Ethiocross Blog

Thank you for talking to Dr. Tolosa and asking him some tough questions. I suggest it would benefit all of us if you focus more on what the Bible teaches about anointing one to be an apostle or becoming an apostle. The answer to this question will put all these drama to rest. IMO everything and anything starts and ends with the word of God.

Thank you.
"As for you brethren do not grow weary of doing good."

Everybody can see on what he says on DVD, which is found at Gospel light.

Thanks to Ethiocross.com & Amen Media.You are doing a balanced and excellent job.We are waiting to hear the rest of the interview eagerly. I couldn't find Amen Media's web-site.We would like to hear more messages like this.

All glory be to God.

In Christ love;
Mefthe Kelay

Thank you Mussie, for your lively interview. I thought your introuction was rather long and repetative. You rightly took a lot of time emphasizing telling the truth. No doubt,we are expected to tell the truth at times, places and situations as Christitans. I do not think any hearsay or he-said, she-said discussion would benefit us as much as discussing the biblical premises for the apostolic ordination or recognition, i.e., shumet or ewkina' and doctrinal issues. I heard Rev. Dr. Tolosa stressing it was not shumet but it was ewkina. Fine.

Asked about his own apostleship, the Rev. Dr. Tolosa answer seemed to be rather evasive. He said he was approached by a collegiate of apotles to be recognized as one and he declined it because 1) It did not appear to him it was opportune time or he did not think it the right time (Gizew) and 2) he did not feel like doing it. Both responses may need more explanation. You did injustice to Dr. Tolosa by denying him sufficient time to explain himself. I think you should have followed on the question rather than cutting him short. I hope I am wrong on this. May be you wanted to follow up on the response later. If that is the case, forgive me for my presumtption.

The first response implies that Dr. Tolosa has accepted his aposltship and expecting to be recognized some time sooner or later.

The second response concerns his feeling which can flow with the situation. "Altesemagnim", could it be He had not heard from the Lord or both. I think this issue deserves a more crisp and clearcut biblical position from a leader of his stature. Again, if I am wrong, please, correct me.

If his response to the collegiate of International Apostles (?) is negative, how could he officiate the simet or ewkina. In other words, if he did not accept his own ewkina with the Collegiate, what biblical illumination or new revelation prompted him to be the main speaker or conductor of the service at Pastor Daniesl's apostolic simet?

Before this thing too far (melettett, meguatet), the best way to arrest is to confess it was unbiblical. By doing so we are really hurting the flock especially the young "sheep" who are fed the elecronic media. Masenakel!one more terrible sin!

May the Lord have mercy on us!

What ever you called your self or, who ever you are
Is that the way how you interview someone? Is that the only solid eveidence you have to ask Even the tone; what are you ryed to tell to the audience "Hate never been a solution"

Here is my opinion.
1. There were and will always be only 12 apostles. Here is a verse which I believe shows that. (Revelation 21:14 NIV) The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
2. Apostles can only be appointed by Christ and that He did so in person. He appointed the 12 disciples as apostles to go out and preach. This included Judas. After Jesus' death and resurrection the disciples decided that they needed to add an apostle to replace Judas and they cast lots: (Acts 1:26 NIV) Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles. I personally think this was a mistake by them. I believe they tried to rush what God was going to do. I believe that Paul whom Jesus personally called to be an apostle on the Damascus road will be the 12th name on the foundation of the city wall, not Matthias.
Conclusion: The fact that there are only 12 names on the foundation of that wall to me shows that there were only 12 true apostles and that there is no such office today. Here is what Paul says about his appointment: (Galatians 1:1 NIV) Paul, an apostle--sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—
Hence, Pastor Tolosa and Pastor Daniel will have to answer the questions very clearly.
I kindly request a clear answer in your next interview.
I apologize for asking a clarification, if any.
Bless you all.

Tigist

For me it is rather strange to appoint an apostle. Who will tell us biblically that one can appoint apostles apart from the 12.

Similarly, If you tell me that apostles can be appointed then the catholic pope proved right to be an apostle like Paul and Peter.

How about equalizing the Pope.

Please clarify. I am a layman

I am really disturbed by what is going on.I think many people are sowing a very dangerous seed by insulting people like Pastor Tolosa and Pastor Daniel.ou guyes are provoking the wrath of God to come up on your lives."Touch not my Annointed ones".These are senior Ministers and should not be treated the way you are treating them.If you do not agree with what happened say so with respect.It is not heroic to insult Men of God.

May God bless you.
May God forgive you.

Dear "Akbir Abatochin":

I believe you've poorly applied a Scriptural reference [Psalm 105:15 "Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm"]
to make your point. If you carefully read Psalm 105 entirely, this verse is specifically referring to Abraham and his descedants; i.e., The Israelities. By a simple look at the passage the Word "[God] Saying" implies that it is a continuation (or refers back) to a previous content. So we need to ask first "what did God said?" Thus, look at the preceeding verse [14: "He permitted no one to do them wrong; Yes, He rebuked kings for their sakes,"]; you can see that: (1) "He [God] permitted no one to do them [The Isrealities] wrong;" and, futhermore, He [God] rebuked other kings for "their" [Children of Israel] sake. So please be advised that this verse does NOT apply to pastors or elders.

In addition and if you want to see this further, as a true descendant of Abraham [see Gelatians 3, for example], through The Lord Jesus, you and me [and all true believers in Christ] are annointed ones. This is true if we are a Child of God.

As a footnote: I am not saying that we are not required to respect our spiritual fathers; we have to. Nevertheless, we have to be very careful not to use singel verses [or Scriptural passages] in the wrong place [or for the wrong motive].

God bless!

GREAT, GOOD JOB Dr TOLLOSA
GOD BLESS YOU !

