Bishop David Oyedepo: An extraordinary Life

David O. Oyedepo, affectionately called "Papa" by members of his church congregation (born September 27, 1954) is a Nigerian Christian author, Preacher and the founder and Presiding Bishop ofLiving Faith Church World Wide also known as Winners Chapel and its affiliated International churches known as Winners Chapel International, with headquarters in Ogun State, Nigeria. He is also the senior pastor of Faith Tabernacle, a 50,000 seat church auditorium reputed to be the largest church auditorium in the world by the Guinness Book of Records. The Winners Chapel network of churches is present in over 300 cities in all states of Nigeria, as well as in over 63 cities in 32 African Nations, Dubai, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. Oyedepo has been seen as one of pioneers of the Christian charismatic movement in Africa and has been referred to as one of the most powerful preachers in Nigeria. 

 

Early life and history

On September 27, 1954 David Olaniyi Oyedepo was born in Osogbo but is a native Omu Aran, Kwara into a religiously mixed family: his father,Ibrahim,was a Muslim healer and his mother, Dorcas, was a member of the Eternal Order of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement (C&S), a branch of the Aladura movement in Nigeria. 

He was raised by his grandmother in Osogbo, who inculcated into him the virtues of Christian life via the early morning prayers which she attended with him. She also taught him the importance of tithing. David was “born again” in 1969 through the influence of his teacher, one Ms. Betty Lasher, who took special interest in him during his high school days. 

He studied architecture at Kwara State Polytechnic and worked briefly with the Federal Ministry of Housing in Ilorin before resigning to concentrate on missionary work. Oyedepo also gained a Ph.D in Human Development from Honolulu University, Hawaii, United States of louvain lakasi America. 

RECEIVING THE CALL TO SERVE GOD

Bishop David received a mandate from God through an 18 hour long vision in May 1981 to liberate the world from all oppression of the devil through the preaching of the word of faith. This is the inaugural vision that led to the founding of the Living Faith Church World Wide(LFCWW), first called Liberation Faith Hour Ministries, in 1981. Two years after, on 17 September 1983, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, ordained David and his wife, Florence Abiola Akano (now known as Faith Abiola Oyedepo) to become pastors also officially commissioned the newly started church of Oyedepo. Five years after, Oyedepo was ordained a Bishop.

Living Faith Church (a.k.a Winners Chapel) started in Kaduna, but moved to Lagos, the former capital of Nigeria in September 1989 to start a new branch of His Church, after receiving an instruction from God to reach out to the population in Lagos. This Church in Lagos grew to become the International head quarters of Living Faith Church,with a constantly increasing flow of crowds spilling over to adjacent roads, and on decks of uncompleted buildings nearby,compelling people to stand for hours to listen to His teachings.This led to the building of the renowned Faith Tabernacle, as instructed by God.

Oyedepo is the wealthiest preacher in Nigeria with a net worth of over USD $150 million. The church he pastors, owns four private jets and they own buildings all around the world, including London and the United States.

Oyedepo is an acclaimed author and publisher who has written over 70 titles apart from periodicals. He is also Chairman/Publisher of Dominion Publishing House (DPH), a publishing arm of his ministry. DPH has over 4 million prints in circulation to date.

Through him, Covenant University, Landmark University, Faith Academy and Kingdom Heritage Schools have been established to equip the youth for impact.

Place of Worship

In 1998,Oyedepo set forth to build a new building to accommodate the increasing number of worshippers. This resulted in his Church's acquisition of the initial 530-acre (2.1 km2) facility, known as Canaanland, which serves as the headquarters of His Church.It is the home of the 50,000-seat capacity auditorium, the 'Faith Tabernacle', which is reputed to be the largest Church auditorium in the world.This was a feat also recorded by the Guinness Book of Records.

Canaanland

The speed of the construction of Faith Tabernacle was breath-taking, considering the size of the building. Construction of this gigantic project was completed within 12 months, which experts claim could only have been a miracle, because such a project should normally take a minimum of three years to complete. Reports also claimed that this building was built debt free. This 50,000-seat edifice was dedicated on September 18, 1999 under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Canaanland is in Ota, a suburb of Lagos and is the 5,000-acre (20 km2) estate and campus, that houses The 50,000 church building, the church secretariat, the church's youth chapel, a primary school called Kingdom heritage model school, a full boarding mission secondary school called Faith Academy, with over 1,500 students and its University facilities which accommodates over 7,000 students, fully resident in ultra-modern hostel facilities, with fully equipped faculty buildings and numerous staff housing facilities. Canaanland campus also has four profit establishments operated by the church such as a bakery, a bottled water processing plant, a petrol station, various restaurants and shopping stores, several residential houses that provide for the over 2,000 church employees, and guest houses. Four banks are also present on this Estate, three of which are branches of external commercial banks and one which is a community and micro-finance Bank and operated by the Church. 

