Grant Swank
Biblical Christianity attacks apostasy worldwide
By Grant Swank
"Banners for revivals, sermons and blessings dot nearly every street in Lagos, a teeming flatland of tin-roof shanties and rain-streaked concrete high-rises. The churches carry names such as the Cherubim & Seraphim, the Mountain of Fire and Miracles, and the Full Gospel Business Men's Assembly of God."
While huge segments of Christendom go apostate by baptizing practicing homosexuality as divinely blessed, Christianity based upon the Bible as divine revelation not to be tampered with is flourishing in Africa.
While various denominations spread AIDS/HIV with the homosexual push, Christ as personal Lord and Sanctifier is preached and held to in Africa. No wonder then that the African Anglicans protest the Anglican Communion worldwide in the latter's defense of homosexual activity. With the archbishop of Canterbury waffling in his understanding of Christian ethics regarding homosexual practice, believers by the thousands leave his Communion for the scripturally sound churches.
"More than 300,000 people have come for the once-a-month, all-night revival, led by a preacher most simply call 'Daddy.' Given the standards of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, it's just an average turnout." according to AP's Brian Murphy.
The Holy Spirit moves where He is welcomed. In the Episcopal Church of America, Anglican congregations throughout the globe, Evangelical (excuse the misnomer ) Lutheran Church of America, United Church of Christ (Congregational), Unitarian Church, segments of the United Methodist Church, Presbyterian Church, and Mennonite Church, sodomy is being preached as biblically legitimate. The Holy Spirit then has been informed to leave those segments for the predominance of mortal-made religion in the name of the "Christian Church."
However, in Africa, the Holy Spirit is beseeched to defeat the unclean spirits and to ward off the apostasy so prevalent in theologically liberal churches elsewhere. The Holy Spirit then visits the imploring souls with His forgiveness and cleansing for a life of practical holiness.
In these worships God is revered as the sole author of eternal truth, the Bible is regarded as divinely revealed, Jesus is believed as deity incarnate, the Trinity is held to as an everlasting given, heaven and hell are taught and believed, salvation is by Jesus and miracles are evidenced to support the biblical preaching.
"Think big. Think very big. Then think bigger.
"This is the face of 21st-century Christianity: big, restless — and African. There is no better symbol of it than the Redeemed Church and the insatiable ambitions of its guiding hand and pastor, the Rev. Enoch Adejare Adeboye. (He) leads the fastest-growing Christian movement from a continent that is rapidly putting its stamp on the faith around the world."
Yet it is not Africa alone that experiences such a scriptural revival. It's happening in Latin America and Asia. However, it is in Africa where the wave of the Holy Spirit's moving is particularly evident. He has honored the hearts of the genuinely soul seeking.
Instead of in-house denominational fighting over what is sin and what is not sin, the believers acknowledge orthodox faith as grounded upon the Word of God. In place of appointing mortal committees to decide what is forever truth, Christians confess the eternal verities. Instead of worshiping liturgy, aesthetics and denominational power plays, believers worship Christ Jesus as Master of their earthly and eternal destinies.
"Many theologians say the 'African century' of Christianity is under way.
"If so, then populous and English-speaking Nigeria is its spiritual homeland, and churches like Mr. Adeboye's are its vanguard. Its driven leadership, loose global oversight and staggering cash flow make up precisely the formula that so alarms many traditional denominations.
"What began as a living-room Bible study in 1952 is now a juggernaut — a university, movie studio, satellite television and a wi-fi Internet provider. Now add to that millions of followers in more than 90 nations, including footholds in China and even Dallas.
"Recently, close to 1 million worshippers turned out during three days of sermons and healing. In a rare interview, Mr. Adeboye explained where he hopes to go from here — 'At least one member of the church in every household in the whole world.'"
Call it Pentecostal. Call it evangelical. Call it charismatic. Call it what you will. But call it basic, traditional, biblically-moored Christianity without mortal alteration and that's what is going on where the Holy Spirit is honored as the saving, sanctifying power to release humans from their sins unto new life in Christ.
"The broad Pentecostal/charismatic/evangelical family accounts for about a quarter of the world's nearly 2.2 billion Christians, according to the Center for the Study of Global Christianity in South Hamilton, Mass.
"Africans are further exerting their influence inside established churches. The worldwide Anglican Communion is being torn by advocacy of homosexual bishops and clergy and blessing of same-sex 'marriages,' and conservatives, led by Nigerian Archbishop Peter Akinola, are resisting these dramatic changes in faith and practice.
"'You want to see where Christianity is heading?' said Campbell Shittu Momoh, an author on Nigerian religious affairs. 'Come look at Nigeria. It's already here.'"
