TB Joshua, the Supreme pastor of The Synagogue Church of All Nations reveals what many do not know about his background in this interview with TheNEWS:
- Many people are confused and they keep asking the question, what is the source of your power? There are critics who keep saying you use demonic or occult power, while others think otherwise.
Rather, I should boast about what God is doing in my life. It is by this kind of trial that you know the true minister of God.
In the Act of Apostles, the early Christian preachers were being disturbed by the Pharisees, Sadducees and the High Priests in the Synagogue and the Temple in Jerusalem.
But among the elderly religious Jews was a man called Gamaliel, a doctor of the law. He quoted the example of Theudas who boasted to be somebody and who attracted over 400 men. He was slain and his followers scattered.
Gamaliele cited example of Judas of Galilee (not Iscariot) who rose in the days of the taxing. He attracted many people, but he perished while his adherents were dispersed. Those were in the days when Israel was under Roman colonialism.
Gamaliel, therefore warned the Jewish, elders. “Refrain from these men (Christian preachers) and let them alone. For if this counsel or this work is of men, it will come to nought. But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it, yet, haply ye be found to be even to fight against God” (Acts 5:38-39, King James Version).
So, if I am not of God, I will not survive this trial. But if I am of God, this trial will not destroy me. Trial is the soil in which faith flourishes. God sees his own people through trial.
- Let me ask once again, what is the source of your power, the secret?
Are you saying that I use demonic powers to deceive all these foreigners you see around Synagogue here? Right now I am talking to you, there are over 400 foreigners from 10 different countries here. Are these people being deceived, destroyed or killed (as my detractors alleged)? If I have been using occultic power, the congregation here will not increase. If my mission here is not of God, it won’t stand just as Gamaliel said.
When people have their problems solved or they have salvation, they tell others.
- There was one Pastor Solomon who made some serious allegation against you. That you were born a Moslem, that your name was Fatai. That you learnt occultism in Kaduna from a Moslem palmist. Pastor Solomon even added that you consult snakes and even wanted to assassinate a woman journalist who wrote a story about you…
I was born a Christian, my parents were Christians. The only connection I had with Muslims was that I attended Ansar-Ud-Deen school, Ikare. I attended 10 different secondary schools under one year.
- Why?
- We read somewhere that you studied mysticism in India…
- What about the Kaduna Mallam or palmist that allegedly thought you magic?
- If you maintain that you neither lived in Kaduna nor was trained by palmist, let us know your background.
My father was Pa Kolawole Balogun from Imo quarters and my mother, Madam Folarin Aisha Adesiji Balogun of Oosin quarters of Agbaluku in the city.
Like the John Baptist, whose father went dumb when an Angel predicted his birth or Samuel whose coming was predicted , were there some signs that heralded your birth?
That is a very good question. Over 100 years back, there was one Balogun Okoorun, a farmer, hunter and warrior who was from Oosin Quarters of Agbaluku, at Arigidi Akoko. The man had prophetic powers.
- What were his prophesies which were fulfilled?
The second prophesy was about my humble self. He said that a young man would emerge from Oosin quarters, who would be powerful, famous and would have a multitude of followers, as well as that his life and works would explain that the human grace is one, notwithstanding different religions, culture and skin pigmentation.
- Tell us more about Arigidi…
- So much about your town. You said your birth was predicted. Were there signs that you were the one?
- That was medical science and not mystery…
After the 14th month, my mother gave birth to me. The information was conveyed to my father in the farm, who became so happy that he threw away his hoe and cutlass, ran home and named me Temitope (my experience requires gratitude to God).
- There have been cases of prolonged pregnancies. But was there anything in particular that was mysterious about your birth or childhood?
As the blasts were going on, my mother carried me off the mat and placed me on her lap. No sooner did she do that than a big boulder pierced our roof and landed on the very mat that I slept. And would you doubt the mystery of that also?
- Ok, when you were growing up did you display certain extraordinary qualities?
- How and when did your church start?
Thus, the Synagogue Church of All Nations became a church for the rich, poor, the powerful, the powerless.
- What do you charge for the different healings?
- Did you ever experience what is usually referred to as the baptism of the Holy Ghost?
I experienced the baptism of the Holy Ghost which changed my life completely. Apart from experiencing peace and joy, I was able to praise God in other languages. I also conducted a service that was characterized by the power of the Holy Spirit.
- How come you were accused of using demonic powers?
- All these criticism must be a big weight on you…
- Many people still think that you are a mysterious person…
- So, how do you cope with attacks, misconceptions and criticisms?
Post a Comment