Many commentaries have been published in print and on-line media following the wedding of the second son of Pastor W. F. Kumuyi and its immediate aftermath. The propriety and the doctrinal basis of the response from the church have been questioned and generally condemned and vilified. Most commentators including notable church leaders apparently seem to agree on one point, that the couple was punished for violating Deeper Life tradition or doctrine, but not bible and kingdom doctrines. The general opinion, in some cases, expressed, using very strong language, was that using makeup and wearing earrings or the particular wedding gown worn by the bride are wholly supported by the holy scriptures and should not in any righteous way incur the church’s displeasure, opprobrium and sanction. Some commentators went as far as tagging the church puritanical and outmoded and in addition accused her of portraying a damaging picture of Christianity.
Before we crucify the church, I think it is appropriate that we examine the scriptures like good Bereans and determine whether the church is on the right track or not. In the Bible, it is written “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array: but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works (1 Timothy 2: 9 – 10).” In other words, it is unbecoming of a woman professing godliness, that is, a woman who claims to be a Christian to put on gold, pearls or costly clothes.
Wearing jewelry is the lifestyle of women generally, but this should not be the case with those who desire to please God and are interested in going to heaven. Even under the Old Testament dispensation, it was never the perfect will of God that His people should decorate themselves with precious metals or other ornaments. When Jacob and his family were going to Bethel to worship as directed by God, they discarded and buried those things that were offensive to God like their idols and earrings (Genesis 35: 1 – 4).
After the children of Israel made and worshipped the golden calf at Sinai, God commanded them to remove their jewelry: The scriptures noted, “So after they left Mount Sinai, the people of Israel no longer wore jewelry (Exodus 33: 6, Good News Bible, Todays English Version); therefore the people of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments, from Mount Horeb onward (Exodus 33: 6, Revised Standard Version).” More than a century later, during the time of Gideon, the Bible thought it necessary to explain that the golden earrings found with the children of Israel were spoils of war taken from Ishmaelites (Judges 8: 24). With these ornaments Gideon made an ephod, and the children of Israel worshipped it. Regrettably, the sin at Sinai pertaining to the making and worshipping the golden calf was again repeated. This confirms the sad truth that human beings will either idolize ornaments or mould idols with them. Decking oneself with jewelry is usually the product of haughtiness, pride, seduction or immoral inclination (Isaiah 3: 16 – 26).
God is against the use of jewelry, because any one using jewelry is joining affinity with spiritual Ishmael and Babylon. In the book of Revelation, two women were used as symbols, the first related to spiritual Israel (a woman clothed with the sun) and the second, spiritual Babylon (a woman decked with jewelry – the kingdom of Satan). Concerning Spiritual Israel, the bible said “And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars. . . . she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to His throne (Revelation 12: 1 – 5).” But concerning spiritual Babylon (kingdom of Satan), the Bible stated: “So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornications: And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH (Revelation 17: 3 – 5).” Observe that the first woman did not wear jewelry, but was clothed with the sun. God clothes Himself with light (Psalm 104: 2), which was the way He clothed Adam and Eve before the fall. When Moses came down from God’s presence at Mount Sinai, his face was shinning as light. This is the beauty that God admires. It is not the beauty that results from using makeup and jewelry, the beauty that is carnal. It is the beauty of holiness (Psalm 110: 3).
The second woman was decked with jewelry, and was called Babylon, the mother of harlots. It’s interesting to note that harlots always seek ways to enhance physical beauty, allurement and seduction. What God admires in a woman is holiness characterized by a meek and quiet spirit, not jewelry or makeup (1 Peter 3: 3, 4) and a Christian ought to have the mind of God (1 Corinthians 2: 16). It’s noteworthy that the only people the Bible described as using makeup were the murderous and adulterous Jezebel and backslidden Israel called a harlot (2 Kings 9: 30, Jeremiah 4: 30 and Ezekiel 23: 40).
The hallmarks of true religion are humility, simplicity, sobriety, modesty, self-denial and self-crucifixion. That was the lifestyle of Christ and the early disciples. Flamboyance, jamboree, jesting and wantonness reveal a lifestyle destitute of the Spirit of Christ. What we call church wedding and reception these days are programs characterized by the display of flamboyance, hypocrisy and pride. I suppose that the white gown and the veil are symbols for the virginity and spotlessness of the bride. Is it not an insult to the holiness of God and the desecration of the altar to wed a woman in white when she is no longer a virgin? Even if she is still a virgin, must she tell the world through the gown she is wearing? The groom wears a suit and continues to wear it after the wedding. However, the bride spends a lot of money on the gown and cannot wear it again. What is the moral or economic justification for that? Is it not to satisfy the iniquitous desire to be like the world? Can she not wear a gown she can wear publicly after the wedding? Did God not warn His Children not to follow the world in its madness and folly (John 2: 15 – 17)? In receptions, the kind of dancing one sees makes one to shudder. The ladies sway, roll and rock their bottoms in seductive ways and yet call it worshipping God. Tufia. Self, not God is glorified the way food is served and people are invited to the high table and money is sprayed. The Holy Angels must be shedding tears.
