QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON SUNDRY DOCTRINAL ISSUES

QUESTION: The Bible shows clearly that nobody has seen God or seen His shape and that no one can see God and live.  How then do you preach that God is a person?

ANSWER:  That no one has seen His shape is proof of the fact that He has shape.  When the Bible says no one can see God and live it means that, being a spirit being of the highest order, no mortal can behold His glory. Even Apostle Paul who saw the glory of Christ became blind for a season.  He would have died but for the grace of God on him.   That God is a person is a revealed truth about which there can be no doubt. In Genesis 1: 26, 27, it is plainly stated that Jehovah made man in His own image after His likeness. The word image means form, resemblance or an imitation of the external form of an object. The fact that man who is God’s image is a person having a body and shape proves conclusively that the Creator Himself is a person – of course, a personality of the highest category.

     In a plain language, Paul the Apostle positively stated that Jesus Christ is “the brightness of His (God’s) glory and the express image of His person”. – Hebrews 1: 1-3.

Ezekiel was a priest and one of the holy prophets of old. He was, by divine grace, privileged to see visions of God. He said that he saw the likeness of the Lord ”as the appearance of a man” upon His throne in heaven, and offered a vivid description of the resplendent brightness of His person. (Ezekiel 1:26-28) This is a very striking testimony to God’s personality.

    Micaiah the prophet also saw a vision of God, and he said: “I saw the LORD sitting upon His throne, and all the host of heaven standing on His right hand and on His left.” (2 Chronicles 18: 18) Can one who has neither form, shape nor body sit on a throne or have right and left hands?

     See also the case of Stephen in Acts 7: 55, 56 and the declaration of David the prophet in Psalm 94; 8-11.

 

QUESTION: How do you reconcile our Lord’s prayer Our father which art in heaven” with the teaching that God is everywhere?

 ANSWER: Jesus Christ actually taught us to pray to our Father in heaven, meaning that He is actually in heaven.  In Jeremiah 23:24, the Bible says God  fills heaven and earth.  In Hebrews 4:12,13, St. Paul says that everything is naked or open before God.  That He sees everything does not mean He is everywhere.  The Bible makes it plain that He is in the highest habitation – the heaven of heavens. But He knows and sees everything anywhere in the whole universe at all times. Nothing can be hidden from Him. (Job 34: 21, 22; Hebrews 4: 13) In Psalm 11: 4, it is written: “The LORD is in His holy temple, the LORD’S throne is in heaven: His eyes behold, His eyelids try, the children of men.” God Himself said: “The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool…” -Isaiah. 66: 1 2; see also Matthew 5: 34, 35; Acts 7: 47-60.

 

 QUESTION: Why is Jesus Called the son of God? Is it not a contradiction to say Jesus Christ created the world whereas this honour belongs to God Almighty?

ANSWER: Jesus Christ is properly called the only begotten son of God because he is the only being that was directly created by God. He himself said: “For as the Father hath life in Himself; so hath He given to the Son to have life in himself.” (John 5; 26)  The fact that he was the first creation of God is further confirmed by the testimony of John the apostle in the book of Revelation. He stated: “These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God.” (Revelation 3: 14) God is also the Father of other angels in heaven as well as of human beings on earth because “He giveth to all life and breath. “-Acts 17:24-28.  However, the Sonship of Jesus Christ belongs to an exclusive category and is matchless. – Hebrews 1: 1-9.

It is true that God Almighty created all things.  But He gave Jesus Christ the power to carry out the work.    These were long hidden truths which God through His apostles revealed in the Holy Bible. Said St. Paul: “And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, Who created all things by Jesus Christ.”- Ephesians 3: 9.

Moreover, St. Paul in his epistle to the Colossians described Jesus Christ as “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature”. And he added: “For by him (Jesus) were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: and he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell.”Colossians 1: 15-17.

 

QUESTION: What will happen to our people who didn’t even hear about Jesus Christ before they died? Are they exempted from destruction or will they be destroyed?

