I’m often asked to assess what others teach. I do not do this lightly, but it is necessary. Before reading this page, or any of the pages about specific people, I recommend that you read What is a False Teacher?, which explains what the Bible says about false teachers, and why I would bother to research who they are and what they say. You may also want to check out a list of Bible Teachers I Can Recommend.
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome is the president of LoveWorld Incorporated, also known as Christ Embassy, based in Lagos, Nigeria. He holds conferences around the world with a specific focus on healing. He operates an “International School of Healing,” and is undoubtedly a false teacher.
Like so many others in the Word of Faith movement, “Pastor Chris” Oyakhilome twists Scripture, makes unbiblical claims about the nature of God, the nature of humans, faith, sickness, and more.
God’s class of divine beings
Oyakhilome’s website contains “Divine Health Confessions.” These display again and again the unbiblical ideas taught by many in the Word of Faith movement. For example:
I live above the elements of this world. I live above sickness, disease, and death. I’m immune to anything that ravages the lives of men; I belong to God’s class of divine beings. I am a partaker of the divine nature; my body is sustained by a force that the ordinary man cannot perceive. My kidneys, lungs, heart, all tissues and every organ in my body function properly.
These ‘confessions’ are designed to activate the ‘law of faith.’ That is, of course, the idea that we speak into existence the things we want, and avoid speaking of things we don’t want. By repeating these confessions, so we’re told, we manifest reality through faith. Time will tell if Pastor Chris Oyakhilome is ‘above death,’ but I’d suggest his chance of not dying at some point is near zero.
Take note of the phrase “God’s class of divine beings.” This is the same nonsense taught by false teacher Kenneth Hagin, who famously taught this:
Man… was created on terms of equality with God, and he could stand in God’s presence without any consciousness of inferiority… He made us the same class of being that He is Himself.
This is, of course, entirely unbiblical. We are not in the same class as God. Don’t take my word for it… here’s what God Himself has to say about it:
I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. Isaiah 46:9
Like other false teachers, Oyakhilome takes familiar phrases from Scripture and re-uses them to say something else. In Colossians 2, Paul wrote that “in him (Christ) dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” What does Pastor Chris say?
The fullness of the Godhead dwells in me bodily, making me impregnable to sickness, disease, death, and the devil.
No, the fullness of the Godhead does not dwell in him bodily. The Father is in Heaven, and Christ is with Him. Jesus will return one day, but that day has not come… so the only one that could be dwelling in us bodily is the Holy Spirit, who indwells all believers. I don’t know whether Oyakhilome has been born again or not, so I can’t say whether the Holy Spirit dwells in him.
Every creature reproduces after its kind. A dog gives birth to dogs, a cat gives birth to cats, a cow gives birth to cows, a monkey reproduces monkeys and a human reproduces humans. So when God gives birth, what do you think He’ll reproduce? Gods, of course!
This, again, is heresy. God is not a creature. God does not give birth as creatures do, combining DNA to make a new creature. You are not a God. I am not a God. Pastor Chris Oyakhilome is not a God. God Himself told us there are NONE like Him.
To make matters worse, Oyakhilome claims that the apostles got this wrong… that they erroneously thought that they, themselves, were human:
I want you to understand, at a certain period the apostles thought there were humans. They said so, they thought so, when they tried to stop others from almost worshiping them. They said, ‘Look, we’re humans like you.’ No. That’s where they were wrong.
Consider what this means: according to “Pastor Chris,” the Bible is quite simply wrong. We can’t trust what the apostles said about themselves, and now – according to this false teacher – we know better than they did.
No sickness?
Like so many others, “Pastor Chris” focuses heavily on healing. After all, he runs an international school of healing, so that makes sense. Also like so many others, he makes unbiblical claims about what God will and won’t do… and what Christians can expect with regard to health:
The Word of God quickens my mortal body; this is my vital experience! My health flourishes daily because the power of Jesus Christ continually works in me. I do not get sick; no infirmity can thrive in my body because the Spirit of the Lord lives in me. Hallelujah! – [source]
Perhaps Timothy, pastor in Ephesus, needed the apostle Paul to explain this to him. Instead, Paul told him to take a little wine for his stomach. We also see in Galatians 4 that Paul was sick. Maybe he didn’t know about positive confession. Had he known what Word of Faith teachers would say 2000 years later, maybe he wouldn’t have left Trophimus sick in Miletus, but schooled him in the supernatural ways of divine healing.
Again and again, Oyakhilome claims that no Christian should ever be sick:
I am born, not of corruptible seed, but of the incorruptible and ‘uninfectable’ seed – the Word of God which lives and abides forever. I am immune to sickness and my body neutralizes anything that is contrary to the Word of God, in the Name of Jesus. Amen.
I have the divine life that flourishes with health, prosperity, success, peace, and joy unspeakable. The Word of God is life to my body and it cleanses my blood and makes me perfect and whole.
The very life and nature of God are operational in me, making it impossible for me to contract any disease or infection.
