The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has responded to Prophet Jeremiah Fufeyin, the General Overseer of Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministry’s submission that giving a “first fruit” offering can wipe away sins, including those committed by fraudsters.
TheNewsGuru understands that Fufeyin while delivering a sermon at his church stated that the first fruit brings miraculous blessings and forgiveness.
The clip, which resurfaced online, has drawn criticism from many Nigerians, although the cleric made the statement in a sermon he delivered in January 2022.
Reacting, the National Director of National Issues and Social Welfare of CAN, Abimbola Ayuba, described the cleric’s claim as “heresy,” warning Nigerians against being misled by preachers of “dubious theological background.”
Ayuba, in a statement stressed that God does not condone sin simply because of offerings given in church.
He said, “Heresy and false teaching. CAN does not join issues with people of doubtful theological background. CAN recognises approved speakers and men of God in the five blocs, which constitute CAN. It recognises sound theological teachings and respects the various do tribes of its members.
“CAN does not associate with persons of dubious background who manipulate innocent Nigerians and fleece them of their hard earned resources.
“God is not fraudulent. He has more treasures than any one man. He has everything under his control. He is not a thief that shares booty with crooks.”
Also reacting, the Lagos State Chairman of CAN, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, dismissed the sermon as unbiblical.
He challenged Fufeyin to provide scriptural evidence for his position, warning that such teachings could embolden people to continue in sin with the hope that their yearly offering would absolve them.
“He (Fufeyin) is preaching out of context and he does not know what he is talking about, but we should not be disturbed by such preachers because the Bible says at end-time, there will be false teachers that are not called by God but they will say God has called them.
“He should let us know where God gave such instruction in the scripture that when you do that then your sins are forgiven, so you can go on sinning with the hope that you have something to give at the beginning of the year,” Adegbite said.