ANSWER: All those who did not have the opportunity of hearing the gospel and for that reason either did not serve God before their death or worshipped Him but not in truth, are still regarded as unjust.  However, God will give them another opportunity or second chance to know Him and do His will. This will take place during the general resurrection, that is resurrection involving the just and the unjust. (Dan. 12:1-3; John 5:28, 29; Acts 24:15) The period of punishment for each of them will be 100 years. (Isaiah 65:20) Any of them who proves obedient will at the end of the 100 years, be given eternal life but the disobedient ones will be sentenced to the “second death”, which means everlasting destruction. – Revelation 20:12-15; 21:8.

The general resurrection will take place during the Millennium, which is the reign of Jesus Christ for a thousand years, which will begin after the battle of the great day. (Revelation 20:4,6) The just will be rewarded with everlasting life,

QUESTION: If Enoch and Elijah are not in Heaven then where were they during the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ? And where was Abraham when the Rich Man was crying to him to please release Lazarus to give him a drop of water?

ANSWER: The Bible says Enoch was translated that he should not see death and that Elijah was taken by a whirlwind to heaven. (Genesis 5:24; Hebrews 11:5; 2 Kings 2:11) Some people  think  this is proof that they were taken into heaven, where God dwells.  (Please note that the word “heaven” means a high place.) But a closer reading of the Bible shows this is not the case.  Jesus Christ emphatically stated that no man had ascended to heaven but himself who came from heaven. (John 3:13)  This means that these men of God did not go to the dwelling place of God. Rather they were taken to the space above the earth where the clouds float and the birds fly which is called “the open firmament of heaven” (Genesis 1:20; Job 35:11) and then were turned into nothing. God did not want them to die in the ordinary manner of men, as a form of honour for them.  Enoch and Elijah are dead and are not existing anywhere.

What the apostles saw during the transfiguration was a vision, it was not a literal event.  The account of Matthew states: “And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.”  (Matthew 17:9) The story of Lazarus and the Rich man in Luke 16:19-31 was a parable, not a literal event  that happened in the past or was to happen in a future time.  Lazarus in the parable had never existed and so the point of where he came from does not arise.

QUESTION: If  the righteous do not go to heaven when they die, why then did the Bible say Elijah was taken up into heaven?

ANSWER: It is stated in the Holy Bible that Enoch, who was the son of Jared, was the seventh in descent from Adam. (Genesis 5: 18; Jude 14). He lived in a manner consistent with the will of God. The end of Enoch was marked by a peculiar incident. He did not die in the manner that is common with men. He, having attained the age of 365 years, disappeared, in that God took him away from among men. It is written of him: “And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: and all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: and Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.”– Genesis 5: 22-24.

Concerning the faith of Enoch, St. Paul wrote: “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.”– Hebrews 11: 5, 6.

What actually happened was that God removed him from among men that he should not die in the ordinary way. He is not existing anywhere. He would be among other faithful men and women of ancient times that would have part in a better resurrection as stated by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Hebrews in Hebrews chapter 11 verses 1-40.

The case of Elijah is similar to that of Enoch save that he (Elijah) was actually seen being taken up heavenward. It is significant that Elisha, upon whom the mantle of Elijah fell, was present when he was taken up after both of them had crossed Jordan River.

    Here is the Bible account: “And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so. And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.” – 2 Kings. 2: 9-11.

            From this account, taken on the surface, one may be prone to arrive at the conclusion that Elijah is in heaven with God. But the real, spiritual understanding of the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 2: 13, 14; Colossians 1: 9; 2 Timothy 2: 7) reveals the truth that Elijah did not and will never go to the dwelling-place of God in heaven. Elijah was taken up by a whirlwind to a very great height in the upper regions of the air and was turned to nothing. He did not go to heaven which is the abode of God and His angels.

            The Incident of Enoch’s translation and that of Elijah took place long before the advent of Jesus Christ. If they were in heaven Jesus Christ who came down from there (John 6: 38) would have said so. Rather he unequivocally stated: “No one ever went up into heaven except the one who came down from heaven, the Son of Man whose home is in heaven.” –John 3: 13, N.E.B.

