About

Life as a Celestian

A Life of Holiness, Reverence & Obedience

Being a Celestian is more than attending a particular church or wearing a white garment. It is a commitment to worship God in holiness, follow Jesus Christ, live under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and honor the order God has given to Celestial Church of Christ.

The Constitution teaches that the tenets and mode of worship of the Church were revealed through the Holy Spirit, pointing to Christ's promise that the Holy Spirit would teach and bring His words to remembrance in John 14:25–26.

For that reason, some Celestial practices have a direct biblical command or precedent, while others belong specifically to the revealed order of Celestial Church of Christ and are understood within the wider biblical principles of holiness, purity, reverence, obedience, and order.

“To live as a Celestian is to carry the holiness of worship into everyday life.”

Worship & Reverence

Select a practice to learn what we do, why, its biblical foundation, and what it means for me.

The White Sutana

The Sutana is the prescribed prayer and worship garment of Celestial Church of Christ. Members worship in white, and the garment is to be worn modestly and respectfully.

Transparent or excessively tight Sutanas are not appropriate for worship. Our appearance in God's house is not meant to become a competition in fashion or status.

Why?

White garments appear repeatedly in Scripture in scenes associated with God's presence, righteousness, holiness, and heavenly worship.

The white Sutana therefore does more than identify us as Celestians. It reminds the worshipper of the holiness of the One before whom we stand.

Biblical Foundation

Revelation 7:9–14 · Revelation 19:8

What It Means for Me

Wearing the Sutana should be accompanied by the life it represents.

“The garment does not make us holy. It reminds us that we are called to holiness.”

Learn more about the Sutana

Barefoot Worship

Celestians worship barefoot within the Church and do not wear shoes while wearing the Sutana.

Why?

When Moses encountered God at the burning bush, God instructed him to remove his shoes because the place on which he stood was holy ground.

Joshua later received the same instruction when he encountered the Captain of the Lord's host.

Removing our shoes is therefore an outward expression of reverence before God's presence.

Biblical Foundation

Exodus 3:5 · Joshua 5:13–15

“Put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.” Exodus 3:5

What It Means for Me

We recognize that we have entered a place consecrated to the worship of God.

“Barefoot worship reminds us: we stand before a holy God.”

Learn more about barefoot worship

Women's Head Covering

Women cover their heads while worshipping in the Sanctuary.

Why?

Head covering is part of the biblical and Celestial order observed by women during worship.

Biblical Foundation

1 Corinthians 11:3–16

What It Means for Me

The head covering is not simply an accessory to the Sutana. It is part of entering worship according to the order taught by the Church.

Men & Women in Worship

Men and women worship on their respective sides of the Sanctuary rather than sitting together side-by-side.

Why?

This arrangement belongs to the revealed order of worship of Celestial Church of Christ.

The Constitution records that the seating arrangement of the Church was revealed through the Holy Spirit in the earliest days of CCC through a prophetess who, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, demonstrated the arrangement in 1947.

What It Means for Me

The separation is part of maintaining the order given to the Church.

It is not a statement that one sex is more valuable before God than the other. Men and women come before the same God, while observing the worship order of the Church.

Modesty & Personal Appearance

Celestial worship calls for modesty and reverence in personal appearance.

Makeup is not treated as the focus of worship and should be worn, where used, with moderation. Our appearance should not distract from worship or turn the House of God into a place of competition, display, or excessive attention to outward appearance.

Biblical Foundation

1 Timothy 2:9–10 · 1 Peter 3:3–4

These passages are not presented as a biblical prohibition against all makeup. The biblical principle being emphasized is modesty and the priority of inward character over outward display.

“Our appearance should support worship, not become the object of it.”

Holiness in Daily Life

Select a practice to learn what we do, why, its biblical foundation, and what it means for me.

No Idolatry, Charms or Powers of Darkness

A Celestian must not participate in idolatry, fetish practices, cults, black magic, charms, or other practices that place spiritual trust in powers apart from God.