Selam for everybody!

I think you have tried to be objective by bringing Dr. Toloosa to defened himself and what he has done in Addis at Bealle Simet. However, the guy who interviewed pastor Tolossa did not give an amble time to respond to the critical question, which is, is there an apostle among us? If he believed that an Apostle office or gift is working today what is his biblical mandate or ground?

My concern is, what was the objective of the interview, if it was to hear the other side regarding this issue he must have asked the basic question which is I stated above and allowed to tell to your audiences. In the contrary, the interviewer took the whole time. If you have a plan for the second time, please give Dr. Tollosa sufficient time to respond what has been said negativity by Paul.
Blessings

Greetings in the name of our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ.


Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ!

Thank you very much for your kind remarks & thoughtful corrections.God willing, you will hear Rev.Dr.Tolossa's whole interview with-in few days. I hope & pray that it will answer many of your questions.

As I have tried to mention on my introduction, I have never been trained nor have experience to conduct an interview. I did this hoping that it will help to strengthen our unity and for the glory of God.

Please pray for me that I may have obident spirit & pure motives through His eyes.

All glory be to our kind,loving & merciful God!

In Christ love & for His service;

Amen Media.

It is unfortunate that Ethiocross made us listen many things to promote Amen Media programmes and Mussie's intro's but cut out Pr. Tolosa's interview, on an important issue that we were eager to attend. That can put off people to re-visit your site. (I hope you will not dump this message of criticism of your handling of the issue)

Pastor Dr Tolosa has been on his knees for the past decades praying for Ethiopians and Ethiopia.We respect you and love you Sir!You are a great blessing for us.Apostle Daniel mekonen has been preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the past 40 years.We respect you and love you sir!.Dr Alemu Biftu is also a true servant of God who has been true to his calling.We do love you and respect you Sir!The oppositions you are facing is not from our generation.You are our forrunners and we honor you very much.May God bless you all.

Hi
Actually I do not have Journalism training but I do know that prier to any interview, the interviewer should do his own research on the issue he is going to interview to avoid taking the interview person speaking as face value. I did not see such a thing and I am afraid to accept this. You are may be far from the situation but people in Ethiopia, especially who attained the program clearly know what they heared. The correct and Christian way to handle the mistake they made is through asking apology. I do not think making a mistake by itself is a problem, but the problem lays not accepting the problem and repent. That is pried. That is the biggest sin. Therefore, as interviewer you have to stand for the truth. To do that you have to find were the truth is. Just please do research and see.
May God Help us

Hi Mr.Mamo,
you did a good Job, my fear is here [Sr.Pa. Dr. Tolosa], all his speech at ordination of Pa. Daniel, was recorded, he dinay some of it. Me personaly I fell sad.
I think you have part two interview; pleas ask him before that to review his speech at ordination. (NOTE:- some Part of this comment was edited by the Editor)

Stay bless

No biblical basis. I'm very disappointed by both the interviewer and the respondant.

Dawit

Is there anyone has the origional DVD? If you have would you post it for us to watch please. I would like to see the right thing as what was going on tsewa convention.

Thank you.

Brother/Sister Ewenetun: I thought of the video too. But, I said watching it would make me invetigator or judge. I preferred to trust my fellow Christians, both the reported and the principal player, the Reverand but I am now dumbfounded.

I also thought the video would prove itself but what are we after? What is that I want to know? Really, I beleive the repoprt of the incident and the interpretation of thereof by Rev. Dr. Tolosa. My expectation from the interview was a biblical or theological explanation of the simet, shumet and/or "ewekina", more than anything else. Because, that was the most important issue here. It is not about the process or the pronouncement but the issue of "apostleship". It was about the accuracy of Paulos's report, who is now condemn to repent SOLO! The highlight of the interview here says, "Following the footsteps of Pastor Daniel, many apostles are going to be raised". So, is this the first time we have such an apostle? Is he the first first first? What about Pastor Zelleke, to say the least, who has served for 44 years? I know of many others who have served the Lord in that capacity who reside in Ethiopia or abroad today as I write this note. God is my witness! Certainly, Pastor Daniel's church or any other church for that matter can ordain anyone for any office. What is the deal about it?

God knows the hearts and minds of every one. I do not want to judge any one's heart. No one is against the abatoch per se. We are about the truth, the Word of God. Is the Bible the Word or shall I throw it away and follow these abatoch. Where is the place of the Bible which I believe is the ONLY SURE, INFALLABLE and INERRANT word of God?

I think the other abatoch and apologeticists (defenders of the faith) should come to rescue the Bible and biblical truth. Here is where we need thier help. We are dying for the truth! Help!

For I know whom I have believed and He is faithful to keep me till that day (St. Paul).

Marantha, Come Lord Jesus! Come soon. Amen!

With agape love,

Dawit.

Thank you, Brother Eagle. You summerized it in a few words, "The greatest mistake ever seen in Ethiopian Church History."

This interview was unsuccessful interms of revealing the biblical appropraiteness of the Apostolic SIMET. These abatoch are biblically literate and should give us the biblical reasons for the ordination rather than giving us us a repetition or a more elaborated review or counter review of Paulos's journalistic report.

Where are our theologians, abatoch, teachers, prophets, apologists, pastors, evangelists, missionaries, Bible scholars, seminarians and concerned ministers and learned Christians?

Where are the respect protestant or Evangelical church leaders to refute or condone this error?

We all need to pray for our leaders involved in this uncalled for issue. They should come up to the fore immediately for the glory of God and confess their indulgence.

May God grant them His enabling grace like of His Son's humility.