QUESTION: Sir, you affirmed the reality of resurrection and condemned reincarnation, but the Bible shows clearly that John the Baptist came back or reincarnated as John the Baptist?

ANSWER: The angel Gabriel, announced to Zacharias of the birth of his son John and also added that he (John)  “shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias” and to do the work of reconciliation and reformation.  (Luke 1:13-17)  Jesus, among other things, said to the multitude concerning John the Baptist that he was the Elijah which was to come  (Matthew 11:13-14)  In Matthew 17:9-13 during Jesus’ transfiguration, his disciples asked him, “why then say the scribes that Elias (Elijah) must first come?” He then answered and said, “Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. ” It was then the disciples understood “that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.”  These statements do not mean that John the Baptist was the reincarnation of Elijah.  They were not the same persons.  What the statements actually mean is that their character and work or mission were similar.  

If John was incarnated as Elijah, he certainly would have said so. But rather he said he was not. “And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. {that prophet: or, a prophet?} Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself? He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. And they which were sent were of the Pharisees. And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?” (John 1:19-25)  The true Christians believe in resurrection not reincarnation.  In  John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15; Daniel 12:2 etc.

 

QUESTION: What is the mode of operation of the nine gifts of the holy spirit.

ANSWER: I suppose by this is meant the gifts spoken of by St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 which states: “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.” – 1 Corinthians 12:4-11.

      These are gifts which God by His spirit gives to His children to use to His glory and for the benefit of their fellow men. Wisdom is vital for salvation.  It is the ability to know how to put the knowledge of God to effective use.  Wisdom gives life. (Ecclesiastes 7:12; John 17:3)  Though without faith nobody can serve God, yet some people have it as a gift.  Such ones are extraordinary in their works of faith.  Some have even laid down their lives in exercise of their faith.  (See Hebrews 11:4-40)  But faith can only be genuine when founded on truth and love (Psalm 145:18; John 13:34,35)  Faith should be maintained until the end for one to receive its full benefits which is salvation in the world to come. – Hebrews 10:38,39; 1 Peter 1:5-9.

QUESTION: Does God still give people the gift of speaking in tongues, performing miracles and of prophesying in this age?

ANSWER:  Those who had the gift of speaking in tongues spoke in the languages that were understood by people at that time.  It is unlike the jabberings of modern-day preachers who claim to be speaking in tongues.  Even in the time of Apostle Paul abuses had already set in as a result of which he had to lay down rules to regulate it.  (1 Corinthians 14:5,18,19, 23, 28)  However, St. Paul made it clear that speaking in tongues was not meant to last for ever.  He stated: “Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away”. (1 Corinthians 13:8)  What is important today is not the speaking in tongues but the ability to expound the truth of the gospel in whatever language one can speak to the understanding of the children of God for their edification and eventual salvation by the grace of God. – Matthew 24:14

Miracles and prophecy are other gifts of the spirit.  Some of those in the early church had the gift to perform miracles. Such works were needed at that time to establish Christianity which was then in its infancy. But God knew that after a while, particularly in the last days, the devil will mimic what the true servants of God did in those days by claiming to do miracles in order to draw people away from the truth. Jesus Christ said the doing of miracles will be the mark of false prophets in the last days. (Matthew 24:11,24; Revelation 16:13-16) God still does miracles in our time but not through human agents, many of who advertise themselves so flamboyantly these days.  – Malachi 4:2; Jeremiah 33:6.

 

Prophecy has two meanings.  One is to preach the word of God.  Another is in the sense of foretelling the future.  While many have taken to preaching in order to make merchandize of the people, there are still those, though few, who have the gift of  expounding the Scriptures boldly, not for self-glorification or with wisdom of words, but clearly, and humbly such that hearers can understand.  But all that needs to be foretold in relation to God and His purposes have been recorded in the Holy Bible.  This is the time for the interpretation of the writings.  – Daniel 12:8-10; Matthew 24:14.

