected for them in heaven. Nothing can be farther than the truth. The Revised Standard Version renders the text thus: “In my Father’s house are many rooms…” This literal interpretation, to say the least, is erroneous. In that by dictionary definition a mansion is a large house; how then can a large house be in a house? Therefore, this statement of Christ is symbolic and not literal.

The Bible speaks of the house of God as an organisation which in a primary sense is made up of the anointed Christians, the saints whose head is Jesus Christ. Said St. Paul: “But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.” (Heb. 3:6; see also Eph. 2:19-22) In heaven there is the holy organisation or holy city of Zion – capital of God’s Kingdom where Jesus Christ as head  and king will be seated with his fellow kings to reign over the earth. – Heb. 12:22-24; Rev. 3:12; 14:1; 20:6.

The word “mansion” is used by Christ to represent territories in God’s Kingdom over which the saints will individually be placed to have control. Then shall fulfil in full the prophecy of Daniel, to wit: “But the saints of the Most High shall take the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.” – Dan. 7:18, see also Luke 12:32; 22:28-30.

Jesus Christ in his sermon on the mount stated at Matthew 7:21 thus: “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord shall enter into the Kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” This indicates clearly that the doing of the will of God is a vital requirement. The doing of the will of God encompasses other conditions. 

First, the belief or faith must be genuine, that is, it must be based on the revealed truth of God. Jesus said “the truth shall make you free”. (John 8:32) St. Paul wrote that it is the will of God that all men should be saved, but they must “come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim 2:3,4) There are those who believe in falsehood and therefore do not worship God in truth. “They receive not the love of the truth, that they may be saved, therefore they will be damned” – 2 Thess. 2:10 12. 

Secondly, a believer must exhibit in his character Christ-like attributes of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, etc. which are the fruit of the Spirit of God. (Gal 5:22,23; 2 Pet. 1:5-8; etc) The believer must desist from the works of the flesh that include fornication, adultery idolatry, heresies, murders, stealing, envyings, lasciviousness, hatred and such like- 1 Cor. 6:9, 10; Gal 5,19-21, etc. 

Thirdly, the believer/ must be instant and unwavering in the faith. Said St. Paul: “For we are partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end.” (Heb. 3:14 see also chapter 10:35,36) And those who draw back or backslide will go to perdition – Heb. 10:38,39. 

Fourthly, the believer must show his faith by deeds of love and righteousness in support of the truth and of God’s Kingdom Organisation in our time. – 1 Cor. 13:2; James 2:14-26; etc. 

However, every believer must realise that regardless of his efforts to fulfil these conditions, salvation is still by the grace of God. – Eph. 2:8; Titus 2:11,12.

For anyone to say or teach that the soul is immortal is inconsistent with the Scripture. It springs from the that the soul is living being in man that continues to exist in heaven or elsewhere (limbo or purgatory after death. It is wrong. It also implies that the man is not completely dead, and this is what the Serpent, deceitfully instilled in Eve: “Ye shall not surely die”. (Gen. 3:2 5) What God told Adam was clear. He said, “For in the day that thou eatest thereof (i.e. of the tree of knowledge of good and evil) thou shall surely die (Gen. 2:16,17) 

There was no point of another entity in man that would go to live elsewhere after death. A man is dead when he ceases to exist. King David stated that of all those who have died “none can keep alive his own soul” (Psa. 22.29) Furthermore, it is stated: “What in is the that liveth and shall not see death? Shalt he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave?” (Psa. 89:48) And God declared “Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine, the soul that sinneth, it shall die.” (Ezek. 18:14,20) What is more, Jesus Christ warned his disciples not to fear them that can kill the body but not the soul (life) but rather they should fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell (Matt. 10:28 see also Mark 8:36) The fact is that the soul is mortal (I.e. it can die). And St Peter said: “Every soul, which will not hear that prophet (Jesus Christ) shall be destroyed from among the people.” (Acts 8:24) Therefore, the soul is mortal, that it is subject to and not immortal.

