SPIRITUAL INTERPRETATION OF SECTION 111 OF THE 1980 CCC CONSTITUTION

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SPIRITUAL INTERPRETATION OF SECTION 111 OF THE 1980 CCC CONSTITUTION

Wisdom O. Okotie, Ph.D.

(Superior Senior Leader, 1985).

 

SENSUS PLENIOR:

Many in biblical circles, or who have actually attended Seminary would recall that in hermeneutics or the science of interpretation, sensus plenior is a Latin phrase that means “fuller sense” or “fuller meaning.” It is used in biblical exegesis or sacred writings to describe the supposed deeper meaning intended by the Holy Spirit but not by the human author. This implies that more meaning can be found within an inspired or sacred text than the original author intended. With that in mind, let us examine the 1980 CCC Constitution step by step.

 

SECTION 111.

Whereas the Pastor and Founder of Celestial Church of Christ has PROCLAIMED PUBLICLY that, by DIVINE INSPIRATION, it has been revealed unto him concerning the mode for the appointment or selection of a Successor to the post of Pastor and Spiritual Head of the Church, it is here firmly established that:

 

SPIRITUAL INTERPRETATION OF SECTION 111

To paraphrase, the Pastor Founder proclaimed publicly how his successor would be chosen. The live interview with the OGTV reporter was the public proclamation of how the Holy Spirit would choose his successor. That public proclamation has been on YouTube since 2014. See the link below:

 

SUBSECTION  (i).

The successor to the office of Pastor can be from any rank in the hierarchy of the Church and shall, at a time chosen by God to reveal this unto the ERSTWHILE INCUMBENT of the post of Pastor, be named and proclaimed the successor.

 

SPIRITUAL INTERPRETATION OF SUBSECTION (i)

The successor could be from any rank in the church and shall at a time chosen by God to reveal this unto the ERSTWHILE INCUMBENT, be named and proclaimed successor. (It is not clear how God planned this revelation to the Founder but my understanding is that the successor shall reveal himself to the Founder as directed by the Holy Spirit and will be accepted by the Pastor Founder and ordained in line with biblical principles).

 

ERSTWHILE means the FORMER. Why would the Founder allow himself to be addressed as former when he was still very much around? Baba Owodunni explained during my visit to him that it took the Trustees four years to draft a 54-page document because they had to thoroughly explain every word to the Founder which was subject to his approval. Therefore, the only reason why in my humble but informed opinion I believe he accepted the word “erstwhile” was because he knew he wouldn’t be here to physically present anyone as his successor PUBLICLY. It was meant to be a private divine encounter as God planned it for reasons best known to God and the Holy Spirit.

 

“…be named and proclaimed successor.”

Notice that the word PROCLAIMED was not qualified with PUBLICLY as it was done in Section 111(main body) above. Why? Because the name and proclaim were not necessarily meant to be both done publicly by the Pastor Founder. Elijah, Elisha, and Moses were chosen in private but vindicated openly by the Holy Spirit. King David was chosen privately but ordained by the elders publicly in Hebron to unite the divided kingdom. The prophet Samuel was also chosen privately but successfully led Israel for 40 years. The Holy Spirit is the coordinator of the entire process, not Papa SBJ Oshoffa.

 

THE LEGAL JUDGEMENT:

Landmark rulings were made in the case of Owodunni Vs. Bada in the year 2000 and Alagba Shonekan Vs. Baba EMF in 2015. All three of them, Baba Bada, Baba Shonekan and Baba EMF were rejected by the court for not meeting the requirements of Section 111 of the 1980 Constitution. The only way to permanent peace and a United CCC  is to search for a successor that fulfills Section 111 with authentic proof.

 

The problem with legally interpreting divinely inspired documents like the 1980 Constitution is that the letter of the law and the spirit of the law are two different things. A major problem arises when lawyers also want to do the job of Spirit-empowered theologians. It will be wise for each party to maintain their own track. Let lawyers be lawyers and theologians be theologians. The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

 

For example, Jesus said to the Jews to destroy this temple, and in three days, He would raise it up. (John 2:19). But the Jews misinterpreted what He said to mean the temple where they worshiped rather than Christ’s physical body because they were carnal and close-minded. Humility is the key to spiritual knowledge, but pride goes before a fall. The Spirit and the flesh are diametrically opposed to each other. For example, the Jews thought the Messiah would come as a military leader to help them defeat the Romans, but instead, He came as a child wrapped in swaddling clothes. The ways of God are mysterious, and His thoughts are not our thoughts. We must learn how to surrender to God’s will and His will alone. We must not put God in a box. CCC HYMN 526.

 

Finally, notice that Section 111 of the 1980 Constitution was the only section where the term DIVINE INSPIRATION was used. WHY? Because it meant that the section was God-breathed. It can be fully understood by the spiritually discerning, but the carnally minded cannot comprehend it.  It is impossible to amend what God has uttered. God can never make an error. There was no lacuna in the divinely inspired Section 111 Subsection (i) by the Pastor Founder. To change or amend section 111 will amount to fighting the will of the Holy Spirit. No church can thrive when its major undertaking is to disrespect the verbal and written will of the Pastor Founder, fight the will of the Holy Spirit and look for ways to amend a sacred document.

 

The bottom line is whatever way you interpret the 1980 CCC Constitution,  be prepared to provide supporting evidence to back your interpretation. If you claim your interpretation is legal, literal, or spiritual, be ready to provide your supporting evidence. The evidence and authentication will decide who has the correct understanding.

 

[Superior Senior leader Wisdom O.  Okotie graduated with high honors from Oral Roberts University, Tulsa Oklahoma, USA. He was a member 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].

LACUNA INTERPRETATION OF SECTION 111 OF THE 1980 CCC CONSTITUTION – PART ONE

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LACUNA INTERPRETATION OF SECTION 111 OF THE 1980 CCC CONSTITUTION

By Wisdom O. Okotie

 

PART ONE:

I took the time to listen to the interview given by Barrister Segun Dacosta, representative of the CCC legal Department of Ketu faction, an appointee of Baba EMF.  I was impressed by his presentation to a large extent. He was able to hit the nail on the head when he mentioned that the key to understanding Section 111 Subsection (i) of the 1980 CCC Constitution was INTERPRETATION.

 

SECTION 111.

Whereas the Pastor and Founder of Celestial Church of Christ have proclaimed publicly that, by divine inspiration, it has been revealed unto him concerning the mode for the appointment or selection of a Successor to the post of Pastor and Spiritual Head of the Church, it is here firmly established that:

 

LACUNA INTERPRETATION OF SECTION 111

Mr. Dacosta stated that the genesis of the CCC problem was  “non-compliance with Section 111 of the 1980 CCC constitution. According to him, “some people think the problem is spiritual. I won’t say no, but for me as a person, the problem we have in the Celestial Church is the legal interpretation of the Constitution. What we should have done from the onset is for us to call lawyers within the Celestial Church. We are blessed with Senior advocates, Judges, Magistrates. The proper thing for us to do is for us to have called them… to come and advise us, but our Fathers believe more in external solicitors. That is why we are where we are today.”

 

MY COMMENTS:

[The best way to comply with Section 111 is to listen carefully to the public proclamation as stated by Papa SBJ Oshoffa to the OGTV reporter during the interview. The main weakness of the lacuna interpretation is to assume that the Pastor Founder was mandated by Subsection (i) to announce his successor publicly. That cannot be true based on one single written fact in Subsection (i) of the constitution plus several other pieces of evidence. Granted that it sounds reasonable to suggest that there was a lacuna but a thorough analysis will show that there was no lacuna. For instance, if we take the Bible to the court for interpretation, the court would find many lacunas/lacunae but the Church will say the Bible is the gospel truth. Therefore,  the truth that is supported by facts must prevail over speculation which seems to be the main thrust for the lacuna suggestion.

 

After Prophet Samuel anointed David king he did not broadcast to the world. He reserved the spiritual right to remain silent as led by the Spirit even though his ordination of David could also be labeled “name and proclaim.”

According to the Barrister, “What Baba Owodunni said in court was that Baba Bada was not appointed in line with Section 111  Subsection (i). Most people don’t give section 111 the true interpretation, and that is why we have this problem.”

 

SUBSECTION  (i) IS THE MAIN FOCUS OF THE LACUNA INTERPRETATION

The successor to the office of Pastor can be from any rank in the hierarchy of the Church and shall, at a time chosen by God to reveal this unto the ERSTWHILE INCUMBENT of the post of Pastor, be named and proclaimed the successor.

 

LACUNA INTERPRETATION OF SUBSECTION (i) AS STATED BY BARRISTER DACOSTA

“The Holy Spirit would tell the incumbent Pastor, no other person. Most of us have not taken note of that point.  Section 111 Subsection (i) says that he would tell the incumbent Pastor, who was then the Pastor Founder. The Holy Spirit would reveal to the Pastor Founder who the next Pastor would be. He did not say by putting one thousand prophets in Spirit. You see, the constitution is just like a contract. We are all bound by it. The fact that it was impossible for the late Pastor Founder to reveal a Pastor before he died created a LACUNA that can never be filled.  Even with the Amendment, the Pastor’s position cannot be filled… the problem we have in Celestial is basically legal, but we just refused to accept. We say let us patch it here and there so that we can move forward. We are just patching things. Section 184 of the constitution talks about the amendment of the constitution. But the Pastor is late, and there is no new Pastor. Who is going to amend?”

 

Let us read a conversation between the Barrister and his host Victor Olaore during the interview:

Host: “So where do we go from here? If we go back to the old 1980 CCC Constitution that includes Section 111; we need to go back to the sepulcher and raise up the Pastor Founder.”

 

Barrister: “All we needed to do is just to go to court. Then say to the court that it is impossible for us to appoint a Pastor legally or in compliance with Section 111 Subsection (i). Because the late Pastor Founder did not mention a successor. Let us amend the constitution and then we would now state ways of how to appoint a new Pastor.  Then it would have been properly done.”

 

MY COMMENTS:

Mr. Dacosta’s suggestion may have been an option only if it can be proven beyond reasonable doubt that the Pastor Founder explicitly promised to publicly announce a successor before his transition. Or that the Pastor Founder never ordained anyone as successor before his exit. But that is not the case.

(To be continued…Next: The argument of the lacuna interpretation).

 

[Wisdom O. Okotie graduated with high honors from Oral Roberts University, Tulsa Oklahoma, USA. He was a member 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].

 

THE ARGUMENT OF THE LACUNA INTERPRETATION OF SUBSECTION (i)

By WISDOM O. OKOTIE

PART TWO

The lacuna perspective is strictly based on the interpretation the court gave to Section 111 Subsection (i). They seem to believe that Papa SBJ Oshoffa did not ordain or announce a successor before he transitioned. According to Barrister Dacosta, “the Holy Spirit would tell the incumbent Pastor, no other person, who the next Pastor would be.”

 

MY COMMENT:

[The constitution never said the Holy Spirit would tell the erstwhile incumbent. Rather it said, “at a time chosen by God to REVEAL this unto the Erstwhile Incumbent”. The agent or agency through which God would reveal was not explicitly stated. Is it through an Angel, the Holy Spirit, or the Successor? The constitution was silent on that.

Moreover, the Pastor Founder never explicitly said he would appoint or announce anybody as a successor. In his public proclamation, he said it is the Holy Spirit that will choose his successor. Lacuna interpretation and our leaders misrepresented what Section 111 Subsection (i) meant to the courts because they did not use the spiritual understanding. That was the genesis of the whole problem. And that was why the court said there was a Lacuna].

 

Let us examine what the constitution stated:

 

“at a time chosen by God to REVEAL this unto the ERSTWHILE INCUMBENT of the post of Pastor, be named and proclaimed the successor.”

 

Again this statement did not say precisely how God would reveal the successor to the Founder or give details of how to name and proclaim the successor. BUT ONE THING THAT IS VERY CLEAR AND INDISPUTABLE IS THE PHRASE  “ERSTWHILE INCUMBENT.” We must examine this word erstwhile. It is a written fact that is able to solve the puzzle.

 

Erstwhile means former. Why would the Pastor Founder allow this word to be used in the constitution while he was the sitting Pastor? Some may suggest it was an error, but I beg to differ on the basis of what Baba Owodunni disclosed when I visited him on Friday, January 31, 2020.

Baba Owodunni:

“The process of writing the CCC Constitution began on February 29, 1976, and ended precisely four years later on February 29, 1980. The drafting committee would meet on Tuesdays and Saturdays weekly. Still, the writing process was not easy as Papa Oshoffa wouldn’t move on to another section until he was fully satisfied with the current. Even though Papa Oshoffa wasn’t English literate, he nevertheless would drive the members of the committee to carefully find the right English translations for each section of the Constitution. This was the reason it took over four years to write the 54-page document. When the committee finally finished drafting the Constitution and produced a typed copy, Baba  Owodunni suggested to Papa Oshoffa that it would be good to have a diligent lawyer review the draft to ensure that there were no amendments required from a legal perspective. Papa Oshoffa responded that ‘If it were of the flesh, we could provide it to a lawyer for review. But this document (the Constitution) that has been composed by the Holy Spirit, we cannot give it to the flesh for review. What the Spirit has done, the flesh must not review’.

On 29 March 1980, the Constitution was formally promulgated with all signatories having signed the document. Papa Oshoffa then took all of the copies, raised them above his head before God, and said, ‘O Lord, I thank you for granting me the grace to complete the work you commanded me to do as I have established the Celestial Church of Christ forever and ever’.”

 

From the above statement, it will be fair to say that Papa Oshoffa approved the phrase, ERSTWHILE INCUMBENT because he knew that he would not be around to announce anybody as a successor publicly. If that was the case, then the foundation upon which the LACUNA interpretation was built has crumbled and there is no authentic proof that the lacuna interpretation was correct.

 

Also, while it is proper to have a legal department in the Church, it will be careless to expect the legal department to solve all problems. In a normal church environment, interpretation of divinely inspired utterances and doctrines should be handled by Spirit-empowered theologians and elders not secularly trained lawyers.

Section 91 of the the1980 CCC Constitution says the Celestial Church of Christ is under the absolute dictate of the Holy Spirit. If that is the case, why are we ignoring the wisdom of the Holy Spirit by not paying attention to the public proclamation made by the Pastor Founder? Instead, we are asking lawyers to help us interpret the only divinely inspired part of the constitution and see how they can change it. That is not their job.

 

I am not against lawyers, I have the greatest respect for them. They do a lot of good in society and they can benefit us in many ways. However, we must still be discreet when it comes to running to lawyers with every problem.  In one instance, Christ reacted thus in the book of Luke:

“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

 

Just sit back and imagine the sheer amount of money that has gone into lawsuits in the past 36 years. You will begin to see why lawyers love Celestial church cases. However, I am not ruling out the role of the courts in certain matters. (To be continued…The downfall of the lacuna interpretation next).

 

[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].

 

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].

THE ARGUMENT OF THE LACUNA INTERPRETATION OF SUBSECTION (i) PART TWO

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THE ARGUMENT OF THE LACUNA INTERPRETATION OF SUBSECTION (i)

By WISDOM O. OKOTIE

PART TWO
The lacuna perspective is strictly based on the interpretation the court gave to Section 111 Subsection (i). They seem to believe that Papa SBJ Oshoffa did not ordain or announce a successor before he transitioned. According to Barrister Dacosta, “the Holy Spirit would tell the incumbent Pastor, no other person, who the next Pastor would be.”

MY COMMENT:
[The constitution never said the Holy Spirit would tell the erstwhile incumbent. Rather it said, “at a time chosen by God to REVEAL this unto the Erstwhile Incumbent”. The agent or agency through which God would reveal was not explicitly stated. Is it through an Angel, the Holy Spirit, or the Successor? The constitution was silent on that.
Moreover, the Pastor Founder never explicitly said he would appoint or announce anybody as a successor. In his public proclamation, he said it is the Holy Spirit that will choose his successor. Lacuna interpretation and our leaders misrepresented what Section 111 Subsection (i) meant to the courts because they did not use the spiritual understanding. That was the genesis of the whole problem. And that was why the court said there was a Lacuna).

Let us examine what the constitution stated:

“at a time chosen by God to REVEAL this unto the ERSTWHILE INCUMBENT of the post of Pastor, be named and proclaimed the successor.”

Again, this statement did not say precisely how God would reveal the successor to the Founder or give details of how to name and proclaim the successor. BUT ONE THING THAT IS VERY CLEAR AND INDISPUTABLE IS THE PHRASE “ERSTWHILE INCUMBENT.” We must examine this word erstwhile. It is a written fact that can solve the puzzle.

Erstwhile means former. Why would the Pastor Founder allow this word to be used in the constitution while he was the sitting Pastor? Some may suggest it was an error, but I beg to differ based on what Baba Owodunni disclosed when I visited him on Friday, January 31, 2020.
Baba Owodunni:
“The process of writing the CCC Constitution began on February 29, 1976, and ended precisely four years later on February 29, 1980. The drafting committee would meet on Tuesdays and Saturdays weekly. Still, the writing process was not easy as Papa Oshoffa wouldn’t move on to another section until he was fully satisfied with the current. Even though Papa Oshoffa wasn’t English literate, he nevertheless would drive the members of the committee to carefully find the right English translations for each section of the Constitution. This was the reason it took over four years to write the 54-page document. When the committee finally finished drafting the Constitution and produced a typed copy, Baba Owodunni suggested to Papa Oshoffa that it would be good to have a diligent lawyer review the draft to ensure that there were no amendments required from a legal perspective. Papa Oshoffa responded that ‘If it were of the flesh, we could provide it to a lawyer for review. But this document (the Constitution) that has been composed by the Holy Spirit, we cannot give it to the flesh for review. What the Spirit has done, the flesh must not review’.
On 29 March 1980, the Constitution was formally promulgated with all signatories having signed the document. Papa Oshoffa then took all of the copies, raised them above his head before God, and said, ‘O Lord, I thank you for granting me the grace to complete the work you commanded me to do as I have established the Celestial Church of Christ forever and ever’.”

From the above statement, it will be fair to say that Papa Oshoffa approved the phrase, ERSTWHILE INCUMBENT because he knew that he would not be around to announce anybody as a successor publicly. If that was the case, then the foundation upon which the LACUNA interpretation was built has crumbled and there is no authentic proof that the lacuna interpretation was correct.

Also, while it is proper to have a legal department in the Church, it will be careless to expect the legal department to solve all problems. In a normal church environment, interpretation of divinely inspired utterances and doctrines should be handled by Spirit-empowered theologians and elders not secularly trained lawyers.

Section 91 of the 1980 CCC Constitution says the Celestial Church of Christ is under the absolute dictate of the Holy Spirit. If that is the case, why are we ignoring the wisdom of the Holy Spirit by not paying attention to the public proclamation made by the Pastor Founder? Instead, we are asking lawyers to help us interpret the only divinely inspired part of the constitution and see how they can change it. That is not their job.

I am not against lawyers, I have the greatest respect for them. They do a lot of good in society and they can benefit us in many ways. However, we must still be discreet when it comes to running to lawyers with every problem. In one instance Christ reacted thus in the book of Luke:
“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

Just sit back and imagine the sheer amount of money that has gone into lawsuits in the past 36 years. You will begin to see why lawyers love Celestial church cases. However, I am not ruling out the role of the courts in certain matters. (To be continued…The downfall of the lacuna interpretation next).

[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.

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

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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].

FINALLY!

