A Teaching By Bro. Itse Enonuya (Bishop)12/28/2014 1

THE CHURCH OF CHRIST, SANGOTEDO

Recent Issues on Superstition- Teaching re ancestral curses/marriage- Testimonies on confessions about witchcraft

Church Leadership efforts to address the issue• Bro Ekong’s lesson• This class, a further effort in the series to lay this concern to

rest

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Christian Superstition• Folk beliefs around for many years, usually passed down

through many generations• Irrational beliefs/practice resulting ignorance, or Fear of

the unknown – Columbia Encyclopedia Confer Killing of Twins Customs around last child been a female

• An attempt to find a direct connection between current happening to a future event

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Range from the benign to the very serious ◦ Common practices, e.g. ‘Bless you’ when someone

sneezes, touch wood, Friday 13th, etc.◦ Astrology/Fortune Tellers/Palmistry◦ Medium◦ Witchcraft◦ etc.Superstit ious beliefs can be powerful since they

can influence the sanest person’s behaviour

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Both Terrestrial & Celestial Terrestrial◦ Started because of ignorance or fear of a certain fact or

event Many may have no idea why they hold it, only because parents

& grandparents did it Can be traced back to time when ancient people had no

understanding of the natural world as we know it Celestial◦ As Christians, we believe there’s a devil roaming about. (1

Pet 5:8)

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In the war (described as the Great Controversy between God & Satan, there is no neutral ground! You are either for God (Saved, faithful) Prov 18:10 or Satan captures you!

also spiritual wickedness in high places (Eph 6:12) Eph 6:11 Satan & its wily ways, always Eph 2:2 (These evil spirits currently work in the

children of disobedience)

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Ex 20:5, 34:7, Num 14:18◦ Generational guilt stretched beyond original intent to

perpetuate generational curse(s), even by the heathen◦ Effects of parents’ sin naturally easily pass to children who

are likely to practice Fathers’ sinful lifestyle◦ Specific nation here (Israel) for specific sin (Idolatory)◦ OT (esp Judges) contain record of such punishment◦ Cure for Generational guilt is repentance cf Jgs 3:9,15;

1Sam12:10-11 Ezek18:1ff – Cessation of generational guilt

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For Christians, the answer for guilt is Salvation through Christ◦ 2Cor5:17 – a new creation◦ Rom 8:1 Repentance◦ Rom 12:1,2 A consecrated life

Cf Rom 1:21-22◦ First effect of not believing in God is to believe in

anything (Anon)

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Col 2:8-10 Let no one take you captive…• As Christians, our hope/trust in Christ replaces all fear,

all foolish beliefs (superstition passed down through the years

• Gal 4:3 We were slaves before Christ came..Cf Poor Slave (By Jimmy Cliff)

Col 2:20 Having died with Christ, you are set free from the spiritual powers of this world

Evidently, some do not know about total freedom (so still hold to their fears)

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Lk 10:1 - Disciples had power over demons… Matt 12:28-29 – Christ stronger than the devil• Cf Eph 1:20-23

Rom 8:15, 2 Tim 1:7 You have not received the spirit of bondage, again to fear God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, love &

sound mind Eph 6:10 – 17

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