No one should become proud because of his gift as to look down on others or think of himself as self-sufficient. (Proverbs 14:21)  One should not envy one’s neighbour who is better endowed with the gifts of the spirit than oneself or develop inferiority complex.  Each one should use the gifts as given by God faithfully to the end. St. Paul declared: “…Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. – 1 Corinthians 8:1-2.

 

QUESTION: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” (John 14:12). Is this not proof that the disciples of Christ can do even greater miracles than Christ did?

 ANSWER:  The spirit of God was given to Christ without measure. (John 3:34)  It is

therefore not possible for anyone to do more miracles that Jesus Cchrist did. The

primary purpose for which Jesus Christ came was to preach the gospel. (Luke 4:43)

What the text means is that the disciples of Christ will do the work of dispensing the

gospel for a far longer period and to many more nations than Jesus Christ did. “But

ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be

witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto

the uttermost part of the earth. – Acts 1:8. See also Luke 24:44-47.

 

QUESTION:  Are the 144,000 mentioned in Reveletion 14:1-5 the only ones to be saved?

ANSWER: No.  This refers only to the complete number of the saints or apostles, “the church of the first born, whose names are written in heaven”, otherwise known as the “Little Flock”. (Luke 12:32) These are distinguished from the “Other Sheep” – those faithful worshippers of God who, not being anointed, will inherit the kingdom of God on earth. (John 10:16)

No one can force himself into the class of the anointed ones. It belongs only to those who are predestinated and called by God. (Hebrews 5: 4) There is no woman among them. They are anointed by God and sent forth to preach the truth to the world. (1 John 2:27)  The 12 Apostles were the foundation members of this class.  However there are countless numbers of men, women and children who served God faithfully before, during and after the advent of Jesus Christ who will be saved in the Kingdom of God here on earth.  For instance, after the number of the saints had been given in Revelation 7: 1-5, Apostle John reports that he saw “a great multitutde which no man can number” who had been delivered from the battle of Armageddon and given the grace to live forever in Gods kingdom here on earth.. – Revelation 7:9-15.

 

QUESTION: The Bible says in the book of Isaiah 24:1 that the earth will be burnt up as stated in Isaiah 24 verse 1.  But in your sermon on God’s Kingdom, you only spoke of the killing of the wicked.  How do you reconcile the two?

ANSWER:     The earth will not be burnt up.  It is the destruction of the wicked that is being so described figuratively.  The earth abides forever and it is on this earth, made paradise, the righteous will be.  When the first world was destroyed, the planet remained.  It was the wicked ones therein that were killed. So it will be now.  When St. Peter spoke of the heavens and the earth being kept in store, reserved unto fire, against the day of judgment, he was referring to the destruction of the wicked elements in the world, “the perdition of ungodly men” but the meek shall inerit the earth and delight themselves in the abundance of peace. – Genesis 9:1-24; Isaiah 24:6; Ecclesiastes 1:4; Daniel 7:27; Psalm 37:9-11, 22, 29.

 

QUESTION: Will animals survive the battle of Armaggedon? Will new animals be created?

 ANSWER: Salvation is for human beings, not for animals.  (Psalm 49:12, 20) The Bible says all that are wicked will be put to the sword.  Jesus Christ gave the 70 disciples power to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy, meaning that they were not meant to be hurtful to man, but for the devil’s handiwork.  (Luke 10:19) Everything evil will be destroyed, man and animals.  But animals that it pleases God to preserve at the time of the battle will be preserved. (Compare Psalm 58:3; Matthew 13:38) Just as various creatures were preserved in the time of the flood, so it will be at the battle.  (Genesis 6:20; 7:13-16, 21-23)  The animals that remain will continue to procreate and they will live in peace with human beings. (Isaiah 11:6-9) Eternal life is not given to creatures other than human beings.  So the order that birds and animals will be for meat will still remain. – Genesis 1:29, 30.

 

QUESTION: If after listening to you and I travel elsewhere where there is no church and I establish my church based on your doctrine, will it not be called a true church?  