It is trite to hear certain preachers, especially, among the so-called Pentecostal groups teach that once a person confesses his or her sins and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and personal Saviour, he is save Salvation, they say, is instantaneous. Their reliance on the statements of Christ and the apostles, to wit “He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.” John 6:47) or “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shall be saved (Acts 16:30,31) and other similar texts of the Scriptures, shows their lag of understanding of what salvation means. However, the truth of the Holy Bible is that salvation cannot be obtained the very moment one accepts Jesus Christ. Salvation or Eternal life is the complete deliverance from sin and its consequences including death; it is a reward God has pronounced his faithful worshippers in His Kingdom in the “World Without End”. (Isa. 45:17,18; 1 John 2:25) This can only be attained at the end of one’s faith and works of righteousness. The reason is that some who say they believe today may not be able to endure temptations or persecutions that Satan will bring upon them, and, in the long run, will backslide. Said Jesus Christ: “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold, but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” (Matt. 24:12,13) 

That apart Jesus Christ stated that salvation will be given to men as a reward for faithfulness in the world come. When Peter on behalf of himself and others asked him as to what will happen to those who have left all and followed him, Christ said, “…There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the Kingdom of God’s sake, who shall not receive manifold more in this present world and the world to come life everlasting.” (Luke 18:28 30) And the apostles by their gospel taught that their reward would be obtained at the second appearing of Christ according to his promise. St. Paul stated: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” (2 Tim 4:7,8; see also John 14:1-3) And Peter exhorting the believers said: “Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls…” 1 Peter 1:9.

To buttress the fact that salvation is not achieved the moment one believes in Christ, and that it must be worked for, Paul the apostle admonished Christians that they should work out their own salvation with fear and trembling. (Phil. 2:12) It is obvious therefore, that salvation is not instantaneous or easy to be obtained.

The fact that Jesus Christ, though perfect was not baptised in his infancy, shows that infant baptism is wrong and has not the blessing God. Belief and repentance are requirements for baptism. Jesus himself said: “He that believeth and is baptised shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall be damned – (Mark 16:16) And St. Peter told the Jews, “Repent and be baptized….” (Acts 2:38) That was why Philip said to the eunuch of Ethiopia in answer to his request “If thou believest with all thine heart thou mayest (be baptised).” He answered, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God” Then he was baptised. (Acts 8:36-38) Infants know nothing and so cannot believe or repent nor can they accept the spiritual responsibilities baptism imposes. No record can be found in the scriptures of a child who received baptism from John the Baptist or Jesus Christ or His apostles. In fact Jesus did not baptise anybody but his disciples did. (John 4:1,2) Rather, we find in the Holy Bible that children were blessed by Jesus Christ here on earth (Matt. 19:13-15, Mark 10:13-15) The truth is that infant baptism is based on European custom and superstition and not on the Scriptures.

To fast means to abstain from food or to go without food for a time. According to the Bible fasting was practiced by the people of God in ancient times. It was associated with sackcloth, renting of clothes, ashes and sailing. On occasions of grief or mourning especially when they suffered defeat at the hands of their enemies or when an important person died. (Judges 20:26; 2 Sam 1:11,12; 3:31,35) They also fasted as an expression of penitence in order to seek the favor of God. (1 Sam.7:6; Neh. 9:1,2; Joel 1:14, etc) There are many instances of fasting in the Old Testament. Any situation that aroused deep emotion was a cause for fasting among the Jews. King David fasted and prayed when his son by Bathsheba was struck ill by God. But on hearing that the child died he refrained from fasting and mourning, had his bath, changed his clothes and went into the house of God to worship. His servants were astonished at his behaviour and he explained “While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept for I said, who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me that the child may live? But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me”-2 Sam. 12:22.23. 

However, God Almighty through the prophets Isaiah and Zechariah made it quite clear that the fasting He required was the one devoid of strife and wickedness but bent towards promoting righteousness, care for the poor and needy; and “the love of the truth and peace” Said God through Isaiah: “Is not this the fast that I have chosen? To loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out of thy house? When thou seest the naked, that thou cover him, and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Isa 35:5-7; see also Zech, 7:5-11: 8:15-23.  

