07/05/2026
A LECTURE DELIVERED BY ME, EVANG.PHILIP OKE DAVID ON FRIDAY 14TH JUNE 2019. IN AN ONLINE SEMINAR IN THE SLNBYF(Fishes Of Men) Facebook Platform
TOPIC - The Use Of Candles In Places Of Worship In Relation To Our Church Doctrines.
A warm welcome a very good evening to you all for being here to participate in this special program.
I would want us to know that these summits below are by the grace of God my personal findings and views on the topic and at such, your constructive criticism,corrections ,opinion and commendations would be highly appreciated by me hereafter.
Before I go into the details of the lectures let me quickly drop the lectures hints here.
.
*Introduction
*Biblical Evolution/Exposition Of The Use Of Candles
* Our Doctrinal Use Of Candles.
*Spiritual Implications For The Use Of Candles
* Conclusive Summary.
INTRODUCTION
The use of candles in places of worship among Christians have little or no critics unlike that of the incense that was treated yesterday, that may be as a result of the fact that most churches now use it especially on new year eve while observing the vigil awaiting the dawn of January first. But it is very relevant for us to know more about the use of the candles, as it is used in our church more than the purpose stated above.
For effective and proper explanations, we shall use both the word CANDLE(S) and the word CANDLESTICK(S) interchangeably in the course of our discussion.
•Meaning of candle
wax that has been formed into a stick or another shape and has a string in the middle that can be burned
: a usually molded or dipped mass of wax or tallow containing a wick that may be burned (as to give light, heat, or scent or for celebration or votive purposes)
: to examine by holding between the eye and a light;
•Meaning of Candlestick
: an object with a small hole in the middle for holding a candle
Full Definition
: a holder with a socket for a candle
BIBLICAL EXPOSITION/ ORIGIN OF THE USE OF CANDLE
The words CANDLE (S) and CANDLESTICK (S) Appear or can be found in a total number of Fifty Six (56) verses of the king James version of the Bible , For it can be found in Forty One( 41) verses and fifteen verses of both the old testament and the new testament respectively.
•Origin of the use of candle.
As a matter of fact, candle and incense can be likened to twin brothers/sisters for they were both instituted on the same day and they were meant to be used in the same place,though they separately have their unique functions and purpose.
In the days of Moses after he was commanded by God to tell the children of Israel to observe certain celebrations and
In the days of Moses after he was commanded by God to tell the children of Israel to observe certain celebrations and ordinances in Exodus 24:18 when Moses was up in the mount Sinai there God commanded him to build a sanctuary in a particular order and with prescribed instruments for decorations
Exodus 25:8,9 can be referenced for the above
To narrow down to our bone of contention in Exodus 25:31-40 which states thus
"And though shalt make a candlestick of pure gold of beaten work shall the candlestick be made....his branches,his bowls,...and flowers shall be of the same....and thou shall make seven lamps thereof ....and look that thou shalt make them after the pattern which I have shown thee in the mount.
A study of the above just revealed that God himself initiated the lighting of candles in the alter
One may argue that God didn't mention candles here, but if only you understand the meaning of Candlestick as defined above; You will agree with me that; no other light can be lighted in a candlestick except for a candles
So when the Bible mentioned lamps here it's simply referring to candles
the Bible in book of Mark4:21,Luke 8:16 and Matthew 5:15 confirmed the above in Jesus' words
Exodus 26:35, Exodus 30:27, exodus 31:8, exodus 35:14 exodus 37:17 a study of the above quoted scripture reveals how God insisted on lighting of the candles in the alter.
In Exodus 40:24,27 and 35c when Moses had completed the assignment the Bible stated clearly that the Glory of God descended and filled the temple.
A study of Numbers3:31, 2kings 4:10, 1chronicles 28:15 would go a long way in helping building your understanding of the interest of God I Candle lights In the temple particularly the alter.
• OUR DOCTRINAL USE OF THE CANDLES
* Submission of candles before the alter every Sabbath
I was astonished during my research when I found out this doctrine of ours in the scripture, hence all my faith about the mission of our father St Lazarus was rekindled.
History had it that in the days of our father Lazarus, when members come to church every Sabbath they come with a candle each then later it's financial value and drop it before the alter, which I believe it's still in existence in our mission today .
How much do you know that this is biblical?
