An outrage has trailed the sermon of the General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi, in which he described the celebration of Christmas as “idolatrous.”
The cleric had during the annual December convention of the church which ended on Sunday warned his members against partaking in celebrating Christmas.
But a cross-section of Nigerians have disagreed with Kumuyi saying observing Christmas was erroneously being tagged a sin.
Those who dropped comments online argued that it was wrong for the pastor to tag the day set aside worldwide for the observance of the birth of Jesus Christ as idolatrous.
Those who said they had collected Christmas allowances in their work places also wondered if they were expected to return such bonuses.
A respondent on Facebook, Ogba Victor, wrote, “Some people say celebration of Christmas is idolatry, is this true? Well, the answer is this: December 25 was a day used by pagans to worship idols. The early Christians who lived during that time decided to use this period to remember and celebrate the coming of their saviour, Jesus Christ.
“I have a question: if I use a day meant for Satan to remember my Lord (Jesus Christ), worship him, sing carols, feast with family and friends, go to church, pray and rededicate my soul to God, should that be called a sin?
“We should not forget that God made all days, weeks, and years. If pagans choose any day that does not make it their day it belongs to God and will always be.”
One Ilori Paul-Ibukunoluwa wrote on Facebook that since carols and songs of praises were rendered in honour of Jesus Christ and not an idol during the Christmas season, Kumuyi’s assertion would not hold water.
Paul-Ibukunoluwa stated, “What do we do on Christmas Day and in Christmas carols? Is it not to praise, worship, adore, sing to God and celebrate the coming of Jesus to the world? Or is it the singing of ‘Joy to the world, the Lord is come, Let earth receive her king. (You know the rest)’ that constitutes what is called Idolatry? Or is the chicken and turkey or the soft drinks that we drink that are idolatrous or Merry Christmas to you all?”
Anthony Biyi Adejuwon also said, “When Deeper Life started about three decades ago, Pastor Kumuyi preached against watching television and members of his church dared not own one. Now, what do we have? The same pastor now reaches out to his congregation via the satellite projected on big screens. Does it mean that his view then wasn’t inspired by God?
“It follows then that he was only instructing his members from his finite intelligence. This latest teaching of his is not different. What has the celebration or otherwise got to do with gaining eternal life? Is it the case that those who celebrate it will end up in hell for remembering a landmark in God’s relationship with human beings?
“Must God tell us everything we should do? Why then did he create us rational? It’s high time Christian pastors stopped their hypocrisy and preached true repentance and unconditional love which are the lessons of Christmas.”
However, some Nigerians backed the cleric on his supposed weird stance on Christmas. Jerry Tammy on Facebook wrote, “The last time I checked my Bible the disciples were the first to be called Christians, which means Christ-like and I have never read in the Bible where the disciples observed Christmas.
“Neither Christ nor any of the disciples, told us to celebrate Christmas. I stand to be corrected.”
The problem with the Nigerians is that we don't like people to speak the truth. The moment you speak the truth you are in trouble. Kumuyi is a foremost pastor and he has read the Bible very well and he did not see anywhere in the Bible where Xmas is mentioned. Why do you want to crucify him? Ask the G.O. of RCCG, whether he too celebrates Xmas, why are you people deceiving yourselves. It is the gospel truth Kumuyi has said, if you don't agree with him, you are on your own, the man has said it.
ReplyDeletePlease go back to the scripture and find out. You are an Idolator if u celebrate Xmas.
This is a season of attention seeking by our men of God. While they preach moderation to their followers, they live in outrageous luxuries.
ReplyDeleteF u all, silly Nigerians, i can see why country is the way it is. SHAME
ReplyDeleteTruth is bitter but those who know their God would not cringe to speak the truth regardless of overwhelming criticism. From the apostles' days, the ministers who stood to correct the upheld errors in the societies were seriously attacked and so it is nowadays. Ride on daddy Kumuyi, the gift of God for our generation. The christian moderation and holiness of life that you are emphasising to millions of believers are well appreciated as the end of all things is at hand.
