STAGES OF CHRISTIAN SANCTIFICATION

                                     

Follow @wingrassnews `  Sanctification of the believer is one of the basic acts of God’s grace that moulds us till we attain unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, an exercise that is effected in three stages to make man perfect. Instantaneous sanctification: (Jn. 1:12; 1 Pet.2:9; Rom. 4:3-11; 5:17-19). As a man exercises faith in Christ, being converted and regenerated, by grace, sin is no more reckoned unto him. Having obtained forgiveness of sin by virtue of the blood of Jesus Christ, there is an imputation of righteousness freely through faith so that he begins to walk in the new vocation by the guidance and comfort of the Holy Spirit with whom the believer is sealed to confirm that he has now become a holy temple (1 Cor. 3:16-17). The family of God is holy (1 Pet. 2:9-10). A simple faith in Christ’s perfect righteousness conforms the believer to righteousness being purified immediately by the blood and the word of God. At new birth, there is instant purity but that is not all; (Heb. 9:13-14, 22). The believer is called to advance to the next stage, making progress in his new and holy calling. It should be noted that if for any reason the rapture happens immediately, many new converts will be raptured from the point of alter call, by grace notwithstanding the state of spirituality. Progressive sanctification: (Jn. 15:1-8; Phil. 3:7-16; 2:12-13; 2 Cor. 6:1; 14-18; 7:1; Heb. 6:1; Rom. 12:1-2; 6:1-2; 1 Thess. 4:3-7; 3:13; 1 Jn. 3:3,9; 2:5-6, 15-17; Lk. 9:23; Matt. 5:48). Having obtained this present holiness at new birth by the indwelling Christ, (Col. 1:27; Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 3:17), the believer is enjoined to make progress in his spiritual life by seeking to excel in the knowledge of Christ on a daily basis; (2 Tim. 2:15; 1 Pet. 2:2). As one makes steady progress in the knowledge of the Lord and purity, there should be no satisfaction with past accomplishment to warrant stagnation. There must be unrelenting progress in holiness through mind searching by the Holy Ghost; (Ps.139:23-24) mind renewing with the word of God and cleansing by the blood of Jesus Christ until we see Him in glory; (1 Jn. 1;7; 5:20-21) Progressive sanctification seeks to always exalt God in the beauty of Holiness and seeking to be like the Master everyday; (Matt. 10:25; Lk. 6:40; Jude 24; Rom. 10:4). One must strive towards perfection (Col. 3:12-14). Ultimate sanctification (Glorification) The earnest expectation of every faithful saint is to be clothed with glory. This flesh, this world and the devil will ceased to war with us when eventually mortality gives way to immortality, as we are glorified together with the Lord. At the time of the rapture, we shall ultimately be transformed and given glorious bodies, being redeemed from this world and translated into the realms of the angels. All struggles and travails of maintaining our sanctification in this present flesh, the world ad its demonic influence will end; (Matt. 12:25; 1 Cor. 15: 50-51; Rev. 20; 5-6). We shall be like Him at His appearing; (1 Jn. 3:2; Lk. 6:40). Ultimate sanctification can also be attained at the time of death, provided one dies without sin so that at the time of rapture, the dead in Christ shall be raised without sin unto salvation; (Heb. 9:28; 1 Thess. 4:16) . HOW TO GET SANCTIFIED AND MAINTAIN IT 1. Abiding in Christ; (The word of God). Jn. 3:23-24; 15:1-5; 8:31; Matt. 6:25-33; Job 1:20-22; Ps. 119:9, 11; 2 Tim. 2:15; Heb. 10:35-39, 3:6-19. 2. Watch and Pray; Mk. 13:32-37; 1 Cor. 10:12; Col. 4:2; 1 Thess. 5:7-10; Rev. 3:11,15 3. Beware of Compromises; Prov. 7:24-27 4. Constant prayer; I Thess.5:17 5. Separation from self (Flesh), sin and worldly association; Lk. 9:23; click on the right hand side or left for more insight.