 ANSWER: No.  Because the power or authority to establish churches is vested in the saints.  And so the Bible says that right conduct can only be found in the Churches of the saints or the churches of God. (1 Corinthians 14:33, 40; 11:16)  St. Paul says the Corinthians Christians are the seal of his apostleship.  (1 Corinthians 9:1,2) Right from time, God has warned His people not to set up places of worship on their on their own.  (Deuteronomy 12:13, 14)  In Acts 19:13-16 we read of how some Jews  imitated St. Paul by attempting to cast out spirits only to have the spirits leap on them, saying he does not know them.  One should not preach except he is sent. Romans 10:15.

 

QUESTION: You say if a man dies he will be put in hell; but why do you say that St. Urhobo is in Zion and not in hell.  

ANSWER: Hell is drawn from the Hebrew word sheol and the Greek word hades, meaning, the tomb, pit, sepulcher or the condition of the dead.  That is were all the dead go to.  And that is why Jesus Christ is said to have descended into hell.  (Psalm 16:10; Acts 2:31)  When fire is associated with hell, it means, everlasting destruction. (Revelation 21:8; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9)  Every anointed Christian who dies in the last days, does not stay in the grave but is changed into spirit and taken to heaven “in the twinkle of an eye”.  (1 Corinthians 15:52; 1 Thessalonians 4:15 -17) St. Urhobo rose as soon as he breathed his last.

 

QUESTION: If God said “Ask and you shall be given, seek and you shall find”. Don’t you think with prayer and supplication we can receive the anointing?  Please Sir, in this day of the end of the world, how can one know that he has received the Holy Spirit from God Almighty?

ANSWER: One cannot receive the anointing of the Holy Spirit by prayer and supplication.  The spirit of anointing is given exclusively to the Anointed Servant class also known as the Apostles or Little Flock class. (John 14:16,26;  15:26;  1 John 2:27;  Hebrews 5:4).  “For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.” (Romans 9:15, 16) “And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.” (Hebrews 5:4) This Little Flock class is distinct from the Other Sheep class (Luke 6:12,13; 12:32;  John 10:16).  One can pray for the Holy Spirit of God, which spirit enables one to practise God’s righteousness. (Psalm 51:10,12;  Romans 8:9;  1 Corinthians 2:12-14;  Luke 11:13).  The evidence to show that one has received the spirit of God is by the manifestation of the fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22,23) But one cannot pray for the anointing spirit, as earlier stated.

 

QUESTION: What I want to know is the difference between soul and spirit? What is the GKS stand about the spirits of the dead?  The Bible according to (1 Corinthians 15:50) to my understanding makes it clear that flesh and blood will not inherit God’s Kingdom. What does that mean?

 ANSWER: The word soul means a person or being. It also means the life of the person. The meaning depends on the context.  See Matthew 10:28; Acts 3:23. In 1 Thessalonians 5:23, where the words “spirit and soul and body” are used, what is meant is the entire man, “spirit here meaning “mind”, “disposition”, heart condition.

 

QUESTION: In Acts 2 – the languages spoken in the day of Pentecost – were they heard? Did the fire that rested on them burn them?

ANSWER: Those around heard the languages the apostles spake but  fire did not burn the apostles as it was not literal fire.

 

QUESTION: When will God’s Kingdom come?

ANSWER: The Bible shows that God’s Kingdom will be set up in this age, the last days in the midst of this evil world.  It will come quietly, unknown to many people in the world.  This kingdom which will be set up in different parts of the world will grow gradually as people of goodwill flee into it until God will kill satan the devil and usher His people into the Paradise, the world without end. –  Matthew 13:31,32;  Matthew 24:15,16; Isaiah 2:2; Daniel 2:44.

 

QUESTION: What are the things that will take place during the one thousand years reign of Christ?

ANSWER:    

Better Resurrection for the ancient faithful. – Hebrews 11:32-35

General resurrection. – John 5:28, 29

Judgment of the dead. – Hebrews 9:27; 2 Corinthians 5:10

Reconstruction/Beautification of the earth. – Ezekiel 36:33-38; Isaiah 51:3; 60:17-21; 65:17-23.

