Motto
Faith, Hope and Love (1 Corinthians 13:13)
Baptism
Repentance and Baptism of the Holy Spirit is the gate-way to salvation, and into the Kingdom of God. Through this the Gift of the Holy Spirit is bestowed unto you. Baptism is conducted at any time or day, whenever the person is ready to accept, it is for all ages. (Matt 3:11, 28:19, John 3:5, Mark 16:16, Ephesians 4:4-5). [back to top]
Greetings
"Peace of the Father, Perfect Peace or Peace be unto you"; is the general opening greetings of BCS members irrespective of the time or occasion. Peace is the heavenly language.
Our Lord Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace -Isaiah 9:6. He used the same greetings of 'peace'
- John 20:19; 26 and His disciples followed suit in their evangelism, Matt 10:12-13,
and after His ascension.
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Common Communication Phrase
Members of BCS are taught by the Supernatural Teacher Leader Olumba Olumba Obu to give thanks to God for everything in their Life - Ephesians 5:4 & 20, and believe that everything work for good for those who love God. Hence no disappointment or failure. Examples of such phrases includes : "Thank you Father", "All is Well", "The Father is Before and Behind", "Listen to the Holy Spirit", "Let the Holy Spirit direct", "Let the will of God be done" and "Father or Papa Bless You" Matt 19:34. Others are "Father owns everything", "Father knows everything", "Transfer instead of death" and so on. [back to top]
Tittles
All females and males of all ages and status are addressed as sisters and brothers, or brethren,
Matt 23:8, Act 9:17, Rev 6:11, Malachi 2:10. Because we are of one parents (Adam and Eve) and
come from one God. Genesis 1:26-27. [back to top]
BCS Uniform
The official uniform of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star is white garment with a cape known officially as the "soutane" in conformity with what is recorded in Revelation of John the Divine.
“And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, “What are these which are arrayed in white robes?
And whence came they? ” And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest.
And he said to me, These are they which cameo out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes,
and made them white in the blood of the Lamb
.
Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. (Rev. 7:13-15)
“And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white; for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.” ( Rev. 19:8)
Brothers and Sisters use the uniform, apart from the fact that sisters use white head ties. BCS members commonly or instinctively dress in white to work, occasions or casuals as simple as possible, no makeup, no plaits, or jewelry of any kind; rings, chains, beads and non-wearing of wrist watch, 1 Peter 3:3, 1 Timothy 2:9-10, Exodus 32:2-4, etc. [back to top]
White Robes
The long white robes or garment called 'Soutane' is worn by all members regardless of their age or position within the Kingdom, to Bethels or outside the Bethel. Rev.3:4-5, 7:9 & 14. White soutane is the same raiment that Our Lord Jesus Christ wore when He was transfigured, Matt 17:2. White symbolizes "righteousness", "purity" and peace.
Red Garment
Red soutane is worn by members of the Holy Family mandated by the Holy Father. It is sown in the same style like the white soutane. Rev 19: 13, Isaiah 63:1, Genesis 49:11. Red means "love" and "the word of God". [back to top]
Turban
These are long wide ropes with different colours tied round the waist by the ordained brothers and sisters. BCS ordination is done by the Holy Father alone. The number of years in BCS or age does not determine individual ordination. It is determined spiritually and based on destiny. All positions and duties are all based on practical love for one another and evangelism "to make the whole world one is a task that must be done".
Turban colours and Position
Purple turban = Bishops (brothers)
Red turban := Evangelist (brothers/ sisters), Apostles (Brothers) and Deaconesses (sisters)
Black turban := Pastors (brothers)
Yellow turban = Senior prophets (brothers) /prophetess (Sisters)
Blue, green and brown turban - Prophets (brother)/ Prophetess (Sisters) [back to top]
Wearing of Shoes
It is the doctrine of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star not to wear shoes into the Bethels or the house of worship, knowing too well that we are in the presence of God.
