In the New Testament, the term "church," also sometimes translated as "assembly," comes from the Greek word EKKLESIA which means the "called out." The word was used by the Greeks to describe the assembling or gathering of citizens who were called out to meet together for public hearings. The heralds would walk through the streets and literally call for people to come out from what they were doing to gather for public business. In the scriptures EKKLESIA refers to those whom Christ has "called out" from the world to be His own, and to assemble together in His name. The primary meaning of the church is used in a universal sense, referring to all Christian believers everywhere. Irrespective of denominational or doctrinal differences, all persons who have genuinely placed their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord are members of His church, also called the body of Christ, over which Christ is the head (Eph. 1:22-23).  Secondarily, the...

Nigerian evangelist has left social media users talking after he took to the platform to make a statement about women who wear trousers not going to heaven. With various religious beliefs comes a variety of opinions and views on the things considered moral and the ones considered immoral and unacceptable. While the matter of decency remains a debated issue in most religions despite the liberal view generally held, it appears there are some people who still hold strongly to their stringent belief on the matter. One of such people is Facebook user and evangelist, Dapo Soyemi, who recently got social media users talking after he took to the platform to state that no woman wearing trousers, has ever and will ever enter heaven. The post which has since gone viral on several social media platforms, left many people amused, most of whom seized the opportunity to call him a liar. See comments below: "deehairven : Angel Gabriel told you this on your WhatsApp group chat? " ...