Reverend Chris Okotie has kicked against the guidelines given by the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, ahead of the reopening of churches after a period of lockdown.
The guidelines require social distancing in churches with members required to wear a face mask.
This has been rejected by Okotie who stated that the children of God cannot be made to bow down to an idol.
The clergyman also stated that such rules in the house of God because it is unbiblical.
“It is bereft of any authority to speak on behalf of the Church of Jesus Christ. Arrayed in Episcopalian vestments, they are the modern-day Pharisees who arrogate divine honors to themselves.
“They have a form of godliness and yet hobnob Nicodemusly with enemies of the Lord Jesus. The true ministers of the sanctuary must recognize CAN’s treachery and reprehensible Phariseeism. That which a man spits against heaven shall fall back upon his face. We shall not bow to the idol called coronavirus. Jesus is Lord” he said.
Okotie added that the guidelines cannot be supported by any true minister of God.
“Healing is fundamental to the redemptive work of Jesus. To allow the idol of coronavirus to determine the scope of congregational worship in the house of God is an abomination of gargantuan proportions,” he said.
“No true minister of the gospel will succumb to such travesty of the faith. This is a summary of my objections. I have sent this message hoping that you would respond as one who bears the burden of the cross of Jesus.
“I have restrained myself from making a public outcry of this desecration and profanation out of respect for you and the CAN hierarchy. But be assured that this position is transient.” he stated.
