Redeemed Christian Church of God
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The Redeemed Christian Church of God is a Nigerian-based Pentecostal Holiness ministry.
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Church history
Pa Josiah Akindayomi (1909-1981) started The Redeemed Christian Church of God in Nigeria in 1952. Akindayomi was raised in tribal religion in the state of Ondo, Nigeria. His search for the Creator led him to be baptized by the Church Missionary Society in 1927. Somewhat dissatisfied with this group, in 1931 he joined the Cherubim and Seraphim Church¹. Around 1947, he began to believe that church was departing from the faith. Akindayomi left the Cherubim and Seraphim church in 1952 to start a house church fellowship with nine members. Akindayomi led the growing church until his death in 1981, when Enoch Adejare Adeboye assumed the leadership. Adeboye joined the Redeemed Christian Church in 1973 and was ordained a pastor in 1975. Some of his earliest involvement was in translating Akindayomi's sermons from Yoruba into English. Adeboye's appointment was confirmed by the reading of a sealed pronouncement by Pa Akindayomi after his burial.
Church name
Pa Akindayomi called his house fellowship the Glory of God Fellowship. He felt he received the true church name through a miraculous "vision of words that appeared to be written on a blackboard. The words were The Redeemed Christian Church of God. Amazingly, Pa Akindayomi who could not read or write, was supernaturally able to write these words down."
Church doctrine
The Statement of Faith of the Redeemed Christian Church reveals belief in the Divine inspiration of the Bible; the Trinity; the deity, virgin birth, sinless life, crucifixion, resurrection, ascension, and return of Jesus; that man by voluntary disobedience and transgression fell into sin; that salvation is through repentance and faith; the baptism of the Holy Ghost, evidenced by speaking in tongues; that Divine healing is provided through the atonement; the pre-tribulation rapture of the church; the thousand year reign of Jesus Christ; the final judgment of all the wicked; that eternal heaven and eternal hell are literal final places of destiny; water baptism by immersion; in the Lord's supper as a memorial; and in restitution (Christians righting wrongs they have committed).
Church mission
"The mission of the Redeemed Christian Church of God is to proclaim the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ to the lost and to admonish that we live a sanctified life, growing constantly in the faith for the advancement of the kingdom of God and the glory of the Lord."
Church status
There are about 2000 parishes of The Redeemed Christian Church of God in Nigeria. The church is present on the continent of Africa in Cameroon, C'ote D'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zaire, and Zambia. In Europe the church has a presence in England, France, Germany and in the Republic of Ireland where it has parishes in Co. Dublin, Co. Cork, Co. Limerick...and almost all the Counties in the republic. In the United States there are parishes in Chicago, Illinois, Dallas and Houston, Texas, Tallahassee, Florida, New York, and Washington, as well as Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and other states in the last six years. In the Caribbean, the church is in Haiti and Jamaica. Headquarters of the church are located in Ebute-Metta, Lagos, Nigeria, and its North American headquarters are in Dallas. .
External link
- Official Web Site (http://www.rccg.org/index.html)
Footnote
- 1. The Cherubim and Seraphim Church (http://www.adherents.com/Na/Na_138.html#850) is another Nigerian-based charismatic denomination founded by St. Moses Orimolade Tunolase.