PERSONALITY OF THE WEEK - BRO ADESOGBON OLUWAFEMI JOHNSON

Host 1: Good evening God's people

We welcome you to yet another edition of Personality of the week.

In 5, our studio shall be opened to this week's edition

If you are as excited as I am, can I get your "yea..yea"

With this, we'll know we are good to go…………….

………. Still waiting...☹

Br samson malomo: Yeah & yea

Host 1: This “yea” is coming from the Pepe. I think we are good to go😁😁😁

Thanks Pexy @Br samson malomo

Host 1: Good evening once again...

You are welcome to another live broadcast of the PERSONALITY OF THE WEEK

Before we proceed, please see below rules and regulation guiding selecting an Alumnus for Personality of the week.

Ø  An Alumnus shall be chosen via our database. (If you are yet to fill the Bio data template, please do so now).

Ø  A notice shall be sent to him/her along with the POW Template which shall be filled and returned.

Ø  The program airs every 1st n 3rd Saturday of the month by 8pm.

Ø  There shall be an opportunity for a special contribution by a close friend in CCCSPL back then plus question and answer from the general Alumni.

Ø  Peradventure you missed the live broadcast, you can do a playback through our blog and share your comment/reactions & questions too. Our guest shall answer these questions accordingly.

Ø  The profile picture of the personality shall be used for 24hrs from the commencement of the program

Signed: TPOTW

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Host 1: It's yet another beautiful time to introduce to the house, another beloved of the Father, a 'Jesus boy' who is particularly keen about the will of the Father.

He was born on the 21st of November. Like everyone else on this platform, he gained admission into the prestigious Ladoke Akintola University of Technology through JAMB.

He eventually found his way to CCCSPL where he first became a member like you and me.

He was a devoted member of the PRAYER & BIBLE unit. His adroitness in dance group is a 'one-in-town'.

He rose to become the 2011 Anniversary Chairman.

 A graduate of Pure and Applied Physics (class 12) whose present career is in Information Technology.

He has master degree in Information Technology...

He enjoys deep conversation majorly with intelligent minds. He is social, vast, well informed, fun to be with... (For the record) He is still very single and not in a relationship at the moment (interested persons should please forward their application along with their CV to the Host).

Join me as we go on this short commercial break....

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Host 1: Welcome back God's people

Our personality for this week is no other person than Bro. Adesogbon Oluwafemi Johnson.

Could you please extend your greetings to the house

Guest: Good evening lovely family😁 So honored to be The POTW, thank you Team POTW.

Host 1: You are welcome sir.

We are very delighted to have you on the show tonight.

God bless you.

Could you please tell us a little more about you sir.

Guest: Well you kinda did justice to the introduction up there😄, but to add a little: am a sweet Jesus boy😉. I’m actually gentle, but not timid. And I’m a man of purpose

Host 1: This is good to know... To the first question for tonight sir...

Can you confidently say your CCCSPL experiences have got a major role to play in your personality right now - the sweet Jesus boy thing? 😉 Could you share with us one of those experiences and a role it’s got to play now.

Guest: Thank you bro Kunle, well CCCSPL for me was my foundation, so yes, it did played a major role in my personality... 

For the experience, I'll say occasion, services, family and relationships encountered during the cause of time in the esteem church did affected me a lot

Host 1: To God be the glory.  During your time as the Anniversary chairman, could you name few of the persons you had the opportunity to work with

Guest: The then general coordinator: bro adebayo

              Cm: bro David

              Pro: bro Tayo bakare

              My chairperson: sis igbabo.

              My peculiar dancers coordinator: sis Adesola... Just to mention few

Host 1: What was the experience like - being the Anniversary Chairman?

Guest: It was fun for me, and I cherish it till date

Host 1: If you have the opportunity to work with this team again, would you choose them over? Why?

Guest: Yes, I will, because they all have a sweet spirit😊

Host 1: Our lines are now opened.

If you have questions for our Guest please let them rolling in.

Thank you

Host 1: ‘Sweet spirit’... Please tell us more

Guest: Well, they're easy to deal with, and they're loving, understanding and welcoming

Caller 1: (Br samson malomo): Sir,  What informed the name 'Jesus boy'?

Host 1: I have my first caller for the night

☎☎☎☎☎

Caller 1: Did you at any time feel like deserting the CSPL fold?

Host 1: These are very beautiful questions...