Jesus Christ himself fasted and prayed when occasions demanded it. Before he started his ministry on earth he fasted for 40 days and nights. (Matt 41,2) But he warned against making fasting a public show as to win the praise of men. Said he, “But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; that thou appear not unto men to East, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.” (Matt. 6:17, 18) He laid more emphasis on true repentance as the essence of real fasting. When asked why his disciples did not fast, be retorted, “Can the children of the bride chamber fast, while. the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.”- Mark 2:19. 

Jesus Christ did not lay it down as a rule or law for a Christian to fast. It is a matter of one’s choice and decision depending on the circumstance and occasion. To fix a number of days for one to fast as some pastors are doing and demand candles or perpemint packets to be bought for the exercise is unnecessary and an act of deceit. Some in the course of such prescribed fastings have died untimely. In the days of the apostles the Christians fasted when an important decision was to be taken as to obtain direction from God like in the election of Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13.2) and the appointment of elders Acts 14:23.

Some Christians believe that “speaking in tongue” is when one talks in an unknown language or words that cannot be understood by men such as A-la-ba sha-ka-ra-na or Re-ge-ge-ko-to-mo-sa-nu and so on. But this is not true. According to the Holy Scriptures, to speak in tongues means to express oneself in understandable languages other than the mother tongue. It is a gift of the Holy Spirit meant for the effective spreading of the truth of God’s word to edification. This was clearly exemplified on the day of Pentecost when the Comforter (Spirit of Truth) Christ promised his disciples came as a rushing wind into the house they abode and as cloven tongues of fire on the twelve apostles who spoke in other tongues. As it is written: “..And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them , And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues (languages), as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they (multitude) were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak, Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born…” Acts 2:1-11,14 see also Acts 10:44-46.

“Night Vigil” is said to be a service of songs and prayers that take place in the night. It is practised by some group of Christians who go to their places of worship in the evening and stay awake all night until the next day. They hold the “night vigil” weekly. In many cases it has proved to be nuisance to neighbours around such places of worship because of how they are disturbed from sleep all the night from time to time. 

God’s Kingdom Mission (GKM) does not engage in “night vigil” because there is no command in the Holy Bible that Christians should do so. It was not a tradition in the days of the apostles of Christ. Jesus himself prayed all night before he ordained his 12 apostles (Luke 6:12-16) It signified the importance and specialty of the assignment. He never did it always neither did he enjoined anyone to do as he did. What he encouraged his disciples to do was constancy in prayer. He said that “men ought always to pray and not to faint” and adduced the reason for it. – Luke 18:1-8. 

Moreover, in praying he warned against public display of piety or holier-than-thou attitude and unnecessary repetitions which are the stock-in-trades of hypocrites. Said he: “…But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.”- Matt. 6:5-8. 

To stay all night praying is uncalled for especially when one is not in a state of emergency. It has been reported that during this organized “Night Vigils”, some of the pastors and male converts use it as an avenue to commit adultery and fornication. While some may be sincere in their profession of faith, many others are fanatical over the “night vigil” because of their penchant for immorality.

“Holy Ghost fire” is a phrase commonly used by certain Christians and/or groups to instill fear in people and cause them to do their biddings. “Holy Ghost Fire” is said to be the name of a church denomination. Others would say, “Holy Ghost Fire” will descend on anyone who is troubling me. But a thorough research into the Holy Writ reveals that there is no such phrase in the Bible. Neither Jesus Christ nor any of his early apostles used it. Although the term “Holy Ghost” is found only in the King James Version, other versions like the New English Version, Revised Standard Version and others replace the word “Ghost” with “Spirit”. The reason for this replacement is not far-fetched. “Ghost” is define as “the disembodied spirit of a dead person, supposed to haunt the living…”. 

