Its Christmas time and Christians all over the world are excited. Every 25th of December, Christians from different denominations celebrate the birth of Christ, a tradition that has stood for thousands of years running. However, not all Christians agree that Christmas day is the actual day Jesus Christ was born, so they do not, as a rule, celebrate Christmas. So, we have some churches who dissociate themselves from Christmas day and the Deeper Life Bible Church is one of such churches.
For several years, the General Superintendent of Deeper Christian Life Ministry and founder of Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor Williams Kumuyi has insisted Deeper Life Bible Church will not celebrate Christmas. He is not only contesting Christmas day as the day Christ was born, he also rejects it due to its idolatrous origins. This is why he does not embrace Christmas celebrations. And as for those who misunderstand the church’s December retreat is in celebration of Christmas, he explains. He said the church’s December gathering is a retreat for spiritual reconnection, not a Christmas celebration. Kumuyi warned against adopting Christmas customs, emphasising devotion over secular festivities.
Just days ago, the founder has again reiterated why his church does not celebrate Christmas. The holiness preacher further described the festival as rooted in idolatry. Pastor William Kumuyi reiterates that Deeper Life Church rejects Christmas celebrations, citing what he describes as their roots in idolatry.
Speaking to congregants in a video cited by City People on Thursday, December 25, he explained that the church has never observed Christmas retreats or sung Christmas carols. “Since this ministry started, we have never said we are going to a Christmas retreat. Never. We don’t celebrate Christmas. It actually comes from an idolatrous background,” Pastor Kumuyi said.
Pastor Kumuyi clarified that the church’s annual December gathering is not a Christmas celebration, but a retreat meant to reconnect members with God. “We always call it a December retreat, a time for those gathering together because of the holiday period to reconnect ourselves to the Lord, to give everything we have, and to love more,” he stated. Kumuyi also warned against introducing foreign customs into Christianity.
The cleric further warned against introducing Christmas traditions into the church, which he referred to as “the idolatry of mystery Babylon.” Pastor William Kumuyi insisted Deeper Life Church will not celebrate Christmas, explaining that the church considers it inconsistent with biblical worship.
“When you find any section of the church where anyone wants to introduce the idolatry of mystery Babylon that is called Christmas… we do not allow it,” Pastor Kumuyi said, urging members to remain steadfast in the church’s teachings. Focus on spiritual devotion over secular celebration. The Deeper Life Church founder emphasised that the ministry’s approach prioritises spiritual devotion, prayer, and love over secular festivities. He described Christmas merriments, drinking, and general celebrations as worldly influences that members should avoid. The church, which has branches across Nigeria and internationally, continues to hold its December retreats annually, focusing on spiritual growth rather than traditional holiday celebrations.
City People previously reported that Pastor Kumuyi has warned Deeper Life’s marriage committee against rigid rules, stressing that such practices are pushing members away. He clarified that the marriage committee is a church creation for guidance, not a biblical institution, and should not exercise undue authority.
The General Superintendent of Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi, has clarified that some of the church’s long-standing rules on marriage are not biblical but administrative guidelines. Specifically, Kumuyi announced that the law banning a lady from visiting a man she intends to marry has been nullified. He further explained that intending couples can freely visit each other during courtship, but only on the condition that they go with an elder. The revered man of God explained that the aforementioned rule was introduced for practical reasons but should not be treated as divine law. The cleric stressed that Christians must distinguish between God’s law and church principles, urging members not to treat human rules as scriptural commandments.
Deeper Life Bible Church has always been different from other churches. Its doctrines are totally different from the conventional churches. Deeper Life stands out due to its intense focus on holiness, strict biblical adherence, and a disciplined Christian life, emphasizing sanctification as a second work of grace, restitution, separation from worldly pursuits (though shifting), and deep Bible study under Pastor W.F. Kumuyi's singular interpretation, creating a distinct, often austere, spiritual path compared to mainstream churches that might prioritize prosperity or broader social engagement.
At Deeper Life, one of the distinct features is that hey teach sanctification as a distinct experience after conversion, freeing believers from the power of sin, leading to a strict moral code and separation from worldly practices. Pastor W.F. Kumuyi's teachings are central, with members often viewing his interpretations as infallible, focusing heavily on deep scriptural study. Everyone, including those who are not members of Deeper Life all agree that Kumuyi is a great teacher of the word. His incredible knowledge of the scriptures stands him out from his peers.
Deeper Life is also known for its doctrines of Restitution. This is regarded as essential for true repentance, requiring members to make amends for past wrongs, setting them apart from other churches. This explains why, for years, they maintained a strong separation from other denominations, viewing only their members as truly saved, though they've become more ecumenical recently.
One of the core focus of Deeper Life Bible Church is on preparing for the Second Coming of Christ and attaining heaven, discouraging the pursuit of worldly wealth or pleasure and maintaining discipline and high standards among its members. Members adhere to rigorous standards in dress, conduct, and lifestyle, viewing it as Christian discipline rather than mere rules. The church stresses on moral purity and deep spiritual grounding before seeking or manifesting spiritual gifts, contrasting with some Pentecostal churches.
While traditionally austere and focused inward, Deeper Life has recently expanded into social engagement, establishing schools (like Anchor University), humanitarian work, and interdenominational activities, showing a more holistic approach.
In essence, Deeper Life's distinctiveness comes from its unwavering commitment to a rigorous, disciplined, holiness-centered doctrine, rooted in deep Bible study, creating a unique Christian experience compared to more contemporary or broad-church models.
----WALE LAWAL (08037209290)
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