The Burden

• The Burden

  Although taking records of events is not in my custom, I now consider it necessary to do so because it seems some with whom I’m working will not understand certain things until it is put plainly before them. It is difficult when you try to express a burden that needs to be addressed and those in position to address them seem unaware of the issues surrounding the burden you are expressing. Therefore, by the grace of God who called me to save me as well as those with me, I shall put straight the accounts of the happenings since Thursday, 19^th of June, inasmuch as it will make clear  the understanding of the current circumstances of the church of God that meets at Eguadase Street in  Benin. It is my earnest prayer that the Lord will use this humble piece to do a perfect work of resuscitation and healing where appropriate.

  APOLOGY

  Before I begin I feel the need to apologize for my inability to openly challenge unsound teachings and practices,  as any straight forward person would do under the circumstances I’ve found myself. The devil works in subtle ways. His insidious maneuverings are very difficult to detect, especially when he shrouds himself in robes of righteousness, garbs of light and habiliments of truths, which I’ve long sought for. I used to be outspoken until it was pressed upon my consciousness by the prevailing atmosphere in the congregation that the authority of the elders is sacrosanct. Thus, any seeming challenge on the leadership is a threat to the cohesion of the body. I for one would not want to be a cause of division and disorder, even if it was obvious to me that a position of the eldership does not agree with my understanding of the Holy Bible and the writings of the pioneer elders of the church of God, since the days of Bro D. S. Warner. I have been bearing otherwise strange teachings because it was made clear on several occasions that questions and corrections would not be permitted in the church. Being new in the church of God and unlearned in many doctrines, I had to respect the submissions of the elders of the place I fellowship. I remember my first encounter with a strange teaching that man was created before the angels. I couldn’t bear it. I had to raise my hand to draw the attention of the pastor to the 7^th verse of the 38^thchapter of Job, which shows angels rejoicing when God created the world. Surprisingly, the pastor still insists till date that angels were created after man sinned. He goes as far as stating that the ministry of angels came to an end when the church was founded; and therefore that the saints have replaced the angels. No scriptural supports have so far given for these. Since we are not allowed to reason the scriptures, I felt I could quietly worship with the brethren without causing trouble until it was made clear to me that we all have to accept whatever the elders say in the church. This is just one example of the kind of teachings we are forced to bear with. Time and space will fail me to highlight many common errors. Meanwhile, I’ll focus on the  

  Recent Events since Thursday, the 19^th of June.

  While preparing for the journey to Port Harcourt for the campmeeting committee meeting, I received a phone call from Bro Christian Elui, who thought he was on to Bro Solomon Obi.  I informed him it was my line he was calling. So, he asked me to tell Bro Solomon that he learnt that Bro Felix Onuoha was coming for the committee meeting; and that we should convey the position of Benin church, namely, that the church was not in support of Bro Felix’s inclusion in the committee, due to his unsettled issue in his home church. He instructed that we should insist that if Bro Felix is not excused from the meeting, we, the members from Benin, would desire to be excused from the meeting instead.  I gave Bro Solomon and Sister Rachel the message, which they actually complied with in the course of the meeting. Although few of us pleaded that deference be accorded the advice of Brother Igbanibo that the brother be allowed, it was to no avail. It turned that night that the pleas and tears of the penitent brother could not sway the stand of Bro Linus Okorie and others. It took my mind to events in some state houses of assemblies, where some external forces would influence house deliberations and negotiations through lobbying et al. The external factors would not tolerate a change of position by their loyalists without due consultations and permissions. We are all aware of the other events that played out during the ministers’ meeting of the following day. I was grieved all the way home as I heard the ventilations of my company in the vehicle that were derisively relaying the event of the profuse show of penitence by Bro Felix Onuoha. The derision was to continue in the fellowship of the following day in Benin, in forms of testimonies and remarks. I openly testified how I was touched by the brother’s tears, and that I was not in the position to attest to its being genuine or otherwise. I voiced my thought that it was good for believers to have such godly sorrow whenever they transgressed against God. I would be lectured directly and indirectly in subsequent preaching and remarks from the pulpit that the Benin elders have a higher gift of discernment and are well acquainted with better ways of handling such dissenting characters until genuine salvation is afforded to their souls. I still am looking to see the effect of their work in the lives of the teeming members of the local church. It would gladden my heart to see youths on fire for God in Benin; I would love to hear testimonies of soul-winning, spiritual progress in individual walk with God and diligence in church attendance, etc. I would be elated to observe a positive change in the “Africa time” approach to the things of God. I would be blessed by evidences of spirituality, holy living and conversations among the members of Benin church.

