OBEDIENCE is the hallmark of Christian discipleship (John 8:31-32). The bible declares that God’s word abides forever and that God honours His word above His name, therefore, God places a great premium on “doing, above saying” (Psalm 119:59; 138:2; Matt. 24:35; Jam. 1:22). In the book of proverbs 22: 28 it is expressly instructed; “remove not the ancient, which thy fathers have set.”
By this the Lordremindsus of things most surely believed in the apostolic Vision that we should not be ignorant because every true child must know his/her origin where he/she is and where they are going.
Deut. 6:1; 6-8: “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes”.
With the state of the church in the world today it is imperative to draw the attention of those who fear the Lord to some of the ancient landmarks that we must keep in our journey of faith.
- THE ANCIENT LANDMARK OF REPENTANCE, CONVERSION AND REGENERATION (ACTS 3:19; JOHN 3:3-5; TIT. 3:3-5; ITIM. 1:13-14).
Salvation is the most important topic of the Bible and the first message of our Lord Jesus Christ He declared as he went about: Repent ye and believe the gospel of the Kingdom – Mark 1:14-15. The repentance, conversion and regeneration of a criminal is the most honoured miracle in the sight of God – Lk. 15: 6-7, 8-10. The Bible makes it clear that without being born again you cannot see nor enter the Kingdom of God. It is a pity that we still have secret and open criminals among us who are mixed multitude even in our environment and Nation. We should not be afraid nor tired to tell and warn them for a change. There are many people teaching heresy about salvation and preaching on wealth, promotion/prosperity only and serving their belly. Please note that Jesus is waiting to receive only the redeemed who are saints to His Kingdom.
- THE ANCIENT LANDMARK OF LOVE, PEACE AND HOLINESS (LK. 1:74-75; HEB. 12:14; IPETER 1:15-16; IJOHN 2:5; EPH. 4:30; LEV. 19:11-18).
This type of love mentioned in the Bible means loving with selfless desires and with humility. True brotherly love is not self-centered rather it is sacrificial. It is neither cupboard nor material love – not even facial love but agape which made Jesus Christ to sacrifice Himself for us. A very popular phrase about love – I John 3:16; it says, “and herebyperceive we the love of God, because he laid down His life for us,and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” Let us note very well that “Love is the engine of unity” as concluded by the late fathers to me. Where there is love and unity, there will be peace in abundance. Holiness unto the Lord is one of the olden days’ choruses. Claiming Christian righteousness and holiness is essential to the integrity of faith and simultaneously one of the most dangerous presumption, a Christian can make. Believers must recognize the dangerously narrow path between holiness and sin. Holy living means that the Christian lives a life that is set apart, reserved to give glory to God. It is a life of discipline, focus and attention to matters of righteous living. It is a life of victory through the word of Christ – Rom. 12:1-2; James 1:27.
- THE ANCIENT LANDMARK OF PURITY IN MARRIAGE – HEB. 13:4; I TIM. 5:8.
Marriage is honourable in all and the bed undefiled. Purity is the glory of the marriage especially for the sanctified ones. God will judge the whoremongers and adulterers. The sanctity of wedlock was observed and cherished in the olden days. There are a lot of confusion in the home, church and our community today as many living contrary to the order of God. For there are homosexual, lesbianism, sodomy, even ladies sleeping with dogs and other beasts,even males having their pets – cats, dogs etc. I read news of a minister of God detained for refusing to join a man and a man in marriage. These evils are rampant now in this perilous time – Rom. 1:26 -32. Ritualists are using money to lure many females – one died three days after sex with a man who left her, as a snake was in her private part. Wait for genuine marriage for God’s glory and blessings.
- THE ANCIENT LANDMARK OF EVANGELISM – MATT. 28:19-20; JOHN 3:16.
The only Kingdom and golden message is preaching the Gospel of Christ. According to The Apostolic Church’s rule of belief, it is about a personal testimony of your salvation in Christ. It should be noted that you are saved to save others because everyone is an evangelist. After the separation in the then The Apostolic Church in 1940, the Lord raised Evangelical Parties who went about the villages/suburbs with the message. It was the zealous effort of the Evangelical Party that brought the expansion, as they planted Assemblies andSections are Districts and Areas now. He that winneth soul is wise and shall have crowns.(Prov.11:30). Personal or group evangelism is however needed.
