Glory Assemblies of Christ

29/04/2020

29/04/2020

On the issue of first fruits:

I know many people might not be ready for correction seeing a lot of what is being taught in churches has been there for centuries but where we are now the truth has to be said. There are so many teachings that we leaders of today have never questioned but upheld blindly. There are many scriptures which tell us that we are no longer held by the dictates of the Old Covenant law. Hebrews 8, Romans 10:4,Galatians 5 and many others. Acts 15 shows us a situation where apostles and other elders in the church assembled to discuss doctrine after certain disciples came to Antioch denouncing certain believers who were not following the Law as given by Moses. Remember Circumcision had been given to Abraham as an everlasting covenant to him and his descendants just like the issue of first fruits being addressed here. On the issue of first fruits, that's where we also have issue of first born being dedicated and belonging to God. This is different from New Covenant set up now where everything we have or own belong to God not only first borns or first salaries nor portions of increases etc. There are practices God has just somehow left us to open our eyes without directly rebuking us and they have nothing to do with His commands and whilst first fruits issues bring support or income to the church or its leaders it has no place in the New Covenant of Christ! When people mix things from OT and NT they sometimes say the Bible contradicts itself but no, there is truth taught in the Scriptures that can be understood in the light of Christ. All scriptures are God given and inspired for us to learn yet there are certain things that were appropriate at that time just like people in the OT would mary many wives and still remain in God's grace, people would offer animal sacrifices etc for their salvation but now in the NT is is not the case. Kindly revisit this doctrine which is taught by many servants of God who are highly esteemed yet it lacks New Covenant backing. Even on spiritualising, not all things in the OT should be spiritualised to have NT significance. Thank you

29/04/2020

Submission:

When God said Moses was different from others He actually also referred to his humility, faithfulness and the way God communicated with him. People need to submit to those in leadership but not in a carnal way of bowing and seemingly giving reference to men. God wasn't saying people could now bow to him (Moses), it wasn't happening even then. Submission was to listen to him as a leader chosen of God.

Kneeling down before the elders is a different issue and it's according to customs in a particular area, eg. It’s normally women who kneel in certain cultures. This isn't a concept we're addressing or that shouldn’t be brought into the church of Christ. As a matter of fact, the NT set up is different from OT one in that everyone can have the Spirit yet the five -fold ministers are there to be leaders. The example in the NT these leaders led by example, they wouldn't want to appear like taking the position of Christ. People respected them not in a carnal way of kneeling down but by living by the truth they taught and supporting them in ways possible. 1Timothy 5:1 Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, older woman as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity.

Now these were Paul's instructions to Timothy who was pastoring people. Now if it was respecting elders, Paul wanted Timothy to respect them as his own father or mother. It was obvious on spiritual matters these elder men and women would still submit and take instructions from Timothy. Timothy would still treat them like his parents in addressing them when it comes to handling them.

The scriptures show everyone has the anointing only that gifts differ in their operation and manifestation. Acknowledging the Anointing can be synonymous to accepting someone's ministry. This should not be done taking a posture of bowing before men. Acts 10:25 As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence 26 But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.” One can talk to God directly because the person or minister who carries the anointing plus the anointing he carries is not equal to God to be bowed to. Peter at Cornelius' house he refused to have him offer that gesture saying we are fellow brothers together with other believers. We don't bow to the gift or anointing which is a fragrant of what God can offer we bow to God.

29/04/2020

Abraham’s tithe

Genesis 14 gives an account of Abraham coming from conquering certain kings meeting Melchizedek the priest who then spoke words of praise and blessings and gave wine and bread to Abraham who in turn gave him a tithe of the spoils of war. The remainder Abraham gave to the King of S***m and did not want people to say Abraham was blessed from this loot. There is no scripture showing God giving instructions about tithes that time. It was a tithe given out of the spoils of war and at a time when Abraham was already blessed. The Bible only mentions this incident and no other accounts of Abraham giving a tithe. Research into pagan kingdoms around where Abraham lived shows that people were paying 10% of their land produce as tribute to Kings.

It is possible that Jacob got the idea of a tithe which he promised to give God if He would surely fulfil His promises and bless him from practices of tithes tribute to Kings in those kingdoms. This shows that our father of faith Abraham only gave his tithe as a free will gift whilst Jacob's pledge was a bargain with God and there is nowhere the Bible obligates everyone to emulate this. In any case, the fact that Jacob made a pledge to give tithes if God would fulfill His Word shows that it was not an obligation in the first place since an obligation would have left him with no choice. It is therefore very inadequate and improper to model the doctrine of tithes in the New Covenant from Abraham and Jacob’s incidences. Those who want to teach tithes basing on these incidences do not have scriptural backing to show that God required such kind of giving from believers. However, those who want to emulate and give as a free will or once off tithe can do so and not make it an obligation for other believers.

Apostle H Tundu

29/04/2020

29/04/2020

GAC you are covered in Jesus' mighty Name! Any attacks by sicknesses or demons shall not prevail! I make this declaration under the influence and authority of Jesus Christ and it shall be established! Stay safe and do your part to stay health and victorious!