THEME: THE AFRICAN CHURCH MUST FIGHT DARKNESS AND USHER IN CHRIST 

The Bible declares succinctly that Christ is the Word by whom and for whom creation.  That Christ also is the Light and Life of man.  That the revelation and appearance of Jesus Christ on the human scene and the world is a deliberate act of Divine Mercy. 

Christ has come to reconcile the world unto God, save men from sin, redeem from powerlessness and bring an end to the regime of Divine Wrath and Judgement hanging upon the human race and creation as a whole. 

 The Good News of Salvation, Redemption and Restoration in the Word and Ministry of Reconciliation are intended therefore to bring an end to the Fall of Man, the state of darkness, death and hopeless in human affairs, Satan’s dominion over the earth and the prevalent state of war, conflict, instability, futility and hopelessness caused by the combined effect of man’s disobedience and wickedness and Satan’s rebellion, enmity and wicked works against God and Man and God’s wrath and judgement in the affairs of men and creation as a whole. 

In this respect, God has the ultimate plan to liberate all creation, transfer them and the kingdoms of the world unto Himself.  It is God’s plan to establish His Kingdom Order of Peace, Righteousness and Joy in Him for the world.  At the end, the knowledge and the glory of God will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. 

In this regard, Church history is no more than the process of the revelation of God through the propagation of the Gospel of Salvation, Redemption and Restoration with the aim of establishing people in the Church, the Worship, Life, Love, Faith and Hope in God and the world in the Truth, Light, Liberty and Way of God through the Church.  

The propagation of the Gospel and the discipling of nations will by definition entail battles against the ruling principalities and powers of darkness and death, the thrones, dominion and kingdoms of the world, the lords and powers of the worldly systems, to wit Satan and wicked Man. Not only that, it will also involve religious, social and cultural transformation in consonance with the Truth and Light, Life and Power of the scriptures.  

The Bible envisages in this respect the deliverance and declaration of freedom and liberty to millions otherwise held in captivity and satanic domination.  

Finally, the propagation of the Gospel will imply the exaltation of Jesus Christ not only as Saviour and Redeemer but also as God, King and Lord, and the Ruling Spirit in the world in the place of Satan who is the prince of the power of the air. It is not surprising therefore that Church history abounds with struggles against forces of resistance, the exposure and exacerbation of the frailties of man, difficulties and sometimes the halting of progress with church mission activities, and of course, the death of servants of God. 

For example, there can be strong resistance from ruling spirit powers, political and religious authorities and structures of old and from men who blinded by the devil or their own evil ways reject the Light of the Gospel of Salvation and Peace.  

On the other hand, one of the critical factors in church mission in this regard is the understanding, commitment and dedication to Christ, the Faith by those who take up church mission. Often, men are blinded by lack of understanding and commitment, ambition and the pride of life into diverse kinds of compromises, the dilution of the truth of scriptures and perverse activities at the deception of the devil. 

In writing or compiling church history therefore, authors and editors may have a wide range of activities to choose from for emphasis. Church history complied by Mr. Michael Hammond is no exception. I am particularly delighted by Bro. Hammond’s efforts to lead readers, students in particular through the road map of the Church in Africa.  

What is evident from the account of Church history by Mr. Hammond is that God has love for Africa and Africans, as it is the case with the Gentile world and humanity as a whole.  However, there seems to run a special Divine interest in the African and affairs of Africa as is evident in the historical account of God’s dealing with men in the Bible. Africa features in the Bible from the call of Abraham through the founding, establishment and nurturing of Israel into nationhood as people of God, on to the birth and crucifixion of Jesus Christ, and the beginning of the institutionalization of global church mission as a viable and fulfilling enterprise.  

We believe in this regard that Africa and Africans will feature significantly in the spread of the Gospel and the demonstration of God’s purposes on Earth in the end times up to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. 

Out of Egypt God called His people of Israel.  Out of Egypt God called His Son Jesus Christ.  Out of Egypt God will call forth and translate the kingdoms of the earth unto Himself…. 

That is to say, Africa has special place in God’s plans for His Church and human affairs in general.  When the Church in Africa comes to and takes her rightful place in church mission and God’s plans for the kingdoms of the earth, heaven will surely rejoice.  Africa will sing a new song, praising, honoring and blessing the LORD God Jehovah.  