  On the contrary, I am not encouraged by the day to day observations, which I hope the elders would address instead of majoring in temporal and administrative matters.

  The message delivered by Bro Isaiah Onyetube on Sunday, 29^th of June from Hebrews chapters 2 through 6 culminated in the submission that it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. In this message allusions were made to the show of penitence by Bro Felix in Port Harcourt, which tears, by the testimony of Bro Christian Elui on the previous Sunday service, was compared to the tears of Esau in Hebrew12:17. The allusions which also touched some “dissident” brothers in Ebonyi state congregations pricked the conscience of Sister Esther (A.K.A Sister Iye) who was having friendly correspondences with Bro Joshua Okike. She confessed to the elders that she received financial aid from him. Asked further through whom the money was sent, she revealed that it was Sister Chinyere Okoye. On the following day of fellowship, the pastor announced the decision that Sister Chinyere would be exempted from public ministration in church gathering for two months. He also ordered that the money be returned to Bro Joshua Okike. Some members tried to plead for a lessening of the penalty, which was not to be. It was made clear that interaction with Bro Joshua by the Benin brethren had been outlawed due to his destabilizing effect on some congregations in Ebonyi. A mention was also made of how he, with some from Ebonyi, had humiliated Bro Christian Elui at the heated ministers’ meeting in Onicha, Ebonyi State.

  Postulation that this was not the only time Bro Joshua had sent money to “Sister Iye”, and that he had been sending money through other persons, failed to affect the judgment given by the pastor, which would eventually gain the support of some elders in subsequent meetings. Bro Christian was of the thought that such reasoning was devilish and sentimental, and stated that every matter is treated on its own merit without relating it to another. Although some of the elders still pleaded for mercy to be shown to Sister Chinyere, in view of her relevance for the preparation of the children for the upcoming campmeeting, Bro Monday Igboji observed that the sister they were begging for had not come forward to support the plea. Feelers from the sister showed that she was prepared to serve the punishment, though it was not clear if her resolve was void of resentment.

  In one of the elders meeting with some members, I mentioned my position of neutrality, being a stranger in their midst, who left Bro Imoni’s group when I noticed an unscriptural teaching there. I affirmed my relationship with the Port Harcourt church, which I have great respect and trust for, because of their stands for the truth of God’s word. I have been noticing remarks which seem to be an indirect reference to my position. An example is the pastor’s last Sunday’s mention of the character of the bat which seems to be neither a bird nor a rat species. None of these things move me. I only wish they would call me out directly to reason out any issue they seem to have against me, so we can save ourselves from the errors of bias and assumptions. There was another point by Bro Solomon, which was echoed by the pastor that the congregation was not having it this tough when certain unnamed persons had not entered into their midst. He reasoned that when they had worse situations, little efforts by the elders were enough to settle them in the past, unlike this one. Bro Christian as well as the pastor stated they were aware that some people had contacted other congregations and reported this internal matter to them. To me, I feel that no one had to seek the aid of a seer to know that I would report the matter to some brothers whom I had league with, as I had done when I noticed the heresies in Bro Imoni’s group. I did not hide this fact from the Benin elders. So they didn't need any supernatural revelation to know that I would do the same thing with them. However, they would not confront me on the matter. But feelers from official sources say mentions are being made about my report to Bro Igbanibo. A question I put to a brother some time ago in a related discussion was, why were they unwilling to relate the matter with the other congregations of the church in Nigeria if they were sure they were in the right? In the first place, Bro Joshua is not a member of the local church in Benin. Any action on him should have come from the national body instead of a local church.