 

 QUESTION: It appears the GKS does not believe in Hell Fire.  In the topic “RESURRECTION” you say that the wicked will be judged and punished.  So my questions are:

  1. What form of punishment will the wicked be subjected to?
  2. How do you explain the contents of Isaiah 66:24 with emphasis on “neither shall their fire be quenched” (Authorized King James Version)

 

ANSWER: The wicked will be destroyed by any means God wishes. (Ezekiel 14:12).  The expression “where the worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched” (Isaiah 66:24;  Mark 9:43-49) is an imagery drawn from the valley in the outskirts of Jerusalem known as the Valley of Hinnom. It is an expression with a historical background which symbolize the weeping and gnashing of teeth, restlessness and shame which will befall all unrepentant sinners before they will be destroyed everlastingly. The unquenchable fire is a symbol of everlasting destruction.  What fire burns cannot be retrieved.  God promised to destroy Jerusalem with unquenchable fire. (Jeremiah 17:27)  Does it mean Jerusalem is still burning? 

 

QUESTION: In Christendom it is believed that the world is not up to 20,000 years old.  But some astrologists have been able to trace the existence of man to over 750 million years.  Example of such is Dr. L.S.B. Leaky who discovered a region of bone and skull in East Africa, Tanzania in 1959.  This region of bones was later traced to the Australopiteans tribe.  There are others like the Homo Erectus & Oriopetecus tribe.  So Sir, prove to us that these names and dates are all fallacy.

ANSWER: The calculations of man, imperfect as he is, cannot he relied on.  (Deuteronomy 29:29).  The world did not come by evolution but by creation. (Genesis 1; 2:7 Psalm 95:6,7; 100:3) There are evidences to show that these so-called “facts and figures” are wrong and therefore misleading in that their methods of calculation are faulty. There was the Hesperopithecus tooth found in 1922 in Nebraska, which was accepted so widely as evidence of man’s antiquity that it was introduced by the evolutionists as expert testimony in the famous ‘evolution trial’ in Tennessee in 1925. Two years later, however, the complete skeleton was found and proved rather to have belonged to an extinct pig. An “ape man skull”, also found in Colorado, exhibited as such for a time in a museum, was actually the skull of a pet monkey buried a few years previously… Finally, the famous Piltdown Man, previously regarded as one of the three or four most important of the ‘missing links’ in man’s evolution, has long ago been pronounced to have been “a clever hoax” which fooled all the anthropologists for 40 years before being exposed.(See Dr. Henry Morris: The Bible And Modern Science.)

     An authority in Paleontology, Prof. W.B. Scott, writing on “The Palaeontological Record”, in Darwin and Modern Science, said: “The ludicrous discrepancies which often appear between the phylogenetic ‘trees’ of various writers have led many zoologists to ignore palaeontology altogether as unworthy of serious attention… What one writer postulates as almost axiomatic, another will reject as impossible and absurd.”

 

QUESTION: Some pastors say when Jesus Christ went to hell, he went there to cut the chain, that is to open it for the wicked ones that will go there after death.  Where is that in the Bible?

ANSWER:  It is not true that Jesus Christ went to hell to cut any chain. The word hell means grave, sepulchre or the condition of the dead.  But the hell fire means second death or everlasting destruction. Those who are given a second chance at the general resurrection will be given 100 years.  After that, those who are not obedient will die everlastingly.  But to teach that the wicked will be burning for ever in hell is to say that they will also live for ever.  The Bible does not say so. Psalm 37:9-11, 29; Romans 6:23.

QUESTION: Was Deborah not a prophetess?

ANSWER: No, SHE WAS NOT. The account in Judges 5:7,12, shows that it was Barak that led the battle. Deborah did not call herself a prophetess but only called herself “a mother in Israel”. The translators made a mistake by referring to her as a prophetess. No woman is called or commissioned to be the mouth piece of God Almighty as was the case of Moses, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Isaiah and other prophets. Isaiah 3:12 shows that God lamented for the Jews for allowing women to lead them in that the law is that the man should rule over the woman. (Genesis 3:16) Women should not preach the word of God or be leaders of His people. – 1 Corinthians 14:34,35, 37; 1 Timothy 2:11-15; 1 Timothy 3:1-5; etc.  

