Editing Celestial Church of Christ (section)

==Beliefs==
The CCC is a prophetic Christian church. Its members call themselves "Celestians", and the church is sometimes informally called “Cele”. The formal name of the church is inspired by a vision, in which [[Jesus]] said that Church members adore him as do the angels in [[heaven]],<ref name="Adetonah"/> and from [[Book of Deuteronomy|Deuteronomy]] 26:15: "Look down from thy Holy habitation, from heaven, and bless thy people Israel and the land which thou hast given us, as thou didst swear to our father, a [[Promised Land|land flowing with milk and honey]]". 

The church claims inspiration from God through the manifestation of the [[Holy Spirit]] among the faithful. Its doctrinal teachings are based on the [[Bible]], and any superstition or animist belief from [[African traditional religions]] is excluded,<ref name="Adetonah"/> as in other churches in the [[Aladura]] movement. The church is governed by twelve major recommendations, consisting of several prohibitions, including food, common to a number of other [[Monotheism|monotheistic]] religions.<ref name="Adetonah"/> [[Tobacco]], [[Alcohol (drug)|alcohol]], and the consumption of [[pork]] are forbidden. 

Church members wear white one-piece garments during worship, and must not wear their shoes whilst wearing their garments or while within the main church.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=2021-05-10 |title=Nigeria's Celestial Church of Christ warns against spiritual perfumes |language=en-GB |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-57057896 |access-date=2023-12-21}}</ref> Men and women are separated at the church. [[Menstruating]] women and those who have recently given birth are considered to be "unclean" and must not  enter the church building or wear the garment for seven days, after which they are to be "sanctified" by the use of water, candle, sponge and soap with palm fronds. 

Members of CCC are forbidden to engage or participate in any form of [[idolatry]], [[Fetishism|fetish]] ceremony or cults, black magic and charms. Only men who are "anointed" are allowed access to the altar. Services often use candles and perfumes during prayers.<ref name=":1" /> The church uses [[English language]] Bibles, as well as [[Yoruba language|Yoruba]] translated versions.<ref>{{cite news |title=Church Rooted in Africa Mixes 'Best of All Religions' Into One; Hyattsville Parish Blends Traditions to Help Cleanse the World |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |first=Cecila |last=Farrell |date=24 August 1991 |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/74729876.html?dids=74729876:74729876&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=AUG+24%2C+1991&author=Cecila+Farrell&pub=The+Washington+Post&desc=Church+Rooted+in+Africa+Mixes+%60Best+of+All+Religions%27+Into+One%3B+Hyattsville+Parish+Blends+Traditions+to+Help+Cleanse+the+World&pqatl=google |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001005912/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/74729876.html?dids=74729876:74729876&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=AUG+24,+1991&author=Cecila+Farrell&pub=The+Washington+Post&desc=Church+Rooted+in+Africa+Mixes+%60Best+of+All+Religions%27+Into+One%3B+Hyattsville+Parish+Blends+Traditions+to+Help+Cleanse+the+World&pqatl=google |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 October 2007 |accessdate=2 August 2010}}</ref> 

The church supposedly takes elements from [[Ogu people|Ogu]] and [[Yoruba people|Yoruba]] thought. It also has strong similarities to the "purification movements" against [[paganism]] that are relatively common in [[African Christianity]]. Oshoffa believed he had a mission to combat "[[Satan]], 'fetish priests' and other 'powers of darkness'" (see [[Marburg colloquy]]).{{Citation needed|date=December 2023}}