Then said the Lord to him, Put off thy shoes from thy feet; for the place where thou standest is Holy ground (Acts 7:33)
God is holy and all worshippers of God must worship Him in spirit and in truth.
Exodus 3:5 , Romans 10:15, Luke 22-35. [back to top]
Bethels
Members of BCS worship in a 'Bethel' (as opposed to what others called churches) as in Genesis 28: v 18-19. The true meaning of Church is ' body of a person which is where God dwells and not a building or premises'.
These Bethels have their individual names depending on the location or the name of the area that it is built e.g., Elephant & Castle Bethel London, Mill Hill Bethel London, or Manchester Bethel and so on.
Bethels of the BCS are opened 24hours a day, 7days a week, and each day of every year from January to December. [back to top]
Knocking of Head
BCS members bow their head three times in reverence to the Holy Trinity God, before and after prayers
(Matt 2:11,26:39, 1 Corinthians 14:25, Rev 7:11) or at any time, place or occasion whenever the spirit
directs. Bowing of head is a very vital and effective part of communication with God; it's akin to a dialing
tone or knocking on the door before going in. [back to top]
Spiritual Weapon: Fasting
Fasting is the act of refraining oneself from food and water. It is a period of purification in which brethren devote themselves to prayers and supplications to God. Fasting brings you closer and in direct communication with your Creator through self sanctification while separated from the chaos of the world. It is good for the spirit, as well as flesh. All types of sicknesses and problems are solved through fasting. Members are enjoined to fast 6.00am to 6.00pm especially on Thursdays - as this was the day Our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified (as opposed to Friday, adopted by other Christian organisations). See the Good Friday Gospel by the Leader.
Before the Pentecostal period, 72 hours of dry - fasting with no food or water is undertaken by all Brotherhood of The Cross and Star members Matt 17:21, Galatians 5:24-25, to purify oneself and to be ready for the one month Pentecostal, which is one week after the dry fasting.
During Pentecostal, fasting is observed daily from 6am to 6pm, to bring you closer and worthy to receive the Holy Words and blessings of God, Acts 13:2-3. As with all other fasting, full feast is served for the breaking of fast. Like all other activities everything is directed solely by the Holy Spirit. Nothing therefore is compulsory or imposed on any member. [back to top]
Gospels
The words of God in BCS are the most powerful weapon, as it comes directly from the author of words and wisdom and is based solely on "love one another". It is the truth enriched with love, comfort, strength, faith, contentment, assurance, hope and revelations. The Gospels from the Sole spiritual Head of the Universe is the only path to purification, righteousness and salvation. All the texts and sermons are quoted from and based on the Holy Bible. Related Link - [back to top]
Prayer
BCS members thank God for everything in their prayers, as it is believed to be an insult, greed and ignorance to ask God for anything especially carnal things. God is our Omniscient Father and knows what is good and suitable for us, Matt 6:25-26 and there is time for everything. The power of the spoken word alone prevails, there is no burning of candles, incense, perfumes or use of any form of diabolical item.
All prayers starts and ends with;
"Let thanks, honour and glory be ascribed to God in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.
"Let thanks, honour and glory be ascribed to God in the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.
Let dominion and supremacy be given to God now and for ever more, Amen. [back to top]
Songs
The songs in BCS are very unique, heavenly and melodious and they are composed directly by the Holy Spirit. It is the type of songs that is not heard in any other place outside BCS. The power conveyed through the songs could break more than the wall of Jericho. It is a healing balm which comes with divine happiness and lasting joy.
There are three types of songs in BCS; spiritual songs sang by all congregation, special songs rendered by Choir, hymnary from BCS hymn book and songs for special occasions. [back to top]
Laws and Rules
BCS members are law-abiding members of whichever country they are. They do not partake in any strike, demonstration, protest or rebellion of any kind. They believe solely in the will of God; James 4:7, hence they do not litigate, 1 Corinthians 6:1-3, revenge, bear false witness, take oath, swear, Matt 5:34-37, James 5:12, or curse. BCS members are forgiving, Matt 6:14, merciful, kind-hearted, honest and truthful and trust only in the divine judgement of the Perfect Father. Matt 5:38-48.