THE LORD’S SUPPER (HOLY COMMUNION) MATTHEW 26:17-30

The law came by Moses as a school master pending the fullness of time when grace and truth comes by Jesus Christ for the fulfillment of the law and restoration of all things; (Jn. 1:17, Gal. 3:23-25).

Under the law, the Jews observe the Passover annually to commemorate the night God gave them deliverance from the house of bondage in Egypt by a mighty hand according to Mosaic laws; (Ex. 12:1-24) being in itself, a shadow of the Lord’s Passover; (1 Cor. 5:7, Ex. 12: 5, Jn. 1:36).

The Lord’s supper or table is a ceremonial feast held in the congregation of Christians, in commemoration of the death of their Spiritual head(Jesus Christ) where bread and the fruit of the vine (wine) is served symbolizing the broken body an and the blood-shed for the saints respectively; (1 Cor. 11:23-26).

This sacrament is an ordinance commanded the Church to keep until the ultimate supper in the kingdom of God; (1 Cor. 11:26, Matt. 26:29).

THE JEWISH PASSOVER

The first Passover among the Jews was instituted by God under Mosaic principles; (Ex. 12:1-24) and it became an everlasting ordinance among the Judaizers. This Jewish Passover is a figure of the Lord’s Supper. It should be noted in clear terms that the Lord abhors leaven. It is a symbol of evil and false doctrine; (Ex. 12:8, 15; 1 Cor. 5:6-8; Matt. 16:6-12) and the lamb as commanded by the Lord should be without blemish; ( Ex. 12: 5). According to the Law of Moses, if any man eat the Passover with leaven, he is cut off from Israel (Ex. 12:15). Among the Judaizers in Israel this ordinance is still being observed in strict terms every year, not discerning Christ as the Lord’s Supper.

THE LORD’S SUPPER INSTITUTED: (1Cor. 5:7)

Jesus Christ came and fulfilled all the law for righteousness; (Rom. 10:4, Jn. 8:46; 19:6; Matt. 3;15). He kept the Passover; (Matt. 26:17-29) and on the night of completing His earthly ministry He instituted the real ordinance of the Lord’s Supper for the saints; (Matt. 26:26-29, 1 Cor.11: 23-26) Himself, being a fulfillment of the law and the Passover (1 Cor. 5:6-8). It should be noted that it is actually the Jewish passive that metamorphosed into the Lord’s Supper in the Christendom and will ultimately culminate into the marriage supper of the Lamb for the faithful saints. This is in progression from the law of grace and to glory.

THE EMBLEMS AND THEIR MEANINGS

The Lord’s Supper being one of the sacraments in the faith will always be a sign with deep spiritual meaning. The elements can only serve to represent what is believed in the faith and not as many have erroneously declared that these emblems actually transform to the real body and the blood of Jesus Christ. This is Satan’s deceit.

1.    Unleavened bread: (Matt:26:26-29, 1 Cor. 11:23-36)                                              Our Lord Jesus Christ on the night of the maiden feast, according to Mosaic law took unleavened; (Matt.26:11, 26; Ex. 12:8, 15) with thanksgiving, broke it and said ‘’ This is my body…’’ (still making reference to the physical or representative element bread symbolic of his body for man). The element should always be bread  and should in no wise be substituted with another menu, meal or substance as reported used.

                                     

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OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO A SUSPECT UPON REFUSAL OF POLICE BAIL

HABEAS CORPUS, this is a Latin word which means “that you have the body”. This remedy is to secure the release or liberty of the subject, whose right to personal liberty has been lawfully infringed on, and which is better explained by the more elaborate Latin expression habeas corpus ad subjiciendum meaning a writ directed to the person detaining another, and commanding him to produce the body of the prisoner, or person detained. This is the most common form of habeas corpus which is to test the legality of the detention or imprisonment, not whether he is guilty or innocent.

Habeas corpus proceedings are usually governed by State Laws and an application herein is made ex-parte accompanied by a deposition on oath, stating the facts and circumstances of the wrongful detention, necessitating the filing of the application. The provisions of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, 1979 has recognized it as a very potent weapon for restoration of abridged and deprived fundamental rights of detainees.

