2 Kings 18:26-28 and the Role of Indigenous Language in the Growth of African Independent Churches in Nigeria

Abstract

This research exposed the fact that the use of foreign language during worship in the mainline church was a setback to the churches in Africa. This gap was largely filled by the indigenous church leaders at the beginning of their advent through the instrument of indigenous language. Language is a pivotal means of self expression, in the communication of the religious message and medium of interactions in the religious context. Its relevance makes man a unique creature among others. This study attempted to reveal the successes achieved so far by the indigenous people as they Africanized the Christian worship with the instrument and use of African languages. It uncovered the use of indigenous language as the weapon with which they Africanized Christianity and took the gospel to the root of their society. How indigenous language permeated the liturgy of the indigenous churches and their operations with African cosmological views are exposed in this study. It concluded with cautions to the modern trend of using purely English language to conduct worship in new age Pentecostal churches as a way of limiting their outreaches to others in the land.