Following the order by the Lagos State government to re-open Churches and Mosque from Friday, August 7 and Sunday, August 9, Pastor Chris Okotie of the Household of God Church, has said his church will not reopen for service on Sunday, because they cannot wear a face mask during service.
In a 28-minute broadcast sent via Whatsapp to church members, Okotie said although he accepted the imperatives of the safety precautions to contain the spread of the COVID- 19, but the wearing of masks or face shield was unacceptable to him.
It should be recalled that during the lifting of the bans, Lagos Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, told worshippers to observe all standard safety guidelines, including social distancing, wearing of face masks or shield and washing of hands. Attendance was also pegged at 50 per cent capacity for each worship centre.
However, quoting various Bible verses, Okotie said for Christians to wear any type of mask or face shield to church was to reintroduce the veil which was torn the moment Jesus Christ died on the cross.
He said with the tearing of the veil, there was no longer separation between God and his people, warning that wearing of masks would reverse the order, which was unacceptable.
He said he did not initially discuss the mask in his broadcast on the COVID-19 mystery because he was waiting for its full manifestation, adding that he decided to speak out now because the mask was now graduating into a face shield, which was a veil.
“When a man is standing before God in church wearing a shield or mask, he is denying the finished work of the cross,” he said, adding that most Christians do not understand the implications, thinking it is just a medical requirement.”
