Pastor Kingsley Okonkwo, founder of the David Christian Centre and a well-known relationship coach, has firmly responded to criticism over his recent decision to get a tattoo, stating that no biblical passage explicitly forbids believers from getting inked.
The controversy began when the clergyman revealed a tattoo on his forearm featuring the numerals “3:16”—a reference to the iconic Bible verse John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son…” While intended as a personal expression of faith, the move quickly drew mixed reactions on social media, with many citing Old Testament law as a basis for their disapproval.
Critics specifically pointed to Leviticus 19:28, which states: *“You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord.”* This verse, often referenced in debates about body modification, became the center of the online dispute.
In a recent interview, Pastor Okonkwo addressed the backlash directly, challenging the interpretation that this Old Testament prohibition applies universally to Christians today.
“There’s no scripture that says a child of God cannot have a tattoo,” he asserted. “People are applying personal preferences, or what the Holy Spirit told *them*, or their church’s convictions, and trying to impose these on others. That’s not how faith works. What matters is knowing Christ and understanding the word of God.”
He went further, calling for logical or evidence-based reasoning from those who condemn tattoos on spiritual grounds.
“If someone wants to argue that tattoos are inherently wrong, they need to show me—scripturally or scientifically—how ink on the skin corrupts the mind or character. Does it make someone less loving, less faithful, or less capable of serving God? Unless there’s clear proof, this remains a matter of personal conviction, not divine law.”
The debate taps into a wider conversation within contemporary Christianity regarding cultural practices, Old Testament laws, and personal expression under the New Covenant. While some denominations and believers adhere to strict interpretations of Levitical codes, others view them as context-specific directives that do not bind modern believers.
Pastor Okonkwo’s stance highlights a growing perspective among some Christian leaders who distinguish between moral commandments and ceremonial or cultural laws fulfilled in the New Testament.
His tattoo—a permanent, visible declaration of a foundational gospel message—continues to spark dialogue about faith, freedom, and how believers choose to express their devotion in today's world.
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