Controversial Nigerian pastor, Abel Damina, has faulted the celebration of the death of Jesus Christ on Good Friday, saying the founder of Christianity did not die on a Friday but on a Wednesday.
Damina, founder and senior pastor of Power City International Church, South- South Nigeria, said this during his Easter sermon on Sunday.
Christians across the globe celebrate the death on the Cross of Calvary and the resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after every year. It is a remembrance of th supreme sacrifice the son of God paid to pay for the sins of mankind and reconcile it to God, the creator.
In Nigeria, the government declared Friday April 18 and Monday April 21 as public holidays to enable Christians celebrate Easter, regarded as the most significant event in the Christendom.
Damina argued that if the scripture in Matthew 12:40 is anything to go by, Jesus was supposed to stay in the grave three days and three nights before resurrecting. He said the period from Friday to Sunday is not three days.
“Jesus didn’t die on Friday, so there is nothing like Good Friday. He didn’t die on Friday. If Jesus died on Friday, then it will not be three days. From Friday to Sunday, is it three days? So, Jesus didn’t die on Friday.
“To celebrate Good Friday as Easter is an insult to the work of Redemption. It is good that government gave us Friday as public holiday and they gave us tomorrow (Monday) as public holiday. So, if it is actually public holiday, the calculation doesn’t add up.
“See 1 Corinthians 15:33 and Matthew 12:40, If he died according to the scriptures, that means the scriptures will tell us how many days and how many nights he died because the death is according to the scriptures. Friday to Sunday, is it three days? So, Jesus didn’t die on Friday. For as Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights, so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
“Friday to Saturday – one night, Saturday to Sunday – two nights. So, to celebrate Good Friday as Easter is an insult to the work of Redemption. It is good that government gave us Friday as public holiday and tomorrow (Monday) as public holiday. The holiday is actually celebration of his death but the calculation does not add up. He didn’t die on Friday. He couldn’t have died on Friday.
“Is Friday a Good Friday; just like Wednesday is a good Wednesday, just like Monday is a good Monday. Once you agree that Jesus died on Friday, you have no gospel to preach because he is supposed to be in the grave for three days and three nights as Jonah was in the belly of the fish. In Jonah Chapter 2:2, Jonah called Him from the belly of the fish, which means Jonah was prophesying. Remember Jesus died for our sins, according to the scriptures and it will be three days and three nights,” he said.
Jesus died on Wednesday
Damina said if the scriptural prediction of the death and resurrection of Jesus is to be strictly followed, he (Jesus) died on a Wednesday and resurrected on a Friday.
“So, when did he actually die? He died on Wednesday night. So, Wednesday night to Thursday night – one day; Thursday night to Friday night – two days; Friday night to Saturday night – three days and three nights. On Sunday morning, he rose. Glory to God. He died according to the scriptures, not according to your holiday calendar. As a member of this church, you must have precise understanding of the details of the fact of the gospel.
Some past controversial outbursts
Damina, 64, is known to have made several controversial statements about the Christian doctrines just as he criticised fellow clergymen for some of their teachings and actions.
Some of the pastors he criticised include the revered Enoch Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Paul Enenche of the Dunamis International Gospel Centre (DIGC) and David Ibiyeomie of Salvation Ministries.
For instance, Damina had once claimed that God did not tell Noah to build an ark contrary to the biblical account in Genesis Chapter 6.
He also said Jesus did not ascend to heaven as written in Acts 1:11 but disappeared into believers what the Bible. According to him, angels are still learning the truth from believers in Christ.
He was quoted as saying there is no hell fire and that God does not destroy. He said hell is a place of outer darkness.
Perhaps, most troubling is his recommendation for continuous watching of pornography in addition to listening to Bible teachings as a solution to addiction to the vice.
Damina said he had abandoned prosperity gospel, which he preached for 40 years. He told his congregation that most of the things he taught about prosperity were impracticable.
Many consider some of his statements as heresies and variance to biblical teachings.
However, in a media interview, Damina defended his positions and doctrines, saying, “The truth is that I can only seem controversial to those accustomed to hearing lies. When someone used to lies hears the truth, it will sound different.”
