Former Vice President of Nigeria, Pastor Yemi Osinbajo, has expressed worries about the escalation of prosperity gospel in Nigeria’s Christian body, noting that it is displacing the true gospel of Jesus Christ.
Osinbajo, the former pastor in charge of the Redeemed Christian Church of God’s Lagos Province 48 (Olive Tree Provincial Headquarters), who spoke at an event recently, lamented that some of the country’s gospel preachers now focus more on material wealth and self-glorification above servanthood and the will of God.
“The stewardship of influence is an immense responsibility, one that requires unwavering commitment to the true gospel of Jesus Christ. It is not a call to car, material wealth or self-glorification but to servanthood and sacrifice and the relentless pursuit of the will of God,” he said.
The former vice president illustrated his frustration by making reference to late Pa Sydney Elton, who he said expressed the same fear about the spread of prosperity gospel in Nigerian some 42 years ago.
Pa Elton, was an English man, who migrated to Nigeria in the 40s. He lived and died in Ilesha, South West Nigeria for 50 years (1937-1987).
Described as the father of Pentecostalism in Nigeria, Elton’s Christian work and teachings in the country influenced some great Pentecostal preachers, including Pastor Ayo Babalola, Archbishop Benson Idahosa of the Church of God Mission, Pastor Enoch Adeboye of the RCCG and Pastor William Kumuyi,
He also made the famous prophecy about Nigeria becoming a great country in 1986, a year before he died.
“Nigeria and Nigerians will be known all over the world for corruption. Your name Nigeria will stink for corruption but after a while, a new phase will come, a phase of righteousness. People from the nations of the earth will hold to a Nigerian and say “We want to follow you to your nation to go and learn righteousness.”
Osinbajo, drew the attention of his audience to a book written by Elton “The Messenger” in which he (Elton) lamented the influence of the American brand of gospel in Nigeria.
He said, “I don’t know how many people here know the late Pa Elton. There is a book which I recommend that you read. It is called “The Messenger”, an incredible historical work on the life of Pa Elton.
“Pa Elton was the father of Pentecostalism in Nigeria. And almost every Pentecostal leader from Bishop Benson Idahosa to Pastor Adeboye and generations after them were influenced by the teachings of Pa Elton.
“He lived in Ilesha and died in Ilesha. That is where he lived practically all his life and died there. Of course, Pa Elton was an English man, who came to Nigeria in the 40s and witnessed the revival of the likes of Pastor Babalola and all that. There were incredible happenings at the time.
“But in the early 80s, especially on account of the influence of the American gospel, Elton said, ‘I am worried about the prosperity gospel and the focus on wealth and materialism and personal popularity. I am worried that it will hamper the spread of the true gospel in Nigeria.’ He observed in 1983, he said, ‘For years now, I have been disgusted with the level at which evangelism has become a commercial project. God is not in the commercial business.’
“Pa Elton has been a Pentecostal preacher who God has used to transform lives. He was speaking about many and he said ‘look, I have seen many because … .He said some of these men are becoming involved in the things of the world, the things of the flesh, over ambitious for money and positions, and property and cars and houses. What has gone wrong?’
“That was in 1983. If Pa Elton was to see today, and the manipulation of the gospel to raise money and build empires, I wonder what he would say. What shall we do?”