This definition is not anchored on the Scripture and true Christians do not believe in it. The spirit that goes out of a person at death is the breath of life that God retains. (Job 34:14,15; Ps. 104:29,30; Eccl. 3:19. 12:7) But the demons, messengers of Satan, are able to appear in the form of a dead person to deceive men. A case in point is that of the witch of Endor who purported to have seen dead Samuel as “gods, ascending out of the earth” (1 Sam 28:12,13). The term “Holy Ghost” is incongruous and wrongly used by translators. 

“Holy Spirit” is the appropriate term which according to the Holy Scripture, is the invisible active force of God, the Almighty Father, by which He operates in men with power to enable them carry out His purpose or mission accurately. Though it is sometimes personalised or personified, it is neither a person nor a god. And because it emanates from Jehovah, the Holy, it is also holy and not connected with anything impure or defective in characteristics or actions. 

God sent it to His prophets of old and through it moved them to utter prophecies that were true. As it is written: “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of men: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Pet. 1:21) And King David said: “The Spirit of the LORD spake by me and His word was in my tongue.”-2 Sam 23:2 The pouring out of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles on the day of Pentecost was described in simple plain language thus: “And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave then utterance.” (Acts 2:3,4) This does not give any connotation of a “Holy Ghost Fire” being used by false prophets or teachers in pronouncing curse upon people. Everyone must take seriously the warning of Jesus Christ our Lord: “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves” Matt. 7:15.

The Holy Bible shows clearly that to speak in tongues that cannot be understood nor interpreted is of no profit to a Christian or believer. Said St. Paul to the Corinthian Christians, “I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues except he interpret, that the Church may receive edifying. Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying or doctrine?… except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? For ye shall speak into the air.” (I Cor. 14:5-9) Rather to speak with tongues is a sign for unbelievers “not to them that believe” while prophesying is for believers or Christians to edification (verse 22). Concluding, the apostle stated categorically that: “If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the Church, and let him speak to himself; and to God.” –Verses 27,28.

“Holy Water” is said to be the water collected from the river Jordan or from the dead seal in Israel by Christians who went there on pilgrimage. It is a common belief that these waters have purifying and healing effect. It is usual to see some pastors. apostles, evangelists so-called and even ordinary members of some churches collect or buy it for sprinkling on the sick, or for cleansing of utensils in their homes and so on. Others use it for what they call “holy bath”, while some others take their adherents who want help to a seaside, stream or river for “holy bath” after some prayers and incantations have been recited. It is therefore not a surprise that those who travelled to Israel on pilgrimage carried jerry cans of these waters for commercial purpose. One reason why they regard the water from Jordan as holy, is that it was at the river Naaman was cured (2 King 5:8-14), also it was there that Christ was baptised. (Matt. 3:6,13-17) It is also believed that the dead sea water can cure the sick. 

However, all that is said about “holy water” and “holy bath” has no basis in the Bible and, therefore, has no significance to true Christians. Jesus Christ did not make use of such water; neither did any of his apostles do so. The mere fact that Jesus Christ was baptised at the Jordan River did not make its water holy or better than any other river. Even before Christ met John the Baptist there, others including many of the Pharisees and Sadducees had been baptised in Jordan. (Matt. 3:5-7) John also baptised people in other places. “And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there and they came and were baptised.” – John 3:23 The healing of leprous Naaman after “washing in Jordan seven times” as ordered by Elisha was a miracle. 

The healing value was not intrinsic in the water as such but in the power of God invoked by the prophet through the agency of the water. It simply served that purpose for Naaman and did not continue to be a place of healing for others. To continue to use Jordan’s. water for healing purpose is mere superstition. The people in Israel do not use it for anything like that but false prophets who exploit the people with deceptive words that now. designate the water from Jordan River and others as in holy water. Water has long been a washing agent for cleansing, and it is used to symbolise the word of God that has the effect of cleansing one, God through Ezekiel the prophet promised purify his children with the sprinkling of clean water, which is His in order to renew their hearts to walk in His statutes and judgements. (Ezek 36:25) It is with this understanding that St. Paul explaining how Christ loved the church and gave himself for it stated, “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.” -Eph. 5:26 

Jesus said, “Now ye are clean through the word I have spoken unto you.” (John 15:3) And St. Paul admonished all believers in this vein: “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water…” (which is God’s word) – Heb 10:22,23.

