Towards reviving Eneka and Elimgbu churches in Rumuokwursi District of Seventh-day Adventists: Port Harcourt Conference, Nigeria

Abstract

The quest to measure up with the popular spiritual trend common among Christian churches has brought about changes in beliefs and practices of some Christians in the world. Many are willing to do anything to experience what some refer to as the Pentecostal power, characterised with signs and wonders. Churches where such manifestations of signs and wonders are experienced are believed by some to have been visited by God and are experiencing spiritual revival. This so called revival movement, which seems to overlook the Scripture, its study, interpretation and practices as rule of faith and a spiritual sword and safeguard for believers in Jesus Christ, emphasizes emotional ecstasy and antinomianism. The movement has swept a great percentage of the membership of Elimgbu Church to form splinter groups and laid the foundation for schism among members, stagnating the growth of the church, not only in Elimgbu, but in Eneka Church as well.Quantitative and qualitative research approaches were adopted. Primary and secondary sources of information available were used to ascertain the biblical and theological stand on revival, comparing these with the popular trend of revival and its effects on Elimgbu and Eneka Churches. Strategies were developed, implemented, and evaluated to enhance the revival of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) churches in Elimgbu and Eneka. The research findings reveal that some SDA members in Elimgbu and Eneka believe that the popular Pentecostal revival is of God and needs to be adopted by the church while others hold a view akin to biblical based God-centred revival. The study further shows that the Pentecostal revival seems to undermine the teachings of the Scripture and the significance God’s law. The said movement combines Christian beliefs with traditional practices. The strategies were implemented which brought renewal of members’ faith. The approaches adopted by the popular revival movements pose great danger to the unity, growth and spiritual life of the SDA Church and is not likely godly. Adventists are therefore not safe to adopt the spiritual exercises and practices prevalent among the adherents of the charismatic cum Pentecostal churches. Regular Bible study, prayer for God’s guidance, genuine repentance, obedience to God and active labour for the salvation of others are therefore recommended as means of experiencing sustained revival of the church.