Over to you @Guest

Guest: My honourable President sir.. Thank you for the question sir.. Well, for a long time have been struggling with identity, who really I am, but when I had an encounter with Jesus, I saw a love that is so deep, a love that have been there from way back and I didn't recognize it.. Now that I know it, I’m so confident about it.. Is my personal conviction... Ama Jesus boy😁😁

Guest: I was not a fan of cspl from unset, I didn't join until my 3rd year second semester, since I joined, sir, up until now I wish the outside world is like cccsp, I miss her😭

Caller 2: Brother, Could you remember your first day at cccsp? What was the feeling like back then?

Host 1: Hmmm. Thank you sis Mary.

Guest: Sis Mary, hmm, well I’ll say I felt like am at home, and it was the beginning of my journey in life

Host 1: To God be the glory

We are very much running out of time.

We are at the point where the call is going be 'the other way round'

We are going to put a call tru to a random person who is going to say a few things about our guest tonight

Host 1: Pls stay close to you phones 😁😁😁

And.... ☎☎☎☎☎☎☎@Bro Tayo Bakare, our phone found you

Random phone call (Bro Tayo Bakare): 😃

Host 1: Good evening sir Bro Tayo Bakare, Bro 'Femi Adesogbon is our guest tonight

Random Phone call: Thanks sir... Greetings to the family

Host 1: He's been with us on the show for about an hour ago.

Could you please say a few things about him sir

Random Phone call: Ok.

So Femi is a lover of God....  Quite unique from all my friends. He has an amazing love for the things of God,  yet quite sociable... This is another testimony, He is the perfect husband material 😃 (1 billion yard)... He comes to my house and I just feel alive.... It's always fun around him...  And I like seeing him go in the spirit... 😂

Host 1: Bro Tayo, Do you have any question(s) for him (our guest) sir

Random Phone Call: Well...  I don't o...  He is my covenant friend... So I can't really find a question 

Thanks for having me... It's a blessing. Or I still have time... Cos if I start taking about him really...  Pages will be filled o

Host 1: Thank you bro Tayo Bakare.

Guest: 😁😁Tayo Bakare, love you bro..

Host 1: On a final note, bro Femi.... Your final words for the house

Guest: First I want to give it to the leadership of the esteem forum, thank you for doing what the Lord has entrusted you with. And also to the people that birth this beautiful initiative and the team, I celebrate you all, God bless you

Lastly, I believe there's more, there's more, I want to have  a celestial mentor to glean family principles form, to learn spiritual principles, a celestial friend to be part of my journey in life.. I believe God is raising giants among us, take over and peculiar generation among us....  I love you all..

Host 1: Thank you for your time sir.  And a very big thank you to our esteemed listeners too

Guest: It's my pleasure sir

Host 1: As we bring the show to a close, we want to appreciate you all for your patience, undivided attention and tolerance.

We want to emphasize that the show is yet not perfect but with you and God on our side, we'll attain perfection.

Until the next time we bring another beautiful personality your way...

On behalf of TPOTW, we say good night and God bless.

PERSONALITY OF THE WEEK - Sis Tope Akinde (nee Oyetayo)

Host 1: Good evening everyone

This is to officially welcome you to tonight's edition of PERSONALITY OF THE WEEK. It’s good to have you here again.

 Please let's all endeavor to stick to the arrangement of this programme as stated below...

1. There is an interview session where only the host would be permitted to ask our guest questions. 
2. There's also a session where the lines will be opened to our esteemed listeners where we shall be entertaining your question for our guest for tonight.
3. The last part has been specially designed for 'random phone call'; Here, we get to call a random listener to say a few things about our guest

Appreciate your support

Again, I welcome you to another exciting edition of this programme

Before we bring to the fore our guest, we'd quickly go on a commercial break...

We'd be right back😊😊

****************Commercial Break*********************

💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻

 You can now visit our blog for latest updates/happenings in and around you

Also, Catch-up with the re-airing of every edition of Personality of the Week on our blog.

Kindly Note below;

Below are the rules and regulations guiding selection for becoming  a Personality of the week

Ø  An Alumnus shall be chosen via our database. (If you are yet to fill the Biodata template, please do so now).

Ø  A notice will be sent to him/her along with a POW Template which shall be filled and returned.

Ø  The program airs every 1st n 3rd Saturday of the month by 8pm.

Ø  There shall be an opportunity for a special contribution by your close friend in CCCSPL back then plus questions and answers from the general Alumni.