Your brother,

Erqu.

yemaygebagn neger 12 bcha kehonu Hawaryat Paulos Hawariya alneberem? geta eyesus karege behuwala aydel ende hawariya hono be egziabher yetemerete eyale erasu sinager metshaf kidus yinageral Hawarya 12 bcha alneberum geta kehedem behuwala yemiketl neber demom Yiketlal lebetekrstiyan yetesetem sitota new
Blessings!

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

thank you Pastor Tolossa! May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you!

And as your day, so shall your strength, your rest and security, be. Deut 33:25

sister in the Lord Muluken Taffese Stockholm, Sweden

Those you condamn the men of God becarfull for your self!
The havenly father know the heart and mind of every one. In what motive you sarting this issue?
It seems like 'ZABANA MENFESS'

Greetings in Christ!

I listened to the aforementioned interview. I have also read the article mentioned
in the interview! I am very much aware of the debate concerning Pastor Daniel
Mekonnen! Your attempt to find resolution and clarification on the issues was great.
Your interview and presumable position seems concurrent with the affirmative aspects
of the issue. I encourage you to ask yourself if you were objective and neutral in
this regard as a media person!

There is a very important question left to be treated in your interview. As a
theologian, church leader and charismatic minister, it seems to me finding answer to
the following question may resolve most of the issues in this debate. The question
is, does Rev. Dr. Tolossa believe that present day apostles have foundational role
like Peter, John and other New Testament apostle and prophets in general? If not,
what is their role and the importance of the title apostleship as related to the
ministry itself? A critical follow up question is what theological and biblical
basis do we have on this issue?

Hope you get my point and reach Rev. Dr. Tolossa again on this very issue? Or you
may let me have the contact information of Rev. Dr. Tolossa so that I can directly
contact him!

God bless your efforts on this matter!
Rev. Dr. Assefa Gugsa

I am really thankful to God about Brother Paulos, as we know he is no body to all of us. I do not know him personally. He does not have any significant role in the church of Ethiopia; however I found a great zeal in his heart to the church of Christ by just reading his article. He raised many controversial issues about today's church. If he does not raise these issues, we may not get a chance to evaluate our selves about what we are doing in the church. I wish to forget a little bit about brother paulos, instead better to look the common issue that he raises. I have heard so many times Dr. tolsa's message, he himself claim several times that we Ethiopians did not have effective church leaders. He had said to many church leaders in Ethiopian convention center that God was not pleas about most of Ethiopian leaders. He strongly condemns their activity. He strongly condemn about their ineffectiveness of leading the church. he also condemn them about their stubbornness of their heart. NOW, his turn to show us that humble heart as a leader to such great questions. if he is the same person that he preach during those days why he condemn now such concern about the church of Christ.

I am born again christan I love my Lord Jesus, i have the same question that Paluos( the writer of the article)wrote. Are you saying that we have to shut our mouth and let you do whatever you want to do. Do you remeber Dr. you were strong when you spoke to those leaders. of course, you were right to speak them strongly since you had a constrictive intention to change their stubborn heart. Now God give you a chance to show us a better kind of heart. by the way i Love Dr tolsa, he is honest man of God that Ethiopia never ever had. However at this point I am not with him. I see him out of the truth just to protecting himself. pualus questions are not just his question, however to many of us. You should address the issue more responsibly and accountably. Why you are not able to gather other leaders and churches, I mean significant leaders in the country able to join you when you perform the ordination? Why you do not take advice from the indigenous church leaders when you take this big step? I personally do not have a problem to call the gay apostle, however i do not appreciate disrespecting who working hardly to spread the word in the country diligently with out seeking money and fame.

As the article writer said “you did it, because you are able to do it." I can not see Jesus in it. It is better not to think just one man or ignorant as you said "alawaqi" article. To me the article well organized directly pointed to the controversial issues rather than personal attack. If you remember back days when you spoke to those leaders, there were leaders who did not feel or saying that " altesemaghem" to say sorry to the people and God. You are doing the something to day. We need biblical support what exactly you are doing on this particular issue, you are responsible for it.


The article did not offend me but helped me to open my eyes. If anyone read the article in constrictive way it challenges today’s church leadership. You leaders should appreciate this young man for his concern of the church of Christ. i think this is the young man we should look for ward to challenge us as a leader. We need people who are telling us directly what they fell about us. We know that you leaders are not perfect. It is time to listen to do better. Condemning this young writer is not a solution to the bigger problems that we are facing. As a good leader you can make it as a constrictive article. Those concerned young people should be respected, at least they take time to evaluate church leadership, when they perepar to write such a great influential article. If I am one of these leaders, I would not let to wait him more than a month to talk with me.(we know that the writer tried to talk leaders before he write the article) is it not you DR tell to those leaders that they are a "killer". Now I am looking a sworn on your hand to kill this young man. Not only you but the so called “apostle"s and others as usual.

God knows my heart I do not know this young man, yet I know many young men who killed brutally by such irresponsible leadership system. Dr if you take time to read this article you would learn more to understand this generation so that you are able to advice us as a true loving father. Let me say it again I love Dr Tolsa as a man of God as a brother in Christ Jesus. i also admire his willingness to present him self to Amen media,However, I have a question that when it will be getting a loving Fathers who are able to see the Fact rather than their fame. Dr please does not be another example to be "a "killer" in your word "nebsegeday" to this generation. Dr please helps us to lead our generation. We love the same Jesus that you love. Do not make it spiritual for the sake of confirming your effectiveness on this matter.


Please do not believe as Pastor Daniel once said “this generation (young people) is not ready to take step to leadership". We will be ready to fight the real fight as you once did. To me, this entire mistake that you are doing is because you do not really believe that God is able to rise this generation other than you. I may be wrong. Instead of, rising new generation you gays expect young people revolution. But why? Please stop your show and let us see your practical love at least to the youngest that are around you working hard for you. In this way we can be an example to the world, especially to our country. Let the world see something different in the house of the Lord. Let show to the world that we are brothers.

