DAY 3 SUMMARY OF THE CHRISTIAN FEAST OF TABERNACLES 2018
“Who are the true prophets of God?”
by Brother Timothy Esimatbele
The Minister pointed out that the question had become critical in view of the fact that many people today falsely claim to be sent by God to be His mouthpieces. God Almighty used Jeremiah the prophet to denounce these
impostors and warn the people of the dangers of following them. (Jeremiah 14:14; 23:25, 26)
St. Paul described them as deceitful workers. (2 Corinthians 11:13-15) By their deceit they become very rich, some of them are even richer than governments.- Jeremiah 5:27-31.
One of such false prophets was Ananias. He opposed the true prophet of God. Thus God pronounced a curse on him which fulfilled in that he died that same year in the seventh month. (Jeremiah 28:15-17) Christ also warned against false prophets, describing them as ravening wolves, asserting that miracle workers and visioners in this age will not have life in that he did not send them. (Matthew 7:15-18, 22, 23; 24:11, 24, 25) Evidently false prophets can perform miracles but cannot preach the truth. – 2 Peter 2:1-3; Revelation 16:13, 14.
How can one be free from the clutches of these false prophets? It is by examining what is being preached in the light of the Scriptures. (1 John 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; Acts 17:10,11) He said the true prophets are the people God sent to teach people the truth. (Jeremiah 3:15) God reveals Himself to them and gives them His spirit to enable them preach the truth to the people. – Numbers 12:6; Jeremiah 1:5-10.
One of such true prophets is St. G. M. Urhobo. Christ revealed himself to him in a vision and he preached the truth without mixing it with lies and without respect of persons. It is the truth preached by the true servants of God that leads to salvation. – John 8:31, 32.St. Paul described them as deceitful workers. (2 Corinthians 11:13-15) By their deceit they become very rich, some of them are even richer than governments.- Jeremiah 5:27-31.
The next sermon,
“Was Jesus the only child of Mary?”
by Brother J.N.Chukwudi, an Executive Minister of the Church.
He said there are those who preach that Mary remained a virgin all her life. He referred to the prophecy in Isaiah 7:14 that was quoted by St. Matthew to the effect that “a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us”. (Matthew 1:23) St. Matthew’s account also states that when Joseph was made to understand that the child is by the holy spirit he allowed her to stay with him “And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.”
He laid stress on the fact that Christ was referred to as a “first born” stating that it was because she had other children. (Exodus 22:29, 13:1, 2; Luke 2:7) This position is buttressed by comments by the Jews who were amazed by the knowledge and miracles of Christ, saying “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us?
And they were offended at him.” (Mark 6:1-3) Another record says that Christ “went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days. (John 2:12) On the occasion of the Feast of Tabernacles, the record of Apostle John highlights the hostility of Christ’s brothers in the flesh towards him
They urged him to go to Jerusalem so as to be seen by the people since he claimed to be a prophet. The record adds,
“Neither did his brothers believe in him.” See John 7:1-5. Moreover, St. Paul gives us to understand that James, one of the brothers of our Lord Jesus Christ, was one of the apostles.- Galatians 1:19, 20.
Christians are strictly warned to beware of false teachings as they lead both the preachers and the followers into destruction. Matthew 15:12-14; Galatians 1:8, 9.