Ephesians 5:15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise.
Recently, in Nigeria, the hub of evangelical Christianity was under a lockdown like all other segments of the society. This attracted a lot of divergent views; some prominent church leaders in the country think the government should exclude the house of God from the lockdown order, as long as the markets places could remain open, others saw it as a good and cautious precaution considering the way the virus spreads; via droplets and it can stay on air for sometime. When the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 allowed the reopening of churches and mosques in the country, many welcomed this news with mixed feelings. Since June, the Lagos State government did not allow worship centers in the state to reopen following the increase in corona virus cases.
While this is going on the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN have left it open to the bishops and founders to do what they feel right.
Looking at these issues, both sides have their belief hinged on some biblical injunctions. Knowing what is going on coupled with the dangers of this virus, many are of the opinion that it will tantamount to tempting God, which goes against the ten commandments.
1 Corinthians 12:22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: for that there are those who are feeble among us we ought to be careful and allow more precautionary method , through medical protocols in place. Exodus 15:26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee. This is the view of the others who want the church to open. If the church is a spiritual body and God is a healer, then we must exercise our faith in this time of
Crisis for God remains our healer. Christ, the head of this spiritual body cannot be sick. They consider the opening of the market places and other locations which the government considers as vital whilst they have the church remained close to a double standard. If those pastors who refused to reopen still goes to the market, still do their shopping then they have led others under their watch astray.
Perhaps in-between these sides is what one prophet offered after the death of a prominent senator/ politician in Ogun state: Primate Ayodele made it known that the only solution to weaken the strength of COVID-19 was intense prayer and not the lockdown solution adopted by the government. Could this be more than just a virus on the loose? Is there a spiritual undertone to this? Many prominent Nigeria pastor has explained that this is an attack howbeit a spiritual one and that all must be vigilant and exercise faith in God true prayers one of such prominent pastor is REV. Chris Okotie, a firebrand and a bible teacher who has a penchant for revealing biblical truth like no other pastor in that country.
Sapphire strokes 