The Bizarre ZAOGA Birmingham Incident and the Danger of Spiritual Deception
Written By: Gabriel Manyati, a hard-hitting Zimbabwean journalist and analyst delivering incisive commentary on politics, human interest stories, and current affairs.
I grew up in ZAOGA (Zimbabwe Assemblies of God Africa). Its vibrant prayer culture shaped my faith, its focus on discipline honed my spiritual instincts, and its insistence on Scripture as the final authority framed my understanding of Christianity. That personal connection is precisely why I was deeply concerned when a friend alerted me to a reported incident that took place late last year in Birmingham, United Kingdom.
This is not merely an overzealous display of faith. It highlights a theological fault line that, if unaddressed, risks steering ZAOGA away from Christian orthodoxy toward outright heresy.
“I Saw Ezekiel”: Claims of a Posthumous Visitation
The incident is said to have occurred during a Saturday night prayer meeting in Birmingham as 2024 drew to a close. Congregants reportedly gathered for what was expected to be an ordinary spiritual service.
Several attendees claim they witnessed a figure resembling the late Apostle Ezekiel Guti running across the stage, allegedly accompanied by two angels. The descriptions were presented not as symbolism, but as literal sightings.
Additional claims included rain falling inside the building, intense burning sensations felt by congregants, and declarations that those present had received special spiritual abilities due to being “with Ezekiel.”
These reports represent a literal claim of posthumous spiritual visitation, a position that directly conflicts with established biblical teaching and has sparked intense debate among believers and critics alike.
The Authority of Scripture
Christianity is governed by revelation, not emotion. Isaiah 8:20 sets the standard: "If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." The Bible is explicit about the state of the dead (Ecclesiastes 9:5–6, Job 7:9–10). Death marks a boundary that human experience does not cross at will. Furthermore, Scripture explicitly forbids consulting the dead (Deuteronomy 18:10–12). Once a church validates the appearance of a dead person, it crosses into forbidden territory.
Testing the Spirits
1 John 4:1 commands believers to test the spirits. The Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus Christ (John 16:14), not dead leaders. Any manifestation that redirects attention from Christ to Ezekiel Guti fails the biblical test immediately. Jesus warned of deceptive signs and wonders (Matthew 24:24). The claim that attendees would receive special capacity because they had been "with Ezekiel" undermines the sufficiency of Christ and edges dangerously close to idolatry.
A Crossroads for ZAOGA Leadership
ZAOGA leadership can no longer afford silence. In moments of theological controversy, silence is widely interpreted as endorsement, allowing disputed claims to gain legitimacy through inaction.
Church authorities are expected to unequivocally reject the interpretation that a deceased apostle physically appeared. Failure to address the claim risks blurring the line between faith and spectacle.
Leadership must actively re-teach biblical discernment and dismantle any theology that elevates Apostle Ezekiel Guti beyond his earthly calling, ensuring doctrine remains rooted in Scripture rather than personality.
For many within and outside the church, the Birmingham incident represents more than embarrassment. It poses a defining question: will ZAOGA be governed by Scripture, or by untested and emotionally charged spiritual claims?
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