Ayobami did a wonderful job by writing his thoughts on the whole Pastor Biodun/ Ese/ Franca saga. 2 Timothy 2:19 “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” On February 21, 1988, Jimmy Swaggart gave his now-infamous “I Have Sinned” speech as he tearfully spoke to his family, congregation, TV audience, and finally God, saying, “I have sinned against You, my Lord, and I would ask that Your Precious Blood would wash and cleanse every stain until it is in the seas of God’s forgetfulness, not to be remembered against me anymore.
For some of my readers not old enough to know this story, Swaggart was a famous tele-evangelist in the USA, he started his ministry in 1955 and was a great pioneer of TV outreaches. He was also a great author who touched many lives including that of the writer of this piece. One of his booklets titled “Alcohol, Americas greatest problem”, was a book I read as a young boy and in that book was the story of the great Kennedy Family and how their father was a one time largest supplier of alcohol in the US. Swaggart made the link between alcohol and the various violent deaths of almost all of the Kennedy children. For that reason, I don’t drink neither have I ever traded in shares nor sought employment in any company involved in the production of alcohol or alcoholic beverages. ( I don’t despise nor resent those who do). I read that book as a teenager and I still remember vividly how the man touched me tremendously. So it was a shock to me when he confessed to liaison with a prostitute. Although controversy trailed his conviction, as there were claims that another Assemblies Of God minister, Gorman, whom Swaggart had earlier exposed his affairs with women and therefore was derobed, was the mastermind of a set up. But that is not the issue, my focus here is that Swaggart faced his problems, admitted to his wrong, was suspended from the the pulpit for three months. Now that is responsibility.. A few days ago, a story broke out as written by a certain lady, Ese Walters. She made very strong and damning allegations against the Pastor of a Pentecostal Church in Abuja, Nigeria. The man is named pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo.
I will try not to be a judge in a matter I’m not competent on, have the unbiased facts neither am i officially listed to adjudicate on, however as a Christian, there are matters arising and if God permits, we shall thrash it out biblically. Come with me.
Firstly the lady. I don’t know Ese neither have I heard of her until I read her story. Initially she appeared too smooth to be true, but after reading an addendum she wrote, I got a bit curious, she sounded real. But I am not concerned about her being real or fake, I just wished to use her to show others how we, the so called Christians, have allowed ourselves to be used and trampled upon by our self styled men of God.
Firstly, the bible in 2 Timothy 2:15 says “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” In essence we are enjoined to study the word of God by ourselves so that we can rightly apply the truth of God in all circumstances, because in Philippians 2:12, the bible teaches that we should “work out your salvation with fear and trembling”. Salvation is personal, we must NEVER forget that. No man died for us, we are aptly named Christians after Christ who died for us and was made the propitiation for our sins.
Teachings abound especially in the Pentecostal set up. Men have been elevated to the position where the words of a preacher is akin to the word of God. They wrongly misapply Chronicles 20:20b “Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers”.
These men erroneously but deliberately place themselves on a pedestal where they can play God and most followers are either too busy or too dumb to question their fallacious claims, using the bible as a standard. Paul questioned Peter publicly when Peter was being hypocritical about his relationship with Gentiles. No man is above errors, neither is any man too big to fall. The critical thing is what happens after the fall?
The bible clearly showed us that ANY MAN can fall and that is a given. If we know, why do these men preach and twist the bible in such a way that they appear to be beyond reproach? The “touch not mine anointed” passage has been over flogged and twisted out of joint. In which context was this phrase used? It is found in Psalm 105:15 and was repeated in 1Chronicles 16:22. That passage was written to praise the works of God when he took out Israel out of Egypt and saved them from harm, even though they were few. It was never about a pastor or a leader, it was written to praise God in taking care of a called out people. Anointed vessels are men who allow God to do his bidding through them. Note that those people who must do his bidding must be “called out” and what is the “church”? It simply means “the called out ones”. Therefore that Passage can also mean “touch not the church”. Do NOT be deceived, it was never written to protect or immune “penterascality” or ‘pastopreneurs’ from criticism. It was written as a mark or seal of God’s protection upon his chosen ones. Christians also have a moral obligation towards these men. Many of them are truly wonderful people, anointed of God. But hangers on, yes-men and a coterie of aides often times push these men onto the ledge. William Braham was a fine example of an anointed of God but was almost derailed because he became too immune to reality by sycophants surrounding him. Many of our great men of God have become immune to reality, they are hailed and hemmed as the best thing after sliced bread and truth be told, not many men will hold under such pressure. Another problem is the issue of comparison of ministries. Each man is in a subtle, silenced but SERIOUS competition with the other minister in terms of offering, congregation size, bank accounts, etc. Humility and the fruit of the spirit is a distant teaching topic. All we hear is Power, while the miracle that ought to follow us is now being followed by us. Not many care about Eschatology ( don’t be fazed, it means the study of end time), or holiness and righteous living. It is all about primitive acquisition of wealth. There is also a huge problem of control. In an age of liberalisation, anybody can just wake up to start a “Na me get my thing prosperity center”. No control, no discipline nor accountability. The mushrooming of churches is good for the body of Christ but has thrown up enormous challenges. Truth be told, power unfettered, in the hands of any MORTAL, no matter how anointed, is prone to abuse. Now to the matter at hand, if that lady was telling the truth, then the Pastor involved MUST as a matter of obeying the scripture, apologise publicly, step down, restitute his ways and be restored after a time. Jimmy Swaggart was suspended for three months to enable him mend his ways. It is not negotiable. The pastor must understand that while he is accountable only to God, he is equally responsible for the souls of men and therefore must be a man of responsibility. But if he tries to bamboozle his way, he has God to contend with. It is written in 1Peter 4:17 “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God:and if it first begin with us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?”
And as for Ese Walters, in case your story is true, I stand by you in faith and pray that God heals you.
But a word for our ladies. Many are attracted to power, charms, fame, charisma or even supposed anointing. You must be careful not to be a vessel that the devil will use to bring the fall of another man. Remember David had every right and two opportunities to finish off Saul, but he knew better. We are in the end times, do not be an instrument of satan. In 2 Timothy 3:1-2, we read: “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy.” Remember the man who boasted to David about killing Saul ended up paying the ultimate price. We shall all give account on the last day and whether a man of God seduced you or you seduced him, sin is sin. It is written in 1thessalonians 5: 22 “Abstain (flee) from all appearance of evil”. If it looks evil, it is probably evil, don’t deliberately sin and turn around to tell tales. We shall all account for our deeds before God, therefore work out your OWN salvation with fear and trembling. Finally we shall all be judged by God–the ultimate judge, who alone reserves the judgement in all affairs of men. When issues such as the COZA/Ese saga crop up, scoffers will rise up, but blessed is the man who sits not in the midst of the scornful. We as a body have a duty to seek, to save and restore not mock and scoff.
The Lord is at hand.
I am on twitter @Ayourb
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