What really matter for us now is not the Title. What matter is, how you respect each other and forgive each other? Pleas do not hide your self behind titles. We love to see forgiveness, love, and brotherhood in Christ. Does the article talk about this matter? Yes it does. Is it not biblically relevant question? Yes it is. So, why this big sone to the young writer? it looks Stubbornness. May the lord bless our leaders in every way.
your brother in christ.

Dear all,

As I have said somewhere in this blog before, I was dying to hear the pro- apostelship side's argument. I thought it would only be fair to listen to what they had to say before reaching to any conclusion. That was why I was sooo happy and excited to see that Dr. Tolossa gave an interview regarding the "beaale Simet".

Unfortunately, the good Reverend did not even try to answer the real question. He just went on and on trying to defend what was done and said during the event. The interview was, for lack of a better word, irrelevant and intangent to the issue at hand. The right trend of argument would be answering the question- What is your biblical ground for the whole "simet"?

I was actually disappointed at both Dr. Tolossa and the interviewer that they made the whole issue about Paulos Fekadu. Paulos is just the reporter who shared his views- he is not the issue! The issue is the "Beaale Simet". Enough talking about Paulos now- lets focus on what really happened.

AGAIN, I DEMAND not only Pastor Tolossa but all his western allies (Dr. Alemu Biftu, Pr. Endriyas Hawaz, Pr. Mulugeta Abate, Pr. Habte Adane...) to come out and explain why and how you come to advocate such an act/event!!!! Tell us your biblical grounds for having supported the "simet" or come out and repent!

In Hise service,
GWD

We preached Christ crucified -1Corinthians 1;23
Brothers and Sisters in Christ.
I thank Lord for Ethio-Cross allowing us to discuss such timely issues in a balanced way for the edification of all of us.
Dr Tolessa has been very good model in political unity for the nation Ethiopia who came from a background of hatred politics.
But when it comes to the pure gospel, I am afraid he might lost the cross centered Chrstianity due to his diplomatic approach.
There is no compromise in true Chrsiianity and our choise should be either Lord or the world not the two.When you get popularity you are introuble.Look how Dr Billy Graham appreciated Mother Thressa as a a saint while the bible clearly tells us a saint is by the work of Christ through faith and grace.Dr Graham was leading a memorial day prayer when one Black minster pray the true God as the God of Mohammed .I mention this for a lesson that we sholuld be careful and it is better we considered out cast by the heathen instead of compromising with them.
Now recognizing pastor Daniel as 'prophet' which is contary to the Bible that there is no such prophet like the twelve except the apostlship of the chruch of Christ to be sent as in Greek mesaning of apostle.We all are saints and sinners same time but we can not issue a title BTSUE 'Saint' to each of us and rather it is better we call us the abortive ones or wicked as Paul -Romans 7.
It is time to test all teachers weather they preach Christ crucified or not and by this we know who are the true ones and the false.
There is much deception and negative influence from the prosperity health and wealth preachers who are exposed by true preachers in US and at home that the church should be kept sanctified from such heretic teachings.Even the US government is crtical of those prosperity preachers due to their unreliable account and left them respecting the faith community.
Look the history of the church,all those heretics begining Airus and others were good brothers but later fall apart.Now let us pray fror each other and let the Bible and only the Bible be the only basis for our faith.
Meskelu

What are we trying to prove by interviewing Rev. Dr. Tolosa or any of the other pastors who participated in the simet? I believe what we all need to ask is the critical questions Rev.Dr. Asseffa Gugsa asked above. Both seemingly premeditated and skillfully crafted questions and answers were diversionary. The issue here is neithr the person of Paulos nor Pastor Daniel. We do not qusetion the pesronal integrity of Dr. Tolosa or other pastors either. I hope these pastors would give proper answer corporately or individually as soon as possible. I am hoping that they have heard about the Paulos comments. I hope they would not ignore as usual. I hope members of their churches would inform them of the reaction of the simet and ongoing discussions here on Ethiocross.com.

God bless you, Rev, Dr, Asseffa.

I REAPET WHAT MY BROTHER SAYS ABOVE
Pastor Dr Tolosa has been on his knees for the past decades praying for Ethiopians and Ethiopia.We respect you and love you Sir!You are a great blessing for us.Apostle Daniel mekonen has been preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the past 40 years.We respect you and love you sir!.Dr Alemu Biftu is also a true servant of God who has been true to his calling.We do love you and respect you Sir!The oppositions you are facing is not from our generation.You are our forrunners and we honor you very much.May God bless you all.

PLEASE STOP THEM GOD

Amen Media,

Should we expect another interview with the concerned pastor or is this it?

Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ.

Thank you very much for your participation & interest on this important issue. God willing, we will bring you more interviews & opinions (highlighting your questions & concerns,) as soon we can. We are trying to contact those whom we believe are related with this issue. If you can help on this project in any way, please don't hesitate to write me .

My email address is; amenmedia@yahoo.com

Thank you & God bless you.

In Christ love.

