Members of the Lagos-based Household of God Church, may not join other Christian worshipers on Sunday, August 9th, 2020 when worship centres in the state are expected to open after some five months, because their pastor has rejected wearing of facemask in the church, reports ITREALMS.
This came on the heels of the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu earlier proclamation in the week to open worship centres from Friday, August 7, 2020 for Moslems and Sunday, August 9, for the Christendom.
Sanwo-Olu had maintained that while worshippers are expected to observe all the standard safety guidelines, including physical distancing, wearing of face masks or shield, washing of hands, with attendance must not exceed 50 per cent capacity for each worship centre.
In a special, 28-minute broadcast available Whatsapp to members, Rev Okotie said although he accepted the imperatives of the safety precautions to contain the spread of the Covid – 19 virus, the wearing of masks or face shield was unacceptable.
Citing various Bible references, the Pastor said, for Christians to wear any type of mask or face shield to church, is to reintroduce the veil which was torn the moment Jesus died on the cross. He said, with the tearing of the veil, there is no longer separation between God and his people, warning that wearing of masks would reverse the order, which is unacceptable.
He said he didnt initially discuss the mask in his broadcast on the Covid-19 mystery because he was waiting for its full manifestation, adding that he decided to speak out now because the mask is now graduating into a face shield, which is a veil.
“When a man is standing before God in church wearing a shield or mask, he is denying the finished work of the cross”, he said, adding that most Christians do not understand the implications, thinking it is just a medical requirement.
The Reverend said, because if a believer wears the face mask, he denies the efficacy of the word of God; and as such, he would not allow members of his church to do that, which is why the Household of God church won’t resume service. Rev Okotie said that for church to resume, the altar has to be in order. “Before we offer our sacrifices and lift up holy hands before God, we must make sure that everything is decent and in order”, he insists. He added that we can’t rush to God just because we love to worship God. “We must only follow the protocols outlined in the Bible, not any directive that violates the basic tenets of our faith,” Pastor Chris insists.
Shepherd Superintendent of the Oregun, Lagos-based church, Rev Chris Okotie, disclosed in a Whatsapp broadcast to members of the Household of God Church, rejected the conditions, especially of wearing facemask inside the church.
In a special, 28-minute broadcast available Whatsapp to members, Rev Okotie said although he accepted the imperatives of the safety precautions to contain the spread of the Covid – 19 virus, the wearing of masks or face shield was unacceptable.
Citing various Bible references, the Pastor said, for Christians to wear any type of mask or face shield to church, is to reintroduce the veil which was torn the moment Jesus died on the cross. He said, with the tearing of the veil, there is no longer separation between God and his people, warning that wearing of masks would reverse the order, which is unacceptable.
He said he didnt initially discuss the mask in his broadcast on the Covid-19 mystery because he was waiting for its full manifestation, adding that he decided to speak out now because the mask is now graduating into a face shield, which is a veil.
“When a man is standing before God in church wearing a shield or mask, he is denying the finished work of the cross”, he said, adding that most Christians do not understand the implications, thinking it is just a medical requirement.
The Reverend said, because if a believer wears the face mask, he denies the efficacy of the word of God; and as such, he would not allow members of his church to do that, which is why the Household of God church won’t resume service. Rev Okotie said that for church to resume, the altar has to be in order. “Before we offer our sacrifices and lift up holy hands before God, we must make sure that everything is decent and in order”, he insists. He added that we can’t rush to God just because we love to worship God. “We must only follow the protocols outlined in the Bible, not any directive that violates the basic tenets of our faith,” Pastor Chris insists.
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