Jesus said that his good news should spread to all parts of the world. This definitely includes Africa. However, it must not be mistaken that Africa is just a recipient of the news. There is a dominant and pivotal African presence in the bible, both the new and old testament. Here are some of the incidences worth noting.
The Garden of Eden in the New Testament is the genesis of humanity. This is where man was placed upon creation. Genesis places the location of this garden as somewhere in the middle of a system of four rivers. The rivers mentioned are Asshur, Havilah and Cush. These rivers are found in present day Ethiopia. Considering that remains of the earliest man have been found in Ethiopia, there is likelihood that this was the Garden of Eden.
Biblical patriarchs are shown to have married or sired children with women of African descent. This afforded credence to the central place of Africans in biblical history. Sarah allowed Abraham to have a child with Hagar when her womb was barren. It signifies an element of rescue. Hagar was a Hermitic slave. This leaves Africans occupying a special place in the history of salvation.
Psalms also mentions two African nations of Egypt and Ethiopia. Egypt is said to be the bearer of a prince while Ethiopia will turn to the Lord. The book of Psalms was written way before Jesus was born. This is a prediction of Jesus running to Egypt to escape the wrath of Herod. As for Ethiopia, it is the recognition that the wise men gave to Jesus that signifies the turning to God. One of these men is said to have come from Ethiopia.
Egypt is mentioned extensively in both the old and new testaments, albeit as an oppressor. This is where Joseph ended up after being sold by his brothers. His brothers find him there while searching for food during a major drought. It took Moses and the 7 calamities to rescue Israelis. In fact, an oppressive state is still referred to as being in Egyptian bondage.
The New Testament introduces Africa through the flight of Mary and Joseph when Herod wanted to kill them. It is the angel of God who instructed them to run. The death of Jesus would have spelt doom to salvation. It is Africa that gave refuge to the Son of God.
On the journey to Calvary, a passerby by the name Simon of Cyrene is forced to carry the cross of Jesus. History has it that Cyrene was a colony of Rome in Africa, alongside Alexandria. It was a source of high quality oil, corn and wool. Its people were also renowned long distance traders and runners. This makes Simon of Cyrene an African who does the last act of mercy on Jesus before his death. This is a significant lesson to learn.
The disciples of Jesus were ordered to preach throughout the world. There is evidence in Acts 13, 1-2 that they went all the way to Africa. In fact, Simon in the chapter is referred to as the Black One. This makes it impossible to separate Africans from the biblical story of salvation. Their presence is very secure.
The Garden of Eden in the New Testament is the genesis of humanity. This is where man was placed upon creation. Genesis places the location of this garden as somewhere in the middle of a system of four rivers. The rivers mentioned are Asshur, Havilah and Cush. These rivers are found in present day Ethiopia. Considering that remains of the earliest man have been found in Ethiopia, there is likelihood that this was the Garden of Eden.
Biblical patriarchs are shown to have married or sired children with women of African descent. This afforded credence to the central place of Africans in biblical history. Sarah allowed Abraham to have a child with Hagar when her womb was barren. It signifies an element of rescue. Hagar was a Hermitic slave. This leaves Africans occupying a special place in the history of salvation.
Psalms also mