Theology

*Was Jesus Christ the Messiah?* What was Jesus Christ's purpose? Why did He come to earth? Why will He come again? The answers to these questions become evident when we examine the concept of the Messiah. Messiah is the English form of a Hebrew word meaning "Anointed One". Anointing was used, among other things, to signify that Kings had been chosen by God (1 Samuel 15:1; 16:12-13; 1 Kings 1:34). Christ (or Christos) means "Anointed One" in Greek, the language in which the New Testament has been preserved for us - the same as the Hebraic word *Messiah*. The two terms mean the same thing (John1:41; 4:25). *A prophesied King and kingdom.* The Hebrews understood that their Scriptures contained many prophecies of a divinely appointed ruler who would restore the glory and grandeur of the kingdom of Israel. For example, Isaiah 9:6-7 says: "The government will be upon His shoulder ... Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon t

*26/04/2020* FOURTH SUNDAY SERMON TOPIC: *RELIGIOSITY VERSUS GODLINESS* *"Religion shows the way to God, but Godliness takes you to the God of the way"* JDI Text: Deut30:6; Jer24:7; 31:31-34. Religion is the belief in the existence of God, and activities that are connected with the worship of God. Godliness is to be like God or a god in some quality; it can also be defined as living a moral life based on religious principles. Religion brought the knowledge of the law of sin and death, whereas godliness is receiving the grace in fulfillment of the law of Moses. This homily follows up from the previous homily,  *"How many churches are enough".* The growth and expansion of the church without corresponding positive spiritual and moral effect on the society, has caused many to question the authenticity of the gospel. Why will the most religious state still be ranked among the most corrupt? What an irony. But the irony really is how, people will confess th

Societal Consequences of Darwinism* The consequences of accepting Darwinism theory have been profound. Enormous moral and social damage has been wrought in classrooms and to society. The theory that led Darwin to discard the Bible and reject the existence of God has had a profound effect on millions of other people. It is no coincidence that Karl Marx, the father of communism, out of gratitude to Darwin, sent him Das Kapital, his principal book on communism. "Although developed in the crude English fashion," Marx wrote to his communist colleague Friedrich Engels, "this [Darwin's Origin of Species] is the book which in the field of natural history, provides the basis for our views". To another he wrote that Darwin's work "suits my purpose in that it provides a basis in natural science for the historical class struggle" (Janet Browne, Charles Darwin: The Power of Place, 2002, p.188). This evolutionary backing eventually helped establish the p

Societal Consequences of Darwinism* The consequences of accepting Darwinism theory have been profound. Enormous moral and social damage has been wrought in classrooms and to society. The theory that led Darwin to discard the Bible and reject the existence of God has had a profound effect on millions of other people. It is no coincidence that Karl Marx, the father of communism, out of gratitude to Darwin, sent him Das Kapital, his principal book on communism. "Although developed in the crude English fashion," Marx wrote to his communist colleague Friedrich Engels, "this [Darwin's Origin of Species] is the book which in the field of natural history, provides the basis for our views". To another he wrote that Darwin's work "suits my purpose in that it provides a basis in natural science for the historical class struggle" (Janet Browne, Charles Darwin: The Power of Place, 2002, p.188). This evolutionary backing eventually helped establish the p

Societal Consequences of Darwinism* The consequences of accepting Darwinism theory have been profound. Enormous moral and social damage has been wrought in classrooms and to society. The theory that led Darwin to discard the Bible and reject the existence of God has had a profound effect on millions of other people. It is no coincidence that Karl Marx, the father of communism, out of gratitude to Darwin, sent him Das Kapital, his principal book on communism. "Although developed in the crude English fashion," Marx wrote to his communist colleague Friedrich Engels, "this [Darwin's Origin of Species] is the book which in the field of natural history, provides the basis for our views". To another he wrote that Darwin's work "suits my purpose in that it provides a basis in natural science for the historical class struggle" (Janet Browne, Charles Darwin: The Power of Place, 2002, p.188). This evolutionary backing eventually helped establish the p

The *formlessness* of God. John 4:24 tells us, "God is spirit". The Greek word translated "spirit" here and elsewhere in the New Testament is *pneuma*. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word translated "spirit" is *ruach*. Both these terms can also mean "wind". Because wind is *formless*. The "wind" comparison comes from the fact that spirit is invisible to human eyes unless physically manifested. Also, spirit can exist in a *formless* state, such as God's Holy Spirit being everywhere, filling the entire universe (Jeremiah 23:24).

*IMPORTANT NOTICE* THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS DIRECTED US TO COMMENCE A WEEKLY *HOLY COMMUNION SERVICE EVERY WEDNESDAY 7pm to 8pm (NIGERIA TIME OR GMT +1) FROM 15TH OF APRIL 2020* UNTIL THE END OF THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC. JOIN US ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD WITH YOUR *BREAD AND WINE.* JOIN US FOR ONE HOUR PRAYER AND TAKE THE COMMUNION THEREAFTER IN YOUR RESPECTIVE HOMES WITH YOUR FAMILIES. THIS SERVICE IS FOR DIVINE SAFETY, PROTECTION AND HEALING FOR ALL OUR MEMBERS GLOBALLY. FROM: *THE ECUMENICAN CHURCH NIGERIA*. Instagram: *@ecumenicanchurch* WhatsApp: *+2348052366039* *#TEC*