Here is the truth about 'Cele':

The church itself as a religious entity is okay.
The use of white garment, white candles, perfumes, the alter, holy water and incense and even walking barefooted (ONLY within the church or whenever one is in the 'Sutana' ) are all based in the bible.

Some of these things are cited in the old testament while the rest are mentioned in the new testament especially the book of Revelation.

Either way, they are all from the bible.
I know some Christians don't have the old testament in their holy book but if the old testament was no longer useful because Jesus came, He wouldn't have mentioned that He had not come to destroy the law (old testament) but rather to fulfill it.

In any case, I don't see any colors being purer or holier than white. Likewise, if the other things were not holy, they would not have been mentioned in the bible at all.

The problem however, is that owing to the immense spiritual powers and gifts descended on the church and its members especially during the life of the late Pastor and founder, S.B.J. Oshoffa of blessed memory, a lot of half baked converts in the church started using those powers to perpetrate evil.

This is quite evident with the hoard of fake prophets within the Celestial church fold who are actually wolves in sheep's clothing. The Lord knows these evil people and He is doing something about them.

Fake prophets and shepherds in 'Cele' do not therefore mean that the church itself is fake or bad.
I am a Celestian and I know what I am talking about.

The main problem about 'Cele' today is the leadership cum followership.

Most leaders proclaim themselves 'Pastor's because of the huge financial gains they will be open to by way of access to the treasury of the church.
This is because anointment is 'Cele' is paid for by members wishing to move to higher ranks and as such the amount of money the authorities rake in every year through the anointment exercise is mind blowing.
Access to that 'easy money' is what is causing the various models of anarchy in the ranks of the celestial church authorities. Cele was meant to have and continue to have one general Pastor all over the world but at some point earlier this year, we recorded more than 200 self acclaimed 'Pastor's!

Also, the evils that some of the followers (ordinary members) perpetrate in their neighborhoods or in public through their day to day activities have made non-members to see 'cele' as a bad church.
Most members forget that the white garment they wear portray them as ambassadors for Christ but I am personally embarrassed when I see a member in white insulting or even cursing a conductor in a public bus.
Celestians, where is our godliness?

Inspite of all these however, some members and indeed certain 'Cele' parishes have distinguished themselves as focused spiritual entities and have not joined in any evils or soiled their spiritual whiteness.

If you have had a bad experience with 'cele', I would say it was a personal thing, not general.

Should you would want to find out more about the real Celestial church of Christ, the details, the history, the full undiluted truth; email me for the documents and a copy of the constitution. Email address: successprayers@gmail.com
Helpline: +234-9011617876

Nice topic. I would readily say the problems you've observed in your church are most certainly not unique to only Cele.

Can you post a copy of the church constitution here on the thread?

Enigma? You are Cele? You never told us!

Okay let me get serious and read the OP.

U can ask me any question about cele

s-prayer:

a lot of half baked converts in the church.

That's it right there, by no means peculiar to 'cele'.

quite sad that issues are always limited to the failings of denominations and not to the call of Christ. cele or no cele. . .what is ur personal standing with Christ?

^^^ lol

lol Just seeing this!

Hola to all - esp InesQor & eyzhvntsn.

Enigma:

lol Just seeing this!

Hola to all - esp InesQor & eyzhvntsn.

@Enigma: Big bros ha fa na? Thanks!

^^pls explain what u mean in ur signature. Hope u are not transferring the power/authority of God to man.

^^pls explain what u mean in ur signature. Hope u are not transferring the power/authority of God to man.

Hi Enigma.

@eyzhvntsn: How are you, sis?

@toba: That signature summarizes (in my opinion) a good chunk of the views discussed in this thread:

What Is The Meat Or Core Of The Message Of This Gospel? Why Are We Sons Of God?!

https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-549736.0.html

Matthew 25:40
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

@ Ines

Doing good tx.

Dear s-prayer, in a bid to justify some of your unchristian practices, you quickly concluded that some christians dont have the old testament in their Holy Bible. I would like you to explain the following baffling questions to non cele members in line with the scripture.

1. Why must you worship in white garments and barefooted like obatala worshipers.
2.Why the use of candles, perfumes, incense etc for prayers like some mallam does.
3.The name 'holy michael' is always rendered or echoed like Jesus. Are you praying to an angel(s).
4.Tell us more about the founder of cele and how he was commissioned; his ministry and marital life.

Eagerly awaiting.

@jesoul

JeSoul:

Nice topic. I would readily say the problems you've observed in your church are most certainly not unique to only Cele.
Can you post a copy of the church constitution here on the thread?

