Eternal Truths Church of God (Seventh-day)
Restoring Apostolic Teachings in Modern Times
The Eternal Truths Church of God (Seventh-day) is a Christian Sabbatarian denomination founded in 2020 in Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria. The church emerged following a doctrinal separation from the Nigerian Conference of the Church of God (Seventh-day). It promotes the observance of the seventh-day Sabbath and emphasizes adherence to biblical commandments, positioning itself as part of the continuing lineage of apostolic Christianity.
At its core, the Eternal Truths Church of God (Seventh-day) seeks to restore what it views as the original teachings of the apostolic church, with special emphasis on the observance of biblical commandments and the seventh-day Sabbath as fundamental to Christian practice.
History and Foundation
June 2020: Establishment
The church was established by Felix Chukwunonso Olikagu, an evangelist based in Asaba, after parting ways with the Nigerian Conference of the Church of God (Seventh-day). This separation reportedly occurred due to disagreements over doctrinal issues related to marriage and engagement practices.
2020-2022: Early Development
Olikagu and his followers viewed the stance of the conference leadership, particularly under Elder Chinonye Orukwowu, as inconsistent with their interpretation of Scripture. This led to the formation of a new organization committed to what they considered the "eternal truths" of biblical teaching.
2022-2025: Growth and Expansion
The denomination expanded its presence beyond Asaba to include congregations in Anambra and Rivers states, establishing a growing network of Sabbath-keeping communities across southern Nigeria.
The name "Eternal Truths" reflects the group's stated commitment to restoring what it sees as original apostolic teachings, emphasizing the timeless nature of biblical principles in contrast to what they view as modern compromises in mainstream Christianity.
Theological Influences
The Eternal Truths Church of God (Seventh-day) draws significant influence from earlier Sabbatarian movements, especially the work of Andrew N. Dugger (1886–1975), a notable leader in the Church of God (Seventh-day) during the early 20th century.
Andrew N. Dugger's Influence
Dugger's efforts to trace the lineage of the Sabbatarian faith back to the apostles are echoed in the Eternal Truths Church's self-identification as a restorationist group. His book "A History of the True Church," co-authored with Clarence O. Dodd, provides much of the historical framework that the Eternal Truths Church uses to understand its place in Christian history.
Like many Sabbatarian movements, the church positions itself within a narrative of continuous, if sometimes hidden, adherence to apostolic practices throughout Christian history. They view themselves not as innovators but as restorers of original biblical Christianity that was gradually abandoned by mainstream churches.
Core Beliefs and Practices
The church holds to a number of distinct doctrinal positions that set it apart from mainstream Christianity:
Seventh-day Sabbath Observance
Following the Fourth Commandment, the church observes the Sabbath from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset, considering it a memorial of creation and a sign between God and His people. During this time, members refrain from secular work and gather for worship services.
Biblical Dietary Laws
Members distinguish between clean and unclean meats as outlined in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14, believing these distinctions to remain binding on Christians today. This includes abstaining from pork, shellfish, and other foods classified as unclean in Scripture.
Biblical Festivals
The church observes the annual holy days described in Leviticus 23, including:
- Lord Supper / Passover
This observances are seen as foreshadowing God's plan of salvation and continuing in relevance for Christians today.
Non-Trinitarian Theology
The church holds a non-trinitarian view of God, seeing God the Father and Jesus Christ as distinct beings, with Christ as the Son of God rather than part of a triune Godhead. The Holy Spirit is understood as the power and presence of God rather than a distinct person.
Biblical Commandments
Emphasizing Revelation 14:12, the church stresses the importance of keeping God's commandments alongside faith in Jesus Christ:
Rejection of Non-Biblical Holidays
The church rejects the observance of popular Christian holidays like Christmas and Easter, viewing them as having pagan origins and lacking biblical mandate. Instead, they focus exclusively on the holy days outlined in Scripture.
Organization and Evangelism
The Eternal Truths Church of God (Seventh-day) is headquartered in Asaba, the capital of Delta State, Nigeria. Its organizational structure reflects elements of both hierarchical and congregational governance models.
Leadership Structure
The church follows a leadership model that includes elders and deacons appointed based on the qualifications outlined in Timothy and Titus. Felix Olikagu serves as the primary evangelistic voice and founder, though the church emphasizes collective leadership through a council of elders.
Evangelistic Activities
The church engages in various forms of outreach including:
- Literature Ministry — Distribution of gospel tracts and doctrinal publications
- Radio Broadcasts — Regular programs aired in southern Nigeria
- Street Evangelism — Public Bible teachings and community outreach
- Discipleship Training — Programs for members to develop evangelistic skills
As of May 2025, the church has established congregations in Delta with plans for further expansion throughout Nigeria and potentially into neighboring countries.
Publications and Media Outreach
Felix Olikagu has authored numerous religious tracts and sermon collections that are circulated freely within and beyond the church. These publications focus on distinctive doctrines and prophetic interpretations from a Sabbatarian perspective.
The group's evangelistic efforts have been particularly visible in rural and semi-urban areas via:
- Weekly radio programs addressing biblical topics
- Printed materials addressing current events from a biblical perspective
- Online presence through social media and audio sermon recordings
The church places strong emphasis on personal evangelism, with members encouraged to share their faith through relationships and community involvement rather than relying solely on institutional outreach programs.
Historical and Religious Significance
The Eternal Truths Church of God (Seventh-day) represents one branch of the broader Sabbatarian movement that traces its roots through various Church of God organizations back to seventh-day observance in early Christianity. Its emergence illustrates the continuing evolution and adaptation of Sabbatarian theology in the African context.
The church's emphasis on biblical festivals and dietary laws places it within a tradition of Christian observances that differ markedly from mainstream denominations while claiming deeper biblical roots. This positions the church as part of what religious scholars might classify as a restorationist movement seeking to recover practices believed to have been abandoned by the historical church.
While still relatively small in membership compared to larger Christian denominations in Nigeria, the Eternal Truths Church represents an important example of indigenous African Christianity developing distinctive theological positions independent of Western missionary influence.