Edir Macedo: Biography, ministry, controversy and more.

Today we will talk about Edir macedo, the life and work of this Brazilian Christian. Join us and we will see more about this XNUMXst century theologian.

Story of Edir Macedo.

Edir macedo He was born in the municipality of Rio das Flores (State of Rio de Janeiro) on February 18, 1945. He is the fourth son of Henrique Bezerra and Eugênia de Macedo Bezerra. Within the family of Catholic religion, his upbringing was characterized by rigorous compliance with moral and ethical standards, due to the rude character of his father.

In 1963 at the age of eighteen, he began his career as a public official. As well Edir macedo He worked as a cashier for the Rio de Janeiro State lottery at the age of sixteen, and in turn worked during the year 1970 at the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, the IBGE, as a researcher in the economic census of that year .

At the tender age of twenty-six and in the year 1971, and after his conversion to evangelical Christianity (his encounter with the Lord), he married a girl from an evangelical family named Ester Eunice Rangel. Their courtship lasted no more than eight months, and on December 18, 1971 they formalized their commitment in front of the church and society.

Their three children were born from this union: Cristiane, Viviane and Moisés. Viviane, born in 1975, was diagnosed with a condition called cleft lip and palate. News which served for the family to take root more in the Lord.

Beginning of the ministry, Edir macedo as a religious leader.

In 1977 the great leap occurred for Edir Macedo, from public employee to leader of a congregation. He left the stability of his job as a civil servant to serve God. It all started in a roundabout in the Méier neighborhood, in one of the suburbs of Rio de Janeiro.

Later, in that same year, they open the doors of their first church. In an old funeral home in Barrio de Abolição, which could hold 225 people but in some services it was filled to overflowing with 400 people. On July 9, 1977, it was its first service in these facilities.

theological studies.

Edir Macedo, He graduated from the Evangelical Faculty of Theology and the Faculty of Theological Education in the State of São Paulo in theology studies.

Likewise, he did a doctorate in Theology in 1981 in an evangelical Pentecostal institution, he also did doctorates in Christian Philosophy and Honoris Causa in Divinity. In addition to these degrees, he has a master's degree in Theological Sciences from the Spanish Evangelical Federation of Religious Entities.

If you want to know what it means to be a man of God or simply want to know what it is be like Jesus. We invite you to see the following article.

Edir Macedo and the iUniversal Church of the Kingdom of God.

As we already know, the relationship between Edir macedo and the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God was that this is the founder of that of said religious organization (IURD). Whose headquarters in Brazil has been in operation since its inauguration in 1977. This, Edir macedo, works in said organization as pastor, bishop and general secretary.

Since its inception in the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, it has enjoyed a large number of members, currently it has more than thirty million believers in Brazil alone. The Universal Church of the Kingdom of God has been busy proclaiming the gospel of God through different means over the last few years, hand in hand with its founder Edir macedo it has managed to position itself as the second religious organization in Brazil.

Edir macedo Together with the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, they have been having an impact in Latin America and the world for more than forty-three years. The means of communication used for the proclamation of fundamentalist beliefs of the gospel such as: the deity of Jesus Christ, the Trinity, the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ, salvation by grace alone through faith in Jesus Christ, the Bible and sacrifice as representative of the Faith.

Such means of communication began with the purchase of Radio Copacabana, at that time in 1984 it was one of the most important AM radio stations in Brazil, Edir macedo had to be always present during the first years of transmission was a challenge and a victory achieved by the bishop and his church.

After this event, the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God began to acquire other means to announce the gospel. Currently the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God evangelizes through 50 television stations, more than 100 radio stations, two newspapers, two printing houses and a recording studio. All starting with the purchase of a funeral home and Radio Copacabana.

It should be noted that this mega church with great impact on Brazilian and world society is under the theology of prosperity, which is characterized not only by the fact that God is the source of all life and well-being, but also that "sacrifices" must be made. in this monetary case for the good obtaining of God's favor through his faithful servants.

That is, both Edir macedo As the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, they promote and profess the obligation of a monetary tribute to find miracles from God, especially miracles in the financial part of the believer. In other words; give money to attain favor and more riches.

One of the customs implemented in the congregation is the so-called "strong prayer", which consists of driving away or dispersing the lack of health, money, happiness and work caused by demons or evil spirits.

The expansion of the kingdom.

Edir macedo He knew the impact it would bring to the entire world if his church managed to reach more populations than just the Brazilian one. That is why the great expansion of this Christian empire began nothing more and nothing less than in 1986 in the United States, with only 9 years after opening the first temple in Brazil Edir macedo was looking to set up a Universal Church of the Kingdom of God in New York.

From this point nothing was ever the same again. Edir macedo. After the successful arrival of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God in New York, in October 1989 "Stop Suffering" arrived in Argentina (one of the many names by which the movement of Edir macedo others such as: "The Community of the Holy Spirit", "Church of the Strong Prayer to the Holy Spirit" and in Spain it is known as "United Family"). Later the expansion of Stop suffering would reach every corner of America.

Edir macedo and the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God community has made much progress in the years since that funeral home was purchased. After the expansion and acquisition of a RecordTV television network in 1989, they managed to have a greater reach both nationally and internationally.

New constructions and some investments.

The construction of new temples throughout the globe is essential for the church of Edir macedo, here we bring you some buildings that were made thanks to the contribution and investments of said congregation.

In 2009, Edir macedo and the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God managed to inaugurate the one in Soweto, South Africa, more than six thousand souls would attend that temple.

One of the most imposing and significant temples for the bishop and pastor Edir macedo It was the recreation of Solomon's temple. This arduous odyssey began on August 8, 2010, with an event called "Launching of the Foundation Stone" which was held on the construction site of Solomon's Temple. The inauguration of the temple of Solomon took place in 2014, its dimensions are exorbitant; just saying that its height is similar to twice the height of Christ the Redeemer and its dimensions exceed those of a football field.

Another challenge completed for "Stop Suffering" was the construction of the cathedral in Portugal in 2010, in the city of Porto. So many other buildings, temples, cathedrals, seminaries and many more centers where it is hoped that this religious organization can continue to implement its ideals of prosperity and the gospel.

Legal problems and contradictions.

It is well known that being a mega-congregation that manages a large amount of money can generate some kinds of suspicion in its surroundings, added to this is the fact that the Universal Church supports the theology of prosperity.

All these factors and many others generate not only suspicions but lawsuits, discussions and defections between the Christian and non-Christian community.

You should know that Edir macedo has participated in politics. In 2018, he supported the candidacy of Jair Bolsonaro for the presidency of Brazil, who was elected. And previously, in 2002 the church created a new party to break away from the Liberal Party of Brazil.

But the most troublesome fact for Edir macedo It was in 1992, he was imprisoned for alleged fraud, money laundering and trickster measures that kept him imprisoned for 11 days. The investigation of his case began in 1996, with international currency exchange fraud. But over the years he was left without charges.

Throughout his career as bishop, pastor and general secretary of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, he was accused of several extortions and manipulation of the congregation, leading them to "sacrifice" all their assets in order to put their requests before God.

If you want to know about some other contradictions of Bishop Edir macedo. We invite you to watch the next video.