Brotherhood
Of The Cross And Star, UK
BCS Doctrines
Vegetarianism
The Doctrine of vegetarianism as we are taught by The Holy Father dates back to the time of creation. It was founded at creation when God instructed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden thus;
“And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat” [Genesis 1:29].
It is erroneous when mankind claims right by killing and eating animals on the premise that God gave man dominion over all His other creation.
In the story of creation as recorded in Genesis chapter 1, God admired and loved all the works of His hands – His creation, and believed they were good. And for everything He created, there was a purpose. He did not create them to be destroyed by the other.
The dominion given to man over every other creature by God is a divine responsibility for man to nurture every other creature with love and respect, as God Himself loves man. Man being made in the image and likeness of God automatically places Him above all other creation.
The killing of animals for human consumption breaks the bond of Brotherhood between humankind and other creations, and it is for this reason mankind lives in constant fear of animals, while the animals on the other hand see humans as a threat to their existence. In order for humankind to return to the state of harmony which God intended from the beginning, the destruction of His creation has to stop. When man takes the lead the rest of creation will follow suit.
“There has never been a time when God instructed man to kill and eat birds, animals or locust insects, because these animals have their kingdoms. God’s motto is LIVE AND LET LIVE. The earthworm has its kingdom. Birds have their own kingdom. God has not advised you to live in conflict with them, but has highlighted to us that all the fruits and seeds of herbs and trees shall be your food. Have you fed on fruits and seeds and are not filled? ” [Leader Olumba Olumba Obu – Everlasting Gospel volume 1]
Love is the new law. Love sums up the teachings of Leader Olumba Olumba Obu. Love goes beyond loving who and what only appeals to you. Love is all encompassing. The animals are part of Brotherhood because they are part of the creation of God. Mankind should love them as he loves himself. In love there is no division; for love is whole. This is the mission of The Holy Father, to unify all of His creation in order that mankind may be restored to the lost paradise. With the love of God in you, you will not kill and eat animals because if you cut through a human being, you shed blood; in like manner, if you cut through an animal, you shed blood. When humankind comes to this understanding, Peace and harmony will be achieved.
‘The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea’ [Isaiah 11: 6-9].
Fasting
Fasting is an essential part of the spiritual life in Brotherhood of the Cross and Star which goes hand in hand with prayer as a tool for spiritual development. Following the baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ, He went through a serious temptation in the wilderness in which He went into fasting (Luke 4:1-13). During this period He battled with the lower self, characterised by the Devil, who enticed Him with allusions of greatness and tempted Him with worldly glory, if only He turned away from the path He was on. In recognition of this spiritual struggle between The Spirit (higher self) and the flesh (lower self), Leader Olumba Olumba Obu emphasises fasting to strengthen The Spirit and create clarity amidst the clamouring voices of the ‘flesh’.
The Holy Father and Supernatural Teacher states in his Everlasting Gospel on the subject that fasting, in line with prayer, is the key to the Kingdom. Not only does it provide solutions to so many problems that afflict humanity such as sickness and disease, but it also helps to purge us of negative, destructive tendencies such as anger, jealously, greed, hatred and selfishness which become attached to us. The Holy Father likens the human body to a machine or vehicle that requires servicing. Man is also a house in which negative traits can find a home and cause us problems. Fasting is a way of cleansing the house so that the Holy Spirit, the original owner of the house can take up residence.
Once the Holy Spirit takes dominion, peace reigns and health and wholeness are restored (holy means whole). This is illustrated in the story of Our Lord Jesus Christ healing a boy with a serious spiritual condition whose father had appealed to Christ to intervene. (Mark 9:17-29). In answer to his disciples’ question as to why they could not heal the boy, Christ answered thus:
‘And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting’ [Mark 9:29]
BCS members are taught to regularly fast each week and at key points during the year as directed by The Holy Father. The three days dry fasting in BCS is a period of self-mortification and takes place three times a year preceding each Pentecostal period.
Tithe
Tithe payment is a divine ordinance and instruction from God. It is an institution as old as man. God counts payment of tithe as an act of faith and righteousness; as in the cases of Abel, Abraham, Jacob, etc.
Tithe payment is a covenant between God and man. It is an instruction from God that comes with an enormous reward. Anyone that fails to pay their tithe inadvertently robs and cheats God.
“Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. 10 Bring ye all the tithes 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. 11 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. 12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.” - Malachi 3:8-12