The good news of salvation by Jesus Christ is to be spread to all corners of the world. Africa is included in the corners. However, it would be a mistake to think that Africa was not a contributor in the story of salvation. There is indisputable evidence of African presence in the bible. Here is a look at some of the glaring incidences.
God is said to have created man and put him in the Garden of Eden. This makes it the genesis of human kind. According to the book of Genesis, this land was at a meeting point of four rivers including Cush, Havilah and Asshur. History has it that Cush is in Ethiopia. Coincidentally, the earliest remains of mankind were found in Ethiopia in 1974. It almost makes it impossible to deny that Ethiopia hosted the Garden of Eden.
There are stories of African women who were married to biblical patriarchs. Others bore children with these men. They include Abraham who had children with Hagar, a woman of Hermitic origin. If these men held such important positions in the narrative of Israelis, this indicates the central place that Africa was given in Christian living. In fact, it is Sarah who recommended to Abraham. It gives the children of Hagar a very special place.
Chapter 68 of the book of Psalms says that a prophet shall rise from Egypt. It continues to say in clear words that Ethiopia shall call unto the lord. These words were spoken thousands of years before Jesus was born. At nativity, Jesus runs away with his parents to Egypt because Herod wanted to kill him. This is the rise that is referred in Psalms. It is also the coming of wise men that is insinuated by Ethiopia stretching out to the Lord.
Egypt is mentioned extensively in both the old and new testaments, albeit as an oppressor. This is where Joseph ended up after being sold by his brothers. His brothers find him there while searching for food during a major drought. It took Moses and the 7 calamities to rescue Israelis. In fact, an oppressive state is still referred to as being in Egyptian bondage.
The introduction of African in the New Testament is when Mary and Joseph fled to Egypt to avoid death of Jesus through Herod. They do this at the direction of an angel from God. If Jesus had died, salvation would have been impossible to achieve. This is significant because Africa comes to the rescue of Israelis.
On the journey to Calvary, a passerby by the name Simon of Cyrene is forced to carry the cross of Jesus. History has it that Cyrene was a colony of Rome in Africa, alongside Alexandria. It was a source of high quality oil, corn and wool. Its people were also renowned long distance traders and runners. This makes Simon of Cyrene an African who does the last act of mercy on Jesus before his death. This is a significant lesson to learn.
The disciples of Jesus were ordered to preach throughout the world. There is evidence in Acts 13, 1-2 that they went all the way to Africa. In fact, Simon in the chapter is referred to as the Black One. This makes it impossible to separate Africans from the biblical story of salvation. Their presence is very secure.
God is said to have created man and put him in the Garden of Eden. This makes it the genesis of human kind. According to the book of Genesis, this land was at a meeting point of four rivers including Cush, Havilah and Asshur. History has it that Cush is in Ethiopia. Coincidentally, the earliest remains of mankind were found in Ethiopia in 1974. It almost makes it impossible to deny that Ethiopia hosted the Garden of Eden.
There are stories of African women who were married to biblical patriarchs. Others bore children with these men. They include Abraham who had children with Hagar, a woman of Hermitic origin. If these men held such important positions in the narrative of Israelis, this indicates the central place that Africa was given in Christian living. In fact, it is Sarah who recommended to Abraham. It gives the children of Hagar a very special place.
Chapter 68 of the book of Psalms says that a prophet shall rise from Egypt. It continues to say in clear words that Ethiopia shall call unto the lord. These words were spoken thousands of years before Jesus was born. At nativity, Jesus runs away with his parents to Egypt because Herod wanted to kill him. This is the rise that is referred in Psalms. It is also the coming of wise men that is insinuated by Ethiopia stretching out to the Lord.
Egypt is mentioned extensively in both the old and new testaments, albeit as an oppressor. This is where Joseph ended up after being sold by his brothers. His brothers find him there while searching for food during a major drought. It took Moses and the 7 calamities to rescue Israelis. In fact, an oppressive state is still referred to as being in Egyptian bondage.
The introduction of African in the New Testament is when Mary and Joseph fled to Egypt to avoid death of Jesus through Herod. They do this at the direction of an angel from God. If Jesus had died, salvation would have been impossible to achieve. This is significant because Africa comes to the rescue of Israelis.
On the journey to Calvary, a passerby by the name Simon of Cyrene is forced to carry the cross of Jesus. History has it that Cyrene was a colony of Rome in Africa, alongside Alexandria. It was a source of high quality oil, corn and wool. Its people were also renowned long distance traders and runners. This makes Simon of Cyrene an African who does the last act of mercy on Jesus before his death. This is a significant lesson to learn.
The disciples of Jesus were ordered to preach throughout the world. There is evidence in Acts 13, 1-2 that they went all the way to Africa. In fact, Simon in the chapter is referred to as the Black One. This makes it impossible to separate Africans from the biblical story of salvation. Their presence is very secure.
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