Why?

Our worship and spiritual allegiance belong to God.

Celestial life cannot be combined with charms, idols, occult powers, or competing spiritual allegiances.

Biblical Foundation

Exodus 20:3 · 2 Corinthians 6:14–15

“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3

What It Means for Me

Our confidence belongs to God.

Prayer, protection, healing, direction, and deliverance are sought through God—not through charms, idols, occult powers, or competing spiritual allegiances.

“A Celestian belongs to Christ.”

Alcohol, Tobacco & Weed

Celestial Church of Christ prohibits intoxicating alcoholic drinks, cigarette and tobacco smoking, snuff, weed smoking, and similar use.

Why?

CCC teaching connects abstinence from intoxicating drink with biblical examples of consecration and separation unto God.

The same broader biblical principles of holiness, sobriety, self-control, and honoring the body before God help us understand CCC's prohibition against tobacco and weed.

Biblical Foundation

Numbers 6:1–4 · Luke 1:15 · 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 · 1 Peter 5:8 · Galatians 5:22–23

What It Means for Me

The Celestial life calls us to remain spiritually alert and disciplined rather than willingly placing ourselves under substances that intoxicate, enslave, or work against the life of consecration.

Black & Red Apparel

Members of Celestial Church of Christ refrain from wearing black or red apparel as part of the Church's discipline and order.

The Church's constitutional teaching recognizes an exception when such clothing is required for professional reasons.

Why?

Within the teaching used by Disciple Parish, black is associated with mourning and sorrow, while red carries associations of bloodshed, danger, and warning.

In worship, our appearance instead points toward holiness, peace, life, and the joy found in Christ.

Biblical Foundation

Ecclesiastes 3:4 · Proverbs 22:3

Scripture does not contain a command saying Christians may never wear the colors black or red. The restriction itself belongs to the revealed discipline of Celestial Church of Christ.

What It Means for Me

A Celestian observes the Church's discipline not because a color possesses power by itself, but because our outward conduct should reflect the order, reverence, and spiritual identity of the Church.

Purity & Faithfulness

This standard is not unique to Celestial Church of Christ. It is part of Christian discipleship.

Scripture calls believers to live in purity and holiness, to remain faithful in marriage, and to exercise self-control in their relationships and private lives.

Biblical Foundation

1 Corinthians 6:18–20 · 1 Thessalonians 4:3–5 · Hebrews 13:4

What It Means for Me

Holiness does not end when worship ends.

A Celestian seeks to honor God in relationships, marriage, personal conduct, and private life—living with purity, faithfulness, and self-control.

Christian Conduct

Holiness is reflected not only in what a Celestian avoids, but also in how we treat one another.

Members are expected to live with love, discipline, humility, obedience, and respect toward others. Infighting, abusive or corrupt speech, bitterness, and behavior that works against Christian fellowship are inconsistent with the life to which we are called.

Biblical Foundation

Ephesians 4:29–32 · Colossians 3:8–14

“Our conduct toward one another should reflect the Christ we worship.”

Food & Spiritual Discipline

Select a practice to learn what we do, why, its biblical foundation, and what it means for me.

Foods We Refrain From

CCC teaching includes dietary restrictions as part of the Church's spiritual discipline.

The Church expressly prohibits pork, and established CCC teaching also addresses blood and particular animals and foods, including crawling animals and fish without scales.

Why?

CCC understands these restrictions within biblical patterns of consecration, obedience, and distinction.

Biblical Foundation

Leviticus 3:17 · Genesis 9:4–5 · Deuteronomy 12:15–16 · Deuteronomy 12:23–25

These passages contribute to the biblical foundation used within CCC teaching, particularly concerning blood and dietary separation.

Food Offered to Idols

Celestians do not knowingly consume food offered in sacrifice to idols or other powers of darkness.

This is fundamentally about spiritual allegiance.

