THE ROLE OF CELESTIAL CHURCH OF CHRIST IN THE CHRISTENDOM

THE ROLE OF CELESTIAL CHURCH OF CHRIST IN THE CHRISTENDOM

A LECTURE DELIVERED BY SUPERIOR EVANGELIST (DR.) EMMANUEL O. ADEWALE OF C. C.C. APETE ON THE OCCASION OF THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE  INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE (IMC)OF C.C.C. WORLDWIDE AT PANDA EVENTS COMPLEX SABO YABA , LAGOS ON SATURDAY 2^ND NOVEMBER 2013

INTRODUCTION

I am highly honoured to be in this exalted position to deliver a lecture on the significance of our church in the midst of all other churches in the universe at this crucial time in the history of our beloved church.  This becomes important and relevant as an exercise to assess the objectives, the performance etc. of the church in the contemporary world. I want to equally greet the members of the IMC for making themselves available as useful tools for the progress of our church. I guess that God put it in the mind of our Pastor Founder to set up this committee about 30years ago as a result of the geometric increase in the number of parishes and the need to have a 'pastoral  administrative eye' on the parish that is set by him at the International Headquarters Ketu , Lagos. Without this arrangement, what belongs to all could have belonged to nobody. I pray for further strength for you all in Jesus name.

This topic, the role of Celestial Church of Christ in the Christendom requires a review of the concept of the Christendom, the essence of Cele and a discussion of the role of the church in relation to others. All these will be touched before we make our recommendations.

“Celestial Church of Christ is part of the one spiritual, world-wide, united, indivisible Holy Church which came into the world from heaven by DIVINE ORDER on the 29th of September 1947 in PORTO NOVO, REPUBLIC OF BENIN (formerly REPUBLIC OF DAHOMEY) through a single individual, a man who is the founder of the Church, the Reverend Pastor Prophet Founder SAMUEL BILEHOU JOSEPH OSHOFFA.” (Article 1, Second Schedule, Celestial Church Constitution).

Christendom can be described as the worldwide body of Christians. According to the free Wikipedia Dictionary, Christendom is an old religious term which is now replaced with Christianity. The Oxford dictionary defines it as a worldwide body or society of Christians. Hence, for the purpose of this lecture, we can paraphrase the theme to be the role of Celestial Church in the body of Christ or the role of Celestial Church in the society of other churches.

THE HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY IN AFRICA

Christianity was a foreign religion to Africa. Our fore fathers were known for the practice of the religions that involved deities often represented by stones, trees, rivers and all other “special” creations. They believed in an almighty with specific attributes that make them honour, fear, obey and follow the deity and their practices. Christianity however, came to Africa through Egypt in the middle of the first century (Wikipedia). But the establishment of Islam in North African countries made it difficult for Christianity to penetrate fully there.  Hence, the interests of the early missionaries shifted to the southern and western Africa where Nigeria became a huge beneficiary.

The Roman Catholic Mission, the British Anglican Church, Methodist Church and the Baptist Church were the first of churches in Nigeria. Later, some African Instituted Churches sprang up to support the mission of gaining people into God’s kingdom. One of these African Instituted Churches was Celestial Church of Christ.

The essence of these early churches were mainly to draw Africans away from idol worshipping, human sacrifices, Slave trade, the killing of twins and other mystical beliefs that did not glorify God and Jesus as His son. These  efforts of the early missionaries were quite successfully as they brought along with religion things like education in the 3 Rs , scholarships and overseas training, health, commerce etc. . These made the reading of the Bible available to people with improving attitude towards cruelty, civilization and godliness. The number of church goers kept on increasing with churches spreading to the localities. Yet these churches with their tenets did not produce a 'perfect man'. There was a need for yet another church that will have a tenet relevant enough to deliver man completely from the powers of darkness into the kingdom of God.

 

WHY CELESTIAL CHURCH?

Before the advent of Celestial Church of Christ, some African Instituted Churches like Cherubim and Seraphim through Moses Orimoade and others through Ayo Babalola, Oshitelu etc.  had being in existence. Such ministries had made waves particularly in Nigeria in the 1930s and 40s. Yet God chose to send Celestial Church of Christ into this world. It becomes a thing of worry to see this happen. Why will God send Celestial Church again? Could it be that the first black evangelists were fake or that they were not efficient? Better still, could it be that they lost their calling or what? The answers to these questions are not far-fetched.

By the record of the church constitution, an angel of the Lord told the founder (Prophet S.B.J. Oshoffa) that; "It is the wish of God to send you on an errand of preaching to the world. Many nominal Christians there are who, when confronted by difficulties and problems of this world, they run after fetish priests and other powers of darkness for all kinds of assistance. Consequently, on their death, they cannot see Christ because, by their action, Satan has left his spiritual mark on them. To assist you in your work so that men may listen to and follow you, miraculous works of Holy divine healing will be carried out by you in the name of Jesus Christ. These works of divine healing and God's spiritual mark on you will testify to the fact that God sent you". (Celestial Church of Christ Constitution, Article two, Second Schedule).

Hence, Celestial Church did not just come into existence out of selfish wish of an individual or group of people. God himself purposed the church differently from those of earlier existing denominations. Cele was meant to improve over the weaknesses of the early churches. Those nominal Christians upon slight difficulties run to the idols for help consequently inscribed the mark of the devil on them (Revelation 14:9-11). When they die they have no inheritance with God. What does it profit a man if he has the whole world but loses his soul (Read John 15:5-6). For the redemption of mankind therefore, God used the blood of His only son - Jesus to repossess man to Him and for the total liberation of all.

