Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A Nigerian cleric identified as Prophet Abubakar has ignited a fierce theological and social media firestorm after declaring that Jesus Christ has already paid the debt for the sins of every human being, including those who are not Christians, and urging his members to stop living under the burden of sin because what is now called sin is merely a normal lifestyle. The statements, made during a recent sermon and circulated widely on social media on Sunday, September 28, 2026, have drawn sharp condemnation from Christian leaders and commentators, who accuse the prophet of promoting antinomianism, a doctrine that rejects the moral law and encourages licentiousness.
In a video clip and accompanying text that has since gone viral, Prophet Abubakar told his congregation that believers should not see themselves as indebted because of sin. "Jesus has paid the whole debt. You are not owing anybody a sin. What they are now calling sin is a normal lifestyle, so always enjoy life to the fullest," he said. He went further, stating that Jesus did not die only for Christians but for pagans, people considered condemned, and even cultists. "Jesus has paid for the sins of everybody and not only Christians. He paid for the sins of pagans, people you think are condemned, people that are into cultism. Jesus has paid for their sins," the prophet added. The statement has been interpreted by many as a blanket absolution that removes any moral obligation to refrain from wrongdoing.
The reactions were swift and deeply divided. Many social media users criticised the teaching as dangerous and unbiblical. @DeGreatestM wrote, "This type of Teaching fit Motivate people to do so much evil, I no support this one". @cadomatrix expressed alarm, saying, "People are really in trouble, with all these brainwashers everywhere". @Roseofsicily001 was more direct: "God have mercy on me. Hand suppose touch this pastor. What's this misquoting of the word". @Amking29 warned, "This pastor is there to lead people astray o". @kings__dc dismissed the teaching as "419", a Nigerian colloquialism for fraud, suggesting that the prophet was deceiving his followers. @chimaijem14 raised a pointed theological question: "So even people wey Dey comit adultery are not sinners?". The overwhelming sentiment among critics was that the prophet had crossed a line from preaching grace into preaching licence.
However, a minority defended the prophet's statement, arguing that it reflected a legitimate Christian doctrine of grace. @Simonymms wrote, "As funny as this may seem, this is a full, unadulterated, and accurate Gospel". @ChiefNdiOrlu offered a more nuanced defence: "Yes it's true, Jesus has paid for the sin of the whole world by being the atoning sacrifice that reconnects us to God after the disconnection from Adam. However, in this context, one can sin but Jesus being the mediator means that when you do, ask for forgiveness through Him". This view holds that while salvation is a free gift, believers are still called to repentance and moral transformation. But even among those who defended the underlying theology, many questioned the prophet's framing of sin as a "normal lifestyle" and his instruction to "enjoy life to the fullest", which they said could be misinterpreted as a licence for immorality.
The controversy comes amid a broader national conversation about the state of Christianity in Nigeria, where prosperity gospel, miracle-centred preaching, and a growing disconnect between profession of faith and moral conduct have drawn increasing scrutiny. In September 2026, a sermon by Apostle Arome Osayi, in which he argued that Nigeria's national calling was spiritual rather than economic, sparked a similar backlash, with commentators like Solomon Buchi questioning how a nation with such a high concentration of churches continues to grapple with widespread corruption and dishonesty. Prophet Abubakar's statement has intensified that debate, raising uncomfortable questions about the role of the church in shaping character and accountability in a society where religious fervour is abundant but ethical conduct often lags behind.
The prophet's claim that Jesus paid for the sins of cultists and pagans is a particularly sensitive issue in Nigeria, where cultism, banditry, and other violent crimes have caused immense suffering. Critics argue that telling cultists their sins are already paid for without calling them to repentance and a change of life is not grace but complicity. The Bible is clear in passages such as Romans 6:1-2, where Paul asks, "Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!" and in James 2:17, which states that faith without works is dead. The prophet's apparent dismissal of sin as a "normal lifestyle" stands in stark contrast to these teachings, which emphasise that grace empowers believers to live differently, not to continue in sin.
As of Monday, September 29, 2026, Prophet Abubakar had not issued a follow-up statement clarifying his remarks or responding to the criticism. His church and its leadership have not publicly commented on the backlash. The video remains in circulation on social media, where it continues to generate thousands of comments, shares, and reactions. For now, the controversy serves as a reminder that in Nigeria, where faith and public life are deeply intertwined, a single sermon can spark a national reckoning. The prophet's message has forced a conversation about the limits of grace, the meaning of repentance, and the responsibility of religious leaders to preach a gospel that transforms lives rather than merely comforting them. Whether Prophet Abubakar will clarify his position or double down remains to be seen. But the debate he has ignited is unlikely to fade quietly.
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