Many believe that we are living in the End Times, according to biblical prophecy. The Christ predictions stated in Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21 are all around us as well as those stated in Ezekiel 36-39 regarding Israel. With that conclusion, such believers know that God will always have a righteous remnant. Today's remnant is within theologically liberal churches where orthodox believes still hold on despite their apostate "leadership." The remnant is also evident in such revivals as evidenced in Africa.
Could this remnant be what will stand against the killing cult, Islam? Is this biblical preaching and personal expanse of the Christ Spirit be the warfare needed to overcome Islam world rule, Muslim murderers global and the Koran-enhancing maiming?
"This religious hothouse has nurtured hundreds — perhaps thousands — of new churches among Nigeria's 61 million Christians. 'The church in Nigeria is very, very disciplined and focused,' said Dickson Adeyanju, the chief religion correspondent for the Guardian, the largest newspaper in Lagos. 'That sets them apart.'"
Is there hope for America to come upon such a reverence for the Holy Spirit?
"The Redeemed Church claims 5 million followers in Nigeria and 250,000 abroad. Mr. Adeboye has set a goal of 50 million — roughly the size of the entire Assemblies of God fellowship (another, older Pentecostal group) around the world. In the United States, 7,000 people attended the Redeemed Church's annual conference last year in New York's Madison Square Garden."
In other words, America has now become the mission field. It has turned pagan, as has much of Europe. Therefore, these geographies will experience more of the missionary concern coming from such places as Africa.
"The old religious mainstays in Nigeria — the Roman Catholics and Anglicans — are overshadowed nearly 2 to 1, and Pentecostals and other evangelicals widen the gap year after year.
"Just a few minutes at an Adeboye service at his Redemption Camp campus in Lagos demonstrates why. Packed buses pour in all afternoon. Eve Akindabe, a 35-year-old seamstress who was raised as an Anglican, does some hemming work as she waits to worship. She's been giving a monthly tithe — worth about $10 — for five years.
"'Why did I join Daddy's church? Take a look around,' she says, waving her hands at the crowds. 'Daddy inspires. Daddy tell us Jesus is right here to help improve our lives. The Anglican church was all about, 'Don't do this, don't do that.' Daddy is all about possibilities and making breakthroughs. It deals with heaven, but also the here and now.'
"The demographic center of Christianity is located now near Timbuktu, Mali, in northwestern Africa, and drifting south each year."
© Grant Swank
November 30, 2009
"Banners for revivals, sermons and blessings dot nearly every street in Lagos, a teeming flatland of tin-roof shanties and rain-streaked concrete high-rises. The churches carry names such as the Cherubim & Seraphim, the Mountain of Fire and Miracles, and the Full Gospel Business Men's Assembly of God."
While huge segments of Christendom go apostate by baptizing practicing homosexuality as divinely blessed, Christianity based upon the Bible as divine revelation not to be tampered with is flourishing in Africa.
While various denominations spread AIDS/HIV with the homosexual push, Christ as personal Lord and Sanctifier is preached and held to in Africa. No wonder then that the African Anglicans protest the Anglican Communion worldwide in the latter's defense of homosexual activity. With the archbishop of Canterbury waffling in his understanding of Christian ethics regarding homosexual practice, believers by the thousands leave his Communion for the scripturally sound churches.
"More than 300,000 people have come for the once-a-month, all-night revival, led by a preacher most simply call 'Daddy.' Given the standards of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, it's just an average turnout." according to AP's Brian Murphy.
The Holy Spirit moves where He is welcomed. In the Episcopal Church of America, Anglican congregations throughout the globe, Evangelical (excuse the misnomer ) Lutheran Church of America, United Church of Christ (Congregational), Unitarian Church, segments of the United Methodist Church, Presbyterian Church, and Mennonite Church, sodomy is being preached as biblically legitimate. The Holy Spirit then has been informed to leave those segments for the predominance of mortal-made religion in the name of the "Christian Church."
However, in Africa, the Holy Spirit is beseeched to defeat the unclean spirits and to ward off the apostasy so prevalent in theologically liberal churches elsewhere. The Holy Spirit then visits the imploring souls with His forgiveness and cleansing for a life of practical holiness.
In these worships God is revered as the sole author of eternal truth, the Bible is regarded as divinely revealed, Jesus is believed as deity incarnate, the Trinity is held to as an everlasting given, heaven and hell are taught and believed, salvation is by Jesus and miracles are evidenced to support the biblical preaching.
"Think big. Think very big. Then think bigger.
"This is the face of 21st-century Christianity: big, restless — and African. There is no better symbol of it than the Redeemed Church and the insatiable ambitions of its guiding hand and pastor, the Rev. Enoch Adejare Adeboye. (He) leads the fastest-growing Christian movement from a continent that is rapidly putting its stamp on the faith around the world."
