LET THE BIBLE SPEAK.

The "Christian" President James Garfield was the only minister elected as President. He was a preacher, even having as a young man once preached in a meeting with an elderly Alexander Campbell. It is claimed that he said upon his election as our 20th president, "'I now step down from being an elder of the Lord's church to serve as president." Others say he said, "I resigned from the highest office known to man to be president;" by implication referring to the eldership. Either way, it seems likely he was unique in this regard. President Garfield was baptized into the Lord's church on March 4, 1849 at the age of 17. He was planning to take a riverboat trip with friends. He recalled, “But two days before we intended to leave, I injured my foot while chopping wood. It was only a small cut, but the blue dye in the homemade socks I wore poisoned the wound, and I was compelled to stay at home. While my friends were on their journey, a powerful prea...

REVELATION CHAPTER 13 VERSE 18. An In-Depth Teaching on Revelation 13:18:- "Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six." (Revelation 13:18) This is one of the most discussed verses in the entire Bible. Sadly, it is also one of the most misunderstood. Many people become fascinated with the number 666 while ignoring the spiritual warning behind it. The Holy Spirit did not give this verse to satisfy curiosity but to prepare God's people for discernment. 1. The Context of Revelation 13 To understand verse 18, we must first understand the whole chapter. Revelation 13 introduces two evil powers. a. The First Beast 1. Rises from the sea. 2. Receives power from the dragon (Satan). 3. Exercises political and military authority. 4. Blasphemes God. 5. Makes war against the saints. b. The Second Beast 1. Rises from the earth. 2. Appears gentle ("two horns like a l...

TO THE BRETHREN,  THE CHURCH OF CHRIST  EKUTE QUARTERS  ADO-EKITI. 03-07-2026. MEDICAL VACATION TO ABUJA, NIGERIA. Beloved Saints, I write to remind you that by God’s Grace,  I have arrived in Abuja, to undergo necessary medical examinations and treatment for myself. I appreciate your love, prayers and concerns.  James 5:14 "Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church...” We must believe in prayers and also in medical care. 1Tim. 5:23; Col. 4:14.  Please keep me in prayers:  1. For wisdom for the Doctors and Specialists in Abuja 2. For God’s healing hand, comfort, and strength for the procedure and recovery  3. For safety in the journey and provisions for the treatment. 4. Please, remember my household in your prayers. I trust the Lord for complete restoration. Jer. 30:17 “For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD.”;  Issaiah 53: 5. While I am away, the work of the Lord co...

THE MAN WHO INTRODUCED OGBONI (SECRET CULT) INTO CHRISTIANITY Rev. Thomas Adesina Jacobson Ogunbiyi, wearing elaborate robes and cap, standing in a doorway. Circa:1950s Photo Credit: Duckworth, E. H., 1894-1972 (Collector)/ Herskovits Library of African Studies Thomas Adesina Jacobson Ogunbiyi was born in Lagos in 1866. As the first officially posted Teacher to the area later known as Ondo Province, he resumed at St Stephen's Ang. Primary School, Oke Aluko, Ondo (the first Primary school in Ondo- Province) on February 20,1890. He became the Archdeacon of Lagos in 1921 and member of the Legislative Council in 1936. T.A.J. Ogunbiyi founded the Reformed Ogboni Fraternity (ROF) on December 18, 1914. It was formerly known as Ogboni Onigbagbo (Ogbni Fraternity of the Christians). The name was changed to ROF due to the realization that it was not meant for Christians alone. It is seen as a cultural heritage which must not be restricted to religion. It eventually accommodated p...

DURING MY DISTRESSING PAIN, I MEDITATED On Hebrews 11:1! Dr. Benson Omole. 01. Passing through the most challenging agony of cervical pain in my spine, and the seeming endless moment of waiting for Him, yet He will come!!!  Still we must keep walking, keep trusting, keep working, keep praying, and keep believing. The unseen realities of deliverance we hold dearly onto in our hearts, will soon be fully revealed. Amen! 02. The writer of Hebrew writes to encourage readers that Jesus is supreme and to challenge readers to walk focused on Him (Hebrews 12:1–2).  In chapter 11 the author highlights a number of portraits of faith to illustrate that, while they all gained approval (justification) through their faith, God’s promises to them would include betterment for us as well (Hebrews 11:39–40).  03. The writer begins the “Hall of Faith,” as chapter 11 is sometimes known, by asserting that faith is the assurance of things hoped for, “the evidence of things not seen”...

