Church History in Africa: Key Concepts and Questions

Posted on Feb 18, 2025 in Religion

Church History in Africa: Revision

  • Primary Focus: God and the coming of His Son in the power of the Holy Spirit.
  • Three Reasons to Study Church History:
    • Scripture exhorts us to study history.
    • God wants us to be inspired by men and women of faith who have gone before us and to learn from those who have failed.
    • Studying history gives us a sense of God’s purpose as it relates to humanity.
  • Key Theological Terms:
    • Pneumatology: The study of the Holy Spirit.
    • Missiology: The study of God’s mission.
    • Ecclesiology: The study of the church.
  • Jewish Contributions to Christianity:
    • Monotheism: Belief in one true God, spread by synagogues throughout the Mediterranean.
    • Jewish Scriptures: The Old Testament provided the infant church with its message.
    • Ethical System: Judaism offered the world a pure ethical system.

Questions for Reflection

  • What aspects of modern African society help the spread of the gospel, and which hinder it?
  • How was Africa directly involved in the life of Jesus? (e.g., Egypt, Simon of Cyrene)
  • Is Africa fulfilling God’s purpose today? Explain.
  • How would you respond to someone who believes the baptism of the Spirit only happened once on the day of Pentecost?
  • Was the church in Egypt and North Africa missional? Explain.
  • What is the significance of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8 in relation to church history?
  • How should the church respond to the prevalence of Islam in Africa?
  • Where did Christianity flourish in Africa during the 12th and 13th centuries?
  • What lessons can we learn about cross-cultural ministry from Francis of Assisi and Ramon Lull?
  • The Moravian Brethren founded a spiritual community called Herrnhut on the estate of Count von Zinzendorf in 1722. They may be considered some of the earliest Protestant missionaries, & their significance to the study of the African church history is that they founded a spiritual community called Hernnhut on the estate of Count von Zinzendorf in the year 1722.
  • Impact of Moravian Missions: Revival of missions and church planting.
  • Samuel Crowther’s Role: He was a key agent in the establishment and spread of Christianity in the African context.
  • Difficulties Faced by Missionaries: Attacks from slave traders, sicknesses, lack of supplies, hostility from communities.
  • How was David Livingstone significant in the advancement of Christianity in Africa?
  • Relationship to the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit was leading the church back to the Upper Room to wait for empowerment to fulfill His mission.
  • Why did some criticize the Pentecostal movement? Because few of them who criticized the Pentecostal movement knew little about the movement & allowed hearsay & rumors to influence them.
  • Key Countries for Pentecostalism: Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso), Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Belgian Congo (now DRC), Gold Coast (now Ghana), and Togo.
  • “Mutual Servanthood and Brotherhood”: Full partnership through spiritual unity, purpose, and commitment in all that the Lord Jesus taught.
  • What has been the key to the growth of the Pentecostal church in Africa?