Yet it is not Africa alone that experiences such a scriptural revival. It's happening in Latin America and Asia. However, it is in Africa where the wave of the Holy Spirit's moving is particularly evident. He has honored the hearts of the genuinely soul seeking.
Instead of in-house denominational fighting over what is sin and what is not sin, the believers acknowledge orthodox faith as grounded upon the Word of God. In place of appointing mortal committees to decide what is forever truth, Christians confess the eternal verities. Instead of worshiping liturgy, aesthetics and denominational power plays, believers worship Christ Jesus as Master of their earthly and eternal destinies.
"Many theologians say the 'African century' of Christianity is under way.
"If so, then populous and English-speaking Nigeria is its spiritual homeland, and churches like Mr. Adeboye's are its vanguard. Its driven leadership, loose global oversight and staggering cash flow make up precisely the formula that so alarms many traditional denominations.
"What began as a living-room Bible study in 1952 is now a juggernaut — a university, movie studio, satellite television and a wi-fi Internet provider. Now add to that millions of followers in more than 90 nations, including footholds in China and even Dallas.
"Recently, close to 1 million worshippers turned out during three days of sermons and healing. In a rare interview, Mr. Adeboye explained where he hopes to go from here — 'At least one member of the church in every household in the whole world.'"
Call it Pentecostal. Call it evangelical. Call it charismatic. Call it what you will. But call it basic, traditional, biblically-moored Christianity without mortal alteration and that's what is going on where the Holy Spirit is honored as the saving, sanctifying power to release humans from their sins unto new life in Christ.
"The broad Pentecostal/charismatic/evangelical family accounts for about a quarter of the world's nearly 2.2 billion Christians, according to the Center for the Study of Global Christianity in South Hamilton, Mass.
"Africans are further exerting their influence inside established churches. The worldwide Anglican Communion is being torn by advocacy of homosexual bishops and clergy and blessing of same-sex 'marriages,' and conservatives, led by Nigerian Archbishop Peter Akinola, are resisting these dramatic changes in faith and practice.
"'You want to see where Christianity is heading?' said Campbell Shittu Momoh, an author on Nigerian religious affairs. 'Come look at Nigeria. It's already here.'"
Many believe that we are living in the End Times, according to biblical prophecy. The Christ predictions stated in Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21 are all around us as well as those stated in Ezekiel 36-39 regarding Israel. With that conclusion, such believers know that God will always have a righteous remnant. Today's remnant is within theologically liberal churches where orthodox believes still hold on despite their apostate "leadership." The remnant is also evident in such revivals as evidenced in Africa.
Could this remnant be what will stand against the killing cult, Islam? Is this biblical preaching and personal expanse of the Christ Spirit be the warfare needed to overcome Islam world rule, Muslim murderers global and the Koran-enhancing maiming?
"This religious hothouse has nurtured hundreds — perhaps thousands — of new churches among Nigeria's 61 million Christians. 'The church in Nigeria is very, very disciplined and focused,' said Dickson Adeyanju, the chief religion correspondent for the Guardian, the largest newspaper in Lagos. 'That sets them apart.'"
Is there hope for America to come upon such a reverence for the Holy Spirit?
"The Redeemed Church claims 5 million followers in Nigeria and 250,000 abroad. Mr. Adeboye has set a goal of 50 million — roughly the size of the entire Assemblies of God fellowship (another, older Pentecostal group) around the world. In the United States, 7,000 people attended the Redeemed Church's annual conference last year in New York's Madison Square Garden."
In other words, America has now become the mission field. It has turned pagan, as has much of Europe. Therefore, these geographies will experience more of the missionary concern coming from such places as Africa.
"The old religious mainstays in Nigeria — the Roman Catholics and Anglicans — are overshadowed nearly 2 to 1, and Pentecostals and other evangelicals widen the gap year after year.
"Just a few minutes at an Adeboye service at his Redemption Camp campus in Lagos demonstrates why. Packed buses pour in all afternoon. Eve Akindabe, a 35-year-old seamstress who was raised as an Anglican, does some hemming work as she waits to worship. She's been giving a monthly tithe — worth about $10 — for five years.
"'Why did I join Daddy's church? Take a look around,' she says, waving her hands at the crowds. 'Daddy inspires. Daddy tell us Jesus is right here to help improve our lives. The Anglican church was all about, 'Don't do this, don't do that.' Daddy is all about possibilities and making breakthroughs. It deals with heaven, but also the here and now.'
"The demographic center of Christianity is located now near Timbuktu, Mali, in northwestern Africa, and drifting south each year."
© Grant Swank
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