AMEN MEDIA

GREETINGS IN JESUS HOLY NAME.
I PRAISE GOD FOR ALL GENUINE COMMENTS FROM BOTH SIDES FOR THE EDIFICATION OF ALL OF US,THE BELVERS COMMUNITY THE CHURCH OF CHRIST.
I FORWARD THIS NOTICE TO ETHIO CROSS AND AMEN MEDIA ATHAT WE GET BALANCED VIEWS ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES FROM THOSE SENIOR BROTHERS WHO BEGAN THE ETHIOPIAN EVANGELICAL CHURCHES IN DIASPORA.WHAT ABOUT PASTOR ZELEKE ALEMU OF VIRGINIA AND PASTOR ASSEFA OF KANSAS AND PASTOR TESFA OF TEXAS?I THINK THESE PASTORS ARE NEUTRAL & PIONEERS/SENIORS IN THE ETHIOPIAN COMMUNITY AT ABROAD.
FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO REBUKE SUCH NOBLE DISCUSSION,I REFER THEM THE BIBLE AND THE GENUINE CRTICISM OF PAUL TO PETER & JOHN MARK WHO EDIFIED EACH OTHR.
MESKELU

I have seen the DVD recorded in the event but it has been edited.Not most but all what brother Paulos mentioned
has been cut out.I am not questioning the apostleship of Pastor Daniel Mekonen but I question what the other pastors portrayed him at the event.
And I totally doubt and question when Dr Tolessa said about the invitation. That all the Ethiopian pastors invited(not from overseas) were unable to attend. I mean all pastors were unable to attend ? This by itself leaves a question mark.It is better for Ethio cross to get the unedited version of the DVD and post it in the website and let all of us judge for ourselves.Let us not critisize brother Paulos.I only believe what Dr Tolessa said after I hear the unedited copy of the DVD.

I beg Ethiocross to post the unedited DVD from the event.

Thank you

Meskelu,

Thanks for your comment.Are you saying that the pastors you mentioned here should be interviewed by amenmedia.com?
Rev. Zelleke has already taken a stand. I appreciate his courage and humility. May God use him even more.

Although I apprecaite their seniority, I am afraid if the silence of all others is healthy for themselves, family, ministry and the Church in general. May be they are puzzled, muzzled their tongue and praying about it or they support it such that they they are the next candidates. I think this is the time they need to speak up or reduce themselves to eternal silence and let the church suffer the consequences thereof. Their silence of neutrality does not help or heal the wound.

Your list is a good attempt but I am afraid you might have left out some of the most prominent with the Lord but not popular with the public. A general call for a consultation on the issue might bring every one to a forum. May be a wealthy church or person(s) might want to call a sponsor such a consultation in Ethiopia or abroad, although the problem originated from mainly from the Diaspora, (according to Dr. Tolosa's mention of a Candian apostle) and transplanted in Ethiopia.

I am not eager to hear the interviews or to see the video. It is not healthy. There is nothing like a joint consultation like as in Acts 15. As some senior servant of the Lord, "This is the worst crisis the Ethiopian church has ever faced".

My brother I do not doubt the apostleship of Pastor Daniel as much as I do not doubt your own apostleship as per the Great commission and ambassadorship of every believer. The Pastor is already an apostle just like any another believer any where in the planet. He has been a missionary from the moment he confessed Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Besides, there are too many accomplished apostles (in the more narrower sense of the word) in Ethiopia and abroad that we might leave out some.
I think whoever organized, presided, participated, heard, seen and looked the other way as well as observed or witnessed should swallow their pride and humbly accept that they have erred in giving the position of Our Supreme Apostle, Jesus the Christ. We have culprits. Please, do not minimize the error or be diplomatic about it. We have sinned. We undermined the word of God. We grieved the Holy Spirit. I have sinned in that I did not react to vehemently. There is no balance here; balance what agaist what? This is wayward. May the Lord forgive us all.

My dear brother Hailu, I agree with you. The question now is not finding out the facts. We know the facts. They are self-evident. But, what would we do with the facts? I think it will hurt the church more if we prove they are wrong than they come up admit their error. They should be LOUD and Clear that they are WRONG. That is why I am saying there should be a council of Elders and 'apostles' or pastors and theologians/apologists, etc. to see this matter in a constricted environment. The more we delve and dig into this matter in thse sensational media, the internet, TV, radio, etc., the more we are going to hurt the church and its mission. I do not think that is wise. I had said this again and again in my earleir comments.

Why people oppose the shumet. It seems we are not one body. Assume right hand dig fault from left hand when it knew that left hand is rewared a ring. And the rest of the body were divided left right and debate.... This is not expected from one body. No one ever seen what is going on on the other part of the body because they are busy doing their assignment ... no time to watch, discuss and gossip. One body, enjoy the reward given to its body. When someone see the body what was mentioned is not gold ring on the left hand, but the gold ring with that person.... did you get me. no one talk to hand or foot or eye but for the body!!! so why not we feel we are annointed. or we prefer to research what has the left hand done to get a gold ring minamin and agitate the right hand to oppose and support the opposition! we are giving a headache to the whole body! And the head, Christ, couldn't work properly because the whole body is in revolution against left hand... may be the feet strike and the eye and .... the whole body then be paralized!!! do we need this? Why we all keep our big mouth shut and mind our bsiness!! there are a lot to do. Let us fulfill the great commission, the salvation of the lost! why we west our time by opening our Bible to get word to debate or disproof.... do you think Jesus care about this.... What is wrong with you guys? why not we mind our business. Jesus gave us enough assignment to do... how could we have time to split hear and appoint ourselve to disproof the shumet!! wui wui !!! min yishalenal!!!! bizu sira ko ale! minew hulun titen le hagerachin, le hizbachin binitseliy. Minale tiru sira le seru ewkina biniset... hulie mefred! hulie matatal! siyastela!!!

Shutting our mouth when the church is going astry is not healthy. As long as we do it in approriate way, that is, focusing on the issue at hand rather than discribing people, we can ask as many questions as we like and get clarifications on some foggy matters such as "modern day apostles and their duties." As many of us ask, are modern day apostles foundational apostles? Why did not St. Paul (in the bible) ask God to appoint other apostles who can take over when he prayed with Ephesian elders? Paul simply said to the leders that he handed them over to God and His word.

