THE DOWNFALL OF THE LACUNA INTERPRETATION OF SECTION 111 OF THE 1980 CCC CONSTITUTION PART THREE

THE DOWNFALL OF THE LACUNA INTERPRETATION OF SECTION 111 OF THE 1980 CCC CONSTITUTION

BY WISDOM O. OKOTIE

PART THREE:

In his live interview with the OGTV reporter, Papa SBJ Oshoffa was asked his plans for the choice of his successor after his transition.

Papa referred to the constitution but stated clearly that it is the Holy Spirit of God that would choose the one that would sit on his seat.  Then Papa said something very unique. He said, “the one who was there before will stay in his place, but the one chosen by the Spirit of God is the one to whom they will all be bowing down.”  THAT DOES NOT SOUND LIKE SOMEONE WHO PLANNED TO ANNOUNCE A SUCCESSOR BEFORE HIS TRANSITION.

Secondly, Papa’s interview pronouncements merit being treated with awe. How, forty-ish years ago, could he accurately predict conditions that parallel today’s atmosphere/environment and leadership structural profile in the church, unless Almighty Jehovah, Who knows a million tomorrows from today, was with him, and was instructing him? “Jehovah Shalom”, “Prince of Peace”, remind us of the Peace names of the Father and Son, and we are enjoined to make peace with both God (Isaiah 27:5) and man (Romans 12:18). YET. ONLY PEACE CENTERED ON THE WILL OF GOD IS WORTH ANYTHING TO HIM. I pray that those who may be tasked with settling the house of God shall be fully led by God’s Spirit, Amen).

 

From the prophetic utterance of the Founder, the  Holy Spirit revealed the future that a time would come when a Holy Spirit chosen Successor would emerge. When that time would come, whoever was there would become an Emeritus but the one chosen by the Spirit of God is the one to whom they would all be bowing down. He is the one.  [That is why we cannot play with the prophetic utterance of the Pastor Founder. He was a true Prophet who carried the presence of God].

 

This is another indication that the Pastor did not plan to publicly announce anyone as a successor before his exit.   Again we see the crumbling of the Lacuna interpretation, which was built on the foundation that Papa did not announce or ordain a successor, therefore the church cannot move forward with a true successor. Papa said that the Holy Spirit of God would be the person to choose a successor, not Papa SBJ Oshoffa.

 

This confirms what one of  Papa’s senior daughters, Princess/Prophetess Edith Oshoffa disclosed with Amazing Stories around the world on Monday, April 7, 2014, as reported online by Sesan Olasupo:

 

Sesan Olasupo:

“What was the reason the church became divided after Papa’s death?”

 

Mommy Edith Oshoffa:

“It is because everyone wanted to do what he felt was right. Papa is not one of those church founders who will instruct that their son or family take over the church after his death. Papa, before he died, said, ‘He who has met me in the forest and sent me will meet that person that will take over from me. You will all see the person. All of you will recognize the person, and all the elders will bow for the person. He will have multiple of the power God gave me.’ When he was alive, he emphasized that Celestial Church is owned by Jesus Christ. That was why he did not impose anyone or appoint anyone to take over the church after him.  When he came to Nigeria in 1976, he told his children that his remains should not be buried in the Republic of Benin. That he will return (to the Benin Republic) when God tells him to go back. But he never heard from God about his going back.”

 

THE DEATH OF THE LACUNA INTERPRETATION:

For thirty-six years the LACUNA interpretation held that the Pastor Founder failed to pick his successor before he transitioned based on their secular interpretation of Section 111 Subsection (i). However, I stand to prove to them that their interpretation of Section 111 Subsection (i) was wrong and I have verifiable and authentic proofs both from the words of Section 111 and Papa’s own verbal comment that PAPA SBJO never planned to publicly announce a successor before his transition. Papa himself stated verbally that it was the Holy Spirit that would pick his successor. We have all the needed evidence and proof. I hope the lacuna interpreters can also provide us with their concrete proofs and authentication, something more than a sophists-type argument.

Baba Bada, Alagba Shonekan, and Baba EMF were disqualified for not meeting the requirements of Section 111 Subsection (i) of the 1980 CCC Constitution. The lacuna interpretation, which was based on speculation, created a heavy burden on CCC Worldwide that set up an unlimited money mine for lawyers and a money pit for the Church. No wonder Christ said and I repeat:

“One of the lawyers answered him, “Teacher, in saying these things you insult us also.” And he said, “Woe to you lawyers also! For you load people with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers.”

(Luke 11:45-46 ESV).

That was what Papa SBJ Oshoffa meant when he said what the Holy Spirit had written the court must not review.

Mr. Dacosta also mentioned during the interview that the lacuna decision was not a judgment but a suggestion by the court. If that is the case, the Church has only one way to peace. The church must search for a successor who can meet the requirements of Section 111, Subsection (i) with authentic proofs. When that happens then the Church can finally find peace by implementing the perfect will of God and following the divinely inspired instructions given by Papa SBJ Oshoffa. Then and only then will the Glory of the Celestial Church be restored.

 

[Wisdom O. Okotie graduated with high honors from Oral Roberts University, Tulsa Oklahoma, USA. He was a nominee of Who is Who among Students in American Universities and Colleges and was nominated as the Outstanding Theological student of his graduating class. He is happily married to one wife, children, and grandchildren.

Superior Senior Leader, 1985. Wisdom O. Okotie, Ph.D. writes from Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA].