By now every part of our Society, home and abroad, should have come to terms that the Founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) is no longer with us physically. Our grieve in that realm continues both to individuals, family members of TB Joshua, his faithful disciples and followers, the nation Nigeria, and many who have been relying on the prophet for God’s opinion on their matters. The first expectation is that both the immediate family members of TB Joshua and his close disciples need to see themselves as servants of God first and foremost and serve humanity from that awareness. We need to work with one accord and close ranks in brotherly and sisterly love. The physical loss of the prophet is enormous and what the family members and disciples are passing through now is the painful part of the loss.
Prophet TB Joshua had an excellent reputation for leadership, modesty, humility, organization, love for humanity and the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Those attributes attracted us to him, his deep knowledge of things and his ability to help and solve spiritual and physical problems. As a man of God, he eschewed the trappings of that high calling and office. He made his abode in a simple part of the SCOAN premises living with his family, disciples and occasional guests. He developed from the Bible, from praying in lonesome forests, from the now beautified SCOAN praying mountain where he ministered his last service. He would dress casually always. He is the first prophet and a Nigerian to have had the largest worldwide followers of worshipers and admirers of all time. Though highly criticized whilst he lived his approval rating soared with his disappearance. The world is not expecting anything less either from the new set of SCOAN leaders, his disciples or from those of us that claim to have been closely related to him.
Prophet TB Joshua had been committed to the teaching and proper living out the Bible. Many pundits disagreed with him on his views. This is probably because they couldn’t believe the results the prophet was getting simply and seemingly effortlessly. When TB Joshua was on a stage, heaven’s doors seemed open for deliverance, healing, and all possibilities. It must be another period of the early Church and many lived in that confusion about his ministry. The power of Jesus remains the same whether in the old, prevailing or future culture. Hence SCOAN cannot afford to fight within self over personal or family differences whilst the work of God suffers or delays even a minute more. The Holy Spirit is here to reconcile all of us, to console our spirits and command us to fellowship together in one accord; as we follow Jesus Christ the Commander and the Lord of hosts.
We have continued to find very amusing a few commentators still criticizing the prophet or SCOAN, and trying to fuel within perceived differences of opinions. Social medial is now a powerful Third Force in society. The Church is the First Force and government the Second Force, many others are coming on. If the media does not understand the role of the Church in society then it is a contrary force. The media has no right or qualifications in setting orders for the Church, not even for the society that grows it. The Church of God, which TB Joshua’s SCOAN is part of, is not called by God to reflect the views of society and those of its celebrities. On the other hand, the Church is called to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to demonstrate the power of God as necessary, and to instruct society of the need to repent. We find the role of TB Joshua in agreement and alliance with the teaching and practice of the Lord Jesus, and the voice of God’s Truth to the World. He made it very clear that the Church is not about detecting and hence following the prevailing popular opinion. His call was to shape the views of society and to challenge our culture when our culture is not following the path consistent with the will of God, His faithfulness and holiness. The World of God remains the Standard for our Living.
Jesus Christ is the Righteousness and the Integrity of God. He is also the Author and Finisher of our faith and has not established the Church so that the Church may compromise with evil, injustice, and oppression. Therefore as we pass through these perilous times, the voice of the Church must point out the shortcomings of this decaying society. And the Church needs more hands for this labour. May God help the Church to never sacrifice the Truth of the Gospel on the altar of public opinion, political correctness and social approval but only to depend on what God has to say on every matter. Amen!
Prof. R. A. Ipinyomi, University of Ilorin, Nigeria