His Mentors

The teachings of Oyedepo has put him in the category of what is commonly called the Word of Faith Movement. He has referred to principal exponents of the Faith Movement such as Kenneth Copeland, Gloria Copeland,the late Kenneth Hagin, T.L Osborn, Smith WigglesWorth as well as renowned Nigerian preachers Enoch Adeboye and the late Benson Idahosa as mentors. 

12 PILLARS OF DESTINY

The teachings of Oyedepo are grouped under a range of topics called '12 pillars of Destiny', which include: Faith, The Word, Prosperity, the Holy Spirit, Praise, Consecration, the Supernatural, Wisdom, Prayer, Success, Vision and Healing.

The Overall focus of His teachings centre around Faith in God's, Prosperity and Miracles.He teaches that faith in the word of God is the key to a life of God's blessings and security of the works of the devil.His teachings on prosperity are aimed at empowering people to live free from poverty, particularly the African continent. He describes his own teaching on prosperity as “covenant software for programming yourself into victories and triumphs."

His Church (Winners Chapel) also operates a Bible training programme known as Word of Faith Bible Institute for members and non-members alike to develop knowledge of Christian principles and to develop leaders and future pastors.This institute is run in major branches of the Church.

Oyedepo who operates like the “Chief Executive Officer” of a conglomerate, is the President of David Oyedepo Ministries International (DOMI).

DOMI is the umbrella organisation comprising Living Faith Church World Wide (a global network of churches), World Mission Agency (WMA); the global missionary arm of the church's operations, Dominion Publishing House; the publishing arm of the church, Covenant University, and the Social Development Missions projects (made up of hospitals, maternity homes, schools, etc.

Family life

In 1982 he married Florence Abiola Akano (now known as Faith). They have four children together (David Jr, Isaac, Love and Joys).

David Jr and Isaac Oyedepo were ordained as Pastors in May 2007 by Kenneth Copeland. David Jr pastors the London Branch of the Church with His wife, Kemi while Isaac Oyedepo is the present Resident Pastor of Winners' Chapel International, South Africa.

                                   Pastor Faith Oyedepo
                                       

Educational endeavors

Oyedepo's socio-economic endeavors include founding over 100 educational institutions based on Christian principles for primary, secondary and tertiary stages of formal Education to empower the young generation, develop the human capacity and improve the educational system in Nigeria and Africa. This has led to the establishment of kingdom heritage model schools in different cities in Nigeria for primary education, Faith Academy; a missionary full boarding secondary school was opened to students on October 25, 1999 and Covenant University.Covenant University was opened to students on October 21, 2002 and was adjudged to be the best private university in Nigeria as of 2005. On March 21, 2011, Landmark University, Omuaran Kwara State (another educational institution founded by the Ministry) officially opened the doors to her pioneer students. 

Being a chorister has helped me musically –Femi G

Femi G

Femi G is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and music producer. He recently spoke with Sunday Mirror on how the Choir ministry has contributed positively to the advancement of his music career.

The eclectic musician whose genre of m u – sic cuts across, R&B, Gospel, Blues, Hip Pop and Jazz revealed that being a chorister of Saint Andrews, Anglican Church Ipaja, Lagos, helped his creativity and performance in music. Femi said he first joined the choir at the age of 13 when his father was a lay preacher at the United African Methodist Church in Lagos.

‘‘I have always been a choir boy. I can remember when my father made my sister and I join ourchurch choir in the 80s. Since then, there has been no going back. There is nowhere I went that I did not belong to a church choir. Presently, I am with St Andrew, Anglican Church Choir, Akinyele Ipaja, Lagos. I play the alto-saxophone with the church band,’’ he said.

Speaking further, he said his involvement in the choir at an early age helped him appreciateGospel music deeply. It also helped him develop diverse creative interest in song composition.

A graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Femi holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music. He enjoys teaching young people, working in the studio or playing music with the choir as well as performing on stage.

On the meaning of his name, he said, ‘‘I am Femi G.G stands for Gbolahan my middle name; G also stands for my first instrument, the guitar and vocal key G major. Now, I have gone further. I sing on A major,’’ he said.

‘‘I was inspired initially by pure creativity and imagination to start writing my own songs right from when I was in the primary school. My first major mentors were Eddy Grant and Chris Okotie in the early days. Then many others; some of them are J.T.Taylor of Cool and the Gang, Michael Jackson and R Kelly.’’

On Nigerian music, Femi said: ‘‘I listen to a lot of Ebenezer Obey and Sunny Ade and I’m thinking of working on a couple of their songs in the future. My vision for my music is such that I should be able to produce big and inspirational songs like R Kelly and Michael Jackson. Being a chorister has helped my musicianship a great deal in terms of exposure and skills development. I am not only a Gospel artiste; I am into all kinds of music that sound good, beautiful and worthwhile and edifying.’’

