I have often been asked whether I am a Pastor. Some ask based on the work they see and/or hear me do and some in a derogatory sense. Either way, I can’t be bothered. I just remain focused on the greater work the Lord God Almighty has placed under my care.
This question arose again at our last monthly meeting of our old boys at my Abuja residence last Sunday 27/02/2022. The reason being that I provided all manner of drinks including alcoholic and herbal beverages among other things to entertain us.
Before I attempt to give a wider introspection on the subject matter, let me quickly state very unambiguously that, I have since chosen and persistently refused to be addressed by such appellations of Pastor, Reverend, Bishop, Arc Bishops and the like more so in this generation of mixed multitudes!
I deliberately chose not to bear and/or allow myself to be so addressed by any of the aforementioned nomenclature despite my various consecrations in the body of Christ and the obvious unction of God Almighty!
Even at that, some people, on their own volition still call me be any of the above based on their personal perception and/or their knowledge of me in Christendom despite my polite protest.
However, with due respect to all and in all humility without trying to sound immodest, I can affirm that greater than all these nomenclature is here with us! An ordinary ‘Man of God Almighty’ simply suffices for me!
I multitask a lot and I am privileged to have diverse academic and professional qualifications with various and varied exposures. So, in a way, I could mean/be different things to different people at the same time depending on the datum.
As a growing academic then, I had also refused to be addressed as “doctor” my name even with multiple cerebral doctorate degrees.
After all, there are many complete and total illiterate “doctors” brandishing honourary PhDs at Ochanga market who can neither read nor write and who can’t even spell their names!
Otherwise, how would people be able to easily separate the wheat from the chaff and make a difference particularly to the undiscerning?
At this time and age, it is no secret that people dress themselves in borrowed robes. They dress themselves in sheep’s clothing whereas they are wolves! Hypocrites!
The secret of the way I dress, carriage, environment and my preferred colour among others is that, somehow, they make apparent to a large extent, the who that I am in the inside! Greater is He that is in me than that which is in this world!
The Word of God Almighty concealed hitherto has since become revealed! By their fruits, shall ye know them!
Suffice it to say for now that, I have many children, grandchildren and even great grandchildren both biological and in the Lord who go by these titles to which I have since excused myself!
To be sure, I have children, siblings and relations who are Reverend Fathers, Pastors, Bishops, Arc Bishops, General Overseers and such like and they are doing relatively well.
Suffice it to say at this juncture that, some people are called of/by God, some are called by people and some called themselves!…
In all these, I am indeed very blessed of/by God Almighty to whom I return ALL the glory, honour, power, dominion and authority for ever!
The blessings of God Almighty manifests more in blessing others. This in a way partly explains why I do what I do with manifest signs and wonders following to the glory of God Almighty!
It is Jesus Christ that is crucified for mankind and not the other way round! Jesus Christ in us is the hope of glory! We must diminish for Christ to increase! Vain glory is men pleasing but not of God Almighty!
Now, what defiles a person? Is it what goes in or what comes out? Isn’t it out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaketh?
“And He said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.” (Mark 7:20).
“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” (Luke 6:45)
These are the words of Jesus Christ!
“Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.” (Titus 1:15)
This brings me to the important question as to whether a Christian is free to take alcohol or not?
Well, I am yet to see the scripture that makes it a commandment of the Most High God Almighty not to so do.
What the scriptures frown at is drunkenness and not to exercise everything in moderarion!
However, since there is no standard measure for moderation in the consumption of alcohol as it is in many other things in life including food, dress, mode of living and so on, we preach abstinence from alcohol particularly for those who can’t exercise their will power to know when to stop, based mainly on apostolic and solomonic admonitions.
There is no known commandment of God Almighty against or that forbides Christians from drinking alcohol.
However, we are advised by the Holy Book to flee from all “appearances” of evil.
We are also advised to avoid anything that can make brethren fall in faith.
So, taking alcohol to getting drunk is one of such admonitions a Christian and indeed any person should avoid at all costs particularly, if your health status cannot sustain such an indulgence.
After all, Jesus Christ turned water to wine at a wedding ceremony and even made wine symbolic for His remembrance at His last supper!
Now, read:
“1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:
2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.
3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.
4 And Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it.
6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.
7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
8 And He saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.
9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well DRUNK, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.
11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.” (John 2:1-11)
Read also:
“19 And He took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. (Luke 22:19-20)
“And He saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And He saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.” (Revelation 19:9)
So, what is the significance of this last supper of Jesus Christ with His disciples?
Now, having turned bread to His flesh and wine to His blood to which Jesus Christ commanded His disciples to do often in His memory, does this ipso facto make and/or translates Christians to be carnivores – that is, eaters of (human) flesh and drinkers of (human) blood?
Note also that the very first miracle that Jesus Christ performed even ahead of His earthly ministry was to turn water to wine!
So, what do you make of this? Would Jesus Christ have involved himself in an unGodly act? Think about it!
Should Christians then take alcohol at all? To this I say, it is better to abstain safe for medicinal context and/or in the exercise of goodly pleasure.
“Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.” (1 Timothy 5:23)
Jesus says: ” The Son of man came eating and DRINKING, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.” (Matthew 11:19)
“Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding He that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” (Matthew 11:11)
” For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil.” (Luke 7:33)
So, for me, on this subject matter under consideration, ” All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” (1 Corinthians 6:12)
“All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.” (1 Corinthians 10:23)
“And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.” (2 Corinthians 8:10)
“It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. ” (2 Corinthians 12:1)
So, drink whatsoever pleases you if you have to but, do not get drunk! Avoid it if the environment is such that is not dignifying and/or could lead to sin! Avoid it if your health can not sustain it!
