By Duchess Ifeoluwa
Very Rev’d David Akinadewo-Adekahunsi, popularly known as Aremolekun, has urged Christians, particularly members of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church, to remain steadfast in the observance of the annual Lenten season, describing it as biblically defensible, historically grounded and spiritually enriching.
Preaching over two consecutive Sundays on the theme, “The C&S Is a Spiritually Conservative Church: Avoid Wrong Teachings,” the cleric emphasised that Lent is not a religious invention but a structured spiritual discipline consistent with scriptural patterns of congregational fasting and repentance.
Citing Gospel of Matthew 5:18, the cleric, who is the Resident Minister of Motailatu Church of God, Oke-Idahun Parish, Akure, recalled the declaration of Jesus Christ that He did not come to abolish the Law and the Prophets but to fulfil them, stressing that Christian faith is rooted in divine continuity rather than doctrinal abandonment.
According to him, Christ’s teaching does not invalidate sacred structures that align with God’s word.
The preacher rejected the notion that fasting must only be a private spiritual exercise, noting that Scripture provides extensive evidence of corporate fasting sanctioned by God.
He referenced Book of Joel 2:15–16, where a solemn assembly and holy fast were proclaimed, as well as the national fast declared by King Jehoshaphat in Second Book of Chronicles 20:3.
He also cited the city-wide fast in Nineveh recorded in Book of Jonah 3:5–7, the fast proclaimed by Ezra in Book of Ezra 8:21, and the collective fast ordered by Esther in Book of Esther 4:16.
“These examples clearly establish that congregational fasting is not alien to Scripture,” he said, adding that Christ’s warning in Matthew 6 against public display of fasting addressed hypocrisy of motive rather than the legitimacy of corporate observance.
Akinadewo-Adekahunsi further underscored the theological significance of the number forty in biblical history, describing it as symbolic of testing, consecration and transition.
He recalled that the flood in the days of Noah lasted forty days; Israel wandered in the wilderness for forty years; Moses and Elijah each fasted forty days; and Christ Himself fasted forty days before commencing His earthly ministry and remained with His disciples for forty days after His resurrection.
According to him, the Church’s forty-day Lenten observance reflects this consistent biblical rhythm of preparation and spiritual renewal, rather than an attempt to replicate Christ’s experience superficially.
The cleric also traced the historical roots of Lenten practice within the Cherubim and Seraphim fold to its founder, Moses Orimolade Tunolase, who was raised within the Church Missionary Society tradition of the Anglican Communion.
He noted that Orimolade functioned as an itinerant preacher within Anglican structures before the birth of the C&S movement and was received by the Anglican Church upon his arrival in Lagos in 1924.
He argued that certain structured spiritual disciplines, including the observance of Lent, were retained because they conformed with Scripture and reinforced holiness, repentance and unity within the body of Christ.
Describing the C&S as a spiritually conservative movement guided by divine instruction rather than shifting opinions, Akinadewo-Adekahunsi cautioned against what he termed “doctrinal destabilisation” by new-generation preachers uncomfortable with established church practices.
He maintained that every institution operates by defined tenets and statutes, and that internal disagreement should not translate into public denouncement capable of confusing the faithful.
While affirming that fasting must be sincere and Spirit-led, he stressed that structured observances do not negate personal devotion but rather create a sacred rhythm that prevents spiritual complacency.
He urged members to channel their energy towards holiness, unity and evangelism instead of internal controversies.
“The Church must remain anchored in sound doctrine and guard the heritage handed over by our fathers,” he said, calling on Christians to approach the Lenten season with humility, repentance and renewed commitment to righteous living.
The sermons drew attention to ongoing debates within some Christian circles over the biblical validity of Lent, with the cleric insisting that historical continuity, scriptural precedent and theological coherence all support its observance when practised in sincerity and faith.
