Aladura
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| Aladura | |
| Classification | Pentecostalism |
|---|---|
| Founder | Josiah Ositelu[1] |
| Origin | 1930 Nigeria |
Aladura is a classification of churches that abide by the religion - Christianity founded c.1922–1930 in West Nigeria by various people, with around 1 million adherents worldwide.
"Aladura" means "Praying People" in Yoruba.
Churches known as Aladura churches emphasize the power in praying and believe in faith healing and various elements associated with Pentecostalism. Most of the founders of the churches were associated with Anglicanism, though some Methodists joined the movement as well. The churches despise the power of traditional African religion, because they deem that power to be basically malign. Therefore they sometimes burn cult images as "idols" and oppose both polygamy and witchcraft. Unlike Kimbanguism, the churches tend to avoid politics and focus instead on the "holiness movement."
Aladura Movement started at Ijebu-Ode, Nigeria in 1918. This movement later metamorphoshed to Faith Tabernacle and finally to Christ Apostolic Church. Today, although most churches in Western Nigeria can be correctly called "Aladura"; they can be categorized into Pentecostals and Spiritualists. The popular Aladura Indegenous Churches are:
Aladura Pentecostals
2. Redeemed Christian Church of God
3. Mountain of Fire Ministries
Aladura Spiritualists
1. Eternal Sacred Order of Cherubim and Seraphim
2. Church of the Lord (Aladura)
The Aladural Spiritualists are also called "White Garment" Churches. Christ Apostolic Church, popularly called CAC, is the precursor of Aladura Pentecostalism.
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[edit] Christ Apostolic Church
The first Aladura Movement emerged from St. Saviour's Anglican Church, Ijebu-Ode, Nigeria in 1918 after the Sexton, Ali, had related a dream to four Elders of the church, J.B. Sadare, E.O. Onabanjo, D.C. Oduga, and E.O.W. Olukoya. They started vigorous prayer sessions. In consequence, they initiated the "Prayer Band", popularly called "Egbe Aladura". After D.O. Odubanjo joined the Movement in 1919, they became influenced by the doctrines of Faith Tabernacle of Philadelphia. They rejected infant baptism and all forms of medicine, whether western or traditional. This led to a conflict of doctrines with the Angligan Church, and as such, they were forced out of the church. Mr Joseph Sadare was compelled to give up his post in the Synod and others were forced to resign their jobs and to withdraw their children from the Anglican School. The Aladura Movement began as a renewal movement in search of true spirituality.[2]
A revival took place in 1918 during the outbreak of influenza epidemic. The group filled with the Holy Ghost used prayer to save many lives affected by the Influenza epidemic. This consolidated the formation of the prayer group. This movement grew gradually and formed branches throughout Nigeria. Also, the name of the group went through several changes, such as Prayer Band, Precious Stone, Diamond Society, and Faith Tabernacle, in that order until 1930. A great revival started in July 1930 by the raising of a dead body by Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola at Oke-Oye in Ilesa. People trooped from neighbouring cities and countries to receive healing at Ilesa. Several people were healed through the power of prayer and there were evidences of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The revival lasted about 60 days and it's still regarded as the greatest revival ever in Nigeria. Faith Tabernacle of Nigeria later invited the Apostolic Church of England in 1931 to form an Association which lasted till 1939. The Revival group went through several name changes until, after 24 years of its formation, it finally adopted the name Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in 1942. Today, CAC has spread worldwide and definitely is the precursor of Aladura Pentecostal Churches in Nigeria. Visit [CAC website] at http://www.cacworldwide.net/ or http://www.greatrevivals.com/. The Church has established several schools at all levels, including Joseph Ayo Babalola University.
There are several other churches that stemmed out of Christ Apostolic Church.
[edit] Eternal Sacred Order of Cherubim and Seraphim
Moses Orimolade, who was later called Baba Aladura, or Praying Father founded the Eternal Sacred order of Cherubim and Seraphim society in 1925, also as a prayer group within the Anglican Church. Captain Christiana Abiodun his later adopted daughter fell into a trance from which Moses Orimolade, who was already an itinerant evangelist and teacher, was the only one who could awaken her. By 1928 they had left the Anglican church to become independent. Their most distinctive ministry was to openly ferret out and challenge witches on their long evangelistic journeys through the countryside. These long trips were typical of Seraphim (as they are most commonly called) evangelists and missionaries. Today the church is one of the most popular, most attractive and most influential of the Aladura churches worldwide.