“The Antitude: Lessons from the Ant” (Inspired by Proverbs 6:6–11) Key Text “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.” — Proverbs 6:6 (KJV) God often teaches profound truths through simple things. One of the smallest creatures in creation—the ant—becomes a powerful teacher of wisdom, discipline, and foresight. This is what we call “The Antitude”—the attitude God wants His people to develop. 1. The Ant Teaches Initiative (Self-Motivation) Scripture “Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer…” — Proverbs 6:7–8 Lesson The ant does not need constant supervision. No one forces it to work. It moves because it understands its purpose. Spiritual Truth: A mature believer does not need to be pushed to pray, serve, give, or obey. Spiritual growth begins when we take responsibility for our walk with God. Supporting Verses Philippians 2:12 – “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Colossians 3:23 – “Whatever you do, do it heartily...

Why Were Some Books (the Apocrypha) Removed From The Bible?  Author Unknown. The word “apocrypha” comes from two Greek words: apo (which means “from”) and kruptees (which means “hidden”). The name is used for books that are uncertain. Their authors are not always known, their origins are not clear, and their authority is often questioned. More specifically, the word usually refers to collections of books that some people have tried to connect to the Old Testament or the New Testament. The books that are usually called the Old Testament Apocrypha include Baruch, Judith, Tobit, 1 and 2 Esdras, Wisdom of Solomon, The Prayer of Manasseh, The Letter of Jeremiah, Ecclesiasticus (also known as Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach), and 1 and 2 Maccabees. In addition to these, six chapters were added to the book of Esther. Extra parts were also added to Daniel. These include Susanna, Bel and the Dragon, and The Prayer of Azariah with the Song of the Three Young Men. When deciding ...

THE EARLY CHRISTIAN'S STAND ON POLITICAL ACTIVISM.  Benson Omole. The early Christians (from the 1st century until the early 4th century) generally maintained a distance from active political life for a combination of theological, practical, and moral reasons. To them, being a Christian meant a complete shift in identity that often made the political structures of the time incompatible with their faith.   Here are the primary reasons why they stayed away from politics: 1. The Theology of "Two Kingdoms". The early church lived with a dual-citizenship mindset. They believed they were citizens of an earthly nation, but their primary and ultimate loyalty was to the Kingdom of God.   Jesus’ Example: When Jesus was questioned by Pilate, He stated, "My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36). Early Christians took this literally. If the King they followed refused an earthly throne, they felt they should not strive for earthly power either.   Th...

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT COLLECTING MONEY UNDER FALSE PRETENCE (EXTORTION). Extortion is using force, threats, pretence, and position of power to take money or property from someone unfairly.  The Bible condemns it repeatedly as theft or oppression. 1. It is Theft and Injustice, God calls it evil. Read, Exodus 20:15: “You shall not steal.” Extortion is stealing by tricks, force, or pretence. - Read, Lev.19:13, "You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him. The wages of a hired worker shall not remain with you all night until the morning.”   Withholding a Worker's pay through threat is extortion. - Read, Micah 2:2. “They covet fields and seize them, and houses, and take them away; they oppress a man and his house, a man and his inheritance.”  God calls out powerful people taking from the weak, by force. - Read, Isaiah 3:14-15. “The Lord will enter into judgment with the Elders and Princes of his people: ‘It is you who have devoured the vineyard, the s...

Who Is Not a Christian? Six centuries before the birth of Christ among men, the prophet Isaiah foretold that a new name would be given to the people of God. The prophet wrote, "And the nations shall see thy righteousness and all kings thy glory: and thou shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of Jehovah shall name" (Isa. 62:2).  The Lord was going to give his people a new name! This prophecy is not fulfilled until we come to the New Testament, to the eleventh chapter of Acts. By this time, Christ has come, has given his blood for the sins of the world, and has been resurrected from the dead. The church has now been established and the gospel is being preached among the nations. Thus, the stage is set for the giving of this new name, and in Acts 11:26 we read, "The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch". The name Christian is not a term of derision. Rather, this is the new name which God gave to his people, a name to be worn with joy ...

