Redefining Contemporary African Pentecostalism: Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) in Sociological Retrospect
Main Article Content
Abstract
Nigeria's religious landscape has been significantly altered by contemporary African Pentecostalism, especially in relation to the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion). With an emphasis on theological, doctrinal, and structural shifts within the Nigerian Christian environment, this study critically investigates the relationship between Pentecostalism and Anglicanism. Anglican liturgy, leadership styles, and theological viewpoints have all been impacted by Pentecostalism, which is distinguished by its emphasis on the Holy Spirit, healing, miracles, and charismatic worship. The study investigates the influence of religious convergence in Nigeria using a qualitative research methodology that includes participant observation, interviews, and historical interpretation. It examined documents, interviewed 30 clergy, 25 pastors, and 400 church members, and observed worship styles, liturgical adaptations and theological discourse in 15 Anglican and Pentecostal churches to better understand their views on doctrinal revisions and worship customs. The research draws attention to the theological tensions between Pentecostal beliefs and Anglican orthodoxy, specifically with regard to spiritual warfare, commercialised miracles, and prosperity gospel theology. Pentecostalism has added modern music, lively singing, and interactive services to Anglican worship, but it has also sparked worries about the loss of traditional Anglican identity and theological purity in Nigeria. Pentecostal congregations in Nigeria have also been impacted by Anglicanism's theological instruction, liturgical traditions, and organised leadership, which has resulted in deeper doctrine, more organisation, the adoption of clerical vestments, and formal leadership structures. The paper contends that while Pentecostalism has revived Nigerian Christianity, unregulated theological revisions and consumerism offer serious concerns. The research promotes a balanced approach, emphasising theological depth, ethical leadership, and a Christ-centred religion that values both Anglican traditions and Pentecostal dynamism. Nigerian Christianity may handle these changes by promoting interdenominational discussion and theological clarity.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
David Oluwabukunmi Ogunbiyi, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria.
Department of Religious Studies and Philosophy.
Prof. Babatunde Aderemi Adedibu, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria.
Department of Religious Studies and Philosophy.
Adediran, O., & Ayantoye, D. (2024, November 8). Pastor Adeboye’s apology reignites tithing debate. Punch. https://punchng.com/pastor-adeboyes-apology-reignites-tithing-debate/
Ademiluka, O. S. (2023). Assessing the quest for miracles in Nigeria from the economic perspective. Theologia Viatorum, 47(1). DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/tv.v47i1.179
Adesanwo, R. E. (2018). Socio-medio-ethical periscope of fasting and prayer in healing syndrome in Christian faith. Religions’ Educator: Journal of the National Association for the Study of Religions and Education (NASRED), 17(1).
Adesanya, I. O. (2019). African Pentecostalism: Means to salvation or prosperity. In African Pentecostalism (Series 1). Crowther Theological Publishers.
Ajayi, J. B. (2007). Evaluation of leadership style of Primate Adetiloye and its effects on Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) (Master’s dissertation, University of Ibadan). Unpublished.
Anderson, A. (2000). Evangelism and the growth of Pentecostalism in Africa. University of Birmingham Press.
Anderson, A. (2010). Varieties, taxonomies, and definitions. In A. Anderson, M. Bergunder, A. Droogers, & C. van der Laan (Eds.), Studying global Pentecostalism: Theories and methods (pp. 13–34). University of California Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1525/california/9780520266612.003.0002
Anderson, A. (Ed.). (1992). What evangelicals believe. Crossway Books.
Anderson, A. H. (2001). African reformation: African initiated Christianity in the 20th century. Africa World Press.
Anderson, A. H. (2019). Contextualisation and syncretism in African Pentecostalism. In S. A. Fatokun, S. O. Abogunrin, & D. O. Ogungbile (Eds.), African Christianity in local and global contexts: A festschrift in honour of Rev. Professor Isaac Deji Ayegboyin @70 (Vol. 7). Department of Religious Studies, University of Ibadan.
Anderson, J. N. D. (1970). Christianity and comparative religion. InterVarsity Press.
Asamoah-Gyadu, J. K. (2005). African charismatics: A study of independent indigenous Pentecostal movements in Ghana. E. J. Brill. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789047406303
Ayegboyin, D., & Ishola, A. S. (2013). African indigenous churches: A historical perspective. Africa Christian Textbooks.
Ayegboyin, D., & Ishola, S. A. (1997). African indigenous churches. Creator Heights Publications.
Bankole, T. M. (2014). The growth of Pentecostal churches in Ekitiland: 1970–2000. Paper presented at the Nigerian Pentecostal and Charismatic Conference, Divine Love Retreat and Conference Centre.
Barba, L. D. (2024, October 22). What is Pentecostal Christianity? The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/what-is-pentecostal-christianity-185372
Benjamin, C. D. D., & Nche, G. C. (2013). Anglican Church and the development of Pentecostalism in Igboland. Journal of Educational and Social Research, 3(10).
Black, J. (2024). 40 questions about Pentecostalism. Kregel Academic.
Boring, M. E. (1997). Disciples and the Bible. Chalice Press.
