An Abuja based clergy, Rev. Bayo Oladeji has clashed with his colleague, Pastor Yinka Silas over “first fruit” doctrine used by “smart pastors” to extort members of their January salaries.
Oladeji in a post on his verified Facebook page, maintained that demanding “first fruit” was not only selfish, ungodly but also unscriptural.
“First fruits, false teaching: January is here when some smart pastors extort the money of their church members of their first Salary. God does not ask for it.
“It is not compliant with the giving in the New Testament. Apostles didn’t ask for it even in the Old Testament, it is the farm products and not money. It is selfish, ungodly and unscriptural.
“And if one so desires in giving it, it should be voluntary and not compulsory.”
Commenting on Oladeji’s post, Silas insisted that first fruit is Biblical and Godly.
He added that God commands it and as children of God, they must obey what God commands.
Sikas stated: “Do we only do what’s inside the New Testament? First Fruit is Biblical and Godly. God commands it and as children of God we do what God commands. That we don’t believe in it doesn’t mean others won’t.
“First Fruit is working and anyone that believes in this Biblical principle should give it. Nobody will force us to do Biblical principles, we have read our Bible and we believe in what God says.”
Oladeji, who is not known to back down easily said: “In the same bible, the scripture says any lady who lost her virginity and a boy who insulted his father should be stoned to death, hopefully you are also practising this in your church.”