By Sam Adeoye
If there is any word or movement in Christendom that has destroyed numerous individuals faster than a burning fire, it is the word Born Again. Before the invention of the word in the late ‘80s / early ‘90s, the commonly used word was “SU” which in full means Scripture Union. It was this SU movement that gave birth to the likes of Brother Williams Kumuyi, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, Bishop David Oyedepo, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Pastor Matthew Asimolowo, Pastor George Adegboye and the likes, before Brother Kenneth E. Hagin began to teach about Born Again, then the spreading of the teaching got to Late Arch Bishop Benson Idahosa who ignite the fire in his loyalist; Pastor Enoch Adeboye, Bishop David Oyedepo, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, Pastor Benny Hinn and several others across the planet, and that was how the “SU” movement naturally died and the Born Again movement emerged but unfortunately what started as a great movement, eventually turned into scams when prosperity teachings were introduced to the church at the same time with the Born Again movement by Late Arch Bishop Benson Idahosa.
This is not the first time good intentions will turn into a bad outcome. It seems to be the end nature of everything that had been genuinely invented and it’s always a result of some individuals who would rather take advantage of others instead of showing them the way to true salvation and freeing them from the shackles of men and religions.
But come to think of it, how can you have them under your control if you intend to free them of their ignorance? No man remains a slave haven know the true identity of his personality. Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
John 8:31-32
My question to you now is, do you know who you are as a person?
Do you know where you are in God or Christ even as you claimed to be Born Again?
If Christ showed up now, will He recognize you and appreciate you or your case will be like those in Matt 7:21-23 whom Jesus Christ said to; “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the Kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
In Matt 25:31-46 Jesus Christ said; “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’
“Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, since you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’
“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’
“Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, since you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Our being Born Again is useless if all we do is act wickedly towards our fellow human beings. Even as Christians, we don’t like ourselves. The Pentecostals believe that the likes of the Catholic Church, Baptist Church, Anglican Church, Christ Apostolic Church, Apostolic Church, Apostolic Faith and several other denominations are not followers of Christ. The pride and the arrogance of the Pentecostal Churches are so enamoured that they had to separate themselves from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to form another body Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN). Unfortunately, the PFN as an association is not different from the two daughters of Leech as described in Prov 30:15-16 that Leech has two daughters Give and Give! Three things are never satisfied, Four never say, “Enough!”: the Grave, the Barren Womb, the Earth that is not satisfied with water — and the fire never says, “Enough!” These are the things Pentecostal is known for, give and give.
Give your life to Christ.
Give your resources to serve God.
Give your time to serve God.
Give your home for fellowship.
You give and give until you are left with nothing. They laid all these demands on everyone all in the presence of one becoming Born Again; a term majority of those that had fallen into the traps don’t even have an idea of what it is. What a shame.
The Cherubim and Seraphim Church, the Celestial Church of Christ and every other White garment church on the other hand are considered to be ritualists. Most Christians don’t see them as followers of Christ because of the so many spiritual rites they do which was never far from what Christ did in His days. And these records we have in John 9:6-7 where it was said that; when He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. And He said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing.
Another record presents itself in Mark 8:22-26 where it was said that; they came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?” He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.” Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything. Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t go into the village.”
The majority of us know one part of God and we think that we know everything about God, no we don’t. The Jesus Christ that opened blind eyes with His Saliva was the same Jesus Christ that performed several other miracles without Saliva as it was said in John 5:8-9 that then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.
Knowing one part of God doesn’t mean that you know everything about God; we know in part and we prophesy in part that was what Apostle Paul said. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. 1 Cor 13:9-10 We need to grow up
The White Garment Churches themselves are not helping the situation as they also believed that because they wore white, they were the only ones that would make heaven because it was written in Rev 3:1-6 that; “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’ Forgetting that this is a warning, not the reality.
A house that stands against Jesus said will not stand. This was confirmed in Matt 12:25 where it was said; but Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. The church will continue to fall in as long as the church continues to see itself as a competitor rather than a team. Some Christians who are not even going to church are far better than those who do go to church. And the surprising fact is, Christians are very good at stabbing one another in the back. Pastors against Pastors, Pastors against the members, members against the Pastors, members against the members.
I see this as a fulfilment to the word of Christ in Matt 10:34-39 where Jesus Christ said; “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and a man’s enemies will be those of his household.’ He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.