Burgess, S. M. (2011). Christian peoples of the Spirit: A documentary history of Pentecostal spirituality from the early Church to the present. New York University Press.
Chan, S. (2005). Whither Pentecostalism. In A. Anderson & E. Tang (Eds.), Asian and Pentecostal: The charismatic face of Christianity in Asia (pp. xx–xx). Regnum.
Corten, A., & Marshall, R. (2001). Between Babel and Pentecost. Indiana University Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2979/1208.0
Cox, H. (1996). Fire from heaven: The rise of Pentecostal spirituality and the reshaping of religion in the twenty-first century. Addison Wesley.
Dairo, A. O. (2019). African Pentecostalism: The first book series. In African Pentecostalism (Series 1). Crowther Theological Publishers.
Danfulani, U. H. D. (2019). Religion, politics and integrity: A discourse about fostering political participation by the church in Nigeria. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the National Association for Christian Studies (NACS), DRACC Conference Centre, AMAC/ACO Estate, New Lugbe, Abuja, Nigeria.
Daniels, B. (2024, November 2). RCCG pegs retirement age for pastors at 70, makes leadership changes. TheCable. https://www.thecable.ng/rccg-pegs-retirement-age-for-pastors-at-70-makes-leadership-changes/
Daniels, B. (2024, September 29). RCCG partners with the Anglican Church. TheCable. https://www.thecable.ng/rccg-partners-anglican-church/
Dzurgba, A. (2021). Fundamentals of Christian theology. John Archers (Publishers) Ltd.
Echeta, U. F. (2019). False prophecy, the bane of Nigerian Pentecostalism. In African Pentecostalism (Series 1). Crowther Theological Publishers.
Falk, P. (2015). The growth of the Church in Africa. Africa Christian Textbooks (ACTS).
Fatokun, A. S. (2006). A critique of prayers in African Pentecostalism. Peace Studies and Practice: A Journal of the Society for Peace, 1(1).
Fatokun, A. S. (2019). “Come out from among them and be thou separate”: A critique of socio-ethical codes in the classical Pentecostal churches in Africa with The Apostolic Church Nigeria as a case study. In African Pentecostalism (Series 1). Crowther Theological Publishers.
Freston, P. (2001). Evangelicals and politics in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Cambridge University Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511487705
Hunter-Urban, C. (2019). Be healed: Secrets to divine healing in the model of Jesus. Destiny Image Publishers, Inc.
Ikem, A. P., Ogbonna, C. N., & Ogunnubi, O. (2020). Pentecostalism, electoral prophetism and national security challenges in Nigeria. African Security, 13(1), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1080/19392206.2020.1729395 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/19392206.2020.1731111
Iluno, N. (2019). Prosperity theology in African Pentecostalism: Nigeria in retrospect. In African Pentecostalism (Series 1). Crowther Theological Publishers.
Imasuen, P. O. J., & Atowoju, A. A. (2009). Christian worship & pastoral ministry. Daystar Press.
Jones, W. D. (2024, September 4). 5 errors of the prosperity gospel. The Gospel Coalition. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/5-errors-of-the-prosperity-gospel/
Kalu, O. (2008). African Pentecostalism: An introduction. Oxford University Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195340006.001.0001
Kore, D. (2013). Truths for healthy churches. Africa Christian Textbooks (ACTS).
Kuponu, S. I. (2015). Pentecostalism and media: A reflection on space contestation on the internet. International Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Reviews, 5(1), 140–147.
Lum, K. G., & Harvey, P. (Eds.). (2018). The Oxford handbook of religion and race in American history. Oxford University Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190221171.001.0001
Lytton, R. (2024, October 22). What is Pentecostalism? Its origin, groups & 7 key elements. Logos Blog. https://www.logos.com/grow/what-is-pentecostalism/
Maiden, J. (2017). Renewing the Body of Christ: Sharing of Ministries Abroad (SOMA) USA and transnational charismatic Anglicanism. Journal of American Studies, 51(4), 1191–1216. https://doi.org/10.1017/S002187581600141X DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0021875816001444
Mandryk, J. (2010). Operation World (7th ed.). Biblical Publishing.
Marshall, R. (1993). Pentecostalism in Southern Nigeria. In P. Gifford (Ed.), New dimensions in African Christianity (pp. 7–32). Sefer.
Matthewes-Green, F. (2007). The lost gospel of Mary: The mother of Jesus in three ancient texts. Paraclete Press.
Maxey, S. G., & Ozodo, P. (2017). The seduction of the Nigerian church. West Africa Theological Seminary Publisher.
McKinnon, A. (2020). Demography of Anglicans in Sub-Saharan Africa. Journal of Anglican Studies, 18(1), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1740355320000015 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1740355320000170
McKinnon, A. (2021). Growth of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion). Journal of Empirical Theology, 34(2), 188–200. https://doi.org/10.1163/15709256-12341421 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/15709256-12341421
Menzies, R. P. (2013). Pentecost: This is our story. Gospel Publishing House.
Menzies, R. P. (2020). Christ-centered: The evangelical heritage of Pentecostal theology. Cascade Press.