‘‘Two out of my Gospel songs are ‘Call on Jesus’ and ‘Oh Lord, have your way’. I will say I am more like R Kelly in that aspect and approach. I have just recorded a song that I am very proud of and I want the public to hear it soonest. It is a great song. It makes me feel like the first time I heard Michael Jackson’s Rock with You,’’ he said.

TITHES: In whose interest?

TITHES: In whose interest?


YEMI OLAKITAN

There have been many controversies on the issue of tithing in both denominational and individual point of views. While some say that tithing is a divine instruction of the New Testament aimed at blessing the givers others have claimed that it is a relic of the Old Testament designed to bless the clergy. It has also been said by many that tithing is the pathway to prosperity. Postponements of the faith movement such as Kenneth Hagen, Kenneth Copeland, E.A Adeboye, David Oyedepo, and Benson Idahosa have all taught the tremendous benefits of tithes payments. Is it a fact of reality or is it some Christian dogma, theology or actual reality that tithes open the way to financial blessings?  Yemi Olakitan, Senior Correspondent examines the subject of tithing.  What really is the relevance of tithing to the believers and the church? More importantly, Are tithes payments truly biblical? Is it a relic of the Old Testament? Is it still relevant today? This and many other questions are answered through the scriptures and discussions with clerics and believers alike.
According to the Bible, tithing is generally defined as the tenth part of one’s income, profits, land or stock given to God and used to support the clergy or charitable cause. The custom of giving tithes reaches back to Genesis 14, where Abraham offered tithes of the spoils of the enemy to the royal priest, Melchisedech, so in Genesis 28, Jacob is recorded as giving a tithe of all his possessions to the Lord. In the time of Moses the payment of tithes was one of the laws of the Jewish people; made obligatory. The Hebrews were commanded to offer to God the tenth part of the produce of the fields, of the fruits of the trees, and the firstborn of oxen and of sheep (Leviticus 27:30; Deuteronomy 14:22). In Deuteronomy there is a mention not only of an annual tithe, but also of a full tithe to be paid once every three years. While it was to God himself that the tithes had to be paid, yet we read (Numbers 18:21) that he transfers them to the priesthood. In the book of Proverbs 3:10) the bible encourage believers to honour the Lord with the first fruits of their wealth. It also says, it is better to give than to receive. However, the verse most often cited in support of the tithe is from the Old Testament, Malachi 3:8-10:

8. ""Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, `How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings. 9. You are under a curse--the whole nation of you--because you are robbing me. 10. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessings that you will not have room enough for it.

In a chat with Edmund Ike, a member of the Catholic Church he said, tithes in today’s Christian Church is meant to support the preaching of the Gospel since the Bible says those who serve in the altar should live by the altar. (1 Corinthians 9:13) Speaking further, he said provision of some kind had to be made for the ministers of God. In the beginning this was supplied by freewill offerings.  However as the Church expanded and it became necessary to make laws which would insure the proper and permanent support of the clergy, the payment of tithes was adopted. According to Ike, Tithing is an obligatory act of giving which supports the institution of the church and it not just a relic of the Old Testament scriptures. ‘‘Don’t forget that the Bible says,
we should give and it shall be given to us. Good measure pressed down, shaken together and running over shall men give unto us. Giving is a cardinal commandment of scripture and the Christian faith.’’
In another chat with Reverend Father Steven Akinsowo of Saint Peters Catholic Church, Langbasa, he said tithing is biblically correct. ‘‘It is an offering made in gratitude to God. It is like giving back to God from the abundance of all the things he has giving to us. Giving a tenth of your income to God is a very small; sacrifice compared to all the wonderful blessings he has given to us. In the Catholic Church we recognise tithing but we do not emphasize it like other churches do, in other denominations, people are persuaded. Tithe is to be given in absolute freedom. You cannot force people to know or accept God. You cannot coerce them. People are to give tithe if it comes from their hearts, if you obey the instruction to give, God will bless you.’’ he said.
In another chat with Senior Superintendent, Apostle C.A Bayode of the Cherubim and seraphim church, Ago Igbale, Ebute Metta, he said tithing is a commandment of the scripture. In the book of Malachi, God said the people should bring all the tithes into the store house of God. The tithes are not meant for the clerics alone, they are meant for the expansion of the Gospel and also for the poor. It should also be used for the orphans, the widows and the less privileged in the body of Christ.  Tithing is like medicine for money if the believers diligently do it. There is a promise alongside the commandment. It says, I will open up the floodgates of heaven. You will become blessed. Anything you lay your hands on will prosper exceedingly.  On the argument that tithing is a relic of the Old Testament, he said that Christ did not come to abolish the law but he came to fulfill it.’’  He however, warned that when people give tithes they should not give tithes to show off, they should give it to the Lord alone.