I think the most important question is If we give acknowldgment of apostelship to any one and if that person comes up with "new revelation" how far shall we agree with them? Is it not in contrary to the bible?

Have mercy on us Lord!!!

i have no idea as to why we are still holding back blessings of our nations. I was there on that day representing the University Fellowship from AAU. Though, i'm in my early twenties and couldn't say much about Pastor from personal point of view, i attended the whole program and i'm not a member of Gospel light but the whole program was intended and was as far as my understanding goes and i just wish we could find reasons to honor, love and stand on the side of People like Pastor Daniel and sure the many more dedicated servants of the Lord and it's only then, our History will be remarkably reversed. Please let's think rationally and as members of the Divinely set workers for His Kingdom
May God bless you all

"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers." Ephesians4:11
The above verse is very clear and I am sure our fathers who appointed pastor Daniel knows very well.
Numbers 12
This part of Miriam’s story described an incident at Hazeroth, as the Hebrew people wandered in search of their promised land.
Going to Moses, Miriam and Aaron raised two points that were troubling them:
1. They questioned his marriage to the Cushite (Ethiopian or Midianite) woman, not because of any personal rivalry, but because Hebrews condemned marriage with a foreigner
2. They questioned Moses’ authority over them, since Moses was the youngest of the three siblings. God had communicated with all three of them. Why then should Moses dominate the other two?
‘”Has the Lord spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us also? And the Lord heard it…. And said to Moses, Aaron and Miriam “Come out, you three, to the tent of meeting”.’
Read Numbers 12:1-9
“has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Was a ksed
Miriam’s question ‘has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses?’ was a profound one. It asked
How do we know what God wants?
What ways does God speak to us?
Who has authority over us?
These questions are universal, asked by people of every place and era.
A foot that has been affected with leprosy
As leader of the women and sister of Moses, Miriam had an unusually influential position in the community. This made her words and ideas important, because they were listened to, and they affected many people. This seems to be why her questioning of Moses was followed immediately by what the text calls leprosy, shocking to all who witnessed it. One of the Ten Plagues of Egypt was boils and skin sores.
When the cloud went away from over the tent, Miriam had become leprous, as white as snow.’ Her skin was likened to that of a stillborn foetus when it comes out of its mother’s womb. In fact, the term ‘leprosy’ was used for a wide variety of skin diseases at that time; some of them were curable, some were not. Leviticus 13 and 14 give precise details of symptoms and treatments, both spiritual and medical.
In whatever guise it appeared, leprosy was seen as a punishment from God for some wrong-doing. That being so, it was necessary to repent and reform - which Miriam had to do. She suffered the punishment of God, and atoned for her challenge to Moses' authority.
Miriam’s leprosy was interpreted by the people as a dramatic sign that Moses was God’s chosen leader, and that Miriam’s and Aaron’s authority, while still important, was less than Moses’.
Miriam’s life had been one of service and leadership. She expressed all the robust qualities that are best: courage and ingenuity in a dangerous situation, loyalty to her family, a love of music, story-telling and dance, and intellectual enquiry into questions about authority and social responsibility. SHE REMAINS A MODEL FOR WOMEN AND MEN TODAY.
God never throw His servants away after He used them. God knows how to correct them it is not our job and we should leave the mater between him and them. We only called to follow their good teaching and examples. It is not our job to re teach our fathers. We Christian Ethiopian lack one thing respect for our spiritual fathers and as the result may younger generation lost their anointing once they started thinking they know everything and they start looking down to their fathers. THIS IS UN GODLY. It is from the devil.
I am very sad and disturbed about the interview and some of the comments. How do you guys have a gut to ask such questions to Dr. Tolosa? VERY DISREPECT FULL!!!
We should have some respect for God’s servant they established Christianity in our land and because of them we became it gets to our generation. Don’t forget how much price they paid for the gospel? We have so much to learn from them rather than criticizing them. After all those years walking with Jesus are we going to teach them how to walk with the Lord all over again?
The first question that was asked to Dr. Tolosa about a flower reminds me the similar question was asked to our Lord regarding the perfume and the poor.
In the end lets take the opportunity to learn from our fathers before they go home.