- THE ANCIENT LANDMARK OF KEEPING THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT IN THE BOND OF PEACE (JOHN 17:21; JOHN 10:16; EPH. 4:3; ACTS 2:1, 42-47).
It is in the Doctrine: Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. The early Apostles were in one accord and have all things in common – Acts 4:32. The Early Church practised unity in Doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread and in prayers. We need unity that begins from the family, unity in faith and peace, unity in agreement and administration, unity in practice and judgement – ICor. 1:10. In the early days, the unity was very firm and all the ministers with the officers stood by it. Therefore, let us take away disunity, tribalism, ethnicity, clannishness, relationship, godfatherism, favouritism and otherbehaviours that can create bitterness in the body of Christ. Endurance and tolerance is the only solution.
- THE ANCIENT LANDMARK OF OBEDIENCE TO GOD AND THE APPROVED AUTHORITY – (ROM. 13:1-7; ISA. 1:19).
This is another landmark that the fathers have set — obedience to the constituted authority of the Church and any act of disobedience is tantamount to rebellion. Our obedience to our parents, superiors, bosses, in the family, community, place of work and in the Church is imperative. Perfect or total obedience is what God needs and not partial one. This is the only key to heaven and to enjoy prosperity of God on earth. Also, we lift up the hands of Moses as declared in the Holy bible. Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things – Gal. 6:6; ICor. 9:11; 14.
- THE ANCIENT LANDMARK OF PRAYER AND FASTING – (ISAIAH 58:3-7; MTT. 17:21; LK. 5:35).
The power of the Church is prayer and should not be taken with levity. There is erroneous teaching that Jesus have fasted for us. Some can fast till 12 noon and some even eat at 5 a.m. before continuing the fasting. Jesus said; “This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.” (Mark 9:29). Signs, miracles, healing and wonders can happen if we have the faith and in prayer and fasting. The bible says; “if my people who are called by name shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land – IIChr. 7:14; Isa. 55:7; James 4:10.
- THE ANCIENT LANDMARK OF CHURCH MEETINGS AND FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD AND THE SAINTS – HEB. 10:25; IJOHN 1:3-7.
The Lord ordered me a few years a go to re-kindle the fire of the Holy Ghost in the Church. God ordered Aaron through Moses that the fire must not quench from the altar, but to be rekindled – (Ex. 13:22, 40:38; Mal 3:2; ISam. 3: 1-8). Paul encouraged Timothy to rekindle the gift of God in him. The Holy Spirit is the fire in the Church and we should not quench it – IITim, 1:6-7; IThess. 5:19.
We should always tarry and let the gifts of the Spirit be operational. The voice of the Lord must not be omitted in our Divine worship. We should not go back in spiritual things but keep the fire burning always, and by that we are truly Pentecostal. The Holy Spirit must speak in our midst as in early days – Acts 13: 1-3; Rev. 1:10.
- THE ANCIENT LANDMARK OF FAITHFULNESS IN PAYMENT OF TITHES AND OFFERING – MAL. 3:8-12; DEUT. 26:12-15; IICHRON. 31:5-10.
There are some preachers who are now teaching contrary after enriching themselves with Tithes payment. Jesus never condemned Tithes but rather warned us to pay and not to omit the law with other matters necessary. Your freewill offering, gift and donation is different from Tithes. The Lord has promised to rebuke the devourers and enemies of progress and to bless our lives, body, our bread, water, the land and crops to be delightsome and prosperous for us – Deut. 14:22; Ex. 23:25-28; Phil. 14:16-20. Remember that Abraham, the father of faith paid Tithes of all things and we should follow His pattern to the end of our life – Gen. 14:19-20.
- THE ANCIENT LANDMARK OF CARING FOR THE POOR AND THE NEEDY – PROV. 19:17; EX. 22:21-22; MATT. 25:34-40.
The less privileged, orphans and widow are always with us, and caring for them is very essential. This is pure religion and undefiled before God – James 1:27. It is a life live in service to those whom Jesus referred to as “the least of these.” Mtt. 25:40. It is a life focused on extending Christ’s love across boundaries of race, class, nationality, language and education. It is about opening one’s self to the stranger and alien living in our midst. We should not provoke them nor oppress them for the Lord God will not take it kindly. Our late fathers were very generous and helpful to many.
APPLICATION
I declare that this God will be our God forever. Like Joshua – As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Therefore, we should be real Apostolic not wavering but standing in Apostolic Doctrine. May we not remove any Ancient landmark. God bless his word.
CONCLUDED.