However, Roseline Ademola, a member of the Anglican Church in Lagos, said that Christ has already paid all the tithes and redeemed us from the law. Speaking further, she said that tithes is like placing the Christians under the law and saying the death of Christ is not enough which is some kind of heresy.  ‘‘There is nothing wrong if a Christian gives tithe willingly, cheerfully, without the burden of guilt been placed on him because the scripture says that God loves a cheerful giver. The problem is that so many pastors preach tithes as law quoting Malachi. They are in error because Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the Law. We are not operating under that Law, we are under grace. In Malachi, God was referring to the Jews and not to us. We are operating under a better covenant than they.  When you preach that people are cursed with a curse, that they are robbing God, unless they tithe, you are preaching a guilt based giving which is contrary to ( 2 Corinthians 9:7 ) which says,  Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver’’  I do not believe in tithing, I believe in voluntary giving without the burden of guilt. Jesus paid all the tithes with his precious blood. I give as I have decided in my heart. It could be ten percent, it could be 20, it could be 50 or 100 percent but it is subject to my personal decision, not imposed,’’ she said.

A member of the Jehovah’s witnesses, name withheld, who spoke to P&W on the subject, said that tithing is being used to coarse Christians to give to the church authority. He said, ‘‘it is the clergy that benefits the most because they sit on the seats of the priesthood and collects the tithes. The apostle Peter writes in 1 Peter 2:5 and 9 that every believer is a priest! Hebrews 5-8 also teaches us that Jesus is the only priest that we need. However the institutional church has borrowed from the Old Testament model of the Levitical Priesthood, thereby establishing a new priesthood that is separate from the rest of the body of Christ. This makes them collect the tithes. Jesus did not collect tithes, neither did the apostles.’’

Another believer, a member of the Global Church of the Living God, Deaconess Shola Abimbola, said ‘‘many testimonies abound in Christendom on the concept of giving, particularly tithing.  Many tithers have testified that God has blessed them financially through tithing, therefore tithing works. It is practical.  Furthermore, giving is a basic commandment of the scriptures and tithing helps the believer to cultivate a regular habit of giving to God for the support of his work.  Jesus said, when you give, you will receive. Tithing cannot be wrong. You see, without the commandment to tithe many people will not give, though you are free to give or not to give. Tithing helps; maintain the habit of giving as directed by the scriptures, so the issue of coercion is not there at all. The principle of choice is in place. I have been paying my tithes for years because tithing fulfills the law of giving and I can say, God has blessed me financially,’’    she said.

Insurgency: Should Christians defend themselves?

Insurgency: Should Christians defend themselves?

YEMI OLAKITAN

    The waves of killings in the North eastern parts of the country have been worrisome to the body Christ, particularly because Christians have been the worst target of incessant attacks by Islamic vandals who burn churches and kill Christians in large numbers with gross disregard for human lives. The leader of the Boko Haram sect Abubakar Shekau in one of his internet messages said, his group was after Christians and will kill them anywhere they find them. Yemi Olakitan, Senior Correspondent goes on a fact finding mission on what Christians should do in the face of insurgency. Should Christians defend themselves or turn the other cheeks according to the Bible?

       Boko Haram attacks against the Christian community and the nation in general have become difficult for the security agencies to tackle. As a result, hundreds of unarmed Christians have been murdered and continue to be murdered.  President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor while receiving delegates of the Hausa, Fulani, and Kanuri Christians Association of Nigeria recently, said “Boko Haram is a disgrace to Africa as a whole and their activities have affected everybody. My prayer is that very soon, the sponsors of Boko Haram and anyone who supports them would be brought to book so that the law would take its course and they too would face the judgement of not God alone, but also of men,”

     However, Christians have continued to die. Only recently, Boko Haram Islamists burn churches and massacre more than forty people, including students at a Christian seminary in Adamawa state, also a Pastor, his pregnant wife and children were reportedly murdered in Bornu state. Recent statistics from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) revealed that three million people were displaced by insurgency in the North-East between January and March alone.  In a chat with Reverend Father Julius Olaitan of our mother Lady of perpetual Help Catholic Church, Lekki, Ajah, he said, Christians are not going to fight. The Bishops of the Catholic Church have spoken on the matter. We are not going to fight. The battle belongs to the Lord. That is Christianity for you. It is not for us to defend ourselves. It is the Government and the security agencies that must do the right thing by ensuring safety of lives and property as well as freedom of worship for all.’’ he said.