Selam All
"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers." Ephesians4:11
The above verse is very clear and I am sure our fathers who appointed pastor Daniel knows very well.
Numbers 12
This part of Miriam’s story described an incident at Hazeroth, as the Hebrew people wandered in search of their promised land.
Going to Moses, Miriam and Aaron raised two points that were troubling them:
1. They questioned his marriage to the Cushite (Ethiopian or Midianite) woman, not because of any personal rivalry, but because Hebrews condemned marriage with a foreigner
2. They questioned Moses’ authority over them, since Moses was the youngest of the three siblings. God had communicated with all three of them. Why then should Moses dominate the other two?
‘”Has the Lord spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us also? And the Lord heard it…. And said to Moses, Aaron and Miriam “Come out, you three, to the tent of meeting”.’
Read Numbers 12:1-9
“has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Was a ksed
Miriam’s question ‘has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses?’ was a profound one. It asked
How do we know what God wants?
What ways does God speak to us?
Who has authority over us?
These questions are universal, asked by people of every place and era.
A foot that has been affected with leprosy
As leader of the women and sister of Moses, Miriam had an unusually influential position in the community. This made her words and ideas important, because they were listened to, and they affected many people. This seems to be why her questioning of Moses was followed immediately by what the text calls leprosy, shocking to all who witnessed it. One of the Ten Plagues of Egypt was boils and skin sores.
When the cloud went away from over the tent, Miriam had become leprous, as white as snow.’ Her skin was likened to that of a stillborn foetus when it comes out of its mother’s womb. In fact, the term ‘leprosy’ was used for a wide variety of skin diseases at that time; some of them were curable, some were not. Leviticus 13 and 14 give precise details of symptoms and treatments, both spiritual and medical.
In whatever guise it appeared, leprosy was seen as a punishment from God for some wrong-doing. That being so, it was necessary to repent and reform - which Miriam had to do. She suffered the punishment of God, and atoned for her challenge to Moses' authority.
Miriam’s leprosy was interpreted by the people as a dramatic sign that Moses was God’s chosen leader, and that Miriam’s and Aaron’s authority, while still important, was less than Moses’.
Miriam’s life had been one of service and leadership. She expressed all the robust qualities that are best: courage and ingenuity in a dangerous situation, loyalty to her family, a love of music, story-telling and dance, and intellectual enquiry into questions about authority and social responsibility. SHE REMAINS A MODEL FOR WOMEN AND MEN TODAY.
God never throw His servants away after He used them. God knows how to correct them it is not our job and we should leave the mater between him and them. We only called to follow their good teaching and examples. It is not our job to re teach our fathers. We Christian Ethiopian lack one thing respect for our spiritual fathers and as the result may younger generation lost their anointing once they started thinking they know everything and they start looking down to their fathers. THIS IS UN GODLY. It is from the devil.
I am very sad and disturbed about the interview and some of the comments. How do you guys have a gut to ask such questions to Dr. Tolosa? VERY DISREPECT FULL!!!
We should have some respect for God’s servant they established Christianity in our land and because of them we became it gets to our generation. Don’t forget how much price they paid for the gospel? We have so much to learn from them rather than criticizing them. After all those years walking with Jesus are we going to teach them how to walk with the Lord all over again?
The first question that was asked to Dr. Tolosa about a flower reminds me the similar question was asked to our Lord regarding the perfume and the poor.
In the end lets take the opportunity to learn from our fathers before they go home.

I heard all the interview and i found it that Sr.Pastor (Dr.) Tolossa Gudina is without the pure word of God.What i was really expecting from him was to refer the word of God to back up all his speech. This is the 2nd interview that i heard him. the first one i heard was the interview with one of the teachers of the Ethiopian Orthodox church. He never referred the word of God in that interview and i just was wondering how the teacher of the orthodox church outspoken him. He is full of the word of God ( eventhough i didnt agree with his interpretations). even on this interview, there is no reference for his defence. All i heard is religeous words and accent that he used to say it since i ever have known him. secondly, he is blaming the writer for using informal or offensive words. i read that article and it is not like that. this young man wrote apologetic( against heresy)and should be even stronger than this one. the early church defended herecies by describing the nature of the heresy and how and what the activists' actual words of thier teachings. so if he is not for it, he has to define what he saw with the approprite apologetic words! words which look like spiritual and kind shouldnt cover the ultimate truth! tradition and the teaching of men shouldnt be the guidance and the manifestation of the church of christ. scripture and scripture alone sets us free. however,Sr.Pastor (Dr.) Tolossa Gudina and others negelect the pure word of God and try to councel the church of Ethiopia with thier own sayings( traditions. we should stand against tradition and heresy by the word of God as the earliest reformers did. "sola scriptura" as martin luther said!

wait a minute, i have a very good question for Sr.Pastor (Dr.) Tolossa Gudina which is in my mind for many years. some years back you told us to pray and fast for weeks and weeks so that the problem of the land will be solved. you told us the exact year and the day even. but nothing happened.to my amazement,however, that same year( which u told us great miracles would happen), 8 million people were found without food.(a new famine brokeout). and the problem of the land staying the same. according to scripture, if the word of the prophet is not coming true(fulfilled), that prophet is telling his own idea. do u have ananswer for my question?

finally, i would like to bless ethiocross midia for all the articles it presents and i pray so that the church of Ethiopia return to the scripture and the scripture alone rather than listen to the empty words of ' prophecy' covered with religeous words and tradition which is not biblical.
blessins!

[Editor's Note:- Some words has been edited. Please, be kind and repectful. Also, focus on the subject not in the person him/her self.]

It would have been very good if you have asked the Gospel Light Church that took the step to recognize the gift which is working in the life of Pastor Daniel. The gifts of the Holy Spirit is given to the Church and we see them working on beleivers life. So what's the matter? If we beleive that the Holy Spirit gives gifts of Apostels, teachers pastors, evangelists, then what we should do is just recognize the gift in the beleivers life and encourage them to minister to/in the Church.
The Gift is not the authority. The gift is ministry. The beleivers authority comes form the Word of God and from the faith in the resurrected Jesus Christ the Son of God. The Church has the authority to call on beleivers to the ministry.
I wish every body would pray and seek the Lord and uplift our brothers so that they would know Him/Jesus/ more and serve Him more.
I ask myself sometimes, if we beleive that Satan is working in this world and leading so many to hell, how are we looking at that?
How should I respond to the call of God? Should I focus on my brothers little words or on the bigger call we received together as a church?

Let's act prayerfully.
Mesfin Taye

Thank you for bringing this debate up because it is touching millions life, including mine. What really astonished me was how the Priest (and he presented himself as the least to be knowledgeable than his hierarchy!) the way he quoted non stop the bible to subtantiate his wording! HOw on earth Pr Tholossa, as honnest can he be (by the way, french do say, "you do not write a great litterature novel, because you have beautiful sentiment" io other words, the desire to do good is not enough) and I am sure the loves the Christ, has not studied well enough his bible to quote out of it! This is about God and how can we talk about God without backing up our opinion/believings with the book of Life???