[edit] The Church of the Lord (Aladura)
Josiah Ollunowo Ositelu founded the Church of the Lord (Aladura) on 27 July 1930 at Ile Lisa, Ogere-Remo
Ositelu was born in 1902 to Dawodu Ositelu and Madam Rebecca Ejironike. His parents named him "Fakoya" at birth, however, Ositelu told his father he was "Oyelowo" and his baby brother should be called "Oyeleke".
Eventually, Ositelu became School Master Catechist at Orile Imo – Ishan – Erukute, Asha, Erunbe (Oko Egba).
Ollunowo Ositelu all his life used cold water to bath and drink, and never ate pork.
[edit] The First (Aladura: Ositelu) Disciples on 24 July 1930
Titus Olatunde, Joseph Aromuti, Benjamin Afolabi (from Faith Tabernacle Church, Ijebu Ode), Layide Akinyele, etc.
The first Tabborrar Festival was 10–22 August 1937.
[edit] Evangelism – (Cities Ollunowo Ositelu pioneered)
Ogere (the Fountain), Ibadan, Abeokuta, Sabongidda Orra (where the Hymn "Ati 'Segun de Isegun", and "Angel Ollusegun" derived – (i.e. "from Vic-to-ry unto Vic-tory"), Ijebu Ode, Aiyepe, Sagamu, Ijebu Igbo, Sobe, etc.
The Hymn derived from Mission to Sobe: "Lati 'hin de Sobe Lati Sobe de 'hin Ogun Oso gbona Ogun Aje gbona"
"From here, way down Sobe From Sobe, down way here The Withces Battles hot The Wizards Battles hot"
Ositelu also went on Missionary journeys throughout Nigeria, Liberia, Ghana and Sierra Leone.
God endowed Ositelu with Great Powers and he served the LORD with zeal, dedication, enthusiasm, diligence, and ALL.
Ollunowo Ositelu demonstrated God's Powers through miracles, healing, the Gospel, victory and power over Satan and evil powers.
[edit] Owoade Adeleke Adejobi
Emmanuel Owoade Adeleke Adejobi succeeded Dr Ollunowo Ositelu as the Head of the Church of the Lord (Aladura) on 7 May 1967.
During the Mount Tabborrar Festival on 22 August 1945, Ollunowo Ositelu read a message he received from God on Saturday 18 August 1945:
"Adeleke Adejobi is the Gbolahan (Torch Bearer) of the Church of the Lord Aladura".
Ollunowo Ositelu also promoted and appointed Adeleke Adejobi Prophet and Apostle on the Mount on that day (22 August 1945) and most importantly, pronounced that Adeleke Adejobi would be his successor.
In January 1966, presiding over the first International Churches Assembly at Ogere, Ollunowo Ositelu read again in his address, his vision of 18 August 1945, wherein God told him that Adeleke Adejobi was to be his successor. Ositelu also confirmed before the house his implicit faith, confidence and trust in Adeleke Adejobi, and declared him his successor.
Josiah Ollunowo Ositelu died in July 1966.
On Sunday, 7 May 1967, Adeleke Adejobi was innaugurated as the second Primate of the Church of the Lord Aladura.
[edit] Celestial Church of Christ
The Celestial Church of Christ (usually known as Cele) was founded in 1947 by a carpenter in Porto Novo, Samuel Oshoffa.
[edit] References
- ^ >Melton, J. Gordon (2003). Encyclopedia of American Religions (Seventh edition). Farmington Hills, Michigan: The Gale Group, Inc.. p. 517. ISBN 0-7876-6384-0.
- ^ Abi Olowe; Great Revivals, Great Revivalist – Joseph Ayo Babalola, Omega Publishers, 2007
[edit] See also
- Celestial Church of Christ
- Church of the Lord (Aladura)
- Christ Apostolic Church
- African Initiated Church
- Christ Apostolic Miracle Ministry
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