Out Of The Dark Continent

by ONYOKOKO, L. | Category: Mission | Jan 2009

'Can anything good come out of Nazareth?' (John 1:46). Can anything good come out of Africa? The African continent has received many names in history. Why was it called the 'Dark Continent'? Some thought it was dark because most of its people are 'in black', with no idea of civilization. Others thought it was dark because they knew so little about it. Some believed it was a dangerous place filled with savage people, witchcraft, war, poverty and disease.

In spite of the odds that are against the continent, you cannot ignore the heat - and the warmth of their love for the Lord! Africa - and indeed Nigeria - is less in the dark today. We thank God for the power of the Gospel: 'The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light' (Is. 9:2).

The quest for truth

What is truth? Pilate posed this question to the Lord Jesus, who declared Himself to be 'the truth' (John 14:6). 'Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ' (John 1:17).

So much truth is revealed to us in Scripture. Jesus tells us the truth about salvation, eternal security, the Church the Body, the breaking of bread, the House of God, etc. Comparatively small numbers of believers in Nigeria have understood these teachings and are passionate about them.

I was saved at age 12. At 18, I had attended five different churches and was not yet fulfilled. I longed for the truth that would set me free. I lived in fear of losing my salvation. Most believers in Nigeria still struggle with this basic truth. I came into contact with the Churches of God in 1983 during a Gospel effort. It was a great relief for me to know that having accepted the Lord Jesus as Saviour I could never lose my salvation. I understood for the first time Scriptures like John 1:12, John 10:27-29, 1 John 5:11-13. As time went on, I realized I needed to be baptized and added to a Church of God (Acts 2:41). This addition brought me into the 'network' of the Churches of God (1 Cor. 1:2,9). I learnt the lesson early that God was more interested in 'heart count' than 'head count' The appreciation of these truths and the realization that 'God is in this place' have kept me going over the years.

There is the case of a 16-year-old secondary school student who was saved at our Vacation Bible Course (VBC) in Port Harcourt two years ago. You could tell from the glow on his face as he told his story that he'd had an encounter with the Lord. He asked for baptism and was numbered with the Church of God in Port Harcourt. His enthusiasm for the truth is seen in his travelling about 150 kilometres (after his relocation from Port Harcourt for study) to keep the Breaking of Bread, as commanded by the Lord (Luke 22:19-20; Acts 2:42, 20:7).

A man came to my rescue when my car somersaulted while returning from a camp meeting in Lagos in April, 2007. Over time we developed a friendship. The man and his wife embraced the truth and are currently numbered with the Church of God in Warrii, Delta State. Paul's word to the Romans is true of this couple: 'you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered' (Rom. 6:17). On the day of his addition, the man confessed with a brilliant smile, 'The difference is clear!'

The Churches of God in Nigeria

The truth about the Churches of God, however, is still a puzzle to many Christians in Nigeria. When asked what church you attend, and you answer, 'The Church of God', the next question comes in a form of ridicule: 'Which church, then, is the church of Satan?' The understanding behind this query is that every church is a Church of God. Is this really the case? When we understand that the word 'church' originally referred to a gathering, we need to identify that gathering. Jesus referred to the Pharisees' teaching in Matthew 15 as the 'precepts of men' - churches of men. In 1 Timothy 4:1, we read about doctrines of demons - churches of Satan. Saul 'made havoc of the church' (Acts 8:3). In recounting his past life, Paul said, 'I persecuted the Church of God, and tried to destroy it' (Gal. 1:13). The twelve that Jesus called grew to be one hundred and twenty (Acts 1:15). These, along with the three thousand baptized believers (Acts 2:41) who were added, constituted the first Church of God in Jerusalem.

There are currently sixteen Churches of God in Nigeria, established according to the same New Testament pattern. They are keen to share these truths with all who will listen. Sadly many are reluctant to pay the price.

ONYOKOKO, L. | Jan 2009
Mission