When I read what some of these “ministers of the gospel” wrote I was highly disturbed. It made me to wonder where they were coming from. The steps taken by Deeper Life are wholly scriptural and the underpinning doctrine is bible-based. We ought to thank God for Pastor W. F. Kumuyi. Deeper Life has changed the religious terrain in Nigeria and by the Grace of God has been directly and indirectly a major force in restoring holiness to the body of Christ. No wonder Satan is fighting him so severely. I would just want to encourage him to persevere. Men of right spiritual understanding appreciate his work.
•James Okeudo is a Professor of Animal Science, Federal University of Technology, Owerri. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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If I may ask, why are deeper lifers usually bitter and angry to the point of almost being termed wicked? They always seem to be angry and unapproachable. Is that scriptural too or just personal issues?
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with u prof. But without portraying spiritual babylon nor rebellious isreal, does the bible not say that a woman should dress well,adorn herself and look beutiful?
ReplyDeleteYes, the man is right. Don't mind those pastors that condemned the action. Its because anything goes in their own churches.
ReplyDeletejobsng it is not compulsory for you to agree with the prof but agree with the bible because all he has said is biblical. Moreover, women look more beautiful without makeups but look very ugly when they do. If Adam and Eve did not fall all these would not have happened because they are all fallout of the fall. Even when they fell God only covered their nakedness and did not put holes on Eve's ears, the essence of clothing is to cover our nakedness.
ReplyDeletePROF, PROF. WHY DO YOU SELECT SOME BIBLE PORTIONS TO SUPPORT YOUR ARGUMENT AND LEFT OUT OTHERS. THE SAME 1 PETER 3:3-4 YOU QUOTED SAID, PLAITING OF HAIR. YOU DID NOT MENTION THAT. DONT THEY PLAIT HAIR IN DEEPER LIFE OR YOUR CHURCH. HOW DO YOU INTERPRET GENESIS 24:53. AS MUCH AS AGREE AND BELIEVE THAT MANY CHURCHES HAVE DERAILED, IT DOES NOT MEAN ALL JEWERY. AGAIN, PETER WAS TELLING WOMEN TO BE MORE RESPECTIFUL & RESPONSIBLE TO THEIR HUSBAND THAN MAKE UPS. NOT THAT IT'S WRONG. OVERBTO YOU PROF.
ReplyDelete*[[Rom 8:1]] KJV* There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. *[[Rom 8:6]] KJV* For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. The above Bible quotations shows that those so-called christians who are living to please the flesh shall be condemned because they always agree with the flesh to question and oppose biblical principles that cruxify the flesh. Becoming a christian is not enough , he or she must agree with God to consecrate ones' life to sound scriptural spiritual principles which help to making him become more like Christ everyday. *[[Rom 8:1-13]] KJV* %v 1% There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. %v 2% For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. %v 3% For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: %v 4% That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. %v 5% For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. %v 6% For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. %v 7% Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. %v 8% So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. %v 9% But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. %v 10% And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. %v 11% But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. %v 12% Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. %v 13% For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. *[[Rom 12:1-2]] KJV* %v 1% I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. %v 2% And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. *[[Jas 4:4]] KJV* Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. Brethreen, let us follow the Holy scriptures .
ReplyDeleteAbsolute "TRUTH". It is about time we learn to follow the "Rhema" rather than the "Logos". These truth may sound odd and hard to some but to them that desire an exclusive and mutual relationship with God, it the basics. Thank you Prof!
ReplyDeleteI strongly feel most deeper lifers re hiprocrits.y? If they so value their doctrines as most of them claim to,y was d bride nt stoped as she marched to d altar,y was d marriage nt cancelled cos d couples dint follow d principles n guildlines of the. Church.yet they were allowed to b joined,I guess the leaders who re clamouring 4 d discipline of the couples joined papa n his Family to rejoice,they attended the wedding n the reception too.were they blind to Al dis derailment on the couples part.from the pix above it shows papa did nt do enough to caution his son n in.law,cos he is seen taking photos wit d couples.all this nonsense n bullshit about discipline Is just a farce n o total mockery to the faithfuls of deeper life bible church.
ReplyDeleteHonestly nothing but the truth, because if you want to make heaven you must obey the bible in totality without any wrinkle or spot. you must be 100% holy because the bible says without holiness no man shall see God therefore, you must obey every instructions to a letter. Although i still put on those things like trousers, jewelries, etc. i pray to God to give me the grace to overcome this and i also pray to God to convince my husband to love me with my mode of dressing because, heaven is real and i don't want to miss it and i will never miss it in Jesus name, amen
ReplyDeletethat which u hold, hold it firmly so that nobody take it from u. Am coming quickly and my reward is with me to give according to ur work.