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THE WHOLE TRUTH ABOUT THE STUB OF OSHOFFA CAME OUT AFTER SEVENTEEN YEARS OF COVERUP: BABA NUNAYON SPEAKS TRUTH TO POWER

Recently Baba Nunayon who is in the top hierarchy with CCC Ketu faction sent out a video clip that shed more light on the true position of Baba EMF. He mentioned that a genuine and reliable message was given years ago by a trusted prophet named Olawuyi that Baba EMF was only a forerunner and not the mantle-carrying successor to Papa SBJ Oshoffa. There was really nothing new in what he shared with those who were in Spirit all along. THE ONLY THING THAT WAS SHOCKING AND SURPRISING WAS THE FACT THAT THE WHOLE TRUTH FINALLY CAME FROM THE HORSE’S MOUTH.

THESE WERE THE SAME PEOPLE WHO DEFENDED BABA EMF AS THE ANOINTED ONE AND MADE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE PASTOR-IN-COUNCIL (PIC) BASED ON THE MESSAGE GIVEN BY PROPHET OLAWUYI, THAT HE SHOULD BE INSTALLED AS THE PASTOR, KNOWING FULLY WELL THAT THERE WAS A CAVEAT IN THE MESSAGE THAT HE WAS JUST THE FORERUNNER NOT THE HOLY SPIRIT-CHOSEN SUCCESSOR. UNFORTUNATELY, THEY DID NOT TELL THE WHOLE TRUTH BUT MISLED MILLIONS OF INNOCENT PEOPLE BY HIDING THIS IMPORTANT TRUTH FROM ALL CCC MEMBERS UNTIL 17 YEARS LATER.

AS A RESULT OF THEIR SLACK, SO MANY INNOCENT PEOPLE WHO VOICED THE TRUTH, HAD SUFFERED PERSECUTION AND ABUSE, CALLED ALL SORTS OF DEROGATORY NAMES AND IN SOME CASES LABELED AS REBELLIOUS AND FIGHTING GOD’S ANOINTED.

THE PROBLEM WAS:- PROPHET OLAWUYI GAVE THE COMPLETE MESSAGE, BUT BETWEEN THOSE THAT RECORDED AND DELIVERED THE MESSAGE AND THE RECEIVER, WHICH IN THIS CASE WAS THE PASTOR-IN-COUNCIL, A SIGNIFICANT PART OF THE MESSAGE WAS LEFT OUT. WHATEVER HAPPENED BETWEEN THEM, THE PASTOR IN COUNCIL STILL HAVE TO TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR DECISION.

BUT FOR NOW, IT WILL BE SAFE TO ASSUME THAT THE PASTOR-IN-COUNCIL (PIC) KNOWINGLY RELAYED ONLY THE FIRST HALF OF THE MESSAGE BUT LEFT OUT THE PART WHICH SAID THAT BABA EMF WOULD BE A PLACE-HOLDER OR FORERUNNER UNTIL THE REAL SUCCESSOR EMERGED. THIS OMISSION RESULTED IN MISLEADING MILLIONS OF CELESTIANS TO BELIEVE THAT BABA EMF WAS THE HOLY SPIRIT-CHOSEN SUCCESSOR.

THAT WAS A MAJOR FLAW, BECAUSE, ACCORDING TO BABA NUNAYON’S REVELATION, BABA EMF WAS WRONGLY INSTALLED AS PASTOR INSTEAD OF AS A FORERUNNER. THOSE ARE TWO VERY DIFFERENT AND DISTINCT ROLES. JESUS CHRIST AND JOHN THE BAPTIST CAN NEVER BE MISTAKEN FOR EACH OTHER. THAT IS THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE LEADERSHIP CRISES IN THE CELESTIAL CHURCH OF CHRIST TILL NOW.

THEREFORE, THE COURT DECISION IN 2015 THAT REMOVED BABA EMF AS PASTOR CONFIRMS WHAT THE CHURCH LEADERS KNEW ALL ALONG BUT HELD BACK FROM MEMBERS OF CCC WORLDWIDE. THAT BEING THE CASE, THE CHURCH LEADERSHIP SHOULD IMMEDIATELY WITHDRAW THEIR APPEAL FROM THE COURT, ASK FOR FORGIVENESS OF SIN FROM GOD, APOLOGIZE TO MEMBERS OF CCC WORLDWIDE AND BEGIN THE PROCESS OF SEARCHING FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT-CHOSEN SUCCESSOR. THAT IS THE ONLY WAY TO PEACE, STABILITY, AND PROGRESS IN THE CELESTIAL CHURCH OF CHRIST.

ACCORDING TO BABA NUNAYON, “After two weeks of looking through messages given by forty-three prophets they finally decided to focus on the message given by Prophet Olawuyi which stated that they should look for the stub of Oshoffa. However, he was not the one that will make things right but a forerunner to he who is to come.” In other words, he is a forerunner to the mantle carrying, Holy Spirit-chosen successor to Papa SBJ OSHOFFA. Ironically, stubs are designed as markers to maintain and hold a spot. Stubs are not designed to flourish and grow like trees.

This was not a new revelation at all. PAPA SBJ OSHOFFA HIMSELF SAID ON HIS INTERVIEW WITH OGTV THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT HIMSELF WOULD CHOOSE HIS SUCCESSOR. Now let me state very clearly: when Baba EMF said he was chosen by the Holy Spirit, what he meant was that Prophet Olawuyi gave a message which was approved by the Pastor-In-Council (PIC), but they (PIC) decided to communicate half-truth to CCC WORLDWIDE and as a result, he was wrongly installed by the board as Pastor instead of as a forerunner or place-holder. That was why BABA Banjo, in one of his speeches to members of CCC, said that in the process, they finally appointed EMF as Pastor.

With all due respect and no harm intended, that was another major error in the statement by Baba Banjo. In Celestial Church of Christ, nobody or group of people CAN APPOINT A PASTOR. WHO APPOINTED PAPA SBJ OSHOFFA? Leadership can only recognize, identify, and receive the Holy Spirit-chosen successor and then install him at the appropriate time. Celestial Church of Christ is a Holy Spirit driven Church. That was what Papa SBJO had tried to communicate to our leaders from day one. BUT THEY DON’T SEEM TO GET IT. I PRAY THAT AFTER THIRTY-FIVE YEARS, THEY WILL NOW GET IT AND HUMBLE THEMSELVES UNDER THE MIGHTY HAND OF GOD.
The seat of the Pastor in CCC is not a chieftaincy title or Obaship. We cannot teach as doctrine the traditions of men. It is not the people or the PIC that choose an Apostle, it is the sole responsibility of the Holy Spirit. And He the Holy Spirit will fulfill His duty at the appointed time.

Appointment to the seat of the Pastor in CCC is strictly the duty of the Holy Spirit. We cannot copy other spiritual organizations. Celestial Church of Christ is different and unique. Once the Holy Spirit-chosen successor is recognized and welcomed, he, with the help and directives of the Holy Spirit, would then set up his administration. That is how the process is meant to be run, spiritually not carnally.

WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, WHEN PAPA OSHOFFA SAID THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL APPOINT HIS SUCCESSOR HE DID NOT MEAN PROPHET OLAWUYI OR THE PIC, HE MEANT THE THIRD PERSON IN THE TRINITY. IN THE BIBLE AND IN THE CELESTIAL CHURCH OF CHRIST WE RECOGNIZE THE FATHER, THE SON, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT. Prophecy is not the Holy Spirit. It is only a gift of the Holy Spirit and can be manipulated by individuals but the Holy Spirit as the third person of the Trinity is firm and well established in character and cannot be manipulated by anyone. In my opinion, that could be the reason why Prophet Olawuyi made a grunting noise SEVEN TIMES before he made his recommendation because he knew he was not appointing the Pastor through his message but a forerunner. The message was cautiously delivered because the tendency of misinterpretation and abuse was high.

On Monday, November 18th, 2019, with the help of some members of the Oshoffa family, ever before Baba Nunayon came out with the whole truth recently, I was introduced to Baba EMF. I presented myself to him as the Holy Spirit-chosen successor, not as a forerunner, but as someone who met face to face with his father and disclosed my dreams and revelations to him, pointing to the fact that the Holy Spirit had chosen me to succeed him (PAPA SBJ OSHOFFA) and the father said, “Ooto oro ni omo yii so”. I mentioned to him that as a result of my encounter with his Dad, on Friday, March 29th, 1985, he (Papa) asked me to hold his garment and pray for what I wanted. I held his garment and prayed as the Holy Spirit directed for the same power, anointing and crown that he had and that the same way God placed him on the throne and stood by him, He, God should do the same for me. While I was saying this prayer, Papa laid his hands on my head and prayed silently as well. After the prayer, he gave me twenty naira for my trip back to Benin City.

Having narrated my story to Baba EMF I thanked him for his role in bringing some stability to the church as a place holder but mentioned that with my arrival, it was time for a meaningful leadership change. I expressed that he had gone through so much pain and torture in the role he was playing and said that God had sent me to bring relief to him and the Celestial Church of Christ Worldwide. During that meeting, everything went very well. I could tell he was happy to hear from me. He said he knew the Holy Spirit chose him, but he was ready to submit to the perfect will of God. He said God is the Potter, and we are the clay, that God is free to mould us whatever way He chooses. He finally prayed for me and said, since I said I met with his father, may the same God that worked with his father work with me. He prayed that the perfect will of God be done. After that significant encounter, a family member mentioned to me that the problem was not with EMF but with those surrounding him who are benefiting from the present state of the Church.

Let us engage in some analysis. Moses transferred power to Joshua through the laying of hands. Elijah transferred power to Elisha by asking him what he wanted from God and by using his robe as a medium of that transfer. Christ pronounced Apostle Peter as the head and leader of the Church after Peter disclosed a revelation that other Apostles could not. Christ then stated flesh and blood had not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. Therefore, Peter was verbally chosen to head the first Church.

With all due respect, and no insult intended, who laid hands on Baba EMF? Who transferred power to Baba EMF, and how did it happen? Did Baba EMF reveal to the erstwhile incumbent Papa SBJ Oshoffa while he was alive that the Holy Spirit had chosen him to succeed Papa? Did Papa SBJ Oshoffa and Baba EMF ever have any discussion about succession while Papa was still physically here with us? Had Baba EMF ever mentioned to anyone the specific date that the Holy Spirit chose him as the Spiritual head of CCC Worldwide? Did Baba EMF bluntly refuse when Church emissaries were sent to him to come and lead the Church? These are meaningful questions that deserve honest answers under divine oath.

SO WHAT IS THE WAY FORWARD?
NOW THAT WE ALL KNOW THE TRUTH, THE PROCESS OF SEARCHING FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT- CHOSEN SUCCESSOR SHOULD COMMENCE IMMEDIATELY. ANY FURTHER DELAY MAY BE TOO COSTLY. THE APPOINTED TIME TO MOVE FORWARD HAS COME.
THEY (Baba Owodunni, Baba Banjo, Baba EMF, Baba Oshin, Mommy Edith Oshoffa, Baba Okunlola, Baba Opaleye, Professor S.O. Odeyemi, Baba Adeogun, Baba Obasanjo, Baba Lagun, Baba Nunayon, Baba Ajao, Baba Olu Oshodi, Baba Omotosho, Alagba Gabriel Omoge, and all other key leaders) SHOULD ALL READ MY BOOK AND PRAY FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT TO DIRECT THEM. I TOTALLY BELIEVE IN THE ABSOLUTE DICTATE AND GUIDANCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. I AM AVAILABLE FOR QUESTIONING AND SCRUTINY BY SPIRIT-FILLED LEADERS IN THE CHURCH, AND I AM PREPARED TO SHARE MY STORY UNDER DIVINE OATH. I WILL ALSO WANT EVERY INTERACTION TO BE DONE ON CAMERA FOR THE WHOLE WORLD TO SEE. THE APPOINTED TIME TO ACT IS NOW.

THE CHURCH IN THE WILDERNESS

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(The ways of God are mysterious to accomplish His is works…)

This message was given by Superior Evangelist Oluwatomisin Olugbebi Ehuwaojomo, the Shepherd-in-Charge of SBJ Parish, Wasimi, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

“This is a mystery, I saw a church that was given birth to in the wilderness and it was descended with a crown and a King; the church and that king were in the wilderness, it is this church that became the King of Celestial Church. It was given birth to in a day and it became the ‘king’ on that same day. “The baby boy wasn’t given birth to or delivered by anyone, no one knew when he was born. All rulers in Celestial Church must be prepared for that king of righteousness that is about to reign, all those who believe shall dine with him but those who doubt shall die.” the message read in part. Also, the spiritual message advised Shepherds to offer thanksgiving to God with a Cross in the month of September, which is the month the Church would attain the age of 70 years.

MY INTERPRETATION OF THE ABOVE MESSAGE:

Below are the few main events that point to the fact that a genuine successor to Papa SBJ Oshoffa has truly emerged as predicted by the Prophet. “For thus says the LORD: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you and cause you to return to this place.” (Jeremiah 29: 10 NKJV).

The number seventy is significant in biblical numerology. After 70 years of Babylonia captivity, God visited the Jews and performed his good word towards them. Likewise, after Celestial Church of Christ turned 70years God decided to give an important message that promised the emergence of a New Pastor with a mysterious and specific description as clear as sunlight.