I doubt if he can lay hands on that. And if he does , it might be too voluminous to pit up here. Why not ask him for their Statement Of Faith rather. It's just in few lines.

Joagbaje:

@jesoul
I doubt if he can lay hands on that. And if he does , it might be too voluminous to pit up here. Why not ask him for their Statement Of Faith rather. It's just in few lines.

Yeah true. I was interested in the depth of what the church believes.

firebrand:

Dear s-prayer, in a bid to justify some of your unchristian practices, you quickly concluded that some christians dont have the old testament in their Holy Bible. I would like you to explain the following baffling questions to non cele members in line with the scripture.

1. Why must you worship in white garments and barefooted like obatala worshipers.
2.Why the use of candles, perfumes, incense etc for prayers like some mallam does.
3.The name 'holy michael' is always rendered or echoed like Jesus. Are you praying to an angel(s).
4.Tell us more about the founder of cele and how he was commissioned; his ministry and marital life.

Eagerly awaiting.

As a side note, I think that when you compare the Celestial Church with the Catholic Church, there are more similar than not - in the physical manifestation of their 'worship'.
-Both invoke angels
-Both use incense and holy water
-Both have special clothing/regalia (at least for the clergy)
-Both have a central figure of authority that is head over the worldwide church

  I think Cele gets more flack and attack because it is 'native' appears 'crude' and while the CCC is 'foreign' and 'older' and more established. Not trying to debate or anything, just a quick observation.

Both have a central figure of authority that is head over the worldwide church

With the exception of the Jehovah's witness and eastern catholic churches which churches do not have a central figure of authourity

LOL I always burst into laughter whenever the Catholic church is mentioned and chukwudi44 magically appears!

I love it, love it!!!

InesQor:

LOL I always burst into laughter whenever the Catholic church is mentioned and chukwudi44 magically appears!

I love it, love it!!!

The thing fear me oh my brother. Its like his computer is set to recognize the keyword 'catholic' and direct him to the thread.

Chukwudi, in the interest of not diverting the main point, let me make a concession:

JeSoul:

[s]-Both have a central figure of authority that is head over the worldwide church[/s]

  and replace with this -
-both share the same veneration for Mary the mother of Jesus

  Point is - from Firebrand's post (nice ID by the way) he pointed out what he thought to be the most disturbing characteristics of Cele, I simply pointed out these characteristics are not unique to only Cele - but infact shared by the most popular church in christianity the RCC.

i just hope chukwudi dnt die as catholic ,been there u know,its all evil

But is there any founded reason why most celestial churches are located beside streams and rivers?

SO THAT THEY DNT HAVE TO PAY FOR WATER BILL,and ofcourse very acquinted with the mammy water so they dnt have to buy fish,but get it free

just hope chukwudi dnt die as catholic ,

been there u know,

its all evil

I am ready to die over and over again as a catholic and I bet you have never been a catholic but a catholic church goer.Am sure you know nothing about the church doctrines.

@jesoul

which church do you attend?

^not sure how that matters but, I attend a pentecostal church.

adolfe bad:

But is there any founded reason why most celestial churches are located beside streams and rivers?

Because of regular water baptism , which is carried out almost on daily basis. One can be baptized as many times as possible. It's not really called baptism but spiritual bath. They believe its For protection, deliverance etc.

But is there any founded reason why most celestial churches are located beside streams and rivers?

Back in the old days, most CCC churches sites were choosen by divine revelation. Most locations were places idol worshiping activities were very common. E.g MAKOKO where the HQ is currently situated.

Lets check the scriptures if you don't mind for affirmation

Hebrews 10:22
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Genesis 2:10
A river flowed from the land of Eden, watering the garden and then dividing into four branches.

Without water, the garden would have died, as plants, animals and humans cannot survive without water. It seems to me that this river is a beautiful picture of the life that Christ gives to His children through the Spirit of God. This water is the everlasting life that we enjoy now in Christ. That's why the scripture says in 1 John 5:12"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life."

It's interesting to me that the greatest expanse of water in the world today is the sea. In as much that the earth is surrounded by water, don't be surprised if CCC is situated near a the river/stream were you live.

We are called the"LAST SHIP" for a reason

@ this thread: thanks all for your concern, interest and reactions so far on this thread.

As I read the various reactions to this post, I am happy at the fact that someone out there is benefiting by gaining useful information about the enigma called 'Cele' while others are having the opportunity to air their candid opinion about the church; Celestial Church of Christ.

The truth about 'Cele', is something a lot of people are already familiar with but some of these people will either choose to doubt those facts or simply decide to either deny or ignore them.

