Popular Nigerian televangelist, Bishop David Ibiyeomie, has responded to widespread criticism following his viral sermon in which he claimed that Jesus Christ “never visited the poor” during His time on earth.
The controversial statement, which sparked backlash across social media platforms, drew sharp criticism from many who accused the cleric of misrepresenting scripture and promoting elitism in Christian teachings.
In the now-viral clip, Ibiyeomie had declared that Jesus “did not visit the home of anyone who was poor,” a statement that triggered a storm of reactions from believers and theologians alike, many of whom described his interpretation as both misleading and out of touch.
However, in a new video that appears to directly address the criticism, the Salvation Ministries founder maintained his stance, insisting he had said nothing wrong.
He explained that he sought confirmation from the Holy Spirit after being informed about the backlash and was assured that his message was divinely accurate.
“People were calling me. One or two persons were calling me, saying the internet is on fire. I said what is on fire? I don’t even know what is on fire. I’m not interested.
“But out of curiosity, I said Holy Spirit, if I’m wrong, tell me and I will never say I’m right when I’m wrong. He was dictating God’s word to me verbatim. He said ‘you are not wrong, you are right.’ I said how? He said listen, and he began to break down scriptures…”
According to Ibiyeomie, the Holy Spirit revealed to him that, just as Christians are called to hate sin, they should also detest poverty. He argued that Jesus became sin for humanity, and since He had no close fellowship with sin, the same logic applies to poverty.
“He said I became sin for humanity. True? I said yes. He said you became sin. He said that’s why we must not….He said do you like sin? I said no. He said Christians hate sin? I said yes. He said can you be a friend to a sinner? He said no. He said you can only lead people to Christ but you cannot be a friend to be a friend to a sinner. Is that not true?”
The pastor continued by citing scriptural principles that urge believers not to associate with the ungodly, extending the concept to include poverty as something contrary to God’s nature.
“He quoted Bible scriptures for me. And he said ‘don’t sit in the counsel of the ungodly. We says so. Is that not true? If a believer is mixing with sinners, I think you say why is this man mixing with sinners?
“Don’t you say so? I think you say so? You say why can’t this man lead people to Christ? You say why is this man, why is he mixing with sinners? Everybody gets angry when a believer is mixing with sinners.”
Despite the outrage, Pastor Ibiyeomie remains firm in his stance, asserting that his message is not only biblically accurate but also confirmed by divine revelation. His response has further fueled the conversation on class, theology, and the interpretation of scripture within the modern church.