Ø  Peradventure you missed the live broadcast, you can do a playback through our blog and share your comments/reactions & questions. Our guest shall answer these questions accordingly.

Ø  The profile picture of the personality shall be used for 24hrs from the commencement of the program

Signed: TPOTW

💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻

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Host 1: Welcome back.

I am pleased to announce that tonight’s Personality of the week is no other person than Sis Akinde Temitope Sarah (nee Oyetayo)

About few decades ago, Sis Tope was born to the prestigious family of Pa Oyetayo on the 19th of May.

Known for her exemplary coordinating skills, Mum Terin successfully coordinated the affairs of the Sisters during her time in CSF as the Sisters' coordinator. She was able to successfully pull this, reaching out to the sisters and proactively addressing issues of life that may arise. She handles whatever responsibilities she's charged with with the same enthusiasm and professionalism she has for the work of the Kingdom.

As I hand you over to tonight's host @Akinwoye, please join me as I welcome to the studio...

Sis. Akinde Temitope Sarah.

Host 2: Many thanks to you sir @Dhavor.

Oluwagbemiga is my name and I will be your host for tonight.

Join me as I welcome Sister.  Akinde Temitope, one time CSF sister coordinator.

Ma, extend your greeting to our esteem listener

Guest: Hallelujah to everybody

Host 2: Oh! Halleluyah ma'am! You are welcome in Jesus mighty name Amen

Guest: Thank you

Host 2: Ma, kindly introduce yourself better to the house

Guest: I’m Sis Akinde Temitope nee Oyetayo, married to Dr Akinde. An Animal Scientists and presently an Administrator of Yok Adorable School.  I graduated in 2007 from APH Dept.

Host 2: Waoh! Oluwaseun!

To start with Ma, going down Memory lane.... Are you the first CSF Sister coordinator?

 We are experiencing technical issue, kindly bear with us

Guest: No the third. Sis Titi was the first and Sis Bunmi Joju was the second

But I was there and it looks as if no one will be chosen again because I spent four years I think.

Host 2: Woah! Thanks for the history lesson

Blood of Jesus! No wonder the wealth of experience

What's your most challenging moment as a sister coordinator n Exco

Guest: Hmmm most challenging???

Host 2: Beeni Ma!

Guest: So many. But I could remember when we were soliciting for funds for CSF and we spent N5000 on transportation to a particular church in Ibadan and at the end we were given N1000 or so.

Host 2: Interesting 😳😲

Guest: Building the students’ parish then was so difficult but we thank God today....

Host 2: Uhm

How did you thrive as a lady and EXCO among your male counterparts way back🤔🤔?

Guest: It was with the wisdom of God

I so much understand the word iteriba ijo mimo and EMA bowo fun ara yin pelu teriba mimo......

Though the brother's then are not too stubborn.... They are also God fearing and we look at things maturely. Also respect is reciprocal

Then we call each other with respect from the heart. We also disagree to agree.

Host 2: Speaking of CSF to CSPL, how do u feel seeing what u anticipated coming to reality...😎

Guest: I feel so fulfilled. I thank God for the grace of life to witness it now

Host 2: Glory to Jesus. Time is not on our side and coupled with the technical difficulties we r experiencing...

Ma'am, kindly address these questions at once!

As a mother and woman...

There is this usual assumption in CCC @large that large proportion of our ladies in CCC does not marry within the church. What's your take on this?

Infact, intra-celestial wedding is rare. What's your opinion?

And your advice to all

Guest: What I know is that ladies should marry a celestial by heart and not by garment

Time would not permit I would have loved to share some things.....particularly for us to learn from.

Host2: Uhm... Ma'am u can send it to me personally after the show n it ll b shared on our live blog. I am sure our dear listeners want to know

Guest: It’s okay

Host 2: Am still here in the power house with Sister. Akinde Temitope nee Oyetayo (Mum Terin) ....

I Tell u of a truth! It's has been thus far amazing

Ehm... The lines are opened now for one or two questions from our listener

We have few mins for this.

Who is on the line📞📞

Caller 1: Hello… Hello… My name is Banke, calling from Lagos Chapter.

Host 2: Your question ma

Caller 1: Good evening Sis Tope(Mummy Temiterin), the wife of my oga😅😂😅.... Ma, if u have to turn back the hands of time... Please what would you have done in CCCSPL that you were unable to do as the Sisters’ Cord.  Thank you.

