WEST AFRICA HOLY SPIRIT CONFERENCE 1988
(WAHSCON ’08)
CONFRONTING THE ISSUE (Isaiah 62: 10)
CONFRONTING THE REBELLION: THE CHURCH’S MANDATE FOR VICTORY
WORKSHOP –1988

SYNOPSIS
This outline exposes the rebellion against Christ, challenging the Church to use the Word
and Spirit to conquer all opposing issues.

BACKGROUND
1. IS THE WORD OF GOD TRUE regarding the existence of God, Creator, the Spirit
world, the Supremacy of God and His Power over all Reality, that all power belong
to Him?
2. REBELLION IN CREATION in the spirit-world and among humanity against the
Supremacy of God and the word of God. For man – the questions have been
• Is there God?
• Has God Said?
This Rebellion is now extended to, and wholly against Jesus Christ as Son of God,
Living Person, Word and Spirit of God Incarnate
3. Rebellion against Jesus Christ, as Saviour, Redeemer and Perfector, the word
and Wisdom of God has now entered the church.
a. Christians like the Jews do not seem to accept any more the Full Gospel of the
Testimony of Jesus Christ (John 6:41-42)
b. Many Christians, particularly, among theologians do not accept the word of
God any more as whole, Truth to many, the position of Jesus Christ, as Word
and Spirit made flesh (John 1: 14, Colossians 2: 9) is unacceptable, hence His
claim that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life, the Redeemer and the
scriptures that Jesus is the redeemer, the only Mediator between man and
God. Of course, the works of Jesus recorded in the New Testament are but
myths…. the crossing of the Red Sea, the Jewish fable. The Holy Spirit is only
for “apostolic days.”
4. The Rebellion against Jesus Christ is primarily due to His Exalted Position, His
Pre-Eminence in all things in the church (Phil. 2: 9-11; Heb. 1: 1-14; Eph. 1: 12-19;
Col. 1: 18-19). Men with spirit and mind, spiritual and intellectual power resents
the dominance of Christ Jesus in the church, just as the rulers of the darkness of
the world are unhappy about His exalted position, far above all principality and
power and might and dominion and every name this is named, not only in this
world, but also the world to come.
5. Rejection of the world
The resentment against Christ’s exalted position in the church and the world has
led therefore to the rejection of the Word of God, which not only testifies clearly
of Him but give proof of His authority and power. It goes without saying therefore
why in church circles among theologians and their products of ministers the
essential credentials of Jesus Christ, of great spiritual significance and
consequences, are rejected. His name, the Blood, the Cross, His Resurrection,
His sole Mediatory, the Salvation role. Also rejected are the miracles of Jesus
deemed to be but myths or Jewish fables.
6. Rejection of or Rebellion Against the Person and Ministry of the Holy Spirit
Rejection of the person and ministry of the Holy Spirit is the inevitable result of
rebellion against Jesus Christ. For the Spirit’s main task is to testify of and glorify
Jesus Christ. Where the Holy Spirit is rejected, there can be no knowledge of
Christ and consequently no knowledge of God, the Father. There can be no Power
for Service. (John 14: 8-18, 25-26, 15: 23-27, 16: 13-15; Acts 1: 8)
7. Human Wisdom and Knowledge Elected as God, Idol in the Church
Academicians have been exalted in the church and acquitted with, indeed has
superseded the Holy Spirit and His Power. The ministry is no more by Divine Spirit
Power but by human Spirit mind power. Result – death and deadness in church
and society.
ISSUE AREAS
A. The Church, Christ and The Holy Spirit
Is Christ Jesus truly and properly accepted and honored in the church? No!
I. Because ecclesiastical and ministerial appointments in the church and
the establishment of ministers are no more based on Election and
Appointment by Christ through the working power of the Holy Spirit. (Eph.
4: 8-11; Acts 9: 15-16, 13-24). Men appoint themselves and honor one
another, not Jesus Christ (John 5: 41-44; Phil. 3: 17-20)
II. Because the ministry of the Holy Spirit is rejected and replaced by the
ministry of the human mind, wisdom, knowledge and understanding. He
is not known, acknowledged, sought after and honored. Hence there is no
manifestation of Christ, His Love, Wisdom and Power. Prayer is reduced
to the barest minimum, more as a ritual than as a definite exercise of faith
and patient looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of faith, for divine
guidance and direction. Revelation is not acceptable. The latter approach
is contemptuously described as mysticism…. which essentially implies
non-scholarship. Not by acceptable knowledge but blind faith of
dependence.
B. The Pentecostal Wing of the church have gone human – in doctrines and
practices
C. The Church and the Faith
I. Is there true acceptance of scripture as the Inherent word of God?
II. Is the word of God acceptable in its fullness for faith and for life?
III. The Doctrines of Churches appear to be by interpretation and selective
process, accepting some and rejecting others. It is human and not manmade hence largely is restrictive nature and hindrance to full fellowship
and unity in the church. Of course, Truth and Doctrine cannot be ignored.
Where does Truth and Love begin? Truth demands love, Love demands
Truth. Separation of Love and Meekness in inevitable.
IV. Doctrines of men and devils in the church
(1st Tim. 4: 1-2; Col. 2: 8)
Human wisdom and perception replacing true word and faith –
Agnosticism exalted. Modernism is theology. Liberal theology, humanism
etc.
V. Doctrines of Devils
The Honour of other spirits and systems other than Christ – cults and
sects.
− Paganism in the church
− Exaltation of human faculties – as dominant view
− Materialism, pleasure, geocentricism
− (Theology of health and wealth – prosperity)
THE CHURCH IN MISSION
Isaiah 62: 10, 60: 1-2
The Gates worthy of examination and repairs.
1. The church and the Christian faith
− Christ as Head of church
− The Ministry of the Holy Spirit
− Theology
− Doctrines
− The IDOL of Human Knowledge
− The Scriptures and all Reality
− The Biblical Word View
2. The Church and the Spirit-world (John 10: 10; 2nd Cor. 4:4)
− The Rebellion in the World
− The Position and name of Jesus Christ. (Col. 1: 12-28, Acts 4: 12, Mark 16:
17-18, Eph. 1: 21-22)
3. The Church and the Religious world
− The Church’s position vis-à-vis other religions
− What is the basis of Evangelism and Religious Tolerance
− The church and African Religion and Cultural Practices
− Church unity in Mission and the Religions of the world.
4. The Church, the Political, Economic, Social and Cultural world
− What means the Kingdom of God
− What role is the church in society
− The Church and the issue of engagement with all reality – The evangelical
movement and social action, the Pentecostal movement and paganism,
the prophetic, mission in human affairs – The Cross
5. What is the Biblical Basis with engagement with all reality (Psalm 24: 1, 7-10, 33:
1-20; Matt. 28: 18-20)
6. The Christian faith and African culture