QUESTION: St. Paul said a woman’s long hair is for a covering, that a woman having long hair is a covering for her. Why do you insist on women covering their hair with head tie?

ANSWER: 1 Corinthians 11:15 says: “But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.” St. Paul is saying it is a natural feature of women to have long hair to cover their faces with and for beauty. But the fact is that in worship situations she should cover her hair. Earlier the Apostle of Christ had stated: “But I would have you know, that the head of every man  is  Christ; and the head of the woman is the man, and the head of Christ is God.” For this reason therefore: “Every man praying or prophesying, (preaching the word of God) having his head covered, dishonoureth his head: (Jesus Christ) But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head  (the man) for that is even all one as if she were shaven”. (verses  3-5)  Then he added in verse 6, “For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered”.  The statement  is  clear enough. 

QUESTION: Does the GKS have any relationship with the Jehovah’s Witnesses?

ANSWER: There is no relationship whatsoever. They are two different organizations. There wide differences in doctrines and methods of worship. For instance, the GKS does not fix dates for Armageddon; does not preach from house to house, does not believe that women are amongst the 144,000 or that women are ordained to preach the gospel or that every believer is a Jehovah’s Witness. – Jeremiah 23:21; 6:30;  2 Corinthians 11:13-15; 1 Timothy 2:11-14; 1 Corinthians 14:34,35; Romans 12:4-8;  1 Corinthians 7:7;  12:28-31; Matthew 24:36.

QUESTION: Please tell us the place of women in God’s service in that you also adopt women into the Ministry.

ANSWER: Women could be full devotees but not Ministers or deaconesses.  Phebe was a servant of the Church.  She is a servant of the Church.  They would serve but not Minister in the word like men.  They would do any duty allotted to them. – Acts 6:4.

 

QUESTION: If Saint Urhobo was not a member of the Watch Tower Society, how come the doctrines of GKS is similar to that of the Watch Tower Society?

ANSWER: Before his call, St. Urhobo was a Catholic according to his memoir, “Eighteen Years Kingdom Service”.  It was after his call that he came across the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, (WBTS) who later changed their name to Jehovah’s Witnesses.  He had association with them in the early 1930s when he found similarities in his teachings with those of Judge Rutherford, the then President of the WBTS. But he was not their member. There are conditions one has to meet to be regarded as a member of the WBTS, including preaching from house to house – which St. Urhobo opposed – and baptism, which rite he never performed. The fact is that when he saw a number of doctrinal errors in the teachings of the WBTS, he called the attention of their local representative in Nigeria, Mr. W. R. Brown. But the man refused to reason with him. He thus had to leave.  (2 Corinthians 6:14-18)  But St. Urhobo was not taught by them or anybody. – 1 John 2:27.

These differences are the basis of the wide gulf between GKS and the Watch Tower Society. For instance, they believe in monogamy, take the Lord’s supper, go from house to house, say one must be a preacher in order to be saved, set dates for Armageddon and say that all of them are Jehovah’s Witnesses.  If the WBTS is the true Church why did they persecute St. Urhobo?  It is false prophets who always persecute the good.  Agreed that he had association with the WBTS, what is wrong in parting company on doctrinal grounds?  Did WBTS not part company with Adventists on doctrinal grounds?  What of founders of the Methodist, Anglican, Salvation Army, Baptist Churches? Did they not part company with their former Churches?

 

QUESTION: When Christ told his apostles, “Whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven”, (Matthew 16:19;  John 20:23), what does he mean?

ANSWER: The purpose of preaching the gospel is for people of goodwill to repent of their sins and turn to righteousness. Thus when the apostles preached the gospel, he who obeys and repents had his sin automatically forgiven and vice versa, regardless of whether they knew the person or not.  See Luke 24:45-47; Acts 8:17-24. Stating that God “will render to every man according to his deeds” St. Paul declared: “To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile.” (Romans 2:6-9) That apart, the apostles had the privilege of making pronouncements which would be given effect by God Almighty through Jesus Christ to further the cause of righteousness during the days of their prophecy. Compare Acts 13:9-13.