TRUTH 1.
Constitution.
The 'CONSTITUTION' of Celestial Church of Christ is an authoritative book that tells us about how 'Cele' and a lot of the things (doctrine) associated with 'Cele' came to be.

To me, I see the book more of a detailed corporate dairy telling us on a step by step basis, what came up, when and how.
Narrated events include eye witness details, responses and even expressions of utter disbelief, shock and surprise by those directly involved in those events and sometimes, third parties.

The miracles that God wrought through the hands of the founder, S.B.J. Oshoffa of blessed memory, were not out-of place, impossible, or to be perceived as make-believe especially if you read about the various shocking events and miracles involving the Apostles as narrated in the book of ACTS in the Bible.

If you believe the book of ACTS, then you should have reasons to believe miracles narrated in the Celestial Church 'CONSTITUTION'.

I have a physical copy of the book which I have read from back to back.
You can find an online version of the 'CONSTITUTION' here: http://www.celestialchurch.com/aboutus/reference/constitu.htm

TRUTH 2.
Doctrine.
The use of candles, sutana, alter, incense, etc may be regarded by other Christian bodies as being archaic (belonging to OLD Testament) but I can authoritatively and proudly tell anyone that 'CELE' is but a
church of the future and truly an earthly picture of what obtains in Heaven.
Were it not so, the book of REVELATION (which tells of things to come and also describes Heaven) would not have mentioned the 7-stand alter/lampstand, 'Sutana' (white garment), use of candles/lamps etc all of which 'Cele' uses.

TRUTH 3.
'Cele' is bad!
That is a song several people are singing today but you and I know that it is not 'Cele' that is truly bad but corrupt Prophets and Shepherds in the fold, who have taken an undue advantage of the helpless members just as the two sons of ELI did to the worshipers at the Temple in the days of boy-Samuel whom God raised up to take their positions and indeed, the position of the Levites clan before God was lost forever owing to that fact.
There is ABSOLUTELY nothing OCCULTIC about our mode/way of worship as outlined in the ORDER OF SERVICE which we follow.

TRUTH 4.
Leadership problems.
When 'PAPA' was alive, all went well but since he died, there have being all manner of administrative problems, anarchy and general chaos in the polity of the church.
The CONSTITUTION states that the successor to the Founder will be CHOSEN / APPOINTED by GOD but surprisingly 'Cele' ( a spiritual church) decided to drag itself in the mud by entering into an embarrassing leadership tussle leading to unending lawsuits and the emergence and parade of more than 200 self acclaimed, man-appointed
'PASTORs'.
As far as the people involved are concerned, the CONSTITUTION is not in their favor and would rather appoint themselves as Pastors rather than wait for God to choose who leads 'Cele'.
The book (constitution) says that whomever God chooses through the ranks, even if he is merely a 'Brother' which is the lowest rank (not a Leader or Evangelist), the church must obey and follow him.
But see what the church has turned to today?

TRUTH 5.
Finance.
'Cele' as far as I am concerned is the largest christian denomination competing favorably with the Catholic church population-wise, anywhere on the globe.
Take any small community in Lagos for instance, you will find not less than 3 parishes within an area. Most Pentecostal churches don't have these sort of spread.
In spite of our massive congregational size, 'Cele' as a body has no school (not even Nursery school), hospital, social facility, or any facility whatsoever to our credit.
Whatever facility you find working or operational in 'Cele' is simply by someone's solo effort.
The 'IMEKO CATHEDRAL' that 'PAPA' started is still there, unfinished.
Where are all the tithes, contributions, levies and more importantly anointment levies being sunk into. Where do they disappear to?
When will 'Cele' grow up to have powerful projects such as Hospitals and Universities?

THE ANSWER
When the Head is bad, the Body is likewise ill.
All the wrong perceptions, wrong assumptions and general bad image that 'Cele' has are as a result of the BOARD OF TRUSTEES not following the due process of counting on GOD, the owner of the church, to put His own man at the helm of affairs of the church.
If that man were allowed to take the mantle of leadership, the church will suddenly transform from its terrible dis-honorable state, to a state of Heavenly splendor and glory which God has purposed for it.

The coming of that God-chosen man and the reality of his being allowed to take control of the church partly lies on our collective shoulders as members, to stand up for truth and godly justice (not lawsuits in the courts) in the day-to-day running of the affairs of the church.
We should stop standing in the way of God or trying to help Him do His job by applying our crude human wisdom in the administration of Celestial Church of Christ!

Jesus is Lord!

I wish all Nairalanders and the general online public a most memorable Easter celebration!

Happy holidays.

Read more about the leadership war going on in CELE church and the associated legal tussles here:

www.nairaland.com/421697/cele-leadership-tussle-worsens-police