It is necessary to mention in this respect that the Church in Africa has a duty towards changing the domination of the African terrain by Satanism and idolatry, sorcery and witchcraft, the war culture and blood sacrifices which factors have not only inflicted much pain and suffering, political instability and poor economic performance, backwardness and non-progress in Africa’s affairs, they have also provoked and perpetuated Divine wrath, judgement and curse on Africa.  Idolatry and bloodshed by definition entail curse, darkness and death.  

This implies therefore that the Church in Africa will have battles to fight while waiting for the fullness of time and time.  There are growth pains and internal feuds to smother through, the resistance of political, religious, traditional and cultural forces to take care of, and the maturity and rise of the Church to heights of understanding, strength and responsibility to reveal the fullness of the light and glory of Jesus Christ, the beauty and majesty of the Church, the knowledge and glory of the One True God across the mountains and valleys, the deserts and forests, the rivers and lakes, the communities, tribes and peoples of Africa as the waters cover the sea. 

It may be worthwhile mentioning in this regard the interplay of politics and religion in the fortunes of nations. Just as Rome’s Constantine was instrumental in the changing circumstances and rise of the Church to national status in Europe, kings, emperors and chiefs have been used extensively by the Lord in church expansion in Africa. 

The building and expansion of God’s Kingdom on earth involves both spiritual and political action, involving as it is the declaration and making of Jesus Christ both Lord and King of peoples. 

Similarly, the spread of the Gospel and social activities of the Church are closely tied with economic circumstances and political environment of nations. 

When economic circumstances are favorable and there is no organised political- cum-religious resistance to the Gospel the Church is able to marshal resources, men, money and materials for church mission. It is in this vein among others that we would suggest Church history in Africa be examined with reference particularly to the influence of Islam and colonialism on church history in Africa and the history of Africa in general.  

Islam adopted political pressures to exploit the integrity crisis and internal weakness of the Church to supplant Christianity in North Africa.  However, the mercy of God opened another door South of the Sahara when Europe was enjoying expanding economic prosperity and connected imperial territorial expansion through colonialism. 

The European trade routes with Africa provided not only the Church link with Africa but also domestic internal routes for church mission.  In the end, the Church became an instrument in the hand of God in raising men for bringing an end to the slave trade, initiating political emancipation and the gradual dismantling of the colonial machinery as a whole. 

The Church in Africa has been a strong advocate and social partner for national redemption, development and social reconstruction in Africa.  Though cold-war rhetoric and politics affected adversely church advances in the immediate post-emancipation era, the Spirit of the Lord has since raised the Divine evangelistic and mission rod against it.  The Church is now making great strides in Africa breaking down the political, religious, traditional and cultural barriers against God and His Christ. The foundations, thrones and kingdoms of Africa are being shaken.  All will be shaken. And only those in the Kingdom will remain standing. 

It is necessary therefore that the church authorities and leaders not only seek to know,  submit and yield to the movement of the Holy Spirit but also that they bring the saints and entire Church body to the movement and works of the Holy Spirit towards the total liberation, deliverance, healing and restoration to Africa through the preaching of the Gospel, the discipling of the nations and the raising of responsible Godly leadership for the nations of Africa. 

It is in like vein also that we would encourage students of Church history of Africa to seek to find the hand and movement of the Holy Spirit in Africa’s encounter with Jesus Christ over the past centuries. 

Bro. Hammond has provided adequate start-up material in this book.  We would humbly submit that the search and prayers should continue for greater, wider and deeper revelation and direction as to the movement and works of the Spirit of God with the Church and People in Africa. 

The coming of Christ is to bring Peace to the world, to save from sin, redeem and restore man’s lost glory, and bring down the Kingdom of heaven on earth.  Africa needs deliverance from the forces of darkness, idolatry, sorcery, bloodshed, witchcraft and evil works that by definition bring curses and damnation, and which provoke Divine wrath and judgement on nations and people. 

The kingdoms of idolatry, Satanism and witchcraft, intellectualism and human pride, darkness and death must give way to THE LIGHT THAT HAS APPEARED, CHRIST JESUS THE LORD.  

The mantle is with the Church.  

Leader – Ghana Evangelical Society 

Monday, June 23, 2003.