A Celestian does not knowingly participate in worship or spiritual practices directed toward another spiritual power.

Biblical Foundation

Exodus 20:3 · 2 Corinthians 6:14–15

What It Means for Me

The purpose is not fear of food.

It is obedience to the spiritual discipline of the Church and consciousness of what we allow into a life consecrated to God.

Our worship belongs to God alone.

Sanctification & Purification

Select a practice to learn what we do, why, its biblical foundation, and what it means for me.

Sanctification & Purification

Understanding Sanctification

Sanctification, commonly referred to as Iyasimimo in Celestial Church of Christ, is an important part of spiritual life in the Church. It is broader than any one circumstance or procedure. It concerns spiritual cleansing, preparation, and setting apart people, places, and things for the service and purposes of God.

Within CCC teaching, purification and consecration are also understood within this broader framework of sanctification.

Sanctification of People

Sanctification is not limited to one gender. Both men and women may receive or seek sanctification as part of spiritual cleansing, preparation, and dedication to God.

Prospective members of Celestial Church of Christ ordinarily undergo sanctification as part of their entrance into the life of the Church. This is distinct from Baptism, which is a separate rite.

There are also particular circumstances in which CCC teaching calls for purification or sanctification. For women, this includes purification following the completion of their monthly period and the prescribed period following childbirth.

These particular practices should not be interpreted to mean that sanctification itself is a practice only for women.

Men may likewise seek or receive sanctification. This is not limited to men who are officiating during worship.

Purification

Purification is one of the forms of sanctification practiced in Celestial Church of Christ.

Women undergo purification following their monthly period. During this time, they remain away from the Church premises for the prescribed period and undergo sanctification before returning. In the ordinary cycle described in CCC teaching, sanctification takes place on the eighth day. Where the flow extends beyond the ordinary period, the additional prescribed waiting period is observed before sanctification.

The Church also observes a period of purification following childbirth, with the mother returning after the prescribed period on the 40th day.

These practices concern the spiritual order and cleanliness observed in Celestial Church of Christ. They should not be presented as teaching that menstruation or childbirth is sinful.

Preparation for Service

Spiritual preparation for particular responsibilities in worship is another circumstance in which sanctification or purification may apply.

Those entrusted with responsibilities in the service may prepare themselves spiritually before carrying out those duties.

The service conductor is one documented example within CCC teaching.

Places & Things

Sanctification in Celestial Church of Christ is not limited to people.

Places may also be sanctified and set apart for life and service under God. CCC teaching specifically records the sanctification of a person's place of abode.

Objects may likewise be sanctified for sacred or spiritual use. CCC teaching gives examples including water, oil, perfume, candles, incense, crosses, palm fronds, loins, and handkerchiefs when they are set apart for their spiritual purpose according to the direction of the Holy Spirit.

Consecration

CCC teaching also identifies consecration into priesthood within the broader framework of sanctification. In this sense, sanctification is not only concerned with cleansing, but also with being set apart for sacred service and responsibility.

Baptism Is Distinct

Sanctification and Baptism should not be confused.

A prospective member may undergo sanctification, but Baptism is a separate rite of the Church. One should not be used as another name for the other.

What It Means for Me

For a Celestian, sanctification is a reminder that what is dedicated to God should be approached with cleanliness, preparation, and reverence.

Whether it concerns the worshipper, a place, an object used for a spiritual purpose, or someone being prepared for sacred service, the underlying principle is that the things of God are treated as set apart for Him.

Preparing for Service

Celestial worship also includes periods of preparation before particular spiritual responsibilities and services. The Church's discipline includes prescribed periods of preparation, including the existing 24-hour requirement and the 48-hour requirement for Altar Elders.

These periods should be understood as part of preparing oneself for sacred responsibility rather than as arbitrary waiting periods.

During this period, members are encouraged to prepare themselves for worship by maintaining purity in their conduct, avoiding conflict and inappropriate language, and remaining mindful of their spiritual preparation for the House of God.