      According to the Bible, our Lord Jesus Christ forbade Christians to use violence in any way even in self defense.  When armed soldiers came to arrest him in order to kill him, he instructed his disciples not to fight or defend him, saying those who live by the sword shall die by the swords.  Jesus said, ‘‘do unto others as you want them to do to you. Love your neighbor as yourselves.’’  When Peter cut off the ear of one of the soldiers who came to arrest and kill him, he took the ear and placed it back, healing the soldier.  He told his disciples that when they hit them on one cheek they should turn the other cheek. Jesus would not fight even in self-defense; rather he willingly gave up his life for mankind, he even predicted that Christians will be persecuted, thrown into prisons, killed or hunted down by those who think they are doing the right thing.

    He said, do not be afraid of those who can kill the body but cannot kill the soul rather fear one who can kill both the body and the soul in hell. He advised his followers to resist evil with good.  Consequently, many Christians in the early churches were killed, many were beheaded, and thrown to the lions, burnt at the stakes or stoned to death for merely professing to be a Christian or owning a Bible. However, the Christian faith has continued to spread despite these persecutions, becoming the greatest religion known to mankind.

         However, is Jesus Christ’s approach still practical today?  Should Christians continue to turn the other cheek? Shouldn’t Christians organize armed defense for the church so that when terrorists stage an attack on them, they will be able to resist by force of arms.  In a chat with Pastor Benn Itua, he said, ‘‘it is difficult for Christians to defend themselves. Even those who are trained to defend the nation have found it difficult to defend the it  Is it Christians that will now defend themselves, against people they cannot see, people that live among them, who all of sudden will turn against them when they are off guard, killing everybody and looting the people. It is a difficult thing to ask the Christians to defend themselves. They are not trained soldiers, besides; all these things have been predicted by Jesus in the Bible. He already said, Christians will be persecuted’’ he said.

         . He called on the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and the Christians Association of Nigeria to immediately call a stakeholders forum of Christians leaders where these issues can be discussed. Speaking further, he said, such forum should give us the opportunity to seek the face of the Lord concerning this matter. There is always a solution from God, if we seek him. If God fights in the matter, we will all hold our peace. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal so we need to invite God into the situation,’’ he said.

      In another chat with Pastor Favour of the Living Faith Church, Badore, he said, Christians should defend themselves.  When asked whether this is Biblical, he said, why did God command Israel to go to war?  If God can command the people of Israel to go to war against their enemies then Christians can and should defend themselves in any way they can. If war is recognized in the scriptures, then Christians do not need to fold their hands against insurgents who come to kill, steal and destroy them. We will not go on the offensive but if people come to attack us, we have every right to defend ourselves.   When Jesus asked us to turn the other cheek when we are hit on one, he was talking about forgiveness. It does not mean that we should turn the other cheek so that the fellow can slap us the second time.  It’s like asking whether a Christian can own a gun.  A Christian can own a gun. He will not attack you first.  If you come to my house to do me bodily harm and I have a gun. I will kill you first.’’    

Pastor Tolu Fowotade of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministry, in his own response said, ‘‘that he would rather advise Christians to flee.  According to him, wherever such insurgents are spreading violence Christians should not be there. They should flee such places because the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but spiritual towards the pulling down of strongholds. Christians cannot be taking up arms. Christianity is a religion of love and not of war,’’ he said.

     Deacon Chinedu Chima of Global Church of the Living God said, Christians should pray. According to him, prayers works wonders.   Love is the basis of Christianity. Jesus has displayed love in his life and he is our emblem, if Jesus did not fight his enemies with violence how then can we fight them with violence? He asked. Speaking further, he said, if God fights for you, the fight can be terrible. He does not fight with weapons that we can see. Christianity is about peace and love and Jesus laid a great foundation. He never fought his battles with physical weapons and he won. In all the history of Christianity, more Christians have laid down their lives rather than take up arms against their enemies.

     Taiwo Ajoke of the Redeemed Christian Church, RCCG, opined that, Christians must learn to defend themselves. According to her, what is happening in the North cannot happen in the developed world because nearly everyone has a gun in his house.  Take the United States for example, they have the State Police, Community Police, Federal Police and everyone has a gun in his home, so if the government fails to defend you, you can defend yourselves. The Bible says, prayer without works is dead. We must back up our prayers with actions. The Christian association of Nigeria and other stakeholders should immediately set up a Christian vigilante group that will liase with the government in order to defend the Christian’s communities, and churches that are being attacked by Islamic insurgents in the North. We cannot leave out destiny in the hands of government alone. We must take our safety in our hands, with prayers and with action’’ she said.

The Lent Season: A closer Look

The Lent Season: A closer Look

YEMI OLAKITAN

The Lent season is a period of fasting, prayers, alms giving, repentance and sober reflections. Its origin is traced to the Roman Catholic Church reputed to be the earliest denomination in Christendom today. It is also said to be one of the oldest Christian practices, particularly among the orthodox denominations. Many orthodox churches such as the Catholic Church, Methodist Church, and the Anglican Church observe the Lent season. However, the Pentecostal and some Protestant churches do not observe the Lent season. Yemi Olakitan, Senior Correspondent goes on a fact-finding mission to unravel the significance of the Lent season in a Christian life. Is it still relevant today?  Should we observe it and much more importantly does it have a biblical backing?

