Aladura Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.Anti-spam check. Do not fill this in! {{Short description|Christian religious movement}} {{multiple issues| {{More citations needed|date=July 2007}} {{lead rewrite|date=August 2023}} }} {{Infobox Christian denomination |name = Aladura |image = |imagewidth = |alt = |caption = |main_classification = [[Protestant]] |orientation = Mostly [[Pentecostal]] |polity = |founder = |founded_date = Early 20th century |founded_place = South-Western, Nigeria |congregations = }} The term "Aladura" means "praying person" in [[Yoruba language|Yoruba]]. '''Aladura''' is a classification of indigenous churches that started in Yoruba land in the early 20th century. These churches believe in the efficacy of prayers and practical guidance by the Living God through his Holy Spirit in all its programs. The first known '''Aladura''' church started with Abbieassalem Samuel Somoye (Baba Dada) in 1918 at Abule Dada in Ogun State Nigeria. The main Aladura churches can be distinguished by the distinct apostolic way, the church founders were called directly by Christ himself. Jesus Christ emphasized: ''my house shall be called the house of prayer.'' '''Aladura''' churches emphasize the power of prayer, prayerful songs and the word of God (both the Bible and revealed by the living voice of God). They believe in holiness. The yoruba term for this: is "'''ijo-mimo'''". Aladura churches are Evangelicals and various elements associated with [[Pentecostalism]] can be found in Aladura churches. Most of the pioneer founders in the early 20th century were initially [[Anglicanism|Anglicans]] and [[Methodist]]s. They rejected the power of traditional [[African religion]] as malign. They also opposed many dominant practices then such as: both [[polygamy]] and [[witchcraft]] and focus instead on the "holiness movement".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rlp.hds.harvard.edu/faq/aladura-churches-nigeria|title=Aladura Churches in Nigeria|website=rlp.hds.harvard.edu}}</ref> Today, many churches in Nigeria can be called "Aladura", since they have been influenced by this movement. == Divisions == The main Aladura churches with their founders are: === Pre-1960 Aladura === Some of the pre-1960s Aladura churches are also called "White Garment" churches. Samuel A. A. '''Somoye'''<ref>{{Cite web |last=YorubaGidiTV |date=2023 |title=FIRST WHITE GARMENT CHURCH IN NIGERIA |website=[[YouTube]] |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJVeFoiPNEU&ab_channel=YorubaGidiTV}}</ref> * Church of the Lord ('''Aladura''') 1918 at Abule Dada, Ogun State, Nigeria. Moses '''Orimolade''', * [[Eternal Sacred Order of Cherubim and Seraphim|Cherubim and Seraphim]] '''C&S''' David O. '''Odunbanjo''', Joseph '''Sadare''', Oba Babalola '''Akinyele,''' Sophia '''Odunlami''', and many others * [[The Apostolic Church Nigeria|The Apostolic Church]] of Nigeria '''TAC ('''initially'', Faith Terbanacle Church of Nigeria''''')''' Joseph A. '''Babalola''', *[[Christ Apostolic Church]] '''CAC''' SBJ '''Oschoffa''', * [[Celestial Church of Christ]] '''CCC''' === Post-1960 Aladura === J.O. '''Akindayomi''', *[[Redeemed Christian Church of God]] '''RCCG''' W.F. '''Kumuyi''' *[[Deeper Life Bible Church (Nigeria)|Deeper Life Bible Church]] '''DLBC''' === Post-2000 Aladura === Michael C. '''Egbo''' * Kings Apostolic Christ Evangelical Mission '''KACEM''' == Pre-1960 Aladura == ===Eternal Sacred Order of Cherubim and Seraphim=== {{main|Eternal Sacred Order of Cherubim and Seraphim}} [[Moses Orimolade Tunolase]], who was later called Baba Aladura, or Praying Father, founded the [[Eternal Sacred Order of Cherubim and Seraphim]] in 1925, also as a prayer group within the Anglican Church. Captain Christiana Abiodun's adopted daughter fell into a trance and Moses Orimolade Tunolase, who was already an itinerant evangelist and teacher, was the only one who could awaken her. By 1925 they had left the Anglican church to become independent. Their most distinctive ministry was to openly identify and challenge witches on evangelistic journeys through the countryside. These long trips were typical of Cherubim and Seraphim (as they are most commonly called) evangelists and missionaries. Today the church is one of the most popular, most attractive and most influential of the Aladura churches worldwide. ===The Apostolic Church and Christ Apostolic Church=== {{main|Christ Apostolic Church}} The first Aladura movement emerged from St. Saviour's Anglican Church, [[Ijebu-Ode]], [[Nigeria]] in 1918. The Sexton, Ali, related a dream to four church elders, J.B. Sadare, E.O. Onabanjo, D.C. Oduga and E.O.W. Olukoya. They started vigorous prayer sessions. They initiated the "Prayer Band", popularly called "Egbe Aladura". After D.O. Odubanjo joined the movement in 1919, they became influenced by the doctrines of the Faith Tabernacle of Philadelphia. They rejected [[infant baptism]] and all forms of medicine, whether western or traditional. This led to a doctrinal conflict with the [[Church of Nigeria|Anglican Church]] and they were forced out of the church. Joseph Sadare was compelled to give up his post in the Synod and others were forced to resign their jobs and to withdraw their children from the [[mission school|Anglican School]]. The Aladura movement began as a renewal movement in search of true spirituality.<ref>Abi Olowe; Great Revivals, Great Revivalist β Joseph Ayo Babalola, Omega Publishers, 2007</ref> A revival took place in 1918 during the [[Influenza epidemic of 1918|influenza pandemic]]. The group filled with the Holy Ghost claim to have used prayer to save many lives affected by the epidemic. This consolidated the prayer group. The movement grew gradually and formed branches throughout Nigeria. The name of the group went through several changes, such as Prayer Band, Precious Stone, Diamond Society, and Faith Tabernacle, in that order, until 1930. A great revival started in July 1930 by the [[Resurrection|raising of a dead body]] by Apostle [[Joseph Ayo Babalola]] at Oke-Oye in [[Ilesa]]. People traveled from neighboring cities and countries to receive healing at Ilesa. Several people were healed through the power of prayer amid evidence of the [[baptism of the Holy Spirit]]. The revival lasted about 60 days and is regarded as the greatest revival ever in Nigeria. Faith Tabernacle of Nigeria later invited the Apostolic Church of England in 1931 to form an Association that lasted until 1939. The Revival group went through additional name changes until, 24 years after its formation, it settled on the name Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in 1942. Today, CAC has spread worldwide and is the precursor of Aladura Pentecostal Churches in Nigeria. The Church established schools at all levels, including [[Joseph Ayo Babalola University]].<ref>Abi Olowe, Babalola Miracle Center, Omega Publishers 2007</ref> ===Celestial Church of Christ=== The [[Celestial Church of Christ]] (usually known as Cele) was founded in 1947 by [[Samuel Oshoffa]] in [[Porto Novo]], [[Benin]]. ==See also== {{Portal|Christianity}} *[[Celestial Church of Christ]] *[[Church of the Lord (Aladura)]] *[[Christ Apostolic Church]] *[[African Initiated Church]] ==References== {{Reflist}} {{Yoruba topics}} {{Religion topics}} [[Category:African initiated churches]] [[Category:Christianity in Nigeria]] [[Category:Pentecostalism in Africa]] [[Category:Religious organizations established in the 1920s]] [[Category:Christian new religious movements]] [[Category:1918 establishments in Nigeria]] Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. 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