The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has strongly criticised Prophet Jeremiah Fufeyin, the General Overseer of Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministry, over a resurfaced sermon in which he claimed that giving a "first fruit" offering can wipe away sins, even those committed by fraudsters.
Describing the message as "heresy," CAN warned the public to beware of preachers lacking sound theological grounding. The controversial sermon, originally delivered in January 2022, has recently re-emerged on social media, sparking widespread condemnation from both religious leaders and the public.
In the viral clip, Prophet Fufeyin, popularly known as Papa J, stated that the first fruit offering carries spiritual power capable of cancelling even the gravest sins. Drawing parallels between Jesus Christ being offered as God’s first fruit and the believer’s first income given to God, he claimed such offerings could bring divine favour and forgiveness, regardless of the giver’s moral standing.
“Even your sins, it cancels them,” Fufeyin told his congregation, urging them to give their first earnings of the year as a sacrificial act. He added, “When God sees that this man is a fraudster, called 419, but because of the first fruit, God said... I’m surely behind you.”
Responding to the sermon, CAN’s National Director for National Issues and Social Welfare, Abimbola Ayuba, condemned the teaching and disassociated the association from such messages. “Heresy and false teaching,” Ayuba said. “God is not fraudulent. He does not share booty with crooks. He has more treasures than any man and does not condone sin because of offerings.”
Ayuba further noted that CAN only recognises preachers from its five official blocs who uphold doctrinal integrity, stressing that the body does not engage with those who exploit innocent Nigerians through manipulative teachings.
In a similar vein, the Lagos State Chairman of CAN, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, dismissed Fufeyin’s assertions as unscriptural. “He is preaching out of context and does not know what he is saying,” Adegbite said. “Where did God instruct in the Bible that first fruit offerings forgive sins? That kind of teaching gives sinners false hope and leads people astray.”
Prophet Fufeyin has faced criticism in the past over his promotion of “miracle” products, including oils, soaps, and perfumes purported to heal various ailments. In 2024, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) began probing his ministry's claims about the healing powers of some of these items, especially those advertised as cures for infertility and medical conditions.
According to PUNCH NEWS, Efforts to get a response from Fufeyin regarding the sermon were unsuccessful. Calls and messages to his known mobile number went unanswered. When a Punch correspondent contacted a number listed on the church’s website, a woman who answered declined to comment directly.
“If what you see on social media is what you choose to believe, no problem,” she said.
“If you want the real message, come to the church, speak with the admin, and you’ll be directed to the media team for the correct version.”
As the video continues to circulate, CAN has reiterated its call for Nigerians to remain vigilant and grounded in sound biblical doctrine, warning against the growing influence of self-styled preachers who blur the lines between faith and manipulation.
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