When we consider Oyakhilome’s own words, it’s clear that he is a false teacher. Of course, even false teachers say many true things… that’s not the issue. The issue is that the New Testament tells us again and again to not put up with those who teach falsely. Regardless of how one feels about a teacher, we should always be willing to compare their words with God’s words. Only those who teach the same gospel that Jesus handed down are true teachers.
If you’ll stay in the Word, you’ll always be healthy and sound. If you’d meditate on the Word, it’ll cure that blood condition, get rid of the HIV, heal your bones, heart, and skin, and produce life in you! It’ll cure that wound that has defied treatment. Speak the Word to that infirmity; talk to that cancer; talk to your blood cells; command the diabetes to be healed!
When the Holy Spirit takes over your life, He’ll drive every sickness out of your body; He’ll make right everything that was wrong.
It’s a shame that Jesus disciples didn’t know this, or they would have written it down in the New Testament. The apostle Paul and his friends would have benefited greatly from this knowledge, but they apparently didn’t know it… or, logically, they weren’t filled with the Holy Spirit. No, Oyakhilome is clearly wrong.
As with virtually every prosperity preacher, “Pastor Chris” teaches that every Christian who is living as they should will not be sick. Again, this is not what we see in the New Testament, so we must reject this teaching outright.
No Sin?
A man of God is handpicked by God, set on course by God. If you study the scriptures, you will not find one man of God go against God, sinning against God.
This is another audacious claim, and it’s easy to unravel. Everyone would claim that King David was a man of God, yet David definitely sinned. After sleeping with another man’s wife, then having him killed, David said this:
Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” 2 Samuel 12:13
It’s simply amazing that a false teacher can be so obviously, blatantly wrong and still be followed by millions. Please pray for those who follow “Pastor Chris.”
You are the Word of God?
Do you know you are God’s Word? When you were born again, you were born by the Word of God. This means your destiny in the realm of the Spirit is to be the Word of God because you were born by the word of God. It means your nature is of the Word and your character is of the word.
To be sure, there’s nothing in the Bible to suggest any of this. As with other Word of Faith teachers, Pastor Chris seeks to elevate mankind to a higher place than the Scriptures tell us. The serpent’s lie in the garden was that we can become like God… but we can’t. God is God and we are not.
Misquoting Scripture
Your abilities are unlimited. Nothing is impossible for you to accomplish, because you’re sufficient in God’s sufficiency (2 Corinthians 3:5)
Let’s read 2 Corinthians 3:5 to see if Pastor Chris quotes it accurately… but let’s include more of God’s Word for context:
Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
Did Paul suggest anything like “your abilities are unlimited”? No, of course not. God has made us competent. Oyakhilome has twisted this passage to say something Paul did not intend.
Born great?
To become great, you have to be born great. If you are born again then you are the seed of Abraham. That means you have greatness in you.
Again, Oyakhilome twists God’s Word. Who is great in the Kingdom? Let’s see what the Bible says:
Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, explained that whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:19. Not whoever is born again. What else can we learn about greatness, as God sees it?
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 14:1-4
Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:25-28
Take the lowly position. Be a servant. Be a slave. This is not at all what Pastor Chris said. He talks about equality with God, about greatness, and living large. Jesus taught the opposite. The prosperity gospel is not almost the true gospel… in many ways it’s truly the exact opposite.
Christ is a place?
Christ is not only a person, Christ is a place. When you come into Christ, you don’t come into a person; you come into a place.
This is nonsense, of course.
Blessed?
When you’re anointed, you become blessed of God such that everything you touch or do prospers. To be ‘blessed’ means to be empowered to prosper.
Again and again, Oyakhilome twists the truth into something else. He claims to teach the Bible, yet the Bible’s definition of blessed – in both Hebrew and Greek – is happy. Not ’empowered to prosper,’ which comes directly from the imagination of prosperity preachers.
An insult?
Begging in the Name of Jesus is an insult to His Name.
No, it’s not. Let’s see what the apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Corinth:
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20
To implore is to beg, or to plead. Here, Chris Oyakhilome directly contradicts God’s Word.
Legal Troubles
After a five-year investigation of the United Kingdom branch of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome’s church, the UK Charity Commission indicted the church’s board of trustees of a wide range of fraudulent practices, including and misconduct and mismanagement of funds, illegally registering properties in the name of trustees, failure to pay taxes, criminal violation of British regulations, and more.
Remember that these folks teach the Word of Faith prosperity doctrine. Consider this question: why do so many prosperity preachers get into financial trouble? If what they teach is true, they should have all the money they need, and never even consider engaging in fraud, mismanagement, and tax evasion.
Other false claims
When you got born again your past was not erased, it became non-existent.
Good things don’t happen to the child of God; the child of God brings forth good things out of him.
All of creation, both living and non-living, has intelligence.
Sources
See the complete but incomplete False Teachers List
Disclaimer
What matters is what the Bible teaches, and whether those who preach and teach in Jesus’ name are teaching falsely. Don’t comment or email to tell me that I’m “just wrong.” It’s a waste of your time and mine. If you have something to say, include Scripture. I am far from perfect, and I can be wrong… so I don’t do any of this lightly, and I’m open to correction.
