Why Celestial? The Vision and the Verse Behind the Name

Ask a Celestian where the church got its name and you will often hear about a vision and a verse. This week on Celeland we look at the name itself.

According to Wikipedia's article on the Celestial Church of Christ, the formal name was inspired by a vision in which Jesus said that members of the church would adore Him as the angels do in heaven. The name also draws on Deuteronomy 26:15 (KJV):

"Look down from thy holy habitation, from heaven, and bless thy people Israel, and the land which thou hast given us, as thou swarest unto our fathers, a land that floweth with milk and honey."

Notice the direction of the prayer. It looks up to heaven and asks God to look down in blessing. That fits the picture many of us know from worship: white garments, bare feet on holy ground, candles on the altar, and a sanctuary that faces east.

The church was founded by Samuel Oshoffa on 29 September 1947 in Porto-Novo, in today's Benin. It was recognised by the Republic of Dahomey in 1965, and today it has members across Nigeria, Benin, Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States. Members call themselves Celestians, and many simply say "Cele".

Over to you:
- What does the name "Celestial" mean to you, and when did you first hear its story?
- Which part of Deuteronomy 26:15 speaks most to your life today: the heavenly dwelling, the blessing, or the promise?

Sources: Wikipedia, "Celestial Church of Christ" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celestial_Church_of_Christ); Deuteronomy 26:15, KJV. Celeland is a community site, not an official church body.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons, "Celestial Church Of Christ (Minnesota Parish)" (CC licence)