Host 2: Thanks for the question Sis. Banke, over to you our Guest

Guest: I would have made the female to be all the executives🤣🤣🤣

Host 2: Waoh! Bro.  Coordinator nko?

Gender equality

Caller 1: 😂😅😂🤣😅😂🤣.... Haa! Interesting

Guest: But seriously the female needs more counseling and prayers.

To make that department strong so that we can have a good produce from CCCSPL.

Good mothers, wife and career women.

Caller 2: Hello… Hello, Bro Segun_Skejos calling from Lagos Chapter.

Host 2: Our last caller I presume 🤪🤪

U can v d floor sir

Caller 2: Yes sir

What was your tremendous (remarkable) moment flashing back the memory lane in CSF

Host 2: Haaaa! Our 📱 line busy today o!

Over to you ma'am!

Sorry, we v technical issue as our lines are jamming... Kindly hold on

Ask your question ma

Caller 3: Aiit sir … Mummy what are those things you are always proud of since u became the sister cord and makes you happy up till now

Host 2: Waoh! Thanks for your question. Over to you ma'am!

Guest: The spirit of coordination which I gained during that time cannot be forgotten. This is still in me. Also, serving God with all my heart

Caller 3: Good to hear ma

Host 2: you are yet to respond to Caller 2’s question ma; “what was your tremendous (remarkable) moment flashing back the memory lane in CSF”

Guest: Yes... When I had to repeat PDS just because my result was not seen I felt bad as a sis cord

Caller 2: Ehyah!  Thank God it now a story

But God had a reason for that which was later a benefit for me

Being a sis cord is one thing I cannot regret at all

Host 2: I am absolutely sure and persuaded that someone is renewed, refreshed, learnt from our guest tonight!

What a show n personality!

Many thanks to our callers and undivided listeners. We can't be here without you. You really made our day.

To our wonderful personality, thanks so much for your time, commitment, love n understanding.

Need I tell you that through the show in until now, our personality has been on the road Enroute Ogbomoso from Lagos.

Thankfully she landed safely.

7x Halleluyah si oluwa!

Caller 1: Wow!  Thank God for Journey mercy Sis. Tope, the Lord will honour u

Host 2: At this point I want to draw the curtain close so she can rest and take care of her family.

On behalf of the POTW , I say a very big thank you to all!

God bless you;

God bless CCCSPL

God bless CCCSPLA

God bless CCC

Good night and stay blessed!

I sign out now @El_Emerald

Blog to the first edition of personality of the week.

Today's show l b available soonest.

Kindly visit to share your thoughts, comments & reaction.

O daabo.

PERSONALITY OF THE WEEK - BRO MALOMO SAMSON

HOST 1: Good evening everyone

On behalf of the authorities higher than me, I officially welcome you to the Maiden Edition of this special programme.

Like @Akinwoye has said, this programme has been arranged to...

1. create sense of belonging within member

2. enhance social interaction on the General platform

3. help us to know one another better (irrespective of our year of graduation)

4. foster love and unity among member in general.

5. create an avenue for meeting other members irrespective of age, history or affiliations

6. positively affect commitment of members

7.  Many others...😊Before we introduce our guest for tonight, we shall like to share with us the modalities of this programme.

1. There is an interview session where only the Host would be permitted to ask our guest questions.

2. There's also a session where the lines will be opened to our esteemed listeners where we shall be entertaining your question(s) for our guest for tonight

3. The last part has been specially designed for 'random phone call'. Here, we get to call a random listener to say a few things about our guest. 

Once again, welcome! I remain you brother and friend, Kunle Isijola mostly referred to as Dhavor.

Enjoy this light music from @Dotvocal while we go on a short break.

Thank you 😊

                  ****music break*****

HOST 1: Welcome back from the short break.

As I bring forward our foremost personality of the week...

During this time, may we have the full attention of the house...

Permit me to introduce to the house, our guest on tonight's edition of Personality of the week...

He is incredibly hardworking. Beyond that, he has an impressive soft skill in always being positive.

Vast in the knowledge of the word with proven  expertise in dissecting[the word] and sharing the gospel both as a graduate and  Undergraduate, he has put these skill sets to work especially for the Kingdom and to His glory alone.

Along with his undeniable track record, he has always been an absolute joy to work with (testimonies from far and wide). He is a true team player, and always manages to foster positive discussions and bring the best out of others .

Born on 17th July 19-gbooro. A graduate of Department of Civil Engineering.