All true children of God must meet the requirements enumerated in the gospel titled "First step to God" [back to top]
Feast
BCS Feast Is the food that our Lord Jesus Christ promised will be fulfilled in the Kingdom of God, Luke 22:15-16. Our Lord Jesus Christ gave a demonstration, (Luke 22:19-20) of this most precious food and revealed the bread to be His body and the cup (water), as His new testament in His blood; The Love Feast. John 6:51-57, 1 Corinthians 10:16-17
Feast in BCS consists of fruits, vegetables, rice etc., and water. It is purely vegan and is blessed and served after service or fasting.
Feast could be of two types:
- Fruits feast; which is prepared basically with various types of fruits.
- Full feast; consists of both fruits and food.
There is also house feast, which could be fruits or
full. BCS members do house feast or blessing before or shortly after they move
into a new house and also at will, as the Holy Spirit reveals or directs. Acts
2:42-47. [back to top]
Food and Drinks
In BCS the word of God is the main food, as our Lord Jesus Christ said that man shall not live by bread alone but by the word that proceed from the mouth of God. BCS members do not kill, eat or offer meat or fish, neither do they eat any dairy product. In BCS, Vegan is practiced. Eating of fruits is very important and significant, hence BCS members usually have fruits at their homes; fruits are served to visitors or strangers in place of drinks.
It is our belief that heaven and earth and its inhabitants were created before man. All the creations of God are part of Brotherhood (see What is Brotherhood).
Genesis 1:29 "And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of the earth, and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
BCS members do not drink or offer alcoholic drink, wine, soft or any artificially mixed drink except water.
Smoking and snuffing is not the food of the Holy Spirit and is not acceptable in BCS. [back to top]
Medicine
BCS do not believe in medicine of any form and so do not swallow, drink, inject or rub medicine of any type. BCS members believe in faith healing through the power of the spoken word, confession of sins, spiritual songs, power of the spoken words, prayers, fasting, going on ministry work, or the mere blessing of water and drinking and/or calling on the new name of God, as the only and the most effective cure with no after effect. [back to top]
Levies
There is no imposition of levies in Brotherhood. Everything is done out of free will. Everyone should give freely as much as he or she is given ability. No one is to be forced. Do not make any vow when you have no intention to redeem [back to top]
Tithe
Everybody must pay one tenth of his/her earning as tithe to God. Bethels, Associations, and fellowships must pay tithe from proceeds realized from functions. Tithe payment is a secret between you and your God. Malachi 3:7-12.
Everybody from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. “But ye said, Wherein shall we return? Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed me! But you say, ‘Wherein have we robbed thee?” in tithe and offerings.
Ye are cursed with a curse, for ye have robbed me; even this whole nation.
Bring ye all the tithe into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, “If I will not open you the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground, neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.
And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.
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Settlement of Disputes
Members of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star are not expected to resort to litigation as a means of seeking redress for wrong done to them. Disputes are to be settled among brethren. However if an agreement cannot be reached the matter should be taken to the peace Board as a final resort.
“Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee, and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
But if he will hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. Matthew 18:15-16
- If (a) fails, the various arbitration procedures as established by each Fellowship should be followed.
- If (b) fails, the case is brought before the Executives of the General Fellowship.
- When all these fails the matter should go to the arbitration Committee set up at the Zone, Area, State etc., before goi9ng finally to the Peace Board at the World Headquarters in Calabar.
Brotherhood of the Cross and Star is a spiritual kingdom where love, peace and joy reigns.
“Now the Lord is that spirit: and where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” (2nd Cor. 3:17) under no circumstances should Brotherhood members take the disputes to outside the fold. [back to top] |