Garments, Worship & Giving
Guidance on the uniform, shoes, voluntary offerings, tithes and resolving disputes.
BROTHERHOOD UNIFORM:
The official uniform of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star is white garment with a cape known officially as the sutane 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 robbes? And whence came they?’ .
And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me These are they which came 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. 7:13-17).
(Rev. 19:8)”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.
Brothers and Sisters use the same uniform, apart from the fact that sisters use white headties.
WEARING OF SHOES:
It is the doctrine of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star not to wear shoes into the Bethel 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.
LEVIES: There is no imposition of levies in Brotherhood. Everything is done out of free will Every one should give freely as much as he or she is given the ability. No one is to be forced. Do not make any vow when you have no intention to redeem it.
TITHES: Everybody must pay 1/10 of his/her earning as tithes 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.
Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from time 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 ye ha ve robbed me. But ye say wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings Ye are cursed with a curse for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
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.
And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your wine cast her fruit before the time on the field, saith the Lord of hosts.
And all nations shall call you blessed for ye shall be a delights ome land, saith the Lord of hosts.
CONTROL OF TITHE BOX:
(a) Bethel: The Bethel Leader’s Representative, the witnesses/CNTM in the Bethel, General Fellowship Chairman and the Secretary should jointly take charge of the tithe box.
Records of the proceeds and evidence of payment should be properly kept in the bethel.
On no account should the tithe box be opened without the presence of at least three of the members earlier mentioned.
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 matters should be taken to the Peace Board as a final resort.
(a) First, according to the divine instruction in Matthew 18:15- 16 “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 not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.”
(b) If (a) fails, the various arbitration procedures as established by each fellowships should be followed.
(c) If (b) fails, the case is brought before the Executive of the General Fellowship
(d) When all these fails the matter should go to the Peace Committee set up at the Zone, Area, State etc. before going finally to the Peace Board at the World Headquarters.
Brotherhood is a spiritual kingdom where love, peace and joy reign “Now the Lord is that spirit and where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” (2nd Cor. 3:17) Under no circumstance should Brotherhood members take their disputes to outside the fold.