You are better off if you can completely abstain from it!
It is important at this juncture to also review the Levitical Priesthood under which people were required to pay tithes which has since been overtaken by the priesthood after the order of Melchisedec, the King of Salem, King of Peace, without a beginning or ending which Jesus Christ is and/or represents!
Under the former, brethren were required to pay tithes but, under the latter, there is no such requirement!
The Law of Tithes states:
22 ” Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.
23 And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which He shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always.
24 And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it; or if the place be too far from thee, which the LORD thy God shall choose to set his name there, when the LORD thy God hath blessed thee:
25 Then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thine hand, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose:
26 And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul LUSTETH after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for WINE, or for STRONG DRINK, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household,
27 And the Levite that is within thy gates; thou shalt not forsake him; for He hath no part nor inheritance with thee.”
(Deuteronomy 14:22-27)
Many mischievously quote the book of Malachi without reference to the context and content! They often shout even on roof tops: can a man rob God?!….. but, the real question is or should be: does God Almighty really need and/or desire that the material things he has endowed mankind with should be given to Him?
They often quote: “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.” (Malachi 3:8)
“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” (Malachi 3:10); without a proper comprehension of the import and essence of the message!
They have forgotten or chose not to remember or may not even know that tithes were paid to Levites who are not supposed to have any earthly inheritance!
“And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:” (Hebrews 7:5)
“And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel.” (Numbers 18:20)
“And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.” (Numbers 18:21)
“But the Levites shall do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they shall bear their iniquity: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel they have no inheritance.” (Numbers 18:23)
” But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave offering unto the LORD, I have given to the LEVITES to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel THEY SHALL HAVE NO INHERITANCE. ” (Numbers 18:24)
So, tell me now, which Pastor, Bishop and their likes today does not have any earthly inheritance? Are they Levites?
Does God Almighty really need your money and/or other material things safe for your praise and worship?
“Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.” (Jeremiah 12:10)
“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20)
” Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!” (Ezekiel 13:3)
“For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.” (Jeremiah 10:21)
“Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.” (Jeremiah 12:10)
” Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.”
” Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.” (Jeremiah 23:1-2)
In any case, if the Levitical Priesthood was perfect, there wouldn’t have been any need for another priesthood after the order of Melchisedec, the King of Salem, without a beginning or ending!
Please, also read with me Hebrews 7:1-28.
“1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;
3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:
6 But He whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.
8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there He receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that He liveth.
9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.
10 For He was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.
11 IF THEREFORE PERFECTION WERE BY THE LEVITICAL PRIESTHOOD, (FOR UNDER IT THE PEOPLE RECEIVED THE LAW,) WHAT FURTHER NEED WAS THERE THAT ANOTHER PRIEST SHOULD RISE AFTER THE ORDER OF MELCHISEDEC, AND NOT BE CALLED AFTER THE ORDER OF AARON?
12 FOR THE PRIESTHOOD BEING CHANGED, THERE IS MADE OF NECESSITY A CHANGE ALSO OF THE LAW.
13 For He of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of MELCHISEDEC there ariseth another priest,
16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
17 For He testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.
19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
20 And inasmuch as not without an oath He was made priest:
21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of MELCHISEDEC: )
22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:
24 But this man, because He continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
25 Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.
26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this He did once, when He offered up himself.
28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore. ” (Hebrews 7:28)
Now, read what Jesus Christ said about it:
” Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and HAVE OMITTED THE WEIGHTIER MATTERS OF THE LAW, JUDGEMENT, MERCY, and FAITH: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” (Matthew 23:23) …. and this is FINAL coming from Jesus Christ Himself!
As for the question whether Christians should pay tithe, “sow seed” of any sort or general offerings? I say, please do as you are so persuaded in your spirit more so, if it will further enhnace the work of the body of Christ and/or greatly facilitate the propagation of the gospel of Jesus Christ but, it is NOT a commandment of the Most High God Almighty for this dispensation!
The Bible is very clear on this. God loves a cheerful giver! Giving should NOT be out of necessity, compulsion and/or grudgingly!
” But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and He which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
” EVERY MAN ACCORDING AS HE PURPOSETH IN HIS HEART, SO LET HIM GIVE; NOT GRUDGINGLY, OR OF NECESSITY: FOR GOD LOVETH A CHEERFUL GIVER.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-7)
May God Almighty open our eyes to see, our ears to hear, our mouths to speak and our inner man to know and understand the TRUTH in the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ!
” And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)
“Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” (John 14:17)
“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come.” (John 16:13).
Let me pause here with the following apostolic letter of Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 11: 1-33 which echoes similar terrains but distinct peculiarities and a few other scriptures.
“1 Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.
2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
4 For if He that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
5 FOR I SUPPOSE I WAS NOT A WHIT BEHIND THE VERY CHIEFEST APOSTLES.
6 But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.
7 Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?
8 I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.
9 And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.
10 As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia.
11 Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth.
12 But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
16 I say again, let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little.
17 That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.
18 Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.
19 For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise.
20 For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.
21 I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also.
22 Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.
23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I AM MORE; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?
30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.
31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.
32 In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me:
33 And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands. (2 Corinthians 11:1-33)
” I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.” (Ecclesiastes 9:11)
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,”
” Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2)
” Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord”: (Hebrews 12:14)
” For our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:29)
” I have fought a good fight, ……., 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 Timothy 4:7-8)
May the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable to God Almighty in the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ!
Echefuna’ R. G. ONYEBEADI (DBA; PhDs; etc) is a Professor of Engineering Economy & Strategic Management Expert, United Nations Fellow and the Inegbese of Oligbo Kingdom.