  One thing that beats my imagination and has become a major concern in my thoughts and prayers for the church is why every message and verse reading in the fellowship should always be adapted or twisted to fit this singular event. New members and those who are unaware of the happenings would be wondering what the bone of contention is when every message is tinged with threats and anger as if there was a quarrel somewhere. If there was any quarrel, the voice of the other party was suppressed or imperceptible. It would leave the impression of a man quarrelling with himself. In all this, the virtue of grace is absent, and in its place we have sheer tyranny, reminiscent of the days of military rule. The apostle, Peter’s advice in the second verse of the fifth chapter of his first letter should be regarded. He said the oversight of the elders should not be “constraint”. The use of control is inherent in their administrative style. I wish to attach letters written to Bro Isaiah by Bro Ogbonnaya Okike about seven years ago, which show trait of control. One wonders why the tone of the messages have remained tensed since then even though the said Sister Chinyere has agreed to suffer the punishment given her by the elders of the church. I begged the pastor last Thursday, before fellowship that we should set this strife aside and have fellowship like before for the sake of the innocent souls, who might be disenchanted by the atmosphere. It upsets me to see a new member come and leave our midst without getting a true picture of the church which Jesus built. Opportunities come and go, yet the armies make no effort of advancement to gain more territories for the great King and His kingdom. There was a similar opportunity for truth to triumph one evening fellowship, when Sister Ngozi Egwu inquired whether there was any other work required of children born in the church for the salvation of their souls, apart from obedience to their parents? The Pastor affirmed the doctrine of Eguadase church that every child born physically into the church is holy, citing 1Cor7:14, which says:

  “For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.”

  There is great effort put up by the leaders and their followers to sustain the doctrines they had been taught from their beginning. Bro Isaiah argues against the possibility for them not have attained the wholesome doctrines after more than twenty years of being together. There is a slogan among them that Eguadase is the balm or medicine to heal the church of God in Nigeria. He says he did not receive his doctrine from men, and he conferred not with flesh and blood. He got the message directly from the Holy Ghost after seeking God in fasting and prayers. Verses of the Holy Bible are used to show that the doctrines they hold from the beginning must be unchanged. Examples of such citations are:

  Ro 16:17 ¶ Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

  (To them, this is talking about the doctrines they have learned from the elders)

  Ga 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

  2Ti 3:10 ¶ But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, (this is one is a favorite scripture among them. To them, they have fully known Bro Isaiah’s doctrine, manner of life, purpose, etc)

  They perceive an attack against any of these “foundational doctrines” as rebellion against the government of the church. I remember an indirect reference to some who were trying to destroy the foundation; to which I made some effort to correct during a teaching I delivered by the grace of God on “The Leaven of The Pharisees”. That blessed day, God helped me to prove that the only foundation we have in the church of God is Christ Jesus, the Spirit of the doctrine and testimony of the apostles and the prophets, leaving no room for any other foundation. Praise God! The devil is a liar. He will not let men see the truth. The truth does not move them! They must continue their slogans to sustain the system which they have made!

  
  

  I'm restricted by their rules. No questioning. The elders' word is final. After everyone's contribution on a topic, the elders are to finalize or make the conclusion of the matter. Any views that oppose the views of the appointed elders are considered to be divisive and unacceptable. Recently, the pastor approached the Sunday school preparatory class and instructed that we do not try to explain our teachings like they do in conventional schools, trying to carry everyone along. He says it is the Holy Ghost that teaches everyone. We should not try to convince anyone to accept our teaching. His advice came up during the series of the teaching on Job's trials. The teachings contain some facts that do not agree with their doctrines. This week Tuesday's Bible study was used by him to reinforce his doctrine that Christians are not permitted to suffer Job's kind of trial because Christ has promised that nothing shall by any means hurt us. The quote below is a note I took out of his teaching:

  
  

  "[We are in the New Jerusalem where we will not suffer like the rest of the world]. Most of what we face is temptation, not trials. Ours is different from that of Job. Temptations come from our lusts. Many suffer needless pain and relate it to Job's trial. You are greater than John the baptist, who is greater than Job. Take your authority over problems, don't accept them... Ezekiel 18:1-4,19-24 proves that the decree is changed. You will not die for your father's sins the way Job's children died. But Job did not suffer for his sins. There must be a reason why you suffer any thing. Examine yourself, and don't compare yourself with Job.... There must be trials for believers, not temptations to sin. 1Pe 4:12 ¶ Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you. ...Trial is different from temptation, although some use them interchangeably. That of Job is trial, not temptation. It's sinners that receive temptation and chastening. IPe 4: 19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. 1Cor3:10-23 It's those who defile the Temple of God that God destroys. All things are yours to enjoy; even the world. James 1:1-4; Mark 16:15-18; Matt 10:26-33. The very hair of your head is numbered. Why do you compare yourself with Job? The trial of Job will not come to you if you believe in Jesus! The dispensation of Job has changed."

  
  

  There is so much more I would love to write, but I’m sure these few missives will suffice as a guide  for prayers and actions for the church of God in Benin. Pray for me also.

  Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
  Eric Winters