All things are lawful, but…” – Apostle Selman’s old teaching on Tattoos trends amid Kingsley Okonkwo controversy

An old sermon by Apostle Joshua Selman has resurfaced online and is currently trending, following the ongoing debate around Pastor Kingsley Okonkwo’s newly revealed tattoo.

The video has sparked fresh discussions about tattoos, wisdom, and Christian leadership in Nigeria.

Why Apostle Selman’s Sermon Is Trending

The resurfaced clip shows Apostle Joshua Selman, founder of Eternity Network International (ENI) and the Koinonia ministry, responding to questions about tattoos and Christian living.

The video gained renewed attention after Pastor Kingsley Okonkwo, founder of David Christian Centre (DCC), unveiled a tattoo of John 3:16 on his arm.

Selman’s View on Tattoos Before and After Salvation

In the sermon, Apostle Selman explained that tattoos done before a person becomes born again do not have spiritual consequences.

However, he warned believers against getting tattoos after salvation.

According to him, the issue is not necessarily sin, but wisdom.

He said some actions may be lawful but still unwise, especially for those called into ministry or leadership.

Concern About Credibility and Spiritual Witness

Apostle Selman stressed that outward changes, such as tattoos, could affect a believer’s credibility when preaching, praying, or ministering to others.

He noted that people’s perception matters, particularly when dealing with weaker believers who may struggle with faith.

To explain his point, he referred to the biblical parable of the ten bridesmaids, highlighting how even people considered pure could suffer consequences due to unwise choices.

Focus on Inner Transformation, Not Trends

The preacher urged Christians to focus on inner transformation rather than outward displays, warning against copying foreign trends.

In his words:

“A gentleman sent me a text and asked what I think about tattoos. I said if you had it before you were born again, there is nothing that can be done. But if by the time you’re born again and you still want to do all these things, you see, all things are lawful but not all things are expedient.

In the kingdom, it’s not always about sinfulness and righteousness; sometimes it’s about foolishness and wisdom. There were 10 virgins. They were all virgins, yet they still suffered because five were foolish and five were wise.

If I draw something on my head now and I want to preach, and I say it’s my life, it’s not your business, please don’t feel bad—just touch on it and then we pray. Will you believe if I’m praying for you? Let’s not say these things don’t matter, or else we keep making fools of ourselves.

If someone did it in the past and the person has come to the fold, there is nothing we can do. We believers should be careful. Respectfully speaking, some of these things we copy from the West. I’m not condemning, but the West needs God’s mercy. God is shifting people to correct things there.

The generation of people who have risen right now is a generation that doesn’t respect God. Just because they’re technologically advanced doesn’t mean they’re spiritually advanced. Don’t trade your heritage of spirituality…”

Kingsley Okonkwo’s Tattoo Sparks Mixed Reactions

The timing of the sermon’s resurgence coincides with criticism faced by Pastor Kingsley Okonkwo after he revealed his tattoo of John 3:16.

While some Christians cited biblical warnings against body markings, others defended the pastor, describing the tattoo as a creative form of evangelism.