The only reason why I could interpret this message was because it relates directly to what I know God had already begun. This message is very accurate because a year after this message was given, I officially presented myself as the Holy Spirit chosen successor to the Pastor Founder in book format. I only saw this message for the first time on December 22nd, 2018. This book titled SBJ OSHOFFA VINDICATED was presented to Mommy Edith Oshoffa on Sunday the 9th September 2018 during the morning service.

The church in the wilderness refered to in the prophecy was Christ the King Miracle Church in Tulsa Oklahoma and Michigan, an independent  christian  church with no affiliation or ties to any denomination. When we started the Church, it was revealed by the Spirit through Dr. Emmanuel Ayorinde that I should not use the title Founder because the church is a continuation of the plan of God for the Celestial Church of Christ but set up by God for a specific purpose and as an independent organization. In the Celestial Church you can only have one Founder. As a result, I became the Presiding Overseer of Christ the King Miracle Church and not the Founder.

Christ the King Miracle Church was in the wilderness in the sense that even though it was started by me the candidate successor to SBJO it was hidden from all other Celestial Churches. Wilderness is a figurative expression of challenges and isolation. This confirms the message given by a prophetess at Imeko in August 2017 that, “It was as if you have been forgotten by the world where you are right now, but the Lord remembered you and promoted you.”

Compare this to Joseph, even though God planned to make him Prime Minister of Egypt, he had to endure a wilderness experience in Jail. What is the relationship between jail and the position of Prime Minister? Now you can see why the Prophet called the message about the church in the wilderness a MYSTERY.

This Church was started only after Papa SBJO appeared to me in a dream on Saturday, March 15th, 1997 with six other elders, making a total of seven and bestowed on me all the powers he received from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The king and the crown in the prophecy represent the fact that Papa SBJO had already laid hands on me as his successor before the Holy Spirit directed me to start this church.

Remember the prayer I prayed when Papa asked me to hold his robe on Friday March 29th, 1985 and ask for what I wanted, and the Holy Spirit led me to say this prayer: “God grant me the same power, crown, and anointing that you gave to Papa and just as you placed him on the throne and stood by him, do the same for me.” A perfect biblical example shows that David was technically a king the moment Samuel anointed him king but it took years before he was officially coronated.

David went through extensive wilderness experience as well. The wilderness meant Christ the king Miracle Church was isolated from all the Celestial Churches and mainline Churches, as designed by the God of SBJ Oshoffa to hide and shelter me from all the leadership antics in CCC so as not to be part of the infighting and rampant deception that had plagued the church for over 33years.

It was also to hide his future plan for the Celestial Church so no one could understand until the arrival of the appointed time, which from all indications is NOW.

Since Christ the King Miracle Church was started by me a candidate successor to the Pastor-Founder, this suggests that metaphorically it becomes King of the Celestial Churches as stated by the Prophet in the message delivered when the Celestial Church turned 70. The fact that the church was given birth to in a day and in a day became a king paints a picture of Godly wonder and rapid divine acceleration.

That is a classic example of another miracle by the God of Papa SBJ Oshoffa. The baby boy as prophesied by the prophet is not a biological child but a metaphor for “God’s idea of the successor”, hence the explanation that no one knows when the idea or baby boy was born. (Godly ideas have life like a baby and they can develop). That is so true because such secrets belong to God alone. There is no human being who can figure out the birthday of God’s idea. Hence the prophet stated that “the baby boy wasn’t given birth to or delivered by anyone, no one knew when he was born.”

The idea of a successor to the Pastor Founder was God’s idea not man’s idea. However, this new successor according to the prophet will reign in righteousness and all Celestians should be prepared to receive him.

Those who dine with him, that is a metaphor for acceptance, will live and those who reject him will die according to the prophet. The Prophet also instructed that all shepherds of CCC should offer thanks with a cross in the month of September. I doubt if that ever happened.

However, on the 23rd of September 2018 that message was indirectly fulfilled at Beulah Parish, Ajah-Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria. Even though neither Mommy Edith or myself knew there was such a message about the cross.

Mommy Edith Oshoffa had a majority of the representatives of all the factions in Celestial Church present during the 2018 Adult Harvest Thanksgiving of her parish, at Ajah, Lekki Nigeria and they all joined her to offer thanks with the special cross which was the cross I purchased for the special thanks offering as directed by the Holy Spirit. To God alone be all the Glory.

THE MIRACLE OF THE NUMBER 38 IN THE CELESTIAL CHURCH OF CHRIST

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Superior Senior Prophetess Lace Sister Edith Oshoffa in her book, SBJ Oshoffa, the Enigmatic Leader of our time, wrote a beautiful piece about the number 38. Let’s examine her statement:

“C.C.C. EVENTS & DATES: It is pertinent to take note of the following events and dates, to be able to appreciate the greatness of God, the perfect architect, in our lives and in the life of the church: SBJO was born 11th October 1909.  SBJO heard the voice LULI, THE GRACE OF JESUS CHRIST, on 23 May 1947 SBJO was 38 years of age. The mortal remains of Papa SBJO laid at the mortuary for 38 days.  SBJO received the Divine Order on 29th September 1947, when the church was founded, and the name of the Church descended. SBJO received the last call, joined his ancestors on the morning of Tuesday 10 September 1985. Celestial Church of Christ was 38years old.  SBJO received the divine commission during the first week of October 1947.  SBJO’S final journey ended on the 19 October 1985, when his mortal body was laid to rest in his compound at IMEKO. The Church was 38 years Old. I have now realized that the months of May, September, and October are very significant in our lives and the life of the Church. I do not yet fully comprehend the meaning of 38 years, but I strongly believe that God, being the perfect planner and achiever, will reveal Himself at the appointed time through whosoever He will choose.”

My understanding of the above statement by Mommy Edith Oshoffa is that at the appointed time God will make the meaning of 38 years plain, which seems to be a cardinal marker in the life of Papa SBJ Oshoffa. A deeper insight into 38 years will reveal more truths that may come from the person God has chosen to succeed Papa SBJO and/or other source.

 To that I will say, God who is the greatest communicator, the best architect, planner, and achiever has given me the answer to 38years and I believe it will make more sense to Princess Edith and to all those who read our book with an open mind:

1. Papa started his ministry on September 29, 1947, when he was 38 years of age. On Sunday, September 29th, 1985, exactly the day the Celestial Church turned 38 years, the HOLY SPIRIT spoke to me in my dream: “The Lord is choosing you to be the head of his Church.” (Original copy of my immediate documentation of this dream is available). Mommy Edith Oshoffa was right. The mystery of the number 38 is hereby fully resolved in Jesus great and mighty name just by this dream alone. However, there are more related points.

2. I had a divine encounter with Papa Oshoffa on 29th March 1985, the year that CCC turned 38 years. Pastor Founder SBJ Oshoffa said to me on that day and year, “Hold my robe and ask God for whatever you want him to do for you.” I held the edge of his robe and prayed as follows: “God grant me the same power, crown, and anointing that you gave to Papa and just as you placed him on the throne and stood by him, do the same for me.”