ReplyDeleteThe honourable thing the couple should have done was to resign from the esteem positions they held in the church before they were suspended.
ReplyDeleteI dont understand the situation whereby they had to apologise to the church because there was no reason to apologise. God loves us all and there is no condemnation in God as long as you follow the footsteps of Christ.
Lets not argue with prof over our religion, because what he said is very correct, he that have ears let him/her hear.
ReplyDeleteMay I never be found in the congregation of the wicked. My heart is fixed Lord, my heart is fixed. Lord deliver me from the spirit of destruction in Jesus name. amen
ReplyDeletesimple truth. you have just xplained it all. god bless u and reward u. it is hard but it is the fact and we shall follow to the later by the grace of god. no xcus 4 missing heaven.tnx alot.
ReplyDeleteDoctrine and tradition does not take anyone to heaven. Holiness and purity of heart does. what shall it profit a man if he obeys aLl d doctrines and traditions of men and still miss heaven? Oin as mmuch as I believe the churches hv compromised, I would say deeper lifers are inconsiderate wt women. A man buys a cute expensive suit , dresses well and tells a lady to wear some kind of cloth I do nt seem to understands, most of them look so 'dirty' and because they tie their hair always, their women can afford not to go to the salon for 6months. Is that not an error? What is their problemm with women? Why would their guys look good and their women don't? Who prescribed d dress code cos I'm sure d Bible did nt draw anywhere how a woman should. Look like. Yes scriptural passages are there bt who interpreted them? Deut 5:23 says a woman should nt wear a man's cloth bt did d Bible mention troussers? It is human beings that gave d interpretation forgetting that in Bible times all wear gown. The law of man vs. The law of God
ReplyDeletei beseech you therefore brethren by the mercies of God that you present your bodies a livin sacrifice, holy and acceptable before God which is your reasonable service.But be you transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good , & acceptable,& perfect will of God.Note that a service can be unacceptable if we dont present our bodies unto God in holiness.Many that say Lord,Lord will not enter the Kingdom of God.Let every man watch over his own soul.This world is passing away with all it's lusts & pleasures.Let him that have ear to hear,hear
ReplyDeleteDoctrine and tradition does not take anyone to heaven. Holiness and purity of heart does. what shall it profit a man if he obeys aLl d doctrines and traditions of men and still miss heaven? Oin as mmuch as I believe the churches hv compromised, I would say deeper lifers are inconsiderate wt women. A man buys a cute expensive suit , dresses well and tells a lady to wear some kind of cloth I do nt seem to understands, most of them look so 'dirty' and because they tie their hair always, their women can afford not to go to the salon for 6months. Is that not an error? What is their problemm with women? Why would their guys look good and their women don't? Who prescribed d dress code cos I'm sure d Bible did nt draw anywhere how a woman should. Look like. Yes scriptural passages are there bt who interpreted them? Deut 5:23 says a woman should nt wear a man's cloth bt did d Bible mention troussers? It is human beings that gave d interpretation forgetting that in Bible times all wear gown. The law of man vs. The law of God
ReplyDeleteless the Lord, O my soul and all that is within me, bless His holy name psalm 103 v 1. From d above passage, if one really want to make Heaven he or she must be holy, ur dress code nd church u attend is not nd will never be a criteria. Mathew 5 v 8 says blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. U must serve nd worship God in pureness of heart nd all that is within u, whose voice shall we obey, that of God or man, mathew 7v1 says judge not that ye be not judged. Remember, our horizontal relationship will definitely affect our vertical relationship. Heaven is individual race not collective.
ReplyDeleteChyk, you are not forced to join Deeper Life. The people in Deeper Life like it and even some nonChristian and non deeper Life also like the church. If only you don't like the church, the church has not in any way loss anything.
ReplyDeleteYou are still arguing even after the complex matter made simple like this by prof? Beware that whosoever is determined for heaven must deprive himself of somethings even his right privileges.If your mouth is open to eat whatever can enter the mouth and if you want to enjoy all the pleasure of this life without deliberately depriving yourself of anything for heaven's sake then you are not yet ready for heaven. Eg immorality is pleasurable yet you must deprive yourself of this to heaven. May God us brother.
Thank you
APATA.
Hmm , interesting
ReplyDeleteCan Anyone Tell Me Where The Bible Or God Says 'thou Shall Not Or U Must Not Use Jewelry'? Remember Apostles Are Humans Like Our Pastors 2day With Difrnt Mindset And Doctrines And Not God. Did God Himself Say We Should Not?
ReplyDelete