The lent season is a solemn period of fasting, sanctification, rededication and prayer in which Christians spend time in supplications and religious devotions.  According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, ‘‘it is a time of penitential preparation for Easter. In Western churches it begins on Ash Wednesday, 6¹/₂ weeks before Easter, and provides for a 40-day fast in imitation of Jesus Christ’s fasting in the wilderness. In Eastern churches Lent begins on the Monday of the seventh week before Easter and ends on the Friday that is 9 days before Easter. This 40-day “Great Lent” includes Saturdays and Sundays as relaxed fast days. Since apostolic times a period of preparation and fasting has been observed before the Easter festival. During Lent, many of the faithful commit to fasting or give up certain types of luxuries as a form of atonement.’’  

In a chat with Father Julius Olaitan of our Lady Mother of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Lekki, Ajah, Lagos, he said, the Lent season was introduced during the 4^th century. According to him, before that time, the Christian church was practicing their faith in hiding as they were under very heavy persecution from the Roman Empire. Christians were being thrown to the lions, and burnt at the stake for professing Christianity. However, a time came when the Lord answered the prayer of the saints and granted freedom of worship in Rome. This gave the early Church the opportunity to practice Christianity publicly without persecution or fear of harassment. It was also a time of great revelations and growth for the body of Christ.  It was during this period that the Lent season began.  He said, ‘‘Jesus himself fasted for 40-days and 40 nights and in many instances, he commanded us to fast, saying, this goeth not out except by prayer and fasting.  The Lent season is a way of following his example. We followed Jesus example by fasting the same number of days he fasted, which was 40 days.  The number 40 is also very significant from the stand point of the scriptures. The number forty has many Biblical references,’’ he said.

Speaking further, Father Olaitan gave many references to the importance of forty days in scriptures, namely:   the forty days Moses spent on Mount Sinai with God (Exodus 24:18); the forty days and nights Elijah spent walking to Mount (1 Kings 19:8); the forty days and nights God sent rain in the great flood of Noah (Genesis 7:4); the forty years the Hebrew people wandered in the desert while traveling to the Promised Land (Numbers 14:33); the forty days Jonah gave in his prophecy of judgment to the city of Nineveh in which to repent or be destroyed (Jonah 3:4).  Jesus retreated into the wilderness, where He fasted for forty days, and was tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:1–2, Mark 1:12–13, Luke 4:1–2). He overcame all three of Satan's temptations by citing scripture to the devil, at which point the devil left him, angels ministered to Jesus, and He began His ministry. Jesus further said that His disciples should fast "when the bridegroom shall be taken from them" (Matthew 9:15) since, presumably, the Apostles fasted as they mourned the death of Jesus; Christians have traditionally fasted during the annual commemoration of his burial.

Father Olaitan further said that this period prepares the body of Christ for the resurrection of our Lord Jesus. It commemorates it and allows the believer to know him more intimately therefore deepening his or her spiritual experience. ‘‘The Ash Wednesday which was observed on March 5^th, this year is a reminder that we were created from dust and we will one day return to dust. This a symbolic reminder of the vanity of materialism and the love of money that pervades our society today, If we will just remember that we will one day return to dust. This will help our relationship with God,’’ he said.

Reacting to other Christian denominations who do not observe the Lent season, Father Olaitan says that Christianity is not by compulsion.  ‘‘We also fast throughout the year as they do but in addition, the Catholic Church sets this period aside to help believers get closer to their creator. We observe four cardinal points closely during this period; fasting, prayer, abstinence and alms giving, ’’ he said.

Throughout Christendom, some adherents mark the season with an abstention from meat. In some Catholic countries, grand religious processions and cultural customs are observed, and the faithful attempt to visit seven churches during the Holy Week in honor of Jesus Christ heading to Calvary. This event is also observed by Christians in the Anglican, Lutheran and Methodist Churches.

In another chat with Anyahun Flaviana, a Catholic school teacher, she said, I grew up as a Catholic and from childhood I knew the significance of Lent season. It is a period of fasting and prayers. The Lent season is a very important one because it is a period of sober reflections where you get closer to God.’’ Speaking further, she said, When Jonah was called by God to preach to the people of Nineveh, he initially refused. However, when he finally agreed and did the will of God, The people repented and pour ashes on themselves and wore sack clothes as a sign of repentance. This is the origin of the Ash Wednesday; it is a sign of repentance and sober reflections. The priest use burnt palm leaves to make the sign of the cross on the believers’ foreheads. It is a reminder that we will all one day return to dust. Dust to Dust is the destiny of every human being. This should keep us focused on God and eternity with him who is far more important than our earthly pursuits,’’ she said.  

