THERE has been so much controversy surrounding Nigerian prophet TB Joshua, a man renowned world over yet most vilified over for his miracle healing services and predictions. The controversies have been raging ever since TB Joshua's ministry stormed into the public domain bringing into question the legitimacy of his works. In talking about legitimacy, I am referring to the standards as set forth in the scriptures, which would help us, identify a genuine prophet. Who then is TB Joshua?
TB Joshua whose full names are Temitope Balogun Joshua was born on June 12, 1963, in a village called Arigidi, in Ikare Akoko, Ondo State of Nigeria. He is married to Evelyn and has four children. TB Joshua, the founder and pastor of the Synagogue Church of All Nations is said to have sparked controversy starting with his mysterious birth. He allegedly remained in his mother's womb for 15 months before he was born. He attended primary school at St Steven Anglican school from 1971-1977, but failed to complete one year of secondary school. But as he was growing up, he was known as a “small pastor” because of his love for the Bible and ability to predict things to come in his community. He further gained reputation for spiritual prowess after confronting and disarming a madman who was wielding a machete in the school premises. While in school he was the leader of a scripture union.
When Joshua started the Synagogue Church of All Nations in 1987, he just had a handful of members but since then the church has grown far beyond the shores of Nigeria. More than 15,000 members attend the weekly Sunday service. Numerous videos have been produced documenting the healing of incurable sickness, cancer, paralysis, AIDS, showing people's conditions before, during and after prayer. Medical doctors have examined the patients before and after and have testified to a supernatural activity beyond medical science. TB Joshua does not even claim to be healer but says, “I am just God's servant”.
TB Joshua has made phenomenal predictions in full view of a global audience on the satellite Christian Television, Emmanuel TV and all of them have come to pass. He predicted the death of president Levy Mwanawasa a month before it happened, the disastrous cyclone in Myanmar, the attempted assassination of the prime minister of Lesotho Pakalitha Mosisili, resignation of Pakistan president Pervez Musharaf, the comet slam into planet Jupiter which caused quite a fray in the scientific community and more recently the death of American pop star Michael Jackson.
On Michael Jackson's death, the prophet was seen by a global audience via his television network saying, “I see a star being rushed to the hospital but he wont come back home, the whole world will be shocked. He is a great star in his world”. To add mystery to this prediction, TB Joshua sent a message through the pop star's associates to let Michael come for prayer and deliverance in Nigeria. The associates thought the message a bit misplaced, because Michael was declared medically fit by his doctors and he was billed for a world concert tour beginning July 13. But alas! That was not to be, he died on June 25 before seeing Prophet TB Joshua.
Despite all these happenings Prophet TB Joshua has come under heavy attack from many, some of whom have labelled him a false prophet. And the debate about the authenticity of his ministry unfortunately has been orchestrated by a section of the clergy within the charismatic Pentecostal brand of Christendom. This has left many lay people unfamiliar with scriptures, let alone issues of Christian theology confused, as reverends or bishops are keener to criticise prophet TB Joshua than providing Biblical counsel.
Since the beaming of Emmanuel TV on free channel stations in most parts of Zambia, we have witnessed an unprecedented following of TB Joshua's programmes. As a result, emotive debates have emerged from the pulpits to the pews, between clergy and lay people. The man has arrived on the scene, should we dismiss him or his utterances as the ravings of a madman? How do we know for sure that we have a prophet among us?
This article is written on the assumption that the readers hold to the sacredness of the Bible as the inspired scriptures from whence we would draw our authority in judging a matter as heresy or sound doctrine. It is against this background that we seek to examine the ministry of this man, in the light of scriptures. There are fundamental rules in the scriptures, which must be used to judge whether something is of God, or not. In the absence of this knowledge, one would easily find themselves opposing God or abetting apostasy. To begin with, if one does not subscribe that the Bible is the inspired word of God, they will have nothing to do with this subject at hand because there would be no basis by which any meaningful discourse can rest upon.
But if we want to find out if he is a fraud as some are claiming, or a true servant of the Lord, we can only do so with the aid of scriptures. Let's examine for example the standards used in the scriptures to test a prophet. Deuteronomy 18:20; “But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded him to say, or prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, must be put to death. You may say to yourselves, 'how can we when a message has been spoken by the Lord? If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously, do not be afraid of him”.(New International Version)
The precise knowledge of the future according to this scripture, is a preserve of the Most High God, and only God can reveal detailed events to happen in the future to His servants. Therefore, if a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord and the events take place, then you need to pay heed lest you find yourself opposing the Holy Spirit.
In the book of 1 John 4:2 :“This is how you can recognise the Spirit of God; every spirit that acknowledges Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the anti-christ which you head is coming and even now is already in the world”. The authenticity of any ministry is tested by how they profess about who Jesus Christ is. From all accounts, TB Joshua proclaims Jesus Christ to have come in the flesh hence his motto “Emmanuel” which translates God with us. His messages and sermons lift Jesus as the Christ! And what more?
Signs and wonders are daily phenomena in his ministry, just the way it was as recorded in the book of Mark16:20: “then the disciples went and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by signs that accompanied it”. It is amazing that some of the most fearsome critics of TB Joshua have no signs and wonders in their ministry and they want to take it upon themselves to persecute this great man of God. Is it not surprising, that even Jesus in his earthly ministry was accused of casting evil spirits by the powers of Beelzebub? Can these same critics who call themselves bishops, reverends, pastors and all manner of description show us one thing they are doing in their ministries that can fit into God's compassion for humanity?
TB Joshua's humanitarian effort touches the needs of widows. The physically challenged and orphans have benefited in his educational support projects. Recently the federal President of Nigeria, Musa Yar'Adua, a Muslim himself awarded him with “Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic” in recognition of his humanitarian efforts. Most people who persecute Joshua, particularly clergymen are moved by jealous and envy as he seems to expose fake ministries by his tremendous charities without begging for money. Anyone who is a true seeker of truth can know in the light of scriptures that for sure there is a prophet among us.
By BONIFACE MWANZA - Head of Foursquare Church, Zambia
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written by Runescape Money , September 16, 2009
written by pastor divine dzani, October 10, 2009
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written by Vk Haufiku, October 13, 2009
i want to salute man of God Prophet TB Josua for miracles and prophecy performs, i just don't know what to say to those who don't believe in miracles i know one day whey they have something wrong is when they are are going to rush there to him and ask for forgiveness. i really happy when prophet meet with Pastor Chirish Oyakilome in 2001 i like it and i am proud of them for what they are doing in this world. i know also what is miracle because its is happening to me when i met with Pastor Chirish Oyakilome, i love u all and my God still anoint you more and more in Jesus name, Lets believe in miracles please its really i can prove it.
written by b.smith, October 18, 2009
not see signs and wonders they will not believe,a blackman see miracle of God through Prophet T.B.Joshua but they are doubt thomas.If prophet t.b joshua was a liars since 1987 the synagogue church can never hesist till now.man of God may God continue empower you and increase you Amen.
written by Chris Munapo, Harare, Zimbabwe, October 22, 2009
written by Chris Munapo, Harare, Zimbabwe, October 22, 2009
May his ministry be blessed.
written by familia rodrigues , October 31, 2009
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written by Helen T Lengwe, November 18, 2009
written by musa muhammad, November 25, 2009
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