Who We Are
The Celestial Church of Christ is an African Instituted Church founded by Rev. Samuel Biléhou Joseph Oshoffa on 29 September 1947 in Porto-Novo, Benin through a divine order. The Church is well known with Parishes, Dioceses all over the world particularly in Benin and Nigeria with its International Headquarters in Nigeria.
The name of the Church, ‘Eglise du Christianisme Celeste‘ in French, ‘Celestial Church of Christ‘ in English, and ‘Ijo Mimo ti Kristi lati orun wa’ in Yoruba was revealed by the Holy Spirit through a Alexander Yanga who was one of the early followers of Rev. Samuel Biléhou Joseph Oshoffa healed by him through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Yanga was in a trance for seven consecutive days, at the end of the seventh day, he reportedly saw the name of the church boldly written on the rainbow. He accordingly asked for a piece of chalk and, looking at the rainbow, wrote the name of the church as shown to him, Eglise du Christianisme Céleste, which means “Celestial Church of Christ.
After this divine revelation proclaimed the name of Oshoffa’s religious movement, his followers soon began to identify themselves as Celestians
Our Mission
On the 29th of September, 1947, in the deep mystery of the divine appearance, during prayer, of the winged angel bathed in intense light, word came from God to the Founder:
“It is the wish of God to send you on an errand of preaching to the world. Many nominal Christians there are who, when confronted by difficulties and problems of this world, they run after fetish priests and other powers of darkness for all kinds of assistance.
Consequently, on their death, they cannot see Christ because, by their action, Satan has left his spiritual mark on them. To assist you in your work so that men may listen to and follow you, miraculous works of Holy divine healing will be carried out by you in the name of Jesus Christ. These works of divine healing and God’s spiritual mark on you will testify to the fact that God sent you”.
Our Core Doctrine
We are bible based AFRICAN Instituted Church.
Our Doctrine
THE CHURCH IS UNDER THE ABSOLUTE DICTATE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
It is hereby emphasized for note that:
The name of the Church, The tenets and mode of worship of the Church, and The service hymns of the Church, which formed the doctrine of the church were all revealed through the Holy Spirit as promised by our Lord Jesus Christ (see John 14:25,26) thus: “These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you”.
Our Tenets
It is ordained by the Holy Spirit that:
Members of Celestial Church of Christ are forbidden to engage or participate in:
- Any form of idolatry, fetish ceremony or cults, black magic and charms.
- Cigarette or tobacco smoking or snuffing or any type of weed smoking or snuffing is forbidden to members of the Celestial Church of Christ.
- Consumption of any form of alcohol, wine or any strong drink that can intoxicate is forbidden to members of Celestial Church of Christ as the odour of all these – cigarettes, tobacco, alcohol, etc. – are repugnant to the presence of the Holy Spirit.
- Consumption of pork or any food offered as sacrifice to idols or other powers of darkness is forbidden to members of Celestial Church of Christ; Members are forbidden to wear apparels made of black or red materials except for professional reasons.
- Members should not wear shoes when wearing their sutana or within the premises of the Church.
- Male and female members are forbidden to sit together side by side within the Church and its premises.
- Female members cannot enter the Sanctuary without appropriately covering their heads.
- Female members during menstruation are not allowed to come within the precincts of the Church until after their sanctification after seven clear days; and where the menstruation extends beyond seven days, two clear days should be allowed for after stoppage before sanctification.
- Female members are forbidden from entering the altar area or leading the congregation in worship.
- In Celestial Church of Christ, only white candles are to be used. Coloured candles are strictly forbidden.
- Fornication and adultery are forbidden in the Celestial Church of Christ.
- Holy is the Celestial Church of Christ and all who worship in her should endeavour to be clean in body and in soul.
Our Mode of Worship
Mode of worship includes the setting of the Altar, and the seat therein, the number of candles used for various types of services and the seating arrangement in particular, it should be noted that the seating arrangements was revealed through a Prophetess who under the influence of the Holy Spirit in the wilderness on Friday 5th of October, 1947, sketched the seating arrangement using oranges.
Holy Rights or Sacraments
There are a number of Holy Rites or Sacrament within the form of worship in Celestial Church of Christ utmost importance. Members shall avail themselves of the opportunity to partake in these rites or sacraments: Baptism, Holy Communion, Annual Washing of Feet, Annual Pilgrimage to Imeko, Ogun State, Nigeria at Christmas Eve, Annual Harvest Thanksgiving Service, and Holy Mary’s Day.
Meet Our Pastor
Our Directional Leadership Team works together to shape the vision and direction of Find Faith
Rev. Pastor Emmanuel Mobiyina Adebowale Abiodun Vihan Oshoffa
Pastor and Supreme Head of the Celestial Church of Christ Worldwide
His Eminence, Rev. Pastor Emmanuel Mobiyina Adebowale Abiodun Vihan Oshoffa, (was born on the 25th of December 1948) is the Pastor and Supreme head of Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) Worldwide.
Rev. Pastor Emmanuel Mobiyina Oshoffa was installed as Pastor and Supreme Head of the Celestial Church of Christ Worldwide in December 2002, as successor to Reverend Philip Hunsu Ajose, who died in March 2001.
Rev. Pastor Emmanuel Mobiyina Oshoffa was born in 1948 at Kpave, Benin. He went to university in Paris, France, gaining a Bachelor’s degree in animal biological science in 1976, and a Masters degree in 1977. In 1997 he was appointed head of the CCC Diocese of France.
His Eminence, Rev. Pastor Emmanuel Mobiyina Oshoffa is the first son of the Pastor Founder (Late Reverend, Pastor, Prophet Samuel Bilewou Joseph Oshoffa) and he is the authentic Pastor and Supreme Head of the Celestial Church of Christ