 

THE ROLE OF CELESTIAL CHURCH IN THE CHRISTENDOM

 If God has specifically fashioned out this church then it may be necessary to understand her purpose and particularly as it differs from other Christian body. Let us begin by studying the role of Christianity in general.

There are diverse opinions about the role of the church. Such roles vary with denominations and in many regards they determine the emphasis that each church places. For instance, the Roman Catholics emphasis on roles that are related to school education and charity for the poor whilst Anglican and the Protestant pay more attention to issues that draw worshippers to God more according to the National Church  Life Survey (NCLS).

The Grace Communion International (in her website) states that there six functions/roles of the church and they include:

                 Worship 1Pet. 2:9; Eph.5:1

                Spiritual discipline

                 Discipleship   2Tim2:2; Col. 3:16

                 Fellowship Romans 1:12                  

                 Service         Gal. 6:10; 1 Cor. 12:7

                 Evangelism Mat. 28:19 -20

 

Any church or organisation will always find its role or function in the reason why it is created.  Myles Munroe says ''when the purpose of a thing is not known, the abuse is inevitable.'' This is true of our church.

 What then is the role of Celestial Church of Christ in the Christendom? Honestly a look at the public impression about this church or a survey of what people think about the significance of Celestial Church of Christ will produce a mixed feeling. What members do or say make the world think that the church is not worth the salt. But haven taken time to study the wish of God for mankind and what this church has produced so far, l come to submit the following as the roles of Celestial Church of Christ:

1.       The church is an organ of spiritual awakening. God sent Cele to the world at a time when churches are no longer strong enough to meet the spiritual needs of the people. Hardly can Christians behave without recourse to other fetish powers but the strong spiritual gift in the church has brought people back.

2.       Cele is a major source of spiritual succour for others. It is clear that almost everyone at all      points of their spiritual needs irrespective of which church they go, run to a parish of this church at one time or the other for results.

 

3.       She is a reservoir of musical inspiration to other churches. l am not aware of any major spiritual song or singer that does not have a link with celestial songs and or instrumentalists. The impact of music in life cannot be over stressed.

 

4.       The church provides opportunities for talents to spring up and grow. Many renowned evangelist, preachers, pastors and singer have the roots of their success stories traceable to Celestial Church of Christ.

 

5.       One of the enviable pillars of the church is LOVE. Many churches have credence of this for their growth from the church.

 

6.       Like in the days of Elijah and the other prophets, Celestial Church provides divine guidance to people in power hence helping in nation building and reducing reliance on diabolical powers.

 

7.       The church is fashioned to be the last ship of salvation purifying the soul of people and preparing them for eternal glory irrespective of their religious affiliation.

 

8.       As one of the most populous churches, celestial Church of Christ by her membership provides a source of strength for the whole Christendom.

Going by the above, it is clear against popular belief that God has made Celestial Church a torch light and a source of inspiration as well as a place of refuge to others in the Christendom. A lady spoke to me one day and said ''Dad, you know l have been to various churches in this country, l am not sure if there is one that l have not visited, so l can tell you that there is nowhere else where the gift of prophecy is paramountly effective more than Celestial Church of Christ''. The efficacy of this gift gives Cele the distinction in the Christendom.

 

CELESTIAL CHURCH OF CHRIST AND HER ROLE IN CHRISTENDOM

It is crystal clear that God has a special assignment for this church inspite of all distractions. God said that it is decreed from heaven that this church continues to grow till all afflictions of the world disappear and till Jesus comes the second time. All the five ministries required to function have been given by God As the last boat of salvation, she is supposed to use all the God provisions to ensure the goal getting. But experiences show that this leadership role of the church was only achievable for the first forty years.

Thereafter, integrity, sincerity, commitment, orderliness, love, and all the glorious virtues of the church are now doubted by everybody. Imagine the number of quality members of the church that have found it convenient to start afresh elsewhere. The discipleship principles and practice of the church has now turned to PREPARATORY. This is because when people have issues they run to the church for assistance and as soon as their problems are over they see that there are Bible believing churches around. Before you know it they proudly tell you that they are now born again and that they are now candidates of heaven.  Some of such people are not ashamed to come back to Cele at the least spiritual attacks. We need a change. God cannot be a liar.  

 

HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

No matter what might have gone wrong with the fold, God can still build us up from the pieces of our yesterday. One interesting thing that is worthy to note about God is that He will not forget His covenant. Although, He may change the operators to be used but certainly He will fulfil it. God promised to take the Israelites to the promise land through Moses but He only did through Joshua and Caleb.  God will not forget His promise for the Church

If the future is this bright and sure, then we should all take positive steps to restore the glory of Celestial Church of Christ. I want to suggest an action in the following directions:

1.       Our ministry of teaching must be improved upon. People perish for lack of                                          knowledge.  The high volume of grace and love that the church started with made people              pay less attention to teaching, discipline and control. Instead we acted on 'we have                       Abraham as our father '.

2.       Let us sanitize ourselves on the purpose of the church.

3.       Let us pray ceaselessly less the devil takes advantage of us.

4.       Let us sheath our swords and forge ahead into the future.

Taking drastic steps at this time is not negotiable.  Heaven is waiting and Christ is watching us. The responsibility is that of all of us. May God help us.