ReplyDeleteThe man has spoken well. The only thing Christ said we should do in His rememberance is holy communion and not xmas. The bible is the final authority.
ReplyDeleteJESUS CHRIST is the reason for the season. Is HE living on the inside of you?
ReplyDeleteRightly said @Kumuyi.
ReplyDeletelive your life in true holiness and heaven will be yours.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, In all these is only one thing that pains me....
ReplyDelete"most people who claim they are celebrating Christmas are actually people who have not accepted the gospel or really benefited from salvation from the grip of sin and are not sure of eternal life.
In my village here, even masquerade is used ad part of Christmas celebration.
In America, atheist celebrate Christmas
what we must think about is not whether it is wrong or not, the most important thing is
why do we celebrate it?
Why do sinners celebrate the birth of a savior when they are not yet saved?
Why do we celebrate Christmas in th name of Christ but "Santa Clause" is the central figure?
Why do we do the right thing in a wrong way, we celebrate the birth of Christ and ignorantly make "Santa" the father of Christ?
Father of Christmas
Father Christmas = Santa
then finally, why do many churches forsake the Lord's Super which is the only thing that Christ demanded that it should be done in remembrance of Him?
The end of a thing is better than the beginning, so also the death of Christ is better than his birth
Christ born or not born is not the most important, what is more important is the effect of his death in the world,
how many really have the assurance of heaven?
The most painful aspect of this argument is that many will rejoice yearly on earth here for the birth of the saviour, but they will still end up in the lake of fire!
Hmmm, In all these is only one thing that pains me....
ReplyDelete"most people who claim they are celebrating Christmas are actually people who have not accepted the gospel or really benefited from salvation from the grip of sin and are not sure of eternal life.
In my village here, even masquerade is used ad part of Christmas celebration.
In America, atheist celebrate Christmas
what we must think about is not whether it is wrong or not, the most important thing is
why do we celebrate it?
Why do sinners celebrate the birth of a savior when they are not yet saved?
Why do we celebrate Christmas in th name of Christ but "Santa Clause" is the central figure?
Why do we do the right thing in a wrong way, we celebrate the birth of Christ and ignorantly make "Santa" the father of Christ?
Father of Christmas
Father Christmas = Santa
then finally, why do many churches forsake the Lord's Super which is the only thing that Christ demanded that it should be done in remembrance of Him?
The end of a thing is better than the beginning, so also the death of Christ is better than his birth
Christ born or not born is not the most important, what is more important is the effect of his death in the world,
how many really have the assurance of heaven?
The most painful aspect of this argument is that many will rejoice yearly on earth here for the birth of the saviour, but they will still end up in the lake of fire!
I think it is necessary for people to have a sound knowledge of authentic theology before proclaiming themselves Pastors Overseers or whatever. A lot of people are being led astray by wrong doctrines. We are talking about people's souls here.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous Dec 24, 9.32am, MY DEAR, WHERE IS IT IN THE BIBLE WHERE WE WERE ASKED TO WEAR SUIT, SIT ON THE KIND OF SEAT BABA KUMUYI IS SITTING, TRAVEL BY PLANE, BUIKD A CAMP WHERE THEY GATHER EVERY YEAR, ETC. THE DAY PASTOR KUMUYI AND ADEBOYE(ALTHOUGH, BABA ADEBOYE AS NOT COME OUT TO CONDEMN XMAS), WERE BORN, WERE IDOLS NOT CELEBRATED ON THOSE DAYS OR DON'T THEY OR YOU CELEBRATE DIA/YOUR BIRTHDAYS. THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN IT, SHOULD CELEBRATE AND THOSE WHO DOESNT SHOULD NOT BUT SHOULD NOT BE A DOCTRINE TO CONDEMN. MIND YOU, WORLD OVER, XMAS IS A TIME TO REMEMBER THE LESS PRIVILEDGE AND SHARE LOVE. SO, WHAT IS WRONG IN CHOOSING A DAY TO SHOW LOVE AND CARE(ALTHOUGH, WE SHOUKD DO IT EVERYDAY). MOST OF THE PASTORS CONDEMNING XMAS, DO RECEIVE XMAS GIFTS, CASH AND ETC FROM MEMBERS O. I REST MY CASE.
