The Bishop of Niger Delta West Diocese, Rt Rev. (Dr) Emmanuel Oko-Jaja, has said the act of kissing the bride in the church during their wedding service is unscriptural, unholy and therefore be discouraged, Tribune reports.
Shedding more light on the issue, Oko-Jaja further explained that unwholesome practices that are taking place in churchesduring matrimonial services promotes immorality and corrupt the mind ofespecially teenagers that are in church to witness the practice.
Dr Oko-Jaja expressed his displeasure while delivering a sermon during the child presentation and Thanksgiving Service of the baby, Woyengilayefa Godfriend Atasi at St Mark’s Anglican Church, Biogboloin Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
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The Clergyman who premised his sermon on 1 Kings 22:1-28 also warned Christians to be wary of false prophets in sheep clothing who are intensifying their efforts at derailing believers.
He further explained that the act letting the Groom kiss the bride in the full glare of both the young and old personsgathered in the church to witness what is expected to be holy solemnisation ofa wedding between a man and woman emanated from the teachings of falseprophets.
He, therefore, enjoined all true believers to jealously guard against the antics of fake gospel preachers with their false prophecies of prosperity and protection from death, which they use as a bait to deprive unsuspecting Christians of their salvation.
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“The practice where couples are allowed to kiss in the church during wedding service is unscriptural. I wish to direct clergymen and church workers in this Diocese to guard against such unholy conducts.
“According to the scriptures, the church is not supposed to serve as a place meant to promote immorality but encourage people to uphold and practice Christian virtues with a view to winning souls for Christ.”