Friday 17th July 2020 Devotion
Scripture:- Acts 7:5-17
Topic:- Faith Tabernacle Movement [1]
Text:- Acts 2:42
As at the eve of the 1930 Revival, the Faith Tabernacle movement was almost at the verge of collapse as a result of several things that happened.
Some of the Faith Tabernacle members had backslidden into the world and lost the power of prevailing prayer. Satan had sowed the seed of discord into the midst of their leaders through agitations on a number of religious doctrinal practices such as whether to baptize a polygamist and uphold divine healing or not.
Since there was no agreement among the leaders on the practice of the above doctrines and some other issues, the unity of the group was at stake. This led to the calling of a peace meeting at Oke-Ooye, Ilesha in July 1930.
Some of the leaders in attendance were Pastors David O. Odubanjo, Isaac B. Akinyele, Joseph Sadare Esinsinade, J.A. Babatope, Onasinwo, Joshua A. Medaiyese, Daniel Orekoya, and Abraham Omotoso.
These leaders also invited young Prophet Joseph Ayo Babalola to attend the meeting with them. This was on his coming back from the first meeting he held with Faith Tabernacle leaders in Lagos.
They had 24 items on their agenda for discussion. The first that was dealt with was whether or not polygamists should be immersed in water baptism.
The second was on divine healing. Having cleared issues on number one, they were on number two when they heard the cries and weeping of some people over a dead person.
Prophet Joseph Babalola was moved by God to go out, and he requested the dead body to be brought to him. He prayed fervently in the name of Jesus Christ, and the dead young man rose up.
The atmosphere was immediately charged with the great news. Not only did the meeting come to an abrupt end, but that miracle ushered in a new era and the 1930 revival was born.
Immediately the news spread like wildfire. People began to bring their sick ones, and instant healings and miracles resulted. Over a million people all over the country witnessed the scene at Oke-Ooye in Ilesha in 1930 and a revival followed.
Many people from all walks of life came to witness the Holy Ghost revival conducted by Prophet Joseph Ayo Babalola. Nowhere else was it recorded in the history of the country that great crowds of such magnitude gathered in this nation politically or otherwise.
This great evangelistic crusade attracted people from many different African countries as well as some parts of Europe. It was the first open challenge and assault against the forces of evil since the inception of the nation called Nigeria.
Millions sang the song of praise to God, publicly denouncing the names of wizards and witches, and outstanding miracles and healings were received instantly and freely. In the afternoon, it was reported that great and plentiful dews were falling on the multitude of people waiting to receive the blessing of deliverance and healings.
It was also reported by Pa. Medaiyese, that all the bushes around were trampled upon by the great crowd, and even the stream of Aayo nearby was dried by them.
To crown it all, it was reported that many strange heavenly beings were seen at the spot of Oke Ooye, the crusade site, and in many towns and villages, inviting people to come to Ilesha to receive blessings from the servant of the Lord.
Many even thought that the world was going to an end as no one had ever witnessed such outstanding events of mighty miracles and healing before.
Prayer Point:– Oh Lord God, visit us again with the old time religion and revival by fire now, in the name of Jesus Christ.
Happy Weekend!