In Alhaji Manfred v. IGP & Ors, the court after a thorough consideration of the application, ordered the immediate release of the applicant from detention as well as the release of his confiscated properties on the grounds that the police lacked the power to carry out his arrest without sufficient evidence, and also had no powers to confiscate his property and personal effect without a valid court order.

In Ajiboye v. IGP & Ors suit no. m/12/91 Lagos High Court, on application for bail, the Court held that a judge of a High Court by virtue of section 118(1) of the CPL of Lagos State, 1973, it can admit to bail any person charged with an offence punishable with death. Consequently, the court ordered the release of the applicant on bail from prison custody, pending arraignment before a competent court of law for whatever offence he may be charged with.

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Barr, Ezekiel chigozie has many years experience in providing legal representation and advising clients across an exceptionally broad range of contentious and non-contentious matters. His main goal is to help clients resolve any contentious or non-contentious legal problem they are having rapidly and cost effectively.

Email: victorezekielc@gmail.com

Tel: +2348034997413

HOW EXHIBITS ARE HANDLED

Anything tendered in evidence is an exhibit. The police collect anything found during investigation and marks it as Exhibit to be used as evidence in court. They keep such exhibit(s) in custody and present it in court when the matter has been taken to court.

It should be noted that not all exhibits are admissible in court. It is only when an exhibit is relevant to the case or fact in issue that it can be admissible and marked as Exhibit ‘A’, Exhibit ‘B’, etc.

Follow @wingrassnews

Barr, Ezekiel chigozie has many years experience in providing legal representation and advising clients across an exceptionally broad range of contentious and non-contentious matters. His main goal is to help clients resolve any contentious or non-contentious legal problem they are having rapidly and cost effectively.

Email: victorezekielc@gmail.com

Tel: +2348034997413

IDENTIFICATION PARADE

IDENTIFICATION PARADE

This is a form of opinion evidence in that it is based on facts perceived by a witness. He is saying that “this is the man who committed the crime”.

It may be judicial or extra judicial. Judicial identification is done in open court when the witness identifies the culprit and extra judicial when it is done outside court usually-by process of identification parade. Identification parade is necessary only when the identity of the offender is in doubt, otherwise it is superfluous formality – Imo v. The State (2001) 1 NWLR (Pt. 694) 314.

This is the placing of the suspected person amongst other people of equal physical appearance, height, age and status to establish whether or not witnesses to the offence are capable of recognizing him. The witness should not be allowed to see the suspect before he is placed in the parade and therefore, must not be marched around or brought out from the cell to the parade. The witnesses must not also be shown photographs of the suspect nor should they be assisted by any verbal description of the suspects. The particular clothes worn on the crime day must not be worn.

An identification parade is only essential in the following circumstances:

1)      Where the victim did not know the accused before and his first acquaintance with him is during the commission of the offence;

2)      Where the victim was confronted by the offender for a very short time;

3)      Where the victim, due to time and circumstances, might not have had the full opportunity of observing the features of the accused person – Ikemson v. State (1989).

Identification parade is not even a sine qua non for identification in all cases where there has been a brief encounter with the victim of the crime and there is some other evidence leading conclusively to the identity of the partakers of the offence. Indeed, it is not even necessary in all cases where the issue of identity is raised – Adeyemi v. State (1991) 1 NWLR 170; Igbi v. State (1998) 11 NWLR (Pt. 574) at 419.

It should be noted that failure to follow the laid down procedures for identification of a suspect does not render the evidence inadmissible, but goes to the weight to be attached to such identification may be quashed – R. v. Bundi (1910) 5 CAR 270;  it may also be fatal to identity and to the entire case – Omega v. The State (1965) NMLR 58 or (1964) I All NLR 379. 
Follow @wingrassnews

Barr, Ezekiel chigozie has many years experience in providing legal representation and advising clients across an exceptionally broad range of contentious and non-contentious matters. His main goal is to help clients resolve any contentious or non-contentious legal problem they are having rapidly and cost effectively.

Email: victorezekielc@gmail.com

Tel: +2348034997413