Biblical Principle

Exodus 19:10–11

This is biblical precedent for preparation and consecration before approaching a sacred encounter. Scripture does not itself establish the specific 24-hour or 48-hour durations, which belong to CCC's own order and discipline.

Order Inside the Sanctuary

Select a practice to learn what we do, why, its biblical foundation, and what it means for me.

Reverence in God's House

The Sanctuary is treated as a place consecrated to the worship of God.

Why?

CCC's Sanctuary Code teaches that worship should reflect awareness of God's presence, holiness, solemnity, and order.

Biblical Foundation

Leviticus 26:2 · Habakkuk 2:20

“Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the LORD.” Leviticus 26:2
“But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.” Habakkuk 2:20

What It Means for Me

Reverence is not simply being quiet.

It is recognizing where we are, why we have gathered, and before Whom we have come.

Conduct During Worship

During worship, members should avoid unnecessary conversation, disruptive movement, uncontrolled behavior, inappropriate joking, and other actions that interfere with prayer or worship.

Parents should help children learn reverence in the Sanctuary.

Why?

The Church teaches that worship should be conducted with solemnity, attention, order, and respect for God's presence.

This includes avoiding unnecessary movement during prayer, conversations during worship, interruption of the service, and behavior that distracts others.

Biblical Foundation

Leviticus 26:2 · Habakkuk 2:20

Cell Phones & Devices

Cell phones and other personal devices should not interfere with worship.

Phones should be silenced and put away during service except when genuinely needed for an appropriate worship-related purpose or necessary responsibility.

The principle is simple: our devices should not distract us or those around us from prayer, Scripture, preaching, and worship.

Giving Without Distracting from Worship

Money should not be sprayed, pasted onto, or placed on choir members or other individuals during worship as a form of appreciation or celebration.

The Constitution specifically teaches that conduct which interferes with the solemnity and attention of worship should be avoided, including the pasting of currency notes on choir members in appreciation of their music.

Giving in the Church should remain an act of worship directed toward God rather than a performance centered on individuals.

“We give before God; we do not make people the center of worship.”

What It Means for Me

My conduct affects more than me.

Reverence means helping preserve an environment in which the whole congregation can pray, listen, and worship God without unnecessary distraction.

The Altar

The Altar is approached according to the order and discipline of Celestial Church of Christ.

Members should not enter the Altar simply because they are present in the Sanctuary. Access is connected with anointment, responsibility, and the established order of the Church.

Women do not enter the Altar area, and male members entering the Altar observe the prescribed requirements, including the appropriate loin and other applicable Church order.

These boundaries are observed out of reverence for a space consecrated to sacred worship and responsibility.

Learn more about the Sanctuary & Altar

Praise, Music & Worship

Music and singing are important parts of Celestial worship, but praise ultimately belongs to God.

The choir serves the worship of the congregation; it is not the object of worship itself.

Music, celebration, and appreciation should therefore remain consistent with the reverence and order of the Sanctuary.

Biblical Foundation

Psalm 150:1–6 · Colossians 3:16

“The music may be offered by people, but the praise belongs to God.”

Holy Rites & Sacred Observances

Life in Celestial Church of Christ also includes sacred observances through which we remember the work of Jesus Christ, practice His teachings, give thanks to God, and gather together as one Church.

Some are Christian ordinances established directly in Scripture, while others are particular observances through which Celestial Church of Christ lives out its worship, history, and spiritual identity.

Holy Communion

Holy Communion remembers the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ and the covenant established through His body and blood.

Jesus instituted this sacred meal with His disciples, giving them the bread and the cup in remembrance of Him. The Apostle Paul likewise taught the Church to continue this observance in remembrance of the Lord and in proclamation of His death.

Within Celestial Church of Christ, Holy Communion is therefore approached as a sacred act of remembrance, fellowship, and faith in Jesus Christ.