QUESTION: James the Apostle said: “Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: and the prayer of faith shall save the sick….” (James 5:14,15) Does this mean that a Christian should not take medicine when sick but only needs anointing with oil and prayer to get cure or healing?

ANSWER: No, it does not mean so. The anointing with oil is figurative. The prayer does good like literal anointing with oil which was used as medicine in those days. Recall that the “Good Samaritan” in the parable poured oil and wine on the wound of the injured man: The wine to cleanse the wound, the oil to soothe the pain. (Compare Isaiah 1:6) Worshippers of God can take medicine. God used Isaiah the prophet to prescribe medicine for Hezekiah which cured him. (2 Kings 20:1-7) See also the following citations: “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22) “But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.” (Matthew 9:12)

QUESTION: What are the proofs that the second presence of Christ will not be visible to the world?

 

ANSWER:

Christ told his disciples “Yet a little while and the world seeth me no more…” – John 14:19. “Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?” – John 14:22. The Saviour warned: Then if any shall say lo here is Christ, or there; believe it not…” – Matthew 24:23,26.

Paul stated that though we had known Christ after the flesh “Yet now henceforth know we him(so) no more” – 2 Corinthians 5:16.

The Bible says Christ will come in like manner as he went into heaven. His ascension was quiet and he was not seen by anybody except by the apostles.

It is stated in Revelation 1:7 that the Lord will come with clouds, which is a symbol of invisibility, meaning that he will be invisible to human eyes. – Compare Acts 1:9-11; Exodus 14:19,20

Jesus Christ declared that he will come as a thief in the night. In other words only a few, the apostles, not all persons will see him – Revelation 16:15.

QUESTION: The Bible teaches about rapture and the resurrection:  Can you reconcile the two or are they the same thing?

ANSWER:

The word ‘rapture’ is not in the Holy Bible; the doctrine is based on a wrong understanding of what the Bible teaches about the first resurrection – 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17.

The doctrine teaches that Christ will return in flesh and blood with a shout, and with the trump of God; then all true Christians shall ascend to be with Christ for ever in heaven.

The Bible does not teach rapture but resurrection: Heaven is for only the body members of Christ otherwise called ‘little flock’ or anointed Christians, numbering 144,000 only, who will take part in the “First Resurrection”. The earth is for the rest of the faithful who will be on earth in the Kingdom of God. – John 14:1-3;  Luke 12:32;  22:28-30;  Psalm 115:16;  37:9-11,22,29;  Matthew 5:5;  Isaiah 65:17-25;  Revelation 21:1-5;  2 Peter 3:13, etc.

Flesh, blood and bones (the human natural body) cannot inherit God’s Kingdom in heaven – Luke 24:39; 1 Corinthians 15:49,50.

QUESTION: You appear to contend in your sermon on the true Church that it is only in your Church the GKS that one can be saved. But it is clear from the Bible that it is those who have faith in the word, who call on the name of the Lord that shall be delivered, regardless of doctrines. – Joel 2:32.

ANSWER: God cannot be worshipped just anywhere because such people call on the names of God Almighty and Jesus Christ. Only in God’s Holy Organization also known as Mountain where His truth is preached unadulterated that one should worship God for His blessings and salvation. – Isaiah 2:2; Ezekiel 20:40; John 4:20-24; 8:31,32; 1 Timothy 2:3,4; etc.

Since Jesus Christ declared that God will choose the remnant of the saints from different parts of the world (Matthew 24:31) it follows that other true Churches like the God’s Kingdom Society will be set up by God through Jesus Christ in this age.

Jesus Christ said it is not those who call on him that will be saved but those who do His father’s will and that it is the truth that gives freedom, freedom from sin, ignorance and death.  These are those who know the truth, which leads to salvation. –   Matthew 7:21-23; Psalm 145:18.

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