Minister-In-Charge of Christ The Rock Community, has sparked controversy with his recent message condemning tithing as a false doctrine perpetuated by some Christian leaders. Emekesiri, a lawyer and estate surveyor, claims that tithing is not applicable to the New Covenant of spiritual worship established through Jesus Christ.
Emekesiri began his ministry in 1982 at the University of Nigeria’s Enugu campus. He recounts that his message against tithing was met with resistance, even violence, from some pastors. “I thank God that I am alive today to witness the result of the messages I began to preach over 40 years ago in 1982 for which I was nearly killed by the Pastors who accused me of pouring sand into their garri.” He said.
Emekesiri criticizes family church businesses and “Me and My Wife” churches, urging a return to true worship. “The church belongs to Jesus Christ, not General Overseers,” he emphasized. “We must preach the gospel to restore churches back to Christ… Seek to please God, not man.”
Regarding Pastor Enoch Adeboye’s recent apology for saying that those who do not pay tithes would not make heaven, Emekesiri agreed with Charly Boy’s response: “Your apology means nothing. Return the tithes.” Emekesiri explained that restitution is necessary for anything obtained unlawfully, including tithes collected under false pretenses.
Emekesiri clarified that Jesus Christ abolished the priesthood of Aaron and established the everlasting priesthood of Melchizedek. “The law of religious worship has changed because the priesthood has changed,” he said, citing Hebrews 7:12.
Emekesiri emphasized that born-again Christians are royal priests ministering in God’s presence. “Our bodies are the temples of God, and our hearts are God’s altars,” he said.
The apostle concluded, “All the ‘Me and my Wife’ churches and family church businesses in this generation shall disintegrate as we preach the gospel to restore the churches back to Christ.”