Biblical Foundation

Luke 22:15–20 · 1 Corinthians 11:23–26 · John 6:53–54

“Do this in remembrance of me.” Luke 22:19

Annual Observance

Washing of Feet

Jesus washed the feet of His disciples and instructed them to follow His example.

In Celestial Church of Christ, the Washing of Feet is observed in remembrance of Christ's example and as a lesson in humility, service, and our willingness to serve one another.

The greatness Christ teaches is not found in status alone, but in humble service.

Biblical Foundation

John 13:3–17

“I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.” John 13:15

Annual CCC Observance

Pilgrimage to Imeko

The annual pilgrimage to Imeko is a distinctive observance in the life of Celestial Church of Christ.

Celestians from different places gather in Imeko for worship, prayer, thanksgiving, fellowship, and spiritual renewal as one Church.

Imeko holds a special place in the history and spiritual life of Celestial Church of Christ, and the pilgrimage provides an opportunity for members to gather beyond their individual parishes in shared worship before God.

Biblical Precedent

Psalm 122:1–4

Scripture records God's people journeying together to an appointed place of worship. CCC's pilgrimage to Imeko is a distinct Celestial observance and should not be presented as though Imeko itself is named or commanded in Scripture.

Annual Thanksgiving

Harvest Thanksgiving

Harvest Thanksgiving is a time for the Church to gather in gratitude for God's provision, faithfulness, protection, and blessings.

Throughout Scripture, God's people are called to remember that their increase comes from Him and to respond with thanksgiving.

In Celestial Church of Christ, Harvest Thanksgiving gives the congregation an opportunity to come before God together in praise and gratitude for what He has done.

Biblical Foundation

Exodus 23:16 · Deuteronomy 16:13–15 · Psalm 100:4–5

What It Teaches Us

Harvest is ultimately about gratitude.

The focus is not simply what we bring before God, but recognizing the God from whom every good thing comes.

“We give thanks because God has been faithful.”

Also Explore

Baptism Holy Mary's Day

Understanding Celestial Order

Why does CCC have practices I may not see in every church?

This is an important question, especially for someone visiting Celestial Church of Christ for the first time.

Celestial Church does not teach that every detail of its revealed worship order must therefore be practiced identically by every Christian denomination.

The Constitution explains that the tenets and mode of worship of Celestial Church of Christ were revealed through the Holy Spirit and connects this with Christ's promise concerning the Holy Spirit in John 14:25–26.

That means there are different ways Scripture relates to what a visitor sees in CCC.

Direct Command

Sometimes Scripture gives a direct command. For example, Christians are commanded to reject idolatry and sexual immorality.

Biblical Precedent

Sometimes Scripture gives a clear precedent. Moses and Joshua removing their footwear on holy ground helps us understand barefoot worship.

Biblical Pattern or Symbolism

Sometimes Scripture provides the biblical pattern or symbolism. White garments throughout Scripture help us understand the Sutana.

Revealed Celestial Order

And sometimes the specific practice belongs to the revealed order of Celestial Church of Christ. The male/female seating arrangement is an example. The Constitution records that the arrangement was revealed through the Holy Spirit.

This distinction helps us explain Celestial worship faithfully without claiming that Scripture says something it does not say.

The Heart of a Celestian Life

The practices of the Church should always point beyond themselves.

The goal is not merely to know what color not to wear, what food not to eat, where to sit, when to sanctify, or when to remove our shoes.

The deeper calling is:

“Holy is the Celestial Church of Christ and all who worship in her should endeavour to be clean in body and in soul.”

CCC Constitution & Tenets

Sources & Further Reading

CCC Constitution

This page also draws on the Biblical Justification for Celestial Church of Christ and the Lecture on the Tenets of Celestial Church of Christ by Rev. Alexander Abiodun Bada (1987).

Living It Out

Faith Becomes Practice

The teachings and order of Celestial Church of Christ shape not only what happens during worship, but how we conduct ourselves in the House of God and how we care for one another.