The striking thing about the text in 1 John 5:7 is the fact that it was not in the original manuscript of the Bible. It was simply inserted out of bias for the Trinity doctrine during translation. You can find it only in the King James Version and the Duay Version often referred to as the Roman Catholic Bible. Other versions of the Bible omit it. Even the Revised Standard Version as well as the Catholic Edition does not carry it. Dr. C. I. Scofield. D.D., in his “Authorised King James Version”, commented in a footnote of the text thus: “It is generally agreed that this verse has no manuscript authority and has been inserted.” Therefore, Bible Scholars and true Christians do not take account of or rely on it.

St. Paul made it known that the Sabbath days were a shadow of things to come. The word “Sabbath” means rest. The Sabbath observed by the Jews typified the everlasting rest God had promised His true worshippers in His Kingdom when fully established. It is rest from toil and trouble in the world to come, the world without end. On the strength of this understanding, St. Paul wrote: “For if Jesus (that is Joshua) had given them (the Jews) rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into His rest, He also hath ceased from His. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.” -Heb. 4:8-11

It is common these days to hear some Christians, when going on a journey, say, “This vehicle is covered by the blood of Jesus” or “I cover this vehicle in the blood of Jesus”. Some others also say, “My house is covered by the blood of Jesus” or “I am covered by the blood of Jesus”. By this they give the understanding that the blood of Jesus has power to protect or deliver them from dangers of accidents, sickness, or other troubles. But this belief cannot be substantiated from the Holy Bible. 

What is clear about the blood of Jesus in the Holy Writ is that it was shed for the remission of sins (Matt. 26:28) and to bring about redemption for mankind through belief in him. Said St. Paul: “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Eph. 1:7; 2:13, Col. 1:14 etc.) And St. Peter declared Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”-1 Peter 1:18,19 see also Heb. 9:12,14,22. 

Moreover, the blood of Jesus Christ has the effect of sanctifying or cleansing the sins of true believers (Heb 13:12) John the apostle of Christ stated: “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin ” (1 John 1:7; see also Rev. 1:5) From this text it can be clearly understood that mere oral confession of Christ as one’s personal Saviour is not enough for one to benefit from the blood he shed. One must be in the light or truth as to be in fellowship with God and share in the cleansing effect of the blood of His Son. Are there not many, very many, who confess Christ and yet do not know the truth?

Pilate asked Jesus Christ this question but Jesus was silent. Do you know Christ gave answer to this question just before he was arrested? The Truth is the “word of God” John 17:17.

Jesus Christ is the Truth or the word of God personified. John 8:36; 14:6 etc.

The Truth comprises of the laws, the testimonies, the statutes, the commandments, and the ordinances of God. Also as a part of the Truth is the fear of God, the judgements of God, the promises of God and the Ten Basic or Fundamental Truths of the Holy Bible. Psalm 19:7-12; Isaiah 8:20; Genesis to Revelation, etc.

The Truth is a lamp and light to the path of God’s children. Psalm 119:105,160.

The Truth is very powerful. Hebrews 4:12. Without knowing the Truth, nobody can receive Salvation or Eternal life. John 8:31,32; 1 Timothy 2:3-6.

Did your Church Elders ordain you a woman as a pastor, deaconess and so on to preach the word, lead prayer session or even pray in a mixed congregation of worshippers? Do not accept. They are blind leaders. The Scriptures prescribes that a woman should not preach or teach and dominate a man in any way. A man that allows a woman to teach or preach and dominate him is an effeminate. Such man or men are blind followers who are led by blind leaders. If the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. God never ordained a woman at anytime to lead His people. A woman that allows herself to be ordained a Pastor or Bishop to lead men is presumptuous. The effeminate man or men as well as a presumptuous woman will not be in God’s Kingdom. 1 Corinthians 6:9,10; 14:34,35,40; 1 Timothy 2:11-15 etc.