For me, Pr Tolossa performance was very poor but I will not judge him :may God reveals the truth in his heart and give him an uncheakable faith founded on the bible, both old and new testament...now one element that was missing in this debate, is the question of the Holy Spirt - what does the HS means for Orthodox? What is its role? Pr Tholossa should have quoted the verses related to the power of Holy Spirit in its ability to change us and become "born again" ism't that what Jesus commanded us to do "None of you shall come the Kingdom unless you are born again" what this verse mean to EOC? Then to protestantism??? What about the batptism in tongues?? I am true proud ethiopian lady, proud of my EOC (IT HAS KEPT HAS SAFE FOR ALL TIME - where was pente during the colonialism period, or during the reigh of Judith Gudit, Ottoman, etc? who saved Ethiopia back then if not our EOC? so we have to help our church build, our priest to eat even if we are protestant , catholic or whatever...they have been the guardians of our country through prayers, few indivuals endorsing such a responsibility, hiding into mountains to pray and fast...which pente can do such a sacrificial act '?? God is not about chanting and dancing and healing only...it is before all, about sacrifying oneself to present a pure heart before Him...?

Some members of my family became pente, since our house is divided, they look at us as if we are of the devil and wishper some "sad murmuring" for us, as they believe we are lost...but had they forgotten that if should we be that lost, then they should sacrifice themselves to love us the way we are?? instead, we love them, we always invite them but they run away from us...pente has divided families...i personnally have lost all communication with my sister because she thinks I am of the devil...her kids are now growing teenage, and they are revolting from her, she is having all kind of issue to raise them, because these kids now, since they are born in shouting and dancing in church, are no respecter of who God is really...they love the world, the fashion, the music...and Orthodox gives true backqround, the Spirit of EOC was in me as a child...even after all these years I have been exposed to the West, I still cary myself with some dignifty and faith, and I look at the west culture, as something futile, relinquinshing...there is one thing about pente to EOC: it has awaken our church and priest to teach people what it is to be a real orhtodox, the secrets hidden,the dimension of our rituals ...and EOC has now started to teach in Amharic, before all was in geez and nobody understood but believed blindly...now God is asking our church leadership to be awaken, and teach the young generation...they need to teach us more of the Tsebel and the Holy Spirit because that is where the pente are attacking us...and honnestly I would like to be armed properly to know all these things, so I can with the grace of God enlighten my 2 sisters and family lost in pente...May God help us to love one another. God bless you all, and particularly the EOC - who has kept our tradition, history and relation with God intact. A very big thank you to priest Zemene...

I would recommend Priest Zemene to preach and teach more...and probably to ask God to give him more wisdom so he can remain calm and control his emotions any time, the pentes are trying to stir him up...I was proud of him , particularly when he told Tolossa why do you quote your scientist and geologist? Who are they in front of God. My reference do not come from them but from the bible! It was awesome...I wish I could hug him. Can we get his church address to give donation?? This is how true christians should support EOC - support please our church in Ethiopia! Please I beg you. Peace and love, Mekdese-Mariam (that is my name indeed!)

O'my Lord! What is going on? Does it matter if some one is given that or this title or called by any name? Please, the only thing that matters is what we want to do. Has Pastor Daniel not been serving us without us calling him Apostle? Is it a big deal if part of the church wants to call him Apostle in acknowledgement of his service? If he and others believe that he has a gift of apostleship does it change anything in his service? For me it is not more than an expression of love. Believing apostleship to be a spiritual gift can’t be an issue, as long as it is not taken as a ‘shumet’ by others with an intention of appraising the person. The objective in what was done for pastor Daniel, as long as I understand, was just a public acknowledgement of his service and expression of love. Stop ‘beqalat mewagat’ and do what you are called to do for the Lord. Stop ironically going after Gods chosen people and aim to reach the people who are suffering in Darkness. Can’t you see the kind of suffering the people of Ethiopia in particular and the entire world in general are passing through? There is a lot to do as a Christian. Don’t waste your time trying to pull back those who are on track running the good race of faith.

Wake Up! There is a lot to Do. The dark world is waiting for you to rise up and shine. I believe that God will pour the anointing of the Era of the Apostles on this generation. I don’t mind what title we would like to give them but the anointing of the apostles of the bible is coming in double fold. I don’t mind what name we may call those who will soon rise up to shine the Glory of God like never before, but they have got a Good News for the people living in Darkness. Be ready to be one of them. Wake up brothers and sisters.

God Bless You All!

I'm just wondering why my comment has not been posted. You have got my email pls let me know why?

Thanks

Hi Mussie,
Primarily, several readers have wanted you to get an answer either from Dr. Tolossa or any other bible teacher:

1-what the mandate (biblical ground) of modern day apostles? Would you try to present a follow up interview to Dr. Tolossa? Would you ask whether he read the article by Paulos before lindly discrediting?

2-As a theologian, Dr. Tolossa was supposed to defend his view based on scripture. Unfortunately, he failed and never mentioned a scripture given the all chances and this entire interview. Why?

Secondly, as a regular and close observant of Dr. Tolossa's ministry in the past, I have observed the followings missing in his ministry.
Would you allow him to answer them?

1-Do. Dr. Tolossa belive evangelism is biblical? Why he does not focus on evangelism and salvation of new converts? For your surprise, he does not invite people for salvation and repentance either on his Sunday sermons, stadium crusades or other regular preaching. Why? FYI six years a go his church members asked him the same question and he answered it is not his gift. So painful.

2-There are plenty of couples who officially got married in his church pulpit though they were living together in the past (I can furnish the list). Is it biblical? Isn't it desecrating the church of Jesus Christ?

3- Dr. Tolossa is regularly considered as a prophet. Which of his prophecies came to effect?

It is okay to criticize anything which we do not understand it the way how the truth laid.We can correct it through dailog positively.But it is extremly bad if we criticize the biblical truth knowingly not to accept and just to feed our emotion by dressing the religious dress externally through the little knowlegde towards the Bible which we pretend to apply it in our dailly life.