Moon, D. (2024, October 31). Pentecostalism in African Christianity. Lausanne Global Analysis. https://lausanne.org/global-analysis/pentecostalism-in-african-christianity
Muñoz, D. (2016). North to South: A reappraisal of Anglican Communion membership figures. Journal of Anglican Studies, 14(1), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1740355315000024 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1740355315000212
Ngbea, G. (2012). Influences of Pentecostalism on the mainline churches in Nigeria. Archives of Business Research, 3(3), 108–117.
Ogunbade, O. A. (2020). Proliferation of churches in Nigeria: Causes, impacts and likely solutions. Journal of African Studies and Development, 12(3), 79–88. https://doi.org/10.5897/JASD2020.0560 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5897/JASD2016.0418
Ogunbiyi, D. O. (2025). Socio-exegetical interpretation of 1 Kings 17:13b within the context of Nigerian economic vulnerability and clerical authority. Kwaghe International Journal of Arts, Humanities and Religious Studies, 2(2), 61–84. https://doi.org/10.58578/KIJAHRS.v2i2.6354 DOI: https://doi.org/10.58578/kijahrs.v2i2.6354
Ogunbiyi, D. O., & Oyebanji, I. T. (2024). Sociological effects of artificial intelligence on theological students. Corpus Intellectual: College of Postgraduate Studies, 4(3), 45–59.
Ogunbiyi, D. O., Adeyemo, A. A., & Olajugbagbe, O. M. (2025). Ethical concerns of depression among youths. African Journal of Religious and Theological Studies, 3(1), 65–84. https://doi.org/10.62154/ajrts.2025.03.010687 DOI: https://doi.org/10.62154/ajrts.2025.03.010687
Ogunbiyi, D. O., Adeyemo, A. A., Olajugbagbe, O. M., & Oyebanji, I. T. (2025). Polygamy and its implications on Christianity. MAHABBAH: Journal Religion and Education, 6(1), 45–69. . https://e-journal.mahabbah.org/index.php/mjre/article/view/111/0
Ogunbiyi, D. O., Oyebanji, I. T., & Olajugbagbe, O. M. (2025). Youth restiveness and Christianity in Mushin. African Journal of Religious and Theological Studies, 3(1), 15–34. https://doi.org/10.62154/ajrts.2025.03.010618 DOI: https://doi.org/10.62154/ajrts.2025.03.010618
Ogunewu, M. A. (2022). Reflecting on tendencies in Nigerian Pentecostalism. African Theological Journal for Church and Society, 3(1), 1–29.
Ogunlusi, C. T. (2019). Pentecostalism in Nigeria: Bane or blessing. In African Pentecostalism (Series 1). Crowther Theological Publishers.
Ojo, Y. M., & Bankole, M. T. (2019). Demographic expansion and cultural globalisation. In African Pentecostalism (Series 1). Crowther Theological Publishers.
Olademo, O. (2009). Women, Pentecostalism and public life in Nigeria. Orita: Ibadan Journal of Religious Studies, 41, 56–68.
Oluniyi, O. O. (2017). Reconciliation in Northern Nigeria: The space for public apology. Frontier Press.
Onah, N. G., & Agbo, R. S. (2021). Church proliferation and immorality in Nigeria. HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies, 77(1), Article a6347. https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v77i1.6347 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v77i1.6387
Osijonwo, J. O. (2019). Pentecostalism and the Anglican Church Nigeria. In African Pentecostalism (Series 1). Crowther Theological Publishers.
Richie, T. (2020). An evangelical/Pentecostal approach to interfaith education. In J. Braybrooke & D. Cheetham (Eds.), Critical perspectives on interreligious education (pp. xx–xx). Brill. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004420045_011 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004420045_011
Schwarz, J. (2004). A handbook of the Christian faith. Bethany House.
Smith, E. D. (2009). The idealization of Christian origins. In M. J. Imbler (Ed.), A passion for Christian unity (pp. 45–60). Chalice Press.
Ugwuewo, C. S., & Ike, C. (2023). Exerting influence of Pentecostalism on the mainline churches. International Journal of Education and Art, 1(4), 92–105.
Ukachi, A. (2013). Pentecostal and Charismatic renewals in Nigeria 1914–1990s. Summit Press.
Vondey, W. (2017). Healed: Manifesting signs and wonders. In Pentecostal theology: Living the full gospel. T&T Clark. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5040/9780567677839
Whelan, C. (2007). Shifting paradigms and mediating media. Nova Religio, 10(3), 52–67. https://doi.org/10.1525/nr.2007.10.3.52 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1525/nr.2007.10.3.54
Wobodo, J. J. (2020). The church utility of ITCS in Nigeria amid COVID-19. Sapientia Global Journal of Arts, Humanities and Development Studies, 3(3), 45–55.
Woodhead, L. (2004). Christianity. Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/actrade/9780192803221.001.0001
Zink, J. (2012). ‘Anglocostalism’ in Nigeria. Journal of Anglican Studies, 10(2), 231–250. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1740355312000125 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1740355312000125
Article Sidebar
