The National Christian Elders Forum yesterday berated the Senior Pastor of Household of God Fellowship, Lagos, Rev. Chris Okotie, what it described as the “very uncomplimentary remarks about his Eminence, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria during the course of delivering a sermon” on Sunday, October 25, 2015. The Forum in a statement issued in Abuja by its Chairman, Solomon Asemota, SAN, said it read “with sorrow and much regret” news of the sermon in which Okotie allegedly accused Pastor Oritsejafor of deceiving erstwhile president Goodluck Jonathan with a false prophecy that made him to run for re-election on march 28, 2015, thus becoming the first incumbent president in Nigeria to lose an election.

The statement said: “Since Rev. Okotie has not issued a retraction of the news report, it would be assumed that he made the statements credited to him. The Reverend gentleman shall be required, through the PFN bloc, to kindly inform the Nigerian Church “where and when” the President of CAN made the “false prophecy” he alluded to and why he believed such unedifying information should form part of the gospel from his pulpit.

“In view of the many challenges facing the Nigerian church, it has become necessary to appeal to Christians, particularly, the ministers of the gospel, to be circumspect about utterances concerning other Christians, in particular, the person and the office of the President of Christian Association of Nigeria. It would be necessary to remind Christians that CAN is the official institution representing Christian interests in Nigeria and any attempt by any Christian to ridicule or weaken CAN, is a disservice to the Lord and to His Church.

“The Bible makes it clear that there would necessarily be disagreements amongst us and God in His wisdom has outlined steps for Christians to manage and resolve conflicts. (Matt. 18: 15 – 17)

Christians should desist from slanders and false accusations. “We did not so learn Christ”. (Eph. 4: 20)

“Nigerian Christians should be reminded that the Nigerian Church has a lot of enemies bent on “eradicating” the Church in all of its “ramifications”. It is no longer a secret that these enemies use “operatives”, within and outside the Church to spread false reports, accusations and divisive statements to divide the church and weaken Christianity. Much of the contention in the Church has been traced to the nefarious activities of these “operatives”, many of whom pretend to be Christians. (2 Cor. 11: 13 – 15) Satan knows full well that a house that is divided cannot stand.

“The National Christian Elders would also want to draw the attention of Christians to the unchristian activities of a certain “Pastor” Musa Dikwa who peddles false information as truth. While all the “sponsors” of Musa Dikwa may not be known, it is clear that this man neither serves the Lord Jesus Christ nor works for the interest of Christianity.

As part of its determination to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, the Christian “Elders appeal to Christians, particularly the ministers of the gospel, to develop a kindred spirit. Since we are one body in Christ, Christians should edify one another and not pull each other down. We are one body in Christ.

“ “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” Jn. 17: 12.”

•Photo shows Rev. Chris Okotie.

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