How the Early Church Approached Politics By Tyler Boyd, and Benson Omole. In the early church there was widespread agreement that it was inappropriate for Christians to seek political power. These early Christians believed that their separation from the state was an important part of following the example of Jesus. By “early church” I mean the church prior to the year 313, the year Emperor Constantine ended the persecution of Christianity. When Christianity transitioned from a persecuted religion to a government-endorsed religion, this led to a rapid change of perspective and practice on many issues. Why Care What the Early Church Did? The early Christians were fallible human beings. They wrote uninspired words. They were just as capable of error as men in any other generation. Although the early church’s practices and teachings did correspond to the New Testament in many ways, they made errors as well. We shouldn’t just agree with everything the early church said or did. The Bible is ...

Political System Adopted By God, in Governance.   By Olufemi Omole, COC Leicester, UK. 1. The Political System: Theocracy The political system God established among Israel is best described as a theocracy. A theocracy means God Himself is the supreme ruler, and all authority flows directly from Him—not from the people or human institutions. 2. God as King of Israel From the beginning, God made it clear that He was their King: In Exodus 19:5–6, God calls Israel “a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.” In Judges 8:23, Gideon said: “I will not rule over you… the Lord shall rule over you.” In 1 Samuel 8:7, when Israel demanded a human king, God told Samuel: “They have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.”  This shows clearly: God intended to be their direct ruler. 3. Structure of Governance Under God Although God was King, He governed through appointed representatives: a. Prophets (Spiritual Authority) Men like Moses and ...

THE CHRISTIAN AND POLITICS. Kunle Eniola  Introduction Beloved brethren, politics is an integral part of human society. It influences leadership, laws, and the direction of nations. As Christians living in this world, we cannot completely avoid its effects. Yet the question remains: What should be the Christian’s proper attitude toward politics? Many have gone to extremes—some completely withdrawing, others becoming so entangled that their faith is overshadowed. The Word of God provides a balanced approach that helps us live faithfully in any political environment. 1. God Is Sovereign Over All Governments The Scriptures make it clear that all authority ultimately originates from God. In Romans 13:1–2, the apostle Paul teaches that “there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” Likewise, Daniel 2:21 remind us that God “removes kings and raises up kings.” Even our Lord Jesus Christ affirmed this truth in John 19:11, whe...

The Christian and Politics: A Critical Analysis Opemipo Olusola 18th of April,2026 1. Understanding the Topic Politics, in simple terms, is about governance, power, and decision-making in society. Christianity, however, centers on devotion to God, spiritual growth, and advancing God’s kingdom. The tension arises when political loyalty begins to compete with spiritual loyalty. That’s where politics can become a stumbling block in a Christian’s life. 2. Stumbling Effects of Politics in a Christian Life (a) Divided Loyalty A Christian is called to serve God wholeheartedly. But partisan politics often demands absolute allegiance, creating a conflict. Instead of identifying primarily as a Christian, one begins to identify as a party supporter first. This weakens spiritual focus and devotion. “No one can serve two masters” (principle reflected in Matthew 6:24). (b) Compromise of Christian Values Politics often involves: Manipulation Propaganda Hostility toward opponents A Christian deeply in...

THE CHRISTIAN AND POLITICS. Bro. Oke Preacher, COC Leo Akure. Introduction The relationship between Christianity and politics has long been a subject of debate among believers. Some Christians avoid politics entirely, believing it to be corrupt, while others see it as a platform to influence society for righteousness. This topic examines the role of Christians in politics, guided by biblical teachings and principles. 1. Definition of Politics and Christian Responsibility Politics refers to the governance of a society, including decision-making processes, leadership, and public policies. As members of society, Christians are not exempt from civic responsibility. Biblical Foundation Romans 13:1–2 – “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers…” 1 Peter 2:13–14 – Christians are called to submit to governing authorities. These passages show that government authority is ordained by God, and Christians are expected to respect and engage with it responsibly. 2. The Christian as a...