ReplyDeleteGod has giving us power and wisdom that whatever we ordain on earth in his name is ordain in heaven.that means sealed in heaven.the problem is that we dont know the powers bestowed on us by God.
ReplyDeleteSo Christmas is real and ideal pastor
ReplyDeleteIgnorance they say is a disease. For those condemning christmas celebration. Can any of you show me in your bible where it is written that we must or should worship God or go to church on Sundays? Nigerians don sabi pass oyibo wey introduce Christianity to us.
ReplyDeleteIs it not this thesame man that said watching Tv is a sin,are they not watching it now? Nobody is asking him to celebrate xmas,he is free to tell his followers to worship him.
ReplyDeleteAll that Pastor Kumuyi spoke about: salvation of souls, holiness of lifestyle doesn't interest the journalists for a caption than the issue of celebration of Christmas he addressed only to his congregation. Let's concentrate on substance and stop chasing this shadow that only those are truly submissive to the word of God can accept and do.
ReplyDeleteI DON'T KNOW WHY WE SPEND SO MUCH TIME CONDEMNING THE MAN. HE DID NOT SAY THAT GOD TOLD HIM THAT CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION WAS WRONG. HE DID NOT SAY THAT CHRISTIANS SHOULD NOT CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS BUT HIS CHURCH MEMBERS ONLY, SO WHY THE TROUBLE? I ONLY LOVE TO HEAR HIM INSTRUCT ALL HIS MEMBERS THAT RECEIVED CHRISTMAS BONUS TO MAKE REFUND QUICKLY, IF NOT IT WILL BE HYPOCRISY. BECAUSE THE MONEY MAY HAVE BEEN GIVEN FOR IDOL WORSHIP. (Mike Abe)
ReplyDeleteIf you have ur own child why did you give her name all this pastors did not know anytin they are just deceiving us they are just trying when some will be saying if u colect tithe u are a thief that there is nothing like tithe what did u see to that.......dont geoge anybody onky God knows the best
ReplyDeleteIf you have ur own child why did you give her name all this pastors did not know anytin they are just deceiving us they are just trying when some will be saying if u colect tithe u are a thief that there is nothing like tithe what did u see to that.......dont geoge anybody onky God knows the best
ReplyDeletebut we fixed a particular day for church anniversary.Oga sir so dat is idol worship also?
ReplyDeletei insist that Nigeria is the funniest country on earth reading all these comment about christmas or no christmas both for and against i just can stop laughing.... Odun Tutu
ReplyDeleteI like to make a comment on Pastor Kumuyi's insight on Christmas. I think that many do not know the Bible and that is the reason they sound so surprise that this man of God would make a call like this, that no one should take Christmas serious, because it originated from paganism.. However, the same is true about Easter, the observance of Sunday as a day of worship as oppose to divine commandment that the seventh-day-Saturday should be observed as the day of worship. I hope to be able to get into a discussion with Dr. Kumuyi, one day about this topic. Dr, Kumuyi and the dedicated Deeper Livers should take a very close look at the fourth commandment of God and simply reform before it is too late. Abandon Christmas, Easter, and also most importantly Sunday worship and reform. I wish all who would have the opportunity to read this comment, and who believe in the Holy Bible as the foundation of their faith should consider the fourth commandment of God seriously. Scripture says, if you keep all the law and offend in one point, you have broken all (James 2:10-12). We are saved from sin, which is disobedience to the law, by divine grace through our faith in Jesus. If it is true we have been saved from breaking the law, then we must obey it after we have been truly saved. (Ephesians 2:8-10). Christians in Nigeria need to reconsider how they understand the Bible.
ReplyDeleteThank God for Pastor Kumuyi
ReplyDelete