(BY NGOZI ADIGHIBE)

The Anglican Diocese of Lokoja has ended its First Session of the Ninth Synod with the theme: How Firm A Foundation?

Speaking on the programme held at Crowther Memorial Church, Lokoja, Kogi State, the Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Lokoja and Diocesan Bishop of Lokoja, Most Revd. Emmanuel Egbunu said people hear many things daily and from different people. He wondered why some people wouldn’t filter the information passed to them, as this could determine their lifestyle.

He urged Christians to know that the Lord Jesus Christ is the church’s foundation, and only He should define and control all church activities, as well as the life of a true believer.

He said: “Man has done almost everything to keep religion firmly under his own control. He shapes it as he wants, he admits as much of God as he wants, vets His words and modifies It as it pleases him, and then packages it as his offering to God, demanding indiscriminate acceptance by God.”

He reminded Christians that Christ demands total obedience and submission to His Lordship, and that whoever claims to be a Christian must show it by his/her behaviour and service.

He stressed that the Church must proclaim Christ and stand on Scripture teachings over and above every opinion being paraded today. He, therefore, implored Christians to constantly check to see if their foundations are sound, and not false as introduced by false prophets.

He said: “The test of true prophets is not in their claims, but in their fruits. And men’s opinions must never be allowed to overturn biblical injunctions, including those affecting the marriage institution and parenting values. If churches, families and people are not pointed to Jesus and taught the importance of obedience to God’s word as the foundation of their lives, they will be susceptible to every false teaching that comes to their hearing.”

In another development, the wife of Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province and Bishop of Ideato, Anglican Diocese, Mrs Onyinyechi Maduoma, has called on Nigerian leaders and citizens to repent and seek God’s face.

She spoke at a conference tagged: “What Shall I Do To Be Saved?” held at St. John’s Church, Osina, Ideato-South Local Government Area of Imo State.

She said: “Things in Nigeria have continued to spiral from bad to worse, and it keeps getting worse daily. No one can make it good, except God’s intervention for the sake of the few that believe and trust in His faithfulness.”