She further explained that the Lent season follows the example of Jesus in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke and John, when Jesus spent fourty days and fourty nights fasting in the desert before the beginning of his public ministry, where he was tempted by the Devil.   The traditional purpose of Lent is for the believer to get close to God through prayer,  repentance of sins, almsgiving, atonement and self-denial. Its institutional purpose is heightened in the annual commemoration of the Holy Week, marking the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, which recalls the tradition which includes  Jesus' crucifixion on Good Friday, and the  joyful celebration on  Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. ‘‘It’s so important because if the Church does not declare it, many Christians will not even bother to fast,’’ she said.

 In current Western societies the practice is considerably relaxed, though in the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches abstinence from all animal products including fish, eggs, fowl and milk sourced from animal. In the Roman Catholic Church for the duration of Lent, on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday it is required to eat less than is customary for the day.

However the Pentecostal expressed a different opinion, in a chat with a Pentecostal cleric, Pastor Emmanuel Onoja of Hope of Life Evangelical Church, he said, the lent season is good. ‘in my own opinion, the person we are following is our Lord Jesus Christ  did not made it mandatory for Christians to observe the Lent season. He made the communion compulsory, saying do this in remembrance of me. He did not however declare a Lent season although our Lord Jesus commanded us to fast and pray. We cannot condemn or discourage those who observe the Lent season. Today, some churches fast for 100 days, some for 20 days, some 50 days and so on. The importance thing is to fast and pray, the duration does not matter.  The duration as declared by the Catholic Church in the Lent season should not be binding on all Christian denominations.’’ He said.

A deaconess of the Christ Embassy, Ms Uche Ikej said the aim of fasting is to develop ourselves spiritually and not just for our prayers to be answered. We do not need to put a time for fasting. We should fast all the time since Christ commanded us to fast. He did not fix a particular time. This is the way Christians should go about it. They should fast regularly and not just when the Pastor tells them to or when the church declares a season for it.’’ She said.   
A cleric of the Celestial Church of Christ, Superior Evangelist Peters Gandao said fasting is meant to strengthen the believers. According to him, the Celestial church of Christ fast for seven days during the Lent season; during the period of Easter. ‘‘There is no place from Genesis to revelation where the Bible commanded us to fast for forty days.  We in the Celestial Church of Christ fast all the time, not only during the Lent season. I started the work of the Lord at the age of 19 and I can tell you that the Lord has been answering our prayers. Any Pastor or Christian who want to develop himself spiritually must fast and pray regularly not only during the Lent season otherwise he will become a powerless Christian. Those who are doing it, do it as a sign of empathy to our Lord and we cannot condemn them. They are also developing themselves ‘’ he said. 

Insurgency: Should Christians defend themselves?

Insurgency: Should Christians defend themselves?

YEMI OLAKITAN

The wave of killings in the North eastern part of the country has been worrisome to the body Christ, particularly because Christians have been the worst target of incessant attacks by Islamic fanatics who burn churches and kill Christians in large numbers with gross disregard for human lives.

The leader of the Boko Haram sect, Abubakar Shekau, in one of his internet messages said his group was after Christians and will kill them anywhere they find them. Yemi Olakitan, Senior Correspondent goes on a fact finding mission on what Christians should do in the face of insurgency. Should Christians defend themselves or turn the other cheek as recorded in the Bible?

Boko Haram attacks against the Christian community and the nation in general have become difficult for the security agencies to tackle. As a result, hundreds of unarmed Christians have been murdered and continue to be murdered.  

President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, while receiving delegates of the Hausa, Fulani, and Kanuri Christians Association of Nigeria recently, said “Boko Haram is a disgrace to Africa as a whole and their activities have affected everybody. My prayer is that very soon, the sponsors of Boko Haram and anyone who supports them would be brought to book so that the law would take its course and they too would face the judgement of not God alone, but also of men.”

However, Christians have continued to die. Only recently, Boko Haram Islamists burnt churches and massacred more than forty people, including students at a Christian seminary in Adamawa State. Also, a pastor, his pregnant wife and children were reportedly murdered in Borno State. Recent statistics from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) revealed that three million people were displaced by insurgency in the North-East between January and March alone.  

In a chat with Reverend Father Julius Olaitan of Our Mother Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Lekki, Ajah, Lagos, he said, ‘Christians are not going to fight.’

“The Bishops of the Catholic Church have spoken on the matter. We are not going to fight. The battle belongs to the Lord. That is Christianity for you. It is not for us to defend ourselves. It is the Government and the security agencies that must do the right thing by ensuring safety of lives and property as well as freedom of worship for all,’’ he said.