In the House of God

Reverence is part of our worship.

Celestial worship is approached with reverence, holiness, and order. The Sanctuary is the House of God, and everyone who enters should be mindful of His presence. The guidance below helps us worship together without unnecessary distraction and care for the sacred spaces entrusted to us.

“But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.”

Habakkuk 2:20

  1. Give your attention to God and respect the worship of those around you.

    During prayer and other solemn portions of the service, avoid unnecessary movement, conversations, and interruptions. If an urgent need arises—particularly when caring for a child—use good judgment while disturbing the service as little as possible.

    Our goal is simple: allow everyone around us to worship without unnecessary distraction.

  2. Let technology serve worship rather than compete with it.

    Keep phones and other devices silenced and avoid calls, unnecessary messaging, videos, social media, or other activity that distracts from worship or disturbs those around you.

    A device may sometimes be used for Scripture or an assigned church responsibility. The principle is maintaining reverence and attention during worship.

  3. Children are part of our church family, and we teach them reverence by example.

    Parents and guardians are responsible for supervising their children during worship. Children should not run throughout the Sanctuary or repeatedly disrupt the service.

    Children should also not play with musical instruments, sound equipment, media equipment, or other church equipment without permission.

  4. Help us keep the Sanctuary clean and set apart for worship.

    Food should not ordinarily be eaten in the Sanctuary, and chewing gum during worship is not appropriate. When food or refreshments are provided as part of church fellowship, they should be enjoyed in the appropriate areas of the church.

  5. Areas dedicated to worship should be treated according to their sacred purpose.

    The altar and other sacred areas of the Church are not ordinary rooms or personal storage spaces.

    At Disciple Parish, Sutanas, bags, clothing, and other personal belongings should not be left in the altar for storage. Items may be removed when necessary so that the area remains clean, orderly, and ready for worship.

    Learn about the Sanctuary & Altar

  6. Reverence for God should be reflected in how we treat His people.

    Fighting, abusive or inappropriate language, unnecessary confrontation, dishonesty, and disrespect have no place in the House of God.

    Members should strive to demonstrate patience, humility, honesty, and Christian love—even when disagreements arise.

    It is not simply about following rules. It is about remembering whose House we are in and whom we represent.

At Disciple Parish

Serving One Another With Order and Care

Alongside the shared teachings and order of Celestial Church of Christ, Disciple Parish maintains practical procedures that help us care for our church, organize parish life, and serve members effectively.

Spiritual Materials

Disciple Parish makes certain spiritual materials available when they are needed for prayer, sanctification, and other spiritual purposes.

When an item is provided for purchase, members are expected to pay for it promptly. Please do not take church-provided materials without payment.

This allows the parish to replenish those materials and continue making them available to those who need them.

Seeking Spiritual Assistance

Members seeking spiritual work, consultation, dream interpretation, or other spiritual guidance should follow the established parish process for requesting assistance.

This helps ensure that those seeking assistance can be attended to properly and that the Shepherd, elders, and other appointed workers can serve members in an orderly manner.

For private consultation with the Shepherd, members should follow the parish’s established process rather than attempting to enter another person’s meeting or requesting an unscheduled private meeting.

Come Prepared

When coming for spiritual work, bring any written message or instructions you were given and the spiritual materials you were instructed to obtain.

If the instruction was previously given by the Shepherd, make sure it is communicated clearly so that the appointed elder understands what is required.

Coming prepared helps prevent unnecessary delays and allows the spiritual work to be carried out in an orderly manner.

One Church

Shared Order.
Local Care.

Disciple Parish is a parish of Celestial Church of Christ. The tenets, doctrines, and revealed order described throughout this page belong to Celestial Church of Christ as one Church.

Individual parishes may also establish practical guidance to maintain their facilities, organize parish life, and serve their members effectively. Where guidance on this page is specific to Disciple Parish, it is identified accordingly.