The kind of hatred and bad blood in Christianity is one thing I still don’t understand and the way some individuals derive so much pleasure in it is what I still cannot comprehend. But you and I can attest to the fact that this is what most Christians are good with. They’re always quick to share innocent blood and three different scriptures clarify this…
One: Ps 94:21-23
They gather together against the life of the righteous and condemn innocent blood. But the Lord has been my defence, and my God the rock of my refuge. He has brought on them their iniquity, and shall cut them off in their wickedness; the Lord our God shall cut them off.
Two: Prov 6:16-19
These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.
Three: Isa 59:6-8
Their webs will not become garments, nor will they cover themselves with their works; their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands. Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood; their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths. The way of peace they have not known, and there is no justice in their ways; they have made themselves crooked paths; whoever takes that way shall not know peace.
The system of Sharks trying to eat up Sharks in the church is a disgraceful and tasteless one; and, unfortunately, so many people have fallen into this trap and to come out of it will only take the grace and the wisdom of God. Most especially for those who had been buried in the lies and when you try to help them see the truth, they turn you to a devil, a false prophet. I’m not surprised, they called Jesus Christ the same in his days; questioning his authenticity of being the son of God in Mark 14:60-65 where it was said; and the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, saying, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?” But He kept silent and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “What further need do we have of witnesses? 64 You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?” And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death. Then some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him, and to say to Him, “Prophesy!” And the officers struck Him with the palms of their hands.
If they could do that to Jesus Christ, they can do that to anyone.
Now, in John 3:1-21 it was said that; there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Let’s act a little drama here
Nicodemus
Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.
Jesus
Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Please, pay attention to the fact that Nicodemus did not ask Jesus what is required to be born again or see the Kingdom of God. He was simply there to appreciate the person of Jesus Christ and all He has been doing.
Jesus’ response to Nicodemus’ statement, got his attention, and then Nicodemus
Asked
Nicodemus
How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?
Jesus
Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.
At this point, Nicodemus is lost just as many people are lost today on this matter of Born Again and they think that being born of water is water baptism and being born of the Spirit is speaking in tongues. These are lies.
First, water baptism was invented by John the Baptist to identify who Jesus was and this was made clear in Matt 3:13-17 where it was said that, then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him. When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
That baptism led Him to the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil. Do you think that God will allow the same to happen to anyone? I don’t so. Anyway, immediately after Jesus Christ was Baptist, John the Baptist stopped baptizing people, and left the wilderness to the City and it was not long after that that he was arrested by King Herod and killed.
Now, reading John 3:22-24 you will read that; after these things, Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He remained with them and baptized. Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized. For John had not yet been thrown into prison.
Reading this account you will believe that Jesus was the one baptising the people, not until you read John 4:1-3 where it was clearly stated that; therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John (though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples), He left Judea and departed again to Galilee.
If water baptism is what it means to be Born Again Jesus wouldn’t have excused Himself from it. Being born of the water has nothing to do with water baptism. To be born of the water was described in Ezek 36:25-32 where God said; then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God. I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. I will call for the grain and multiply it, and bring no famine upon you. And I will multiply the fruit of your trees and the increase of your fields so that you need never again bear the reproach of famine among the nations. Then you will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good; and you will loathe yourselves in your sight, for your iniquities and your abominations. Not for your sake do I do this,” says the Lord God, “let it be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your ways, O house of Israel!”
Now, even though we read Eph 5:25-33 as a command scripture for husbands to love their wives; the scripture is far more than that. Even though Apostle Paul started by saying, Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their wives as their bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his flesh, but nourished and cherished it, just as the Lord does the church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh and His bones. “For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless, let each one of you in particular love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
Two cogent statements Apostle Paul made here…
Love your wives (the Wife here connotes the Church), just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,
This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
To be sanctified and cleansed with the washing of water by the word is what it means to be born of the water.
To be born of the spirit is not to be speaking in tongues as I said earlier. To be born of the spirit is to be led by the spirit; and this was first confirmed in the life of Jesus Christ Himself in Luke 4:1 where it was said that; then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,
Apostle Paul confirmed the same in Rom 8:14-17 saying; for as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs — heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. And in Gal 5:18 he said; but if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Pastor Sam Adeoye lives in Lagos.