According to the Bible, our Lord Jesus Christ forbade Christians to use violence in any way even in self defense.  When armed soldiers came to arrest him in order to kill him, he instructed his disciples not to fight or defend him, saying those who live by the sword, shall die by the swords.  Jesus said ‘‘do unto others as you want them to do to you. Love your neighbor as yourselves.’’  When Peter cut off the ear of one of the soldiers who came to arrest and kill him, he took the ear and placed it back, healing the soldier.  He told his disciples that when they hit them on one cheek, they should turn the other cheek.

Jesus would not fight even in self-defense; rather he willingly gave up his life for mankind. He predicted that Christians will be persecuted, thrown into prisons, killed or hunted down by those who think they are doing the right thing.

He said: “Do not be afraid of those who can kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear one who can kill both the body and the soul in hell”. He advised his followers to resist evil with good.  

Consequently, many Christians in the early churches were killed; many were beheaded, thrown to the lions, burnt at the stakes or stoned to death for merely professing to be Christians or owning Bibles. However, the Christian faith has continued to spread despite these persecutions, becoming the greatest religion known to mankind.

The questions here are; is Jesus Christ’s approach still practical today?  Should Christians continue to turn the other cheeks? Shouldn’t Christians organize armed defense for the church so that when terrorists stage an attack on them, they will be able to resist by force of arms.  

In a chat with Pastor Benn Itua of Royal Harvest Christian Ministry, he said ‘‘it is difficult for Christians to defend themselves. Even those who are trained to defend the nation have found it difficult to defend it. Is it Christians that will now defend themselves against people they cannot see, people that live among them, who all of sudden will turn against them when they are off guard, killing everybody and looting the people? It is a difficult thing to ask Christians to defend themselves. They are not trained soldiers, besides; all these things have been predicted by Jesus in the Bible. He already said, Christians will be persecuted,’’ Itua said.

He called on the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and the Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN) to immediately call a stakeholders forum of Christian leaders where these issues can be discussed.

Speaking further, Pastor Itua said “such forum should give us the opportunity to seek the face of the Lord concerning this matter. There is always a solution from God if we seek him. If God fights in the matter, we will all hold our peace. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal; so we need to invite God into the situation,’’ the cleric said.

In another chat with Pastor Favoured Abu of the Living Faith Church, Badore, he said Christians should defend themselves.  When asked whether this is Biblical, he said: “Why did God command Israel to go to war?  If God can command the people of Israel to go to war against their enemies, then Christians can and should defend themselves in any way they can. If war is recognized in the scriptures, then Christians do not need to fold their hands against insurgents who come to kill, steal and destroy them. We will not go on the offensive but if people come to attack us, we have every right to defend ourselves. When Jesus asked us to turn the other cheek when we are hit on one, he was talking about forgiveness. It does not mean that we should turn the other cheek so that the fellow can slap us the second time. It means we will not retaliate. We are to be peaceful people.  It’s like asking whether a Christian can own a gun.  A Christian can own a gun. He will not attack you first.  If you come to my house to do me bodily harm and I have a gun, I will kill you first. So, Christians have every right to defend themselves against insurgents and they should.’’

   

Pastor Tolu Fowotade of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministry, in his own response said ‘‘that he would rather advise Christians to flee.  According to him, wherever such insurgents are spreading violence, Christians should not be there.’’

“They should flee such places because the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but spiritual towards the pulling down of strongholds. Christians cannot be taking up arms. Christianity is a religion of love and not of war,’’ he added.

Deacon Chinedu Chima of Global Church of the Living God said Christians should pray. According to him, prayers works wonders.   

His words: “Love is the basis of Christianity. Jesus displayed love in his life and he is our emblem. If Jesus did not fight his enemies with violence, how then can we fight them with violence?

Speaking further, he said if God fights for you, the fight can be terrible. “He does not fight with weapons that we can see. Christianity is about peace and love. Jesus laid a great foundation. He never fought his battles with physical weapons and he won. In the history of Christianity, more Christians have laid down their lives rather than take up arms against their enemies and you can see the spread of the religion” he stated.

Taiwo Ajoke of the Redeemed Christian Church, RCCG, opined that Christians must learn to defend themselves.  According to her, what is happening in the North cannot happen in the developed world because nearly everyone has a gun in his house. 

“Take the United States for example. They have the State Police, Community Police, Federal Police and nearly everyone has access to a gun, and so if the government fails to defend you, you can defend yourself. We must defend ourselves. It’s our responsibility. The Bible says prayer without works is dead. We must back up our prayers with actions. The Christian Association of Nigeria and other stakeholders should immediately set up a Christian vigilante group that will liaise with the government in order to defend Christian communities, and churches that are being attacked by Islamic insurgents in the North. We cannot leave our destiny in the hands of government alone. We must take our safety in our hands, with prayers and with action,’’ she said.

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