Study revealed that candles in the days of Moses were made of beaten olive oil I.e olive bruised into mortal or mill
In Exodus 27:20 the Bible States
"And thou shall command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light to cause to cause the light to burn always"
Leviticus 24:1-8
"And the Lord spake to Moses, saying command the children of Israel,that they bring unto thee...oil...for the lights....he shall order the lamps upon the pure candlestick before the Lord....every Sabbath shall he set it in order before the Lord continually"
The first scripture was God's order before the sanctuary was built while the second scripture was God's order after the building of the sanctuary has been completed.
In conformity to the above instructions by God, st Lazarus indoctrinated this act into our mission... That's why to any old member of the church the payment of the candle every Sabbath is Paramount, the likes of late mama Susana, mama Alice, late Deaconess Rolinse and Esivweneta, and even our Mummy Rev Mother Ruth Omote wouldn't miss this..
* lightning of seven candles in the alter.
While I was growing up in ofoni branch I remember vividly that the numbers of candles that were usually lighted in the alter were seven, even in the headquarters here the candlestick at the inner alter has seven sockets upon which seven candles are lighted but mind you only the minister in charge has the right to light these seven candles...this is also scriptural.
And they shall take a cloth of blue, and cover the candlestick of the light, and his lamps, and his tongs, and his snuffdishes, and all the oil vessels thereof, wherewith they minister unto it:
Numbers:4:9
Speak unto Aaron and say unto him, When thou lightest the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light over against the candlestick.
Numbers:8:2
And Aaron did so; he lighted the lamps thereof over against the candlestick, as the LORD commanded Moses.
Numbers:8:3
•Lighting of candles in the alter every morning and evening
Exodus 27:21
It's in the doctrines of our church never for candles to be off in every morning and evening and it is derived directly from the Bible
And they burn unto the LORD every morning and every evening burnt sacrifices and sweet incense: .......and the candlestick of gold with the lamps thereof, to burn every evening: for we keep the charge of the LORD our God; but ye have forsaken him.
2 Chronicles:13:11
*SPIRITUAL BENEFITS OF THE USE OF CANDLES
Even the weight for the candlesticks of gold, and for their lamps of gold, by weight for every candlestick, and for the lamps thereof: and for the candlesticks of silver by weight, both for the candlestick, and also for the lamps thereof, ACCORDING TO THE USE OF EVERY CANDLESTICK .
1 Chronicles:28:15
From the passage of the Bible cited above most especially the part boldly written in Capital latter, it could be deduced that lighting up of every candles has its special purpose and spiritual implications which could be beneficial.
Standing on the ground above I list my points below
A. A Spiritual network connection between God and Man.
"The spirit of a man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly" Proverbs 20:27
There is a connection between a man's spirit and God duly symbolize by the lighting of the candles.. From the scripture above it's can be denoted that a man's candle is attached to his spirit, which implies that whenever your candle is lighted before the alter of God ur spirit would be in automatic sanitation which in turn means an exit of spiritual darkness from your life as the Bible clearly states... 'The light shines in darkness and the darkness comprehends it not'
B. Candles symbolize Christianity
The New Testament highlights the sanctity of this light in Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews. “A first tent was prepared with the lamp stand, the table and the bread of the presence; this is called the Holy Place” (Hebrews 9:2). In our today’s Christian life this light has a very special place because it symbolizes Christ who said, “I am the Light of the world; the one who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have light and life” (John 8:12).
Psalm 132:7 will further implies that Christ is the light
C.It Symbolize God's Favour
Candles also symbolize God's favour.
In the prayers of David in Psalm 18:28 he stated " For thou will light my candles, the Lord...will enlighten my darkness" abd also in the words of Job "when his candle shined upon my head...." this simply means when God lights up your candle his favour will be the physical manifestation- consider the story of Job , how he was transformed from abject wretchedness to wealth.Job29:3
D.It symbolize of Peace
"How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger.
Job:21:17
E. A Symbol of God's witness
Zachariah 4:1-14, Rev 11:3-4
F. A symbol of strength
The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, and his candle shall be put out with him.
Job:18:6
When ur candle is off spiritually, you become powerless and it manifests in your physical activities.
*CONCLUSION
There are many more things to this topic but I can't say them all now hence I drop the pen here .
Conclusive note
strict adherence to God's Commands and orders attract his blessings and miracles tremendously Deuteronomy 22
So I want to conclude by recommending that
As a member of St Lazarus make it as a point of duty to pay for your candle light every Sabbath so that the you will never be left out of any benefit emanating therefrom.
Thank you so much for your time and patience
Stay blessed.
