EXCERPT FROM THE BOOK PARABLES OF THE KINGDOM

Author: Rev. Babatunde Ezekiel Ajibola
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The necessity to compile and appraise the parables of our Lord Jesus Christ is based on the fact that they are often overshadowed by the text of other narrations in the bible that the attention that need to be expend on them diminishes, as the urge to progress in scripture search overwhelm our concentration on them and prevent us to adequately dig deep into the wisdom and the lessons that we need to draw out of them.
In this compilation, the author brings out the vast knowledge and wisdom that are hidden in
these wonderful stories of life that is meant to give us a better understanding of the purpose for which the gospel is being preached and to lead us to a greater height of the knowledge of the deep things of God.
There are so many technicalities in these parables that not many readers of the bible would probably be able to dig deep enough to strike the treasure that are hidden in them. Every parable of our Lord Jesus Christ is related to the entire body of the scriptures. It is therefore a necessity that every reader of the scripture should be able to discern the richness in them as they bring to limelight the soul of the entire purpose of God which is about the establishment of a kingdom in which the will of God is put in place and dominion given to the Christ and His redeemed saints.
As we read this compilation, we will begin to see these parables as the forefront of the theme of the gospel and not just a story telling exercise.

EXCERPT FROM THE BOOK INTRODUCTION TO CHRISTIAN LIVING

Author; Rev. Babatunde Ezekiel Ajibola
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This compilation of biblical lessons is very necessary in order to bring and initiate new converts into Christianity and that they should be exposed to the fundamental concepts and definitions of what it is to be a follower of Christ.
In most cases many converts or even those born into the faith takes a lot of things for granted. They see themselves consciously or unconsciously engrossed in the rituals of religion and as a result are not able to differentiate between what they believe and what Christianity demands of them and even worst still; they are unable to see what makes Christianity to be unique from other known religion.
Becoming a Christian is beyond the practice of mere religious rituals and fulfilment of church traditions, but coming into the family of the true living God as revealed in our Lord and Saviour, Redeemer and Eternal King, Jesus Christ.
The concept, “Born Again” and the baptism of water and of the Holy Ghost are vital experiences that new converts into discipleship must have so as to be able to identify themselves with the knowledge of the power and the mysteries of the Living God.
The contents of this book should therefore be exposed to new converts and old members who are just experiencing the true conversion and new birth into the household of God.
It is also important that we examine what the dispensation of grace in Christ is and also the need for sanctification.

EXCERPT FROM THE BOOK A CALL TO HONOUR: A BIOGRAPHY OF APOSTLE JOSEPH AYO BABALOLA

Author Rev. Babatunde Ezekiel Ajibola

Published and distribute by lulu.com
Avaible on this blog

Though the African worshipped the heathen gods and deities, the coming of Christianity did not make any difference in that the potency and dynamics of the Holy Spirit as demonstrated in the Acts of the Apostles and the invocation of the name of Jesus Christ to enhance signs and wonders was not visible. The church was therefore seen as another arms of the colonial government, aimed at imposing the foreign God of the colonial people and to take away the spiritual pride of the African worshippers inas having their own way of taking care of their spiritual matters.
In most cases people were converted to Christianity without the conviction of repentance unto salvation. As a result, the majority of African worshippers still owedwn allegiance to their fetish gods and deities. Prayers were said according to routine of doctrines and everything that Christianity stood for was based on a collection of rules and doctrines that became stereo-typed, and to be followed not as a a matter of conviction but as a mere religious rituals.
It was therefore in vogue to be a Christian and at the same time be a worshipper of some deities or fetish gods without anybody questioning your faith. A lot of clergies were even members of some secret cults and having to do with some curious arts.
The Africans exposed to Christianity at the coming of colonialism never had the opportunity that the eunuch of Ethiopia had when he met Phillip,s a disciple of Christ who exposed him to the scripture and brought him to the true knowledge of Christ.
Under the colonial government churches in Nigeria worked under the authority conferred on them by the limitations of the true knowledge of the power that is in the word of God that constitute the bible, and a lack of faith to apply these words to situations and get results through divine interventions. The injunctions of Christ that constitutes the great commission were seen as one of the numerous words of the scriptures that were, but no more.
“And he said unto them, Go ye into the entire world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
“And thesehis signs shall follow them that believe; in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” Mk.16:15-18
Even though the colonial churches did not manifest the workings of the apostles as demonstrated in the scriptures, they did a lot of good works that they need to be credited for. In the first place they brought about the consciousness of Christ as the Ssaviour of the world. They helped to enlighten the mind ofminds of many through education and health institutions that they established. It was obvious that they were emissaries of the living God to come as a fore runners of the true gospel. To lay the foundation of the knowledge of Christ in the heart of the people in this part of the world so that when the Holy Spirit shall be poured down in answer to the prayers of the faithful it will not be that strange.

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