-Wisdom Okotie

While I prayed silently, Papa placed his right hand on my head, with his head bowed and prayed silently as well. I was moved mightily by the Spirit. SIX MONTHS AFTER THIS ENCOUNTER PAPA SBJO WAS CALLED HOME TO BE WITH THE LORD.

3. The 1980 CCC Constitution which has been a tough nut to crack by those who claim to be the true successors to the Founder was promulgated into being on the 29th of March 1980. Likewise, 29th of March 1985 was the day I had a divine encounter with Papa concerning succession. That means the 1980 CCC Constitution shares the same “birthday” with the day Papa laid hands on me for impartation and empowerment, which happens to be the 38th year of the Celestial Church of Christ.

To break it down, Papa started his ministry at age 38, he ministered for 38 years, the day the Church turned 38 years, the Holy Spirit verbally chose me in a dream as the head of the Celestial Church of Christ. Also, the 38th year of the Church I had a divine encounter with Papa concerning succession. Furthermore, the 1980 CCC constitution shares the same birthday March 29th with the day Papa laid hands on me. (Please excuse the repetition).

These points don’t need any secret interpretation, they are as clear as crystal and as bright as a sunny day to those who are spiritually discerning.   These are not mere coincidence, they are divine signals to validate, confirm and to show the hand of God at work. Only those who are spiritually mature can understand these divine signals.  ONLY GOD CAN ARRANGE THINGS LIKE THIS. THIS SHOULD SOLVE WHATEVER PUZZLE IS ASSOCIATED WITH 38YEARS IN THE LIFE OF SBJO AND CCC. TO GOD ALONE BE ALL THE GLORY.

MY FIRST ENCOUNTER WITH MOMMY EDITH OSHOFFA WITH PAPA’S AUTHENTIC ROBE

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On Sunday the 9th of September 2018, as we arrived at the church premises of Celestial Church of Christ, Beulah Parish Ajah, Lekki that day for the service, we were very well received by the Princess. First, she presented me with three different framed pictures through a young man, of the Pastor Founder and said I should pick one. I chose the one where the Founder wore a green robe and clasped his hands together in prayer with his beautiful bald head and hair, very well-groomed. As God would have it, that was the same picture I saw sitting on the Founder’s seat inside the sanctuary. Remember that 38 years ago in 1980 I had a dream with my hair bald to the middle like that of the Pastor Founder with Celestians rushing to me.  That was one of the many ways the Holy Spirit revealed to me then that one day I would succeed the Founder.

She then walked to me and mentioned that the Holy Spirit had instructed her to ask the Evangelist-in-charge of the Parish to cover me with the Founder’s original robe after the service, so I could pray for whatever I needed from God and added that it was the best she could do for now. I believe it was her way of expressing gratitude by simply obeying the leading of the Holy Spirit. This was quite a shock to me. It was totally unexpected since that was our first contact and we were like strangers just getting to know each other.

Nevertheless, I saw it as another direct confirmation of everything I had written in this book about succession. 33 years prior, on Friday, March 29th, 1985 Papa SBJ Oshoffa asked me to hold his robe and pray for whatever I wanted. 33 years later on Sunday, September 9th, 2018 Papa’s Senior daughter Princess Edith Oshoffa granted me a rare access to be covered with the founder’s robe and ask for whatever I wanted. This was even when I had not said a word to her about my book or my revelations. What a divine setup! Only God can do things like this. Father and daughter acting in a similar manner after 33 long years.

One of my prayers before that Sunday service was that God should do something that Sunday that would be so glaring and would confirm beyond the shadow of a doubt that I am the true successor to the Founder. I reminded God the Father, that I know him as the God who confirms the word of his chosen ones. I believed that God answered my prayer that Sunday and did what only He could do best. I told God that if I am the true successor as he already made known to me, then I don’t need to persuade or convince anyone, because that is the DUTY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. God also answered this prayer.

I believe that everything that transpired between the Princess and me during my visit was strictly orchestrated by the Holy Spirit of God.

What prayer did I pray in the inner altar after the service on that day as the Evangelist-in-charge covered me with the original and authentic garment of the Founder, one of the very robes that Papa wore while with us?

Of course, I prayed the same prayer I prayed 33 years ago when the Founder asked me to hold his garment and ask for what I wanted and then laid hands on me on Friday, March 29th, 1985 plus more. I spent almost an hour that day praying. I prayed till I started sweating as if someone poured water on me. I also reminded God of his promise to Papa Oshoffa that his successor would have multiple powers than him. I asked for the speedy fulfillment of that promise. I prayed for all the factions in Celestial Church of Christ to come together as one church and for God to assist me to complete the vision of the building of the Celestial City at Imeko in record time. I prayed that the Holy Spirit should cause conviction and true repentance in some members of the leadership of the Church and help us flush out all trouble makers and agents of the devil who are bent on contaminating the holiness of the Church with magical and occultic powers.

I poured my heart to God that day far more than I can remember. I even went as far as saying that God should do exceedingly abundantly above and beyond anything I had asked. I saw it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I made the best use of the moment.

Take note of how this testimony had been unfolding for thirty-three years. THIS WAS NOT JUST ONE FLASHY MOMENT OF USING THE FOUNDER’S ORIGINAL GARMENT FOR A QUICK PRAYER. The story that led to the use of the special garment is what gives great authenticity to this divine encounter. An encounter like this happens only once in a lifetime, not twice, it cannot be duplicated.

What is the implication of what Mommy EDITH did?

She may or may not understand what she did and why she did it. Nevertheless, It is my belief that everything that Princess and Prophetess Edith Oshoffa did have deep spiritual implications that cannot be reversed. It was a clear confirmation and complete endorsement as the chosen successor to Pastor SBJ Oshoffa.

If you pay close attention to scripture you will observe that the garment was a symbol of power, position and authority if administered in the proper context and by the right individual. What Mommy Edith did was an absolute divine confirmation of what God had already done 34 years ago when Papa SBJ Oshoffa asked me to pray while holding his garment and laid hand on my head.

When Jacob blessed Joseph with a robe of many colors, his siblings were very jealous because that was a statement from the Dad that Joseph was the Chosen One.

When Elisha got a hold of Elijah’s robe, that was a signal from heaven that power has been transferred and Elisha was to succeed Elijah. When the woman with the issue of blood touched the helm of the Messiah’s robe, power was emitted, and she was made whole. When Daniel was promoted in the Kingdom he was clothed in a purple robe. One of the distinguishing factors of the High Priest was the unique robe assigned to that office.  From all biblical indicators the robe represents power and position of authority.