Married with a kid to our own Sis, Sis Temitope Malomo (nee Bakare)

His staggering track record in CCCSPL include;

• Bible Coordinator 2005

• 400 Level Coordinator 2006

• Building Committee Chairman 2006/2007

• General Coordinator 2007...

Without a doubt, I confidently present to you our esteemed Personality of the week  for tonight

   Bro Malomo Samson Imoleoluwa (National Alumni President, Celestial Church of Christ Lautech Students' Parish)

Welcome on board sir.

HOST 1: Please extend your courtesy to our listeners.

GUEST: Thanks so much Bro Isijola and by extension the "Personality of the week" organising team.

I appreciate your diligence and readiness for the good work.

Greetings to all members of this great family. Our God is love. He that loveth not knoweth not God. May the light of the love of God that has bound and is binding us together never go dim.

God bless us all.

HOST 1: Amen. And thank you too sir for honouring God in us within the short notice

HOST 2:  Sir.... Pls describe ur craziest/funniest period then.

Guest: This I will say was the time I realized I had an 'E' in this 4 unit electrical course EEE231 (not even sure for now). What prompted this was the fact that one of my mates in secondary school who was my senior in LAUTECH shared his experience of getting an E in that same course to which I said in my mind that it was never possible with me.

...but thank God for grace that saw me through.

HOST 1: To God be the glory.

HOST 2: Sir.... What's ur most challenging period during in CCCSPL

GUEST: My most challenging period was when after IT I feared for my CGPA to fall below the Second Class Upper and to worsen the fright I was given an 'E' in the SIWES program which I did. Whereas some who didn't even do anything got away with 'A' . I had to fight back and was eventually given a 'B'

Sorry, this didn't happen in CSPL but it was what I was going through while in CSPL.

HOST 2: Describe an event u will be forever be grateful for in CCCSPL and LAUTECH as a whole.... Dats 2 question in one

GUEST: I will forever be grateful for the privilege I had to be blessed so much with human capacity enough such that during my tenure as the Coordinator of the Students' fellowship the Students' Parish was founded ( on the 16th of August, 2008).

That made me the last General Coordinator of the Students' Fellowship and the first General Coordinator of the Students' Parish.

HOST 2:  Wowww.... Praise God. But r u saying we shld alwz fight bk wen we r not too ok with some

GUEST: Worthy of mention is my spiritual father Bro May ( he was the tool God used to link me to my wife and also the Coordinator (being my predecessor) who sanctioned my appointment as both Chairman of Building Committee and General Coordinator.

When God told Hezekiah to put his house in order for death, he fought back and got life extension.

If there are things we can change for better, let's not give up doing our bits.

HOST 2: Sir... B4 we hand over d program to d listeners to react... If u have d chance to spend some time in CCCSPL what will u have done sir?

GUEST: I would have worked towards acquiring the lands at the back of the church.

We missed that MTN chance! It still pains me somewhat!

HOST 2: 😄😂😄😂..... All d same, we all felt ur impact positively wen u were d prexy.

Host 1: During your time in CCCSPL as the GC/building Chairman, was there any task/project you did that seemed impossible at first?

how did you manage it?

GUEST: There were side distractions and pots of discouragements during the purposed founding of the parish. I bless God for giving me a like-minded general in person of Bro Obarinde Adedapo.  ...and a three-fold cord is not quickly broken. We need unity of purpose to achieve great things.

HOST 2: And Bro Segun Anjorin... The Alabarin of Bro Samson😂🤣😂. Sir in 2-3 words what can u say about ur friend"Our President, the Personality of d week"

Segun Anjorin: God fearing, inspirational and very good friend to have. He is courageous. He is willing to motivate you to good height.

Fellow in the field.

Bro malomo as bible study coordinator motivate to succeed him and that is the kick for now.

Bro malomo got a dedication of one of my award during my NYSC service year.

He won my good friendship award.

HOST 2: Wow!... That is what Yoruba calls"ore bi omo iya"... If u can dedicate one of ur awards to him during ur NYSC...

Segun Anjorin: Bro Malomo was blessed with a baby girl named Deborah Malomo, similar through Holy Spirit I was blessed with a baby Girl named Deborah Anjorin.

God is involved in all.

Really proud of you Leman.

GUEST: Thanks eni ti anjorin.

Even the prophetesses of Cele could not separate us they gave our daughters same names 😊

HOST 2: Sir, on behalf of all d brain behind this and  every one of us here. We appreciate u for ur time.

And to the ORE ALASIRI🤪😆🤪, in person of Bro Segun Anjorin. God bless u Sir.

HOST 1: We are very much out of time now.

We are sorry we won't be able to take calls/text from our listeners on tonight's edition of the  live show however, a link to our blog where you can connect to Br Samson Malomo and ask him all the questions shall be shared according and he'll be very much available to do justice to them

HOST 1: We want to sincerely appreciate you all for giving us your time. We pray the good Lord shall continue to abide with each and every one of us in Jesus name

We want to specially thank our guest tonight for honouring our call.

Also, @Pepe For picking up our call.

Segun Anjorin: thank you Olotu eto.

GUEST: You are welcome.

HOST 1: We have come to the end of our show tonight.

Till next time when we bring another personality your way...

On behalf of  TeamPTW;

Akinwoye 'Gbenga, Faluyi 'Banke (nee Fadele) and myself,  We say good night and God bless!

UNDERSTANDING THE ERROR IN THE ‘ONCE-SAVED-FOREVER-SAVED’ DOCTRINE (Part 6)

>>> Part 1 here - http://csplalumni.blogspot.com.ng/2015/12/understanding-error-in-once-saved.html

>>> Part 2 here - http://csplalumni.blogspot.com.ng/2015/12/understanding-error-in-once-saved_16.html

>>> Part 3 here - http://csplalumni.blogspot.com.ng/2015/12/understanding-error-in-once-saved_73.html

>>> Part 4 here - http://csplalumni.blogspot.com.ng/2015/12/understanding-error-in-once-saved_32.html

>>> Part 5 here - http://csplalumni.blogspot.com.ng/2015/12/understanding-error-in-once-saved_20.html

As we conclude this series of articles in this Part 6, it is essential that we draw some important lessons. And, as witnesses of Jesus Christ, it is equally important to stand boldly for the truth of the Gospel as we challenge the false teaching of the ‘Once-Saved-Forever-Saved’ doctrine. As this platform is focussed on the Church in Nigeria, we will use the country as our model in drawing the lessons – though the lessons may be applicable in other countries too.

About 30 years ago, the heretical ‘Prosperity Gospel’ crept in slowly into the landscape of the Church in Nigeria. Unchallenged as it landed in the country, that doctrine has grown into a massive ‘industry’ that today dominates the church scene in Nigeria. Consequently, the falsehood and exploitation spawned by the ‘Prosperity Gospel’ have combined to bring the church into great disrepute in the country today.

When the doctrine landed in Nigeria at that time, most of us reading this article were probably not in a position to have tackled its false teaching as it started spreading slowly like cancer through the Body of Christ. Had we been in a position to tackle the doctrine, we ought to have done so in ‘contending for the faith’ that was once delivered to the saints (Jude 3). Collectively, it is our duty to be watchful for the well-being and advancement of the truth of the Gospel in ANY environment that God plants us. This is what it means to ‘OCCUPY TILL I COME’ (Luke 19:13).

But right now, the next massive wave of doctrinal attack on the Church in Nigeria is already under way. As the eyes of most of God’s people are beginning to open to the deceit in the ‘Prosperity Gospel’, the devil is planning to replace it with another massive doctrinal error that has a broad, mass-appeal. And this is the ‘Once-Saved-Forever-Saved’ doctrine. Slowly, this doctrine, with its numerous variations, is beginning to worm its way into the Body of Christ in Nigeria.

For some reasons that will be outlined shortly, the doctrine has the potential to spread very rapidly and gain a massive following. But as witnesses of the truth of the Gospel of Christ, it will be our responsibility to take a stand against this falsehood. Particularly, this will be in the place of fervent prayers, and also in the place of boldly proclaiming the balanced truth of the Gospel. Our words may, or may not, turn people away from the doctrine, but we would have done our duty as witnesses of the truth. It is not our duty to convert people, or foist the truth on them – we are just called to speak the truth in love and leave the rest to God.

However, to stand with Christ against this doctrine, it is important that we understand some fundamental issues about the doctrine. And these are the issues that we’ll be exploring in this article.

FIRST, WHAT IS THE DOCTRINE?