Don’t bother telling me how this person or that person helped you. It’s a waste of your time and mine. Nobody teaches lies and falsehoods all the time. In researching these topics, I’ve heard a LOT that I appreciated, and have been inspired by even those who are otherwise far from the truth. The number of times someone is right is irrelevant to the question of whether they also teach lies. We should appreciate anyone who teaches us the truth, but that doesn’t mean we should uncritically follow them when we see significant problems in their lives, in their ministries, and in their teaching. Neither your opinion nor mine matter here.
If you can provide evidence that one of these people has recanted their false teaching, please let me know. I would love to amend their article to show that they have changed what they teach.
Finally: false teachers are not our enemies. If they’re not saved, we should pray for their salvation. If they are saved, we should pray that God will lead them to teach only the truth.
See also: a list of Bible Teachers I Can Recommend
Join me on Substack!
Thank you for this article, I received a Bible devotional from Chris Oyakhilome in the post for free and was wondering if his theology was sound. I was sceptical and the name of the devotional is called “Rhapsody of Realities”. It’s a shame I assumed his teachings were false when seeing he was a pastor from Nigeria. May God protect his flock that live there from the false teachers that run rampant
May God bless you richly for your work, I’ll be sure to check out more of your site.
– Nicholas.
Nicholas:
I’m happy to have been helpful. I understand your initial reaction. It’s not without reason. In my experience, the (false) prosperity gospel is really, really popular in Nigeria. Virtually every teacher I’ve seen there falls into that category. I have no doubt there are faithful, biblical teachers there… but the truth is that I haven’t seen one yet. Let me know if you have any questions, or there’s anything more I can do for you. Have a great day!
I find your search to expose false teachings very interesting, especially in how you perceive it to others, almost in a sense of mockery. With all due respect, you are mistaken. Pastor Chris Oyakhilome is not a false teacher. He is in fact, a born-again Christian and he is also filled with the Holy Spirit. You would have known this if you did your research as claimed in your text. The Bible says “And these signs shall follow those who believe in my name..” They shall speak in other tongues, they shall heal the sick and they shall cast out devils….” We will always see Pastor Chris praying in other tongues and the laying on of hands and healing of the sick is all evidence that he is Spirit-filled. Your reference to equality with God in Isaiah 46;9 is incorrect, God was speaking to His people that there is no other God and that He is the only God whom they must worship. All of His teachings have Scripture references for proofreading. Most importantly we all know that The Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit are one (The Trinity) so it goes without further explaining that Christ/God/The Holy Spirit is within us. Reading through your whole text brought to light the many signs of the antichrist and I pray that your purpose to lead people astray will be defeated. God bless!
Dear “anonymous.” You seem to have misunderstood. I’m sorry for writing so poorly.
Tell me, “anonymous,” do you agree with this statement: The fullness of the Godhead dwells in me bodily, making me impregnable to sickness, disease, death, and the devil? That’s what he said. Do you really believe that Chris Oyakhilome is impregnable to death? If so, why?
You see, it’s one thing to defend someone and another to admit that you like them, that they may be saved, and that they have taught false things. I have nothing against Chris Oyakhilome. I hope he is my brother in Christ. I’m praying for him, that God will help him teach only the truth we find in Scripture. I hope you too are my brother in Christ… and I hope you tell me whether you agree that Chris Oyakhilome will never die.
I have never understood why man would ask another man or spiritual leader about other Bible teachers. Why not get in your secret closet and ask God and/or Holy Spirit?
Ann:
How about both? Certainly the Holy Spirit will guide us… but why would ANY person who’s been born again believe anything that isn’t true? If all we needed was the Holy Spirit, we wouldn’t need the Bible, or preaching or teaching of any kind. Obviously that’s not how God wants things to work. God has chosen to use people to help people. That’s what the New Testament is for, of course.
Because He chooses to use us, we should be faithful to do what He’s laid out in the New Testament for us to do. One of those things is to watch our doctrine closely, silence those in local churches who teach falsely, and even name names of those who should be avoided.
Would you have me do otherwise?
I have been listening to most of the men listed as false teachers. I tell you, there was something in my spirit that told me somethings were not sounding right or making sense according to what was written in the scriptures. I am so blessed to have come across your articles. I am going to continue testing the spirit according to scriptures. Thank you very much for helping me. Indeed God is using people to help people. God bless you.
Thanks, Joe… that’s great to hear. For me, this is the best part: I am going to continue testing the spirit according to scriptures. Let me know if I can be helpful in any way!
Thank you for your article. It’s true we can glean hope from reading scripture. My friend Scott taught me about rhapsody of realities. I rained much from it altho I wouldn’t put all my hope in it. Only God gives us hope and salvation. But when I was communicating with Scott and telling him about what I learned in Bible study at the church of Christ it was uncanny how those teachings and his Bible study in rhapsody connected. I like pastor Chris teachings. But I also read scripture from the king James Bible. I don’t know who you are but would you pray for Scott to be released? Our efforts to meet have failed because he is being detained by the Turkish authorities for illegal entry while trying to get to the U.S. I also asked prayers from world love ministry altho I’m not sure they received it. God bless you for your help.