I am not surprised that the Holy Spirit connected me with Mommy Edith because she had been passionate, even at the risk of her life, fought tirelessly to protect the will of Papa SBJ Oshoffa. If not for her intervention and diligence the Father’s body would have been diverted to the Republic of Benin against her Father’s will. SHE IS A STAUNCH DEFENDER OF THE LEGACY AND THE WILL OF HER BIOLOGICAL PAPA.

I thank God for ordering my steps to her as the very first person I gave our book. And because she was in Spirit God used her actions as an express confirmation of the fulfillment of Papa’s prophecy that a chosen successor by the Holy Spirit not by the appointment of men would soon appear.

Those who are spiritually in tune with God and who are spiritually mature understand without a shadow of a doubt that Papa’s prophecy has finally come to pass. But those who are carnally minded and spiritually blind would still not understand. May the good Lord open our spiritual eyes and ears to know his plan and understand his ways.

TIMELINE

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TIMELINE WITH MOMMY EDITH OSHOFFA
A personal letter to the Princess of Celestial Church of Christ

Halleluyah Ma, I hope and pray all is going very well with you and the family in Jesus’s great and mighty name.

My record shows that I ordered your book from Amazon on Saturday April 29th, 2017. On May 1st, 2017 after reading your book I sent you an email to congratulate you on the excellent job you did.

This was the year Celestial Church turned 70. “The word “seventy” is used 56 times in the Holy Bible. The number seventy (70) is made up of two numbers — seven, representing perfection and ten representing completeness and God’s law.”

Your book was highly inspirational and opened my eyes to deep truths about the Celestial Church. As a result, I decided to revisit all the dreams and divine encounters I had concerning and involving Papa SBJ Oshoffa in the 80’s before leaving Nigeria. Before then everything was left dormant.

On August 11, 2017 I traveled to  Imeko for the first time after 32 years of living  in the United States. During this visit a Prophetess gave me a message that a seat was waiting for me and whether the world likes it or not the angels would place me on the seat.

On June 20th, 2018 I sent you an email that I would like to visit with you at your home Church in Nigeria. You replied that you would be in Nigeria the first week of September 2018.

By this time I had already written a few of my revelations about ten letter-size pages, that I planned to come and share with you. But once you said September was when you would be available, that gave me more time as led by the Holy Spirit of God to go ahead and write a book instead.

You will notice that your book was a powerful catalyst.  Once I read your story in the year that CCC turned 70, I was deeply inspired.  The Holy Spirit of God also utilized your book (in addition to His direct instructions) as further encouragement to give me the courage and the boldness to tell my story in a book format.

When the Celestial Church of Christ will finally welcome the true and genuine successor to Papa SBJ Oshoffa it will be partly because your book played a key role in this amazing development.

If anybody wants to hear the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth. God used you and your book to encourage me. Now you can see why I treasure, cherish and respect you so very much. Halleluyah Ma.
-Dr. Wisdom Okotie

SURGEON AND BUTCHER

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WHY WE NEED TO BE VERY CAREFUL OF EXTREME PROPHECIES AND WILD EXPECTATIONS

Today in the Celestial Church of Christ it is very common to hear people come up with what they heard Papa say. Some repeat what they believe he said as if it was doctrine. Let us not forget that even the prophet himself never claimed infallibility at any time. He was a very humble and God-fearing man. He never ever claimed equality with God. He revered God all his life and always looked unto God for guidance.

Therefore, it is important to scrutinize every word he said with scriptures (St. Paul said, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:2). That is the only way we can protect the dignity of the prophet and the integrity of the Celestial Church of Christ.

I have heard people say that “Papa said nobody can question his successor, because he would have so much power.” This type of talk cannot stand the scrutiny of scriptures. Let me explain why. God the creator of heaven and earth is challenged day and night by the devil. Moses the greatest deliverer faced several oppositions, Jesus Christ the Messiah was challenged by the Scribes and Pharisees daily. The Bible describes Satan as the sworn accuser of the brethren. Be it known that as long as we have the devil in this world,  every believer, successor or not is under attack. Nobody is exempt from demonic opposition.

Are they suggesting that Papa’s successor will be more powerful than  God? Hmmmm.

That is why I suggest that our most trusted source of information concerning the Mantle-Empowered Successor to the Founder is the 1980 CCC Constitution and Papa’s expressed will on Live Television. All other predictions and assertions must be treated with extreme caution. We must be weary of prophetic hallucinations and wild and unreasonable expectations.

Someone even said that as far back as the mid seventies Papa said they showed him his successor and he was a tall black man in his forties then. If the person was 40years old in 1975 that means today he will be approximately 84 years old. Hmmm. Think about this.

Some even went as far as predicting the specific miracles that Papa’s successor will perform. Remember that prophecies are subject to confirmations. People can say all they want to say. When everything settles down the taste of the pudding will be in eating the pudding. By their fruits we shall know them. The responsibility of proof and results should rest on the prophet. That is why scripture stated clearly that one of the best ways to validate a true prophet is the fulfillment of their predictions. In consideration of these, it will be unwise and not in line with scripture to  hold Papa’s Mantle Empowered Successor accountable for fulfilling all flesh-and-Satanic-induced prophecy. Therefore, every strange and too-good-to-be-true-prophecy must be scrutinized for the truth and accuracy.

To be honest we should stay away from things like that and allow God to do what be alone can do. Let us not use unsolicited prophecies as a doctrine to manipulate the plans of God.

A colleague of mine says in trying to figure out the truth we must remember

these components:

Message: If the message is wrong everything else will be wrong.

Interpretation: If the interpretation is wrong, everything else will be wrong.

Sender: If the message is correct but the sender delivers it wrongly, that will also be a problem.

Receiver: If the message is correct but the receiver decodes wrongly, that could also be a problem.

Application: If the message, sender, interpretation and receiver are all faulty then the application will also be faulty.

With this background we should be cautious how we talk about Papa said this, Papa said that. Knowing fully well that any of the channels of communication could be easily tainted. Again our security and safety in these matters must rest on proper scrutiny and enlightened understanding of scripture as written in the Bible.

People have different perceptions. They see differently, they hear differently, they think differently, they feel differently, they act differently and  they understand differently depending on their training and mental capacity.

God is not the author of confusion. The only way to avoid confusion to a large extent,  is to stay with God’s word, interpret correctly and in context by following those who are trained and equipped to excel in such areas.

When the surgeon performs surgery, there is precision to remove the problem but when a butcher uses the knife it is to kill and eat. The difference is that the surgeon is trained to remove the problem. The goal of the butcher is different. Unfortunately, today we have many people in the Church who are using God’s word as a butcher not as a surgeon.