The doctrine of ‘Once-Saved-Forever-Saved’ is a broad umbrella that covers a wide range of interpretations of the doctrine. But at the heart of all the interpretations is the belief that a believer has no personal responsibility in the matter of salvation. The doctrine teaches that once saved, the grace of God will ensure that ALL those that have received this grace will DEFINITELY end up in the Kingdom of Heaven. Most interpretations of the doctrine add that entering the Kingdom of heaven is irrespective of whatever the believer does, or does not do, after salvation.

WHY IS THE DOCTRINE WRONG?

In Matthew 24:13, the words of Jesus show that NOT ALL BELIEVERS WILL BE SAVED IN THE END. “But he that shall endure UNTO THE END, the same shall be saved.” From these words, it is clear that endurance till the end is A REQUIREMENT for the consummation of salvation. And those that do NOT endure till the end will NOT be saved. This passage alone is enough to completely challenge and nullify the concept of the ‘Once-Saved-Forever-Saved’ doctrine. For here, Jesus is CLEARLY telling us that NOT ALL THAT ARE SAVED WILL BE ULTIMATELY SAVED! This is entirely consistent with His teachings throughout His earthly ministry, and during His interaction with the seven churches of Asia in Revelation 2 & 3 (Please read the full details of this in the article on this link - on.fb.me/1YugRZ6 )

Further, let us look at the words of Apostle Paul, who wrote extensively on the subject of grace. In Colossians 1:21-23, he wrote: “And you … hath he reconciled … to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: IF YE CONTINUE IN THE FAITH grounded and settled, and BE NOT MOVED AWAY from the hope of the gospel….” This aligns perfectly with the words of Jesus quoted above. It is ONLY those that CONTINUE and are NOT MOVED AWAY from the hope of the Gospel that will be presented holy, unblameable, and unreproveable. This will NOT be applicable to ALL believers, and so it again confirms that NOT all believers will be saved on the Last Day.

It is important to note that virtually ALL the writers of the New Testament affirm, directly or impliedly, that endurance/continuation till the end of the Christian race is essential in making it into the Kingdom of Heaven on the Last Day. As we outlined in Part 4 of this series (on.fb.me/1S6BUgD), the grace of God (a totally completed and finished divine work) is given to us FREELY at salvation as a seed (as a potential). It is ONLY the believers that utilise this potential (grace) BY FAITH to bear the fruits of the Gospel that will be saved on the Last Day. This is what it means to be saved by grace THROUGH FAITH as we read in Ephesians 2:8, "For BY GRACE are ye saved THROUGH FAITH...." Believers that do NOT use FAITH to be fruitful in the Gospel, by grace, will be DAMNED. For without faith, it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God (Hebrews 11:6).

With this overwhelming clarity of the Scriptures on this subject, on what basis are people being deceived that ALL believers will be saved, and that we bear no personal responsibility in the matter of salvation? And that ONCE SAVED means FOREVER SAVED? And why is the doctrine spreading rapidly in our days? Once we know the answer, we will not be a bit surprised!

WHY THE DOCTRINE IS GROWING RAPIDLY

Four reasons combine to explain why the doctrine is thriving, and is likely to continue to spread rapidly. And all the four reasons relate directly to biblical prophecies about the end-time we live in today. The prophecies make it clear that in the end-time:

(a) Deception will be commonplace among God’s people through false prophets, seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils (Matthew 24:12, 1 Timothy 4:1)
(b) Some believers will love SELF more than they love God as we enter a period described as ‘perilous times’ (2 Timothy 3:1)
(c) A huge increase in the level of iniquity will make the love of many believers wax cold (Matthew 24:13)
(d) Many believers will develop itching ears and will be eager to be deceived (2 Timothy 4-5)

In the satanic eagerness to be deceived, MANY BELIEVERS ARE YEARNING FOR THE MESSAGE OF A ‘GOSPEL’ THAT COSTS THEM NOTHING. A ‘gospel’ that does not involve a cross. A ‘gospel’ that assures ALL believers that ALL sins they will ever commit – past, present, and future – have already been automatically forgiven by God. A ‘gospel’ that guarantees that ALL believers will make it to the Kingdom of Heaven on the Last Day. A ‘gospel’ that ducks the believer’s responsibility to work out his salvation with fear and trembling, and pushes all the responsibility to God. This is the ‘gospel’ that the Once-Saved-Forever-Saved doctrine promises. And it is a ‘gospel’ that many believers are quite happy to commit their eternal destinies to.

HOW THE DOCTRINE ENTRAPS BELIEVERS

It is a very simple strategy. The doctrine concentrates almost exclusively on what Jesus Christ has accomplished for us in salvation. It omits or minimises the challenging part of the Gospel that requires the believer to walk in faith and obedience to produce the fruits of the Gospel.

Because most of the passages that are quoted to support the doctrine are actually in the Bible, most believers are not discerning enough to understand that these passages are JUST ONE ASPECT of our salvation story! Truth is a double-edged sword – it offers life for those who choose life, and it condemns those that choose death. Taking ONLY ONE ASPECT of the counsel of God is quite dangerous, and is different from looking at the WHOLE COUNSEL OF GOD. It is ONLY in the whole counsel of God that believers will find safety and eternal life (Acts 20:26-27). Whereas it is true that Christ rescued us through His sacrifice on the cross of Calvary, the other side of the truth is that He bids us to ALSO CARRY OUR CROSS AND FOLLOW HIM DAILY (Luke 9:23). In presenting its version of the ‘gospel’, the doctrine of Once-Saved-Forever-Saved focusses almost exclusively on the former, and ignores/downplay the latter. This is a ‘gospel’ of gain without pain. A ‘gospel’ of reigning with Jesus - without suffering with Him (2 Timothy 2:12). It is the ‘sweetness’ of the deal that entraps many believers today.

WHY WE SHOULD AVOID THE DOCTRINE LIKE A PLAGUE

The doctrine operates like a mouse trap. Once the bait is swallowed, the believer is hooked! As the doctrine gains a full entrance in a believer’s mind, it becomes A STRONGHOLD – a fortified system. And, unconsciously, it is through this stronghold that our brothers and sisters that hold the doctrine FILTER and INTERPRET the truth of the Gospel of Christ. This stronghold filters and manipulates the truth that is clearly presented in the Gospel. It does this by twisting such passages to fit the stronghold’s PRE-DETERMINED INTERPRETATION OF THE TRUTH.

Believers that have been entrapped by this doctrine are UNABLE to see the truth as other believers see it. And this is what makes it almost a fruitless venture to attempt to reason the Scriptures with those that hold the doctrine. The stronghold blocks the truth. And for the truth to penetrate, weapons of warfare that are mighty through God would have to be deployed to demolish the stronghold (similar to what we see in 2 Corinthians 10:4-5).

WHAT TO DO AS A BELIEVER

(a) LOVE, BUT BE CAREFUL: Love is at the heart of our nature as believers in Jesus Christ. And so, it is our duty to continue to love our brothers and sisters that have been taken in by this doctrine. This love may manifest in divers ways – particularly in the place of prayers as mentioned above. But as we continue to love these dear brethren, it is important that we are very, very watchful so that we are not ensnared by the doctrine ourselves. The doctrine is very alluring; and in relation to the Last Days, please remember that Jesus taught us again and again to WATCH and PRAY. It is important to be watchful. Please don’t get entrapped.

(b) PRAY: This is the BEST STRATEGY for dealing with this doctrine. Please pray that the Lord will kindly deliver any of His sheep that may have been ensnared in the mesh of the doctrine. Please pray for more understanding for God’s sheep, so that wolves in sheep’s clothing will not lure them away with strange doctrines (Acts 20:29-30). None of us can shield ourselves, so please let us pray for ourselves that the Lord will kindly protect us from false doctrines and seducing spirits in these Last Days.

(c) WITNESS TO THE TRUTH: As much as the Lord gives us liberty, we must keep proclaiming the whole counsel of God as revealed in the Bible. We cannot preach the Gospel without Christ. And we cannot preach Christ without the cross. Jesus promised that His sheep will hear His voice. As we keep declaring the whole counsel of God, His sheep that still has an ear may hear His word through us and recover himself. But, if we keep quiet…..

To witness effectively, we need to study well; and to pray for the illumination of the Spirit of God that will cause His words to enlighten the understanding of His people. If we all do these faithfully, it is certain that the Holy Spirit will use our feeble efforts to shed light among His people – so that this doctrine does not overwhelm the Church in Nigeria as the false ‘Prosperity Gospel’ did when it crept into the church. We could not do much at that time. But this time, we can all stand up for the truth of the Gospel in our nation. God has a plan for Nigeria; and only the truth of the Gospel will facilitate that plan. Please let us OCCUPY TILL HE COMES.

As we await His glorious arrival, praying that the Lord will keep us all in His love. And keep us in His truth. Amen and Amen.

Thanks for reading, God bless.