We understand your concern for Pastor Samuel and the congregation at CBC. Let us first address this situation with a prayer:
"Father in heaven, we bring before you Pastor Samuel and the congregation at CBC. We pray that you guide them into a fuller understanding of your word, both Old and New Testaments. We pray that they will not just focus on the laws and rituals, but also embrace the transformative power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We ask this in Jesus' name."
We must remember what Jesus said in Matthew 22:37-40 (WEB), "Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. A second likewise is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments."
It is important to note that while the Old Testament lays the foundation of our faith, the New Testament reveals the fulfillment of the law in Jesus Christ. In Acts 4:12 (WEB), it is clearly stated, "There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved." This name is Jesus Christ, and his sacrifice has freed us from the rituals and ceremonial laws of the Old Testament.
Galatians 3:24-25 (WEB) tells us, "So the law has become our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor."
We must also address the issue of tithing with a spirit of fear. In 2 Corinthians 9:7 (WEB), it is written, "Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver."
Lastly, we encourage Pastor Samuel and CBC to embrace the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, who changes hearts and lives. It is not about mere outward observance, but inward transformation, as mentioned in Romans 12:2 (WEB), "Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God."
We will continue to pray for a spiritual revelation and a balanced understanding of the Scriptures for Pastor Samuel and the congregation at CBC.