The Birth of the C.A.C. in Nigeria: Faith Chronicles

The Birth of the C.A.C. in Nigeria: Faith Chronicles

Christ Apostolic Church 

The incredible evangelism efforts of Prophet Joseph Ayo Babalola triggered a wave of persecution against those who embraced the new faith. The existing mission churches reportedly became resentful and hostile, particularly because their members were the primary converts of the Faith Tabernacle. 

There were widespread rumors that the revival movement was an unruly and disorderly organization. The Nigerian government was alerted to the activities of the movement. During this period, the key members of the movement sought assistance from the American Faith Tabernacle leaders. However, the leaders from America declined to intervene, citing that it contradicted their principles. Moreover, the association between the Philadelphia group and the Faith Tabernacle of Nigeria was terminated due to the marital issues of the leader of the American group, Pastor Clark. 

As a result, the Nigerian group established a fellowship with the Faith and Truth Temple of Toronto, which dispatched a group of seven missionaries to West Africa. Once again, the fellowship was dissolved when Mr. C. R. Myers, the lone surviving missionary, sent his wife to the hospital where she tragically passed away during childbirth.

The African Church 

Despite facing challenges in their relationships with foreign groups, the Nigerian Faith Tabernacle still believed it was important to establish connections with international organizations. This belief is reflected in a letter from D. O. Odubanjo to Pastor D. P. Williams of the Apostolic Church of Great Britain in March 1931. In the letter, Odubanjo mentioned that the government officials in Nigeria respected European missionaries and refrained from troubling their native converts. However, he also highlighted instances where members of the Nigerian Faith Tabernacle were mistreated by government officers.

After a formal request, missionaries were sent to Nigeria to strengthen the Nigerian Faith Tabernacle. Following their advice, the Nigerian Faith Tabernacle was then handed over to the British Apostolic Church, leading to a change in the name from Faith Tabernacle to the Apostolic Church.

It's sad to note that doctrinal differences between the two groups led to divisions, similar to the issues that caused the split from the American groups. The topic of divine healing was a significant point of contention, especially when some of the invited white missionaries from Britain were found using quinine and other tablets, sparking a serious controversy among the leading members. It's unfortunate that the dispute couldn't be resolved, resulting in the movement splitting. One faction made Oke-Oye its base and retained the name the Apostolic Church, while the other larger faction, led by Prophet Joseph Babalola, eventually became the Christ Apostolic Church. 

This church underwent several name changes before finally being officially registered with the Nigerian Company Law of 1924 in May 1943. Today, the church oversees over five thousand assemblies and is widely regarded as one of the most esteemed Christian organizations in Nigeria, being the only indigenous organization with a strong belief in divine healing.

In 1968, Professor John Peel reported that the membership of the C.A.C. exceeded one hundred thousand. It is likely that this number has since doubled. The church established numerous educational institutions including primary and grammar schools, a teachers’ training college, a seminary, maternity homes, and a training school for prophets. Between 1970 and 1980, the church expanded to England, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. Currently, the church's Missionary and General Headquarters are located in Lagos and Ibadan, respectively.

Babalola was a deeply spiritual person who expressed concern about the growing influence of western civilization on Yoruba society and Nigeria as a whole. He believed that increased materialism and sinful behaviors were negatively impacting his community. The C.A.C. regards Babalola as being spiritually empowered, placing him on a level comparable to Biblical apostles such as Peter and Paul, who were sent out with authority in the name of Jesus.