Kathy:
I’m happy to pray for Scott. It’s hard for many to separate from false teachers like Chris Oyakhilome. A lot of false teachers are gifted speakers and communicators. They also say a lot of true things, which can make it harder for some to spot the false things. Many are helped, in the short run, by false teachers. I’m grateful that they’re helped… but they’re being led astray at the same time, which is unacceptable. As Paul reminded the Galatians, there is only ONE gospel. This is not in dispute, yet many fail to preach that gospel and deceive people while misusing Jesus’ name.
Keep in touch!
Tony Scialdone
Firstly, this article that you sent to me is judging the man of God over certain teachings right?
“Who made you a judge over another man’s servant”?, I believe you are familiar with this scripture.
Please, Let’s cross-check everything he said with God’s word and know who lacks understanding and knowledge of God’s word here.
You, publicly calling him a false teacher doesn’t speak good of you either, simply because your understanding and faith hasn’t reach his revelational knowledge of God’s word.
Even if you are compelled to correct anything, it should be in love not with name calling (false teacher) knowing these: Col 4:6, Eph 4:29, I wonder.
Again, you condemned the believe of “NO SICKNESS”, God deals with us according to the level of our faith; personally I’ve not been sick for more than 20 years now, based on my understanding of God’s word through Pastor Chris teachings. Infact I’ve not been to the hospital for myself, unless I went to visit the sick or my wife gave birth at the hospital. What can you say about that?
Also you said he equal himself with God.
Please read this scriptures and see what you make of it;
Psalm 82:6 and John 10:34.
Sir you condemned teachings of prosperity as if the gospel can go round the world if God’s people aren’t prosperous enough to sponsor the gospel.
Christ Embassy have translated God’s word to more than 8000 languages, published and shared to those countries and communities for a better understanding.
Read this scriptures below to know God’s take on prosperity:
3John 1:2, Zechariah 1:17.
Let’s be properly guided and stop deceiving people that rely on us for clarity,also mind how we attack gospel teachings by calling it false when we don’t have proper understanding of God’s word.
Thanks.
Chukwu:
I see you’ve decided to actually engage, rather than just tell me I’m wrong. I appreciate that.
>> Firstly, this article that you sent to me is judging the man of God over certain teachings right?
No, wrong. Neither you nor I know whether he is truly a man of God. I don’t know that about you, and you don’t know that about me. When YOU say he’s a man of God, you’re trying to put him in a different category than other believers. He’s a man, like you and me. Are YOU a man of God? I’m a man of God. What’s the difference between you and me? If you’ve been born again, like I have, you have God Himself dwelling in you. You have access to all the wisdom in the universe. It’s good to follow good examples, but we only follow them as they follow Christ. If someone claims to be a man of God but is a false teacher, they should not be followed. Right?
>> Who made you a judge over another man’s servant?
As for judging him, yes. That’s exactly what I’m doing. I’m judging him, and you’re judging me. Who made you a judge over me? I’m familiar with that passage. Are you familiar with this one? What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. You see, one verse serves your purposes and the other does not. I assume that you believe both verses are true… but you’ve only applied one, and out of context. I apply both, and in context. This is not a matter of judging someone of weaker faith, which is what Paul addresses in Romans 14. This article, and the judgment, is only about whether what the man teaches matches Scripture. It does not, and it’s right to point it out.
>> Please, Let’s cross-check everything he said with God’s word and know who lacks understanding and knowledge of God’s word here.
Yes!
>> You, publicly calling him a false teacher doesn’t speak good of you either, simply because your understanding and faith hasn’t reach his revelational knowledge of God’s word.
No! Please, my friend… this is silly. Where in the New Testament do you see any apostle saying anything like this? Nowhere. EVERY believer can, and should, test what they hear by comparing it with Scripture. This is why the Bereans were commended in Acts 17, and not doing so is why so many are led astray by false teachers like Chris Oyakhilome. You can’t defend his teaching by attacking his critics… you must defend his teaching by comparing it with what God has already said. Prove the critics are wrong, if you can… attacking the critics cannot verify the teaching.
>> Even if you are compelled to correct anything, it should be in love not with name calling (false teacher) knowing these: Col 4:6, Eph 4:29, I wonder.
First, it seems you didn’t do as I asked. At the top of the article, I recommended that you read What is a False Teacher?. Had you read it, you would have seen that I don’t do this lightly, or eagerly. The goal IS love… for those who teach falsely AND for those led astray by them. If you think that calling someone a false teacher is unloving, you must be unaware that that’s what Peter did. Was Peter unloving? Was Paul unloving when he told Titus to silence those who taught falsely? No, I don’t think so. I think, instead, that you are simply unfamiliar with the Scriptures.
>> I’ve not been sick for more than 20 years now… What can you say about that?
I can say that I’m happy for you. What I can’t say, and what you can’t say with evidence, is that it’s your FAITH that has kept you well. The idea that health is a sign of great faith is a LIE. Paul had a thorn in the flesh. Did Paul lack faith? Timothy needed to take wine for his stomach problems. Did Timothy lack faith? Trophimus was sick. Did Trophimus lack faith? Jesus healed a man born blind. Was he blind because he lacked faith? Because his parents lacked faith? Epaphroditus was sick, to the point of death. Did Epaphroditus lack faith? Daniel was sick. Did Daniel lack faith?
No, my friend. We see no indications in the Bible that the prosperity gospel of health and wealth is true. Instead, we see the opposite. Pastor Chris’ teaching may make you feel good, but it contradicts what God has said. Be like a Berean, and double-check what he says with Scripture.
>> Also you said he equal himself with God. Please read this scriptures and see what you make of it; Psalm 82:6 and John 10:34.
More lies from the father of lies. You should not ONLY read Psalm 82:6. You should read ALL of Psalm 82, to understand the context. If this is about men like Chris Oyakhilome, then he is NOT a good man… he knows nothing, he understands nothing, he walks about in darkness, he will die like a mere mortal, and he will fall like every other ruler. No, this is not a passage that talks about men being gods. Take note that the word ELOHIM doesn’t simply mean “god.” It’s far more flexible than that, as it’s also used to talk about rulers, judges, angels, demons, idols, storms, and the dead. Human “rulers” fits the context of Psalm 82 perfectly, but it conflicts with Word of Faith theology, which is unbiblical.
As for John 10:34, again you ignore the context and so you lack understanding. This passage refers back to Psalm 82, which clearly doesn’t say that men are gods. In John 10, the Jews accused Jesus of blasphemy for calling Himself the Son of God. Jesus pointed out that Jewish judges were called the same, but without blasphemy. Adam too was called the son of God. This passage does not say that men are gods. It’s notable that cults like Mormonism use this passage to claim that men can be divine. Why would you interpret this verse in the same way?
Word of Faith teachers reduce the distance between God and man, claiming that we are just like God. Many claim that we’re exact duplicates of God. What we see in Scripture is the opposite:
The clear witness of Scripture is that we are made in God’s image, but we ARE NOT Gods. We are not equal to God. We are not duplicates of God. We are not “little gods.” We are clay, and He is the Potter. We are but dust, and He is the creator of all that is. He is transcendent. We are like grass, and smoke, and fragile flowers. To suggest that we are ‘god-kind’ because everything makes more of its own kind is idiotic… that would make everything “god-kind,” because God made rocks and trees and oxygen and water. To put it simply: we are not gods.
>> Sir you condemned teachings of prosperity as if the gospel can go round the world if God’s people aren’t prosperous enough to sponsor the gospel.
You’ve been misled, Chukwu. I haven’t condemned teachings of prosperity. The New Testament standard is that we are only stewards of what God has entrusted to us. If someone has been given much, they have many resources with which to serve God and grow the kingdom. The early churches were praised for raising money for the poor, to support ministers, and to spread the gospel. That, however, is NOT the prosperity gospel. The prosperity gospel says that Christians can all be wealthy because Jesus died on the cross to give them every kind of prosperity. This is, as we see in the New Testament, another LIE. The number of dollars one has been entrusted with is no indication of their faith. Jesus taught several parables about this, and in no example was one given more or less because they had more or less faith.
Why did the apostle Paul say that he had learned to be content while he was in need? Did the apostle Paul lack faith? He learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Was it his lack of faith that kept him from being wealthy? Was Paul unspiritual? Did the apostle to the Gentiles need to take lessons from Chris Oyakhilome?
When Jesus was circumcised, Mary and Joseph offered two pigeons. Why? Because they couldn’t afford a lamb. Did Mary and Joseph lack faith? Jesus Himself borrowed food, rode on a borrowed colt, preached from borrowed boats, and was buried in a borrowed tomb. Did Jesus lack faith? Why wasn’t Jesus more prosperous? Why didn’t He pay for His own things, out of His enormous wealth? Was it because He didn’t understand the principle of sowing and reaping? Did Jesus, God in flesh, Savior of the world, need to take lessons from Chris Oyakhilome?
The prosperity gospel is a lie, repeated by both the ignorant and the deceitful, appealing to the poor, convincing them they need to give more to get more. Who is the richest in such ministries? It’s never the poor person who has great faith and plants many seeds. Who is it? Yes, that’s right: it’s always the teacher. Why is the teacher always the richest? Because they always accept money from those who have less. On this alone one might ask whether such a person really IS a “man of God,” as you claim.
>> Christ Embassy have translated God’s word to more than 8000 languages, published and shared to those countries and communities for a better understanding.
You should be more skeptical, my friend. Either you’ve misunderstood, or you believe a lie. Christ Embassy has NOT translated the Bible to more than 8000 languages. According to every source I can find, there are only around 7,300 languages in the world. Wycliffe states that of the 7,300 languages in the world, only around 1,600 language translations of the New Testament exist. Only 700 have the whole Bible. Over 1,600 language translation projects still have not been started. Even Rhapsody of Realities is translated into fewer than 1,000 languages… and translating a modern book is FAR easier than responsible Bible translation.
If it were true, we would be finished translating the Bible for everyone in the world. No, that’s simply not true at all. Not even close. Check the numbers. Do the math. Learn the truth.
>> Read this scriptures below to know God’s take on prosperity: 3John 1:2, Zechariah 1:17.
As before, these passages do not support the prosperity gospel. Read them in context, without bias, and you can see that it’s true.
>> Let’s be properly guided and stop deceiving people that rely on us for clarity,also mind how we attack gospel teachings by calling it false when we don’t have proper understanding of God’s word.
Yes, let’s be properly guided! Our guide is the Bible, and primarily the New Testament. When we know what God has said, it’s easier to see what God has NOT said… and to fairly, accurately, and truthfully assess whether what someone teaches is true or false. Clearly, you have believed several lies. I don’t say this to win an argument, my friend. I say this to try to win YOU for the kingdom. For you to see through the lies, you must undertake your own study of the Scriptures. Don’t take my word for it. Don’t take Chris Oyakhilome’s word for it. Ask God for guidance, be like the Bereans, and double-check that what you hear matches what God has said. Study to show yourself approved. I know that many Nigerians are open to the gospel… and that’s good, but it also makes them easy targets for false teachers like Chris Oyakhilome. I’m praying for him, and I’m praying for you.
With due respect I think you lack understanding of God’s word or you have decided to decieve the gullible through this your misleading article.
When I corrected your teaching which lacks proper understanding of God’s word, you called me silly and said that I’m attacking you but you chose to misguide people subtly and called people like Kenneth Hagin and Pastor Chris false teachers but you haven’t affected a quarter of lives they’ve touched both in healings and God’s word.
Instead of you to help the body of Christ in preaching the gospel and healing the sick but no, you are busy finding faults in the pastor’s teaching.
How can you say that someone that has the holy Spirit can teach falsely, then what’s the work of the spirit in him?
ROM 8:14; as many as are lead by the spirit of God, they’re the sons of God.
Please be focused in the ministry of reconciliation that has been given to the church than becoming the accusers of brethren, it’ll do no good in Christendom unless you are an anti-christ then we deal with that as usual.
I’m expecting your misconception about this piece of advise.❤️❤️
Thanks.
Chukwu:
You’re right: I do lack understanding of God’s Word. So do you. So does Chris Oyakhilome. That’s not really in question, is it?
What IS the question? The question is, “What is true?” That’s the only relevant question here. Not what you or I believe. Not what Chris Oyakhilome believes. What God says is true, and we must work to understand Him. It doesn’t matter how long we’ve believed something false. It doesn’t matter how many people agree with us. It doesn’t matter how many follow us. The only question is, “What is true?”
Do you really believe that someone who “has the Holy Spirit” will always be right? The apostle Paul corrected the apostle Peter… do you think Peter didn’t have the Holy Spirit? I’m not correcting Chris. I’m pointing out the fact that he’s adding to Scripture, preaching false things. It doesn’t matter how much you like him. It doesn’t matter how many follow him. The only thing that matters is whether what he says is TRUE. Be straight and tell me honestly: do you believe this is true?
Chris Oyakhilome claims that the fullness of the Godhead dwells in him bodily. That’s not from Scripture, my friend. Colossians 2:9 says this: in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form. Chris’ words are false. He also claims that he can never die. Do you believe him? That’s not from Scripture, my friend. Ecclesiastes 9:3 says this: The same destiny overtakes all. The hearts of people, moreover, are full of evil and there is madness in their hearts while they live, and afterward they join the dead. Chris’ words are false.
Please believe me: I understand your desire to defend him. The problem is not that one man believes something false. The problem is that this one man is teaching falsely about GOD HIMSELF, and many are listening, and the consequences are eternal. I have no personal problem with Chris. I would probably like him, if we met. The only reason I can think of that keeps you from seeing this properly is that you haven’t studied the Scriptures. If you had studied, you would know that false teaching is a very serious issue throughout the New Testament. Almost every book addresses false teachers. Don’t make excuses for false teaching, my friend. I acknowledge that this man that you love has said and done many good things. I would never suggest otherwise, and would not try to pretend those things aren’t good. I simply follow the example found in God’s Word… and, for some unknown reason, you think I’m doing wrong. Study. Learn. Change your mind… not because of me, but because God Himself has told you what to do in His Word.
I do focus on the ministry of reconciliation, my friend. 2 Corinthians 5 is my favorite portion of Scripture. Here you see only a tiny sliver of what I do. Why do I do it? Because people write to me – almost every single day – and ask whether this man or that man can be trusted. When someone misrepresents God again and again, making claims that contradict Scripture, I cannot remain silent. I must serve those who come to me for help. Would you ask me to do less?
Yourself, you are a false teacher
Bravo, Baraka. Well done! You’ve certainly put me in my place.
Yes, I’m being sarcastic. I’ve provided exact quotes and Bible verses to make my case. You’ve provided nothing. Not only have you provided nothing, your comment accomplishes nothing. I wouldn’t believe you without evidence, and you’ve provided none. All you done is say that you disagree with me… but you haven’t said why. You have served neither me nor anyone else by giving reasons to think as you do. You’ve simply said, “No.”
I welcome your thoughts. I crave your correction. If you are right, I want to agree with you. Will you serve me in this way, Baraka? Do you love me that much?
But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
1 Corinthians 6:17
Is enough I don’t have any more to say.
Baraka:
Thank you for clarifying. I asked whether you would help me, and all you can do is post a quote out of context. That’s not helpful at all!
Also 1John 4:17
Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
Emphasis: IN THIS WORLD
Also, it’s clear that while you THOUGHT you had nothing more to say, four minutes later you had more to say. This time you posted a verse that might, possibly, help. Thank you!
Unfortunately, no. The emphasis on “in this world” is yours, not John’s. John’s emphasis is on love being complete. Tell me, my friend: did Jesus judge? Did Jesus condemn? Was Jesus a kind of soft-hearted man who worked hard to avoid saying things that others might find troubling? No, of course not. Why not?
Because that would be unloving! Jesus told the truth. Chris Oyakhilome may say many true things, but he also says false things. That’s the truth, and avoiding it because we want to be “loving” is not being like Jesus… so it’s NOT loving at all.
What would you have me do, my friend? Would you have me ignore the false things he says, and ignore the requests from people who want to know whether he’s trustworthy? Would it be loving to ignore the people who ask for help, and let them continue to listen to a false teacher? No, that wouldn’t be loving at all… but that does seem like what you’re asking me to do.
Instead, if you can, convince me that he’s NOT a false teacher. That will solve the whole problem, won’t it?
Ok I have get u. I have understood.
I love this article! Chris Oyakhilome is certainly a false teacher. The way his congregation worships him is not biblical. He is basically like the pope with how they reverence him. Ive seen people who follow him refer to him as “dad, father, daddy”??? That is exactly how the catholics worship the pope. This is the opposite of what the bible says. Thou shall not call any man your father except your father that is in heaven. These people basically worship them and idolize these false teachers. Ive seen videos of people bowing down before chris oyalkihome like how they do with the pope. He also pushes the prosperity message alot and his sermons are so repetitive and don’t make any sense. Thanks again for this! God bless u my friend in Christ.
THANK YOU for writing this and clearly putting together such a comprehensive argument with FACTS.
My son’s father (who is an awful man, horrible) calls Pastor Chris “Dad”, and is a part of this church. The more I look into it, the more it seems to have traits of a cult.
Horrible. He insists on reminding me he’s a “practicing Christian” because he’s committed so many wrongs and to be honest with you, crimes. It’s like he has chosen to delude himself.
I won’t go on because you’ve said it all, just thank you so much for writing this.
Psalm 2:1-4 ESV
[1] Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? [2] The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, [3] “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” [4] He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.
https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.2.1-4.ESV
Acts 5:39 ESV
[39] but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice,
https://bible.com/bible/59/act.5.39.ESV
Olu:
Thanks for visiting GodWords! How did you find me? I’m always curious.
I’m also curious to learn why you quote these passages at me. You see, I could quote them at you, or Pastor Chris, or anyone else… and it wouldn’t necessarily mean anything. If you have a point to make, make it… but let’s not pretend that you’ve done anything more than say “no” in response to the evidence that Chris Oyakhilome is a false teacher. I’ve provided evidence, you’ve provided nothing. You can certainly do better if you wish. If I’m wrong, show me that I’m wrong.
Sincerely, Tony
Thank you for the article, everything you exposed is true. I too have been mislead by the teachings of Chris Oyakhilome for years. I followed him so much I ended up working at his office. Now I am grateful to God for delivering us out of the teeth of this boastful and manipulative ministry. There is a non-stop brainwashing going on there, along with a toxic and confusing mix of truth and lies, and they host so many programmes and activities, you don’t have time to think twice or to expose yourself to other teachings, which makes it very very difficult to step out. One more false teaching of Chris you may not know of yet, is that abortion is not murder – he claims that the child didn’t take in air on earth and therefore didn’t live as a person therefore it doesn’t count as murder. He taught this in a Q&A video. To anyone still in ‘the ministry’: please, start reading the Bible from A to Z, and create some healthy distance for a whileso your colored glasses can disapear, pray for the Lord to open your eyes to what is true and what not. God bless you and may He grant repentance to Chris Oyakhilome and the entire ministry and forgiveness for all the hurt they cause(d) by misrepresenting the Gospel and the character of the sovereign Lord, the only wise God Who alone deserves our admiration, adoration, praise and glory
Spot on Article Tony and I am in total agreement.
I’ve had interesting and educational conversations with people who follow the Prosperity Gospel since the early 1980s. Praise God some have left that movement. We must stay discerned and know the Word(Acts 17:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:21: 1 John 4:1; 2 Timothy 2:15)so as not to be deceived by false teachings infiltrating the Body of Christ. I pray the Lord will continue to use you
A paz do Nosso Senhor Jesus a todos!
Vou resumir o meu comentário com uma pergunta?
Jesus Cristo agradou os homens ou agradou a Deus?
Porque se Ele veio para agradar ao homem e não exercer a Sua missão vinda de Deus; óbvio que Ele não seria tão perseguido.
Qual a igreja que faz tremer o inferno reivindicando o que pertence a Deus para os homens?
De fato, a igreja de Jesus é perseguida. Não sei enquanto as outras, mas, pregar o Evangelho de Jesus, os seus ensinamentos, e o que somos depois de sermos transformados pelo o Espírito Santo e saber que o Espírito Santo habita em nossa vida o tempo todo! Há, com certeza isso irá incomodar muitas pessoas.
Louvado seja Deus!!!
Graças a Deus, Carlito!
Had I know is the worst comment of a fool.i will advice you to delete this article it made no sense at all
Christ is a place yes I really agreed on that. Because Christ said he is the way the truth and the life.
Kingsley:
You’re welcome to your own opinion, my friend… but you’re not welcome to your own facts. Christ is not a place. It’s a title. Jesus said He is the way, the truth, and the life. He didn’t say He is a place. That’s just nonsense. He’s a person… isn’t He? Maybe you can explain it to me.
Ok,he said he is the way the truth and the life.no one cometh to the father except through m.meaning he is the way to salvation and also a place where you can reach first before reaching to the father himself. That’s why he also said in my name you shall cast out devils
He also said come unto me all ye that labour and heaven laden and I will give you rest. I believe you know the Bible verses I just quated.now it literary means Christ is our home of comfort and,peace place for those who needs rest and heavy ladened,abide in me and I in you just as the branch is not able to bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine,so also are you able unless you abide in me(john15:4) meaning that christ is our dwelling place.(John 3:16) If any man be in Christ he is a new creature behold oldthings are past away .now if Christ is not a place why do we need to be in him and abide in him. Now let me tell you something the Bible you see is not an ordinary book any man should joke with. Although it’s a simple book just like every other books with alphabets sentences etc but it takes only a carnally minded person to read without understanding and knowing the deep meaning of it rather it takes someone who walks in the realm of the spirit to understand and comprehend what it says. And more over calling someone a false teacher is not acceptable in heaven even the Bible said don’t judge anyone so you too might not be judged
Kingsley:
Thanks for writing to me! I hope you don’t mind if I disagree…
>> calling someone a false teacher is not acceptable in heaven even the Bible said don’t judge anyone so you too might not be judged
No, the Bible does NOT say “don’t judge anyone.” You’re misquoting Jesus. Let’s see what Jesus actually said in Matthew 7, in context:
Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Please read that carefully. Jesus is obviously giving a warning… we can agree on that. However: why did Jesus say that other stuff? Is there EVER a time to take the speck of sawdust out of your brother’s eye? Clearly, there IS a time. It’s after you’ve removed the plank from your own eye. As Jesus said, when you do that, you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. As Jesus said, this isn’t about judging… it’s about hypocrisy.
To make sure we’ve understood this, let’s look at another part of God’s Word: 1 Corinthians 5…
What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside.
The apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, wrote those words to Christians in Corinth. We ARE to judge those inside the church. To be sure, nearly every book in the New Testament warns us about false teachers. We should be able to spot them. How can we know whether someone is a false teacher? We can know because they contradict what God has clearly said, or they make up their own beliefs and teach them as truth. “Pastor Chris” is a false teacher. I wish that weren’t true, but it is. When he claims to live above sickness, disease, and death, HE IS LYING. We are NOT the same class of being as God. That is a LIE. When he teaches that the apostles were more than human – and that they were wrong about themselves – HE IS LYING and CONTRADICTING GOD’S WORD.
Anyone who reads God’s Word can see this for themselves. Please, I beg you: begin to study the Bible for yourself. The only way to spot false teaching is to be familiar with true teaching. Let me know how I can help.
I appreciate the article about False Teacher Chris Oyakhilome. I watched many of his videos with biblical discernment at hand. You’ve presented a solid biblical case in your article as to why he is a false teacher, for which I concur. Most notably, you did it out of love and not condemnation. Sadly , faithful followers who posted replies missed the latter. Interesting that when the Bereans tested Paul’s teaching, he didn’t appear to have a problem with it. Faith full followers of Chris Oyakhilome apparently do. Your replies to them were biblical, thoughtful and well stated meaningful. I pray you continue exposing individuals who are fleecing the flock. Be blessed.
Thank you very much, Daniel. I appreciate your kind words!
It’s good to see a fellow brother call out a false teacher. And to those who think what the author is doing is wrong then unfortunately you are not well versed in Scripture.
Every writer of the new Testament spoke of false prophets because they knew the damage they can do to the body. Even Apostle Paul on his deathbed called out false teachers.
Imagine keeping quiet whilst a wolf attacks the sheep. Unfortunately a lot of so called Christians will find themselves in hell because they have made idols out of these so called men of God.
Jesus said His sheep hear his voice and will not follow a strange voice, John 10:27. Meaning if you’re still following and defending Chris and his ilk despite being warned then you are not a sheep of Jesus
Thank you for this brilliant piece and your graceful, thoughtful and detailed answers in the comments section. It is sad that many are completely taken in by the aura of a man, that they will not pause to read scripture IN CONTEXT, before rushing to defend his numerous unbiblical teachings. It is so unfortunate.
May God continue to empower you with wisdom to do His work and may the eyes of everyone living in deception be opened!
More grace!!!