Over the last Seven and half decades, Celestial Church has been one of the fastest growing Churches in the world. With over 2,000 parishes in Nigeria and even scattered abroad. Despite being a spiritual Church established by the divine order of God through the Pastor Founder Rev. SBJ Oshoffa, the fold has survived a lot of turbulences. For the sake of this write up, I will be using CCC and Celestial Church of Christ interchangeably.
It is a pity seeing what the image of the Church has been reduced to on social media platforms through the indecent actions of her members and the Celestial Church of Christ governing bodies have been unable to do anything to curb the indecency of the members. Here in this write up, I will be addressing three major issues as it portrays the image of the Church in negative light to the world. First is the consumption of alcohol, second is the issue of dreadlocks and third is Trance in CCC.
For a fact the intake of alcohol (in garment and off-garment) is not allowed for a true member of the CCC as it negates the injunctions of God given to us through the hands of the pastor founder Oshoffa. Scripturally, the Bible kicks against the intake of alcohol. In Proverbs 20:1, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise”. What makes a man wise or foolish is his ability to handle situations in a godly manner.
I remember in the mid-70’s, there was an album released in a Parish in Ilaro, where it was stated that “anyone who uses alcohol for herbs is stylishly engaging himself or herself in taking alcohol. CCC Makoko also released an album to disclaim this. This is because Celestial Church of Christ is a spiritual Church and should be recognized as such. However, the intake of alcohol is repugnant to the Holy Spirit.
The fact that there are other denominations who doesn’t kick against the intake of alcohol does not mean it is generally acceptable to everyone. 1 Cor. 6:10, makes us understand that anyone who engages in the intake of alcohol has no place in the in the kingdom of God. Hence, why do we have Christians and believers who engage in this indecent act? This is not limited to only members. We also have shepherds who engage in this act. Lev. 10:8-10 speaks of the instructions of God to Aaron to avoid the intake of alcohol this is because they are a chosen people for the purpose of God’s Kingdom just as the shepherds. But howbeit that it’s the shepherds themselves that now permit the intake of alcohol in the church particularly during harvests. Let me remind you of the words of Solomon in Pro. 31:4-6, “It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine: nor for princes strong drink lest they drink and forget the law and pervert judgment of any of the afflicted. Give strong drink to him that is ready to perish and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts”.
In the words Papa Oshoffa,, he said “Oba ni yin” meaning “You are kings” thus referring to members of the Celestial Church of Christ. As such we are not permitted to engage in certain activities as members of other denominations would. Take note of the following Biblical injunctions for personal studies (Is. 5:11, 22, Pro. 31:4-6, 23:30-35, Ecc. 2:3, 1 Tim.4:1, 2 Tim. 3:1, Joel 1:5, 1 Cor. 6:10, 5:11, Gal. 5:21, Jer. 35:6). All of which points us to the consequences of our actions especially Gal. 5:21.
Another issue that has become a norm in the contemporary is dreadlocks and trance. Over time, I’ve come across people who keep long hair and dreadlocks. While some others go to hairstylists just to lock their hair into dreadlocks. Shepherds are not exempted. I will say for a fact that ‘dreadlocks and trance are borrowed doctrines and does not pertain to us as Celestians. They are borrowed doctrines. These activities are known to be common to the Cherubim and Seraphim Church’.
In the words of the Pastor founder, between 7 months and 1 year maximum, the hair of every born child is to be cut as it (the hair) is considered unclean. He called it ‘Irun ogbigbo’. He further included that trance is a borrowed doctrine that was brought in at the point where members of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church started joining Celestial Church of Christ. I have seen a situation where a prophet went on trance and the supposed shepherd of the church sold the Church’s anointing oil (popularly known as ororo ijo) and it got exhausted and he brought ‘Goya Olive oil’ in its stead all sold out at exuberant prices. While some others will come with perfumes, candles, soaps and other spiritual items to the point where a prophet on trance is laid. This is fetishism in disguise as it I now see it as a form of idolizing the Prophet. Papa O late 70’Oshoffa banned trance in CCC after the Holy Spirit warned him not to allow trance in the late 70’s.
Let me say for the record the only trance permitted is the usual counseling session known as ‘Ishona’. In our doctrine, a prophet can prophesy for hours and after that he will be come back to himself and not that he will be laid for days. During the days of Baba Bada of the blessed memory, he abhors such acts and even goes to the extent of cutting the hair of people who have dreadlocks in the Church as a means to bring people back to the light of the doctrines of the Celestial Church of Christ. Same thing goes for prophets on trance. It is in the absence of individuals who understand the in-depth of the tenets of the Church and are also passionate about God in the Church that is why we now have indecency ravaging the face of the Church.
It is in this light that I urge every Celestian to hold unto God in this Church as our Hymn 544 says; “Let’s hold the pillar of our Lord Jesus and keep our minds from all anxiety…”. This is because Jesus is the foundation upon which this church was founded. We have our ordinances which are peculiar to us as a church (1 Cor. 7:17) as such we are expected to adhere to it as it is necessary for our growth as a Church and individuals.
It is however on this note that I call upon the resident pastor of the Celestial Church of Christ, Rev. Pastor Emmanuel Mobiyina Friday Oshoffa, members of the Pastor in Council (MPIC), the Board of Trustees and those who have the power to influence and enforce decisions in the church to come together and make corrections because the image of the church is being tarnished to the outside world. In recent times we have seen the picture of some ladies in the Celestial garment drinking alcohol that has been the trend on the social media. I recommend that proper measures should be taken against these people rather than letting the issue be swept under the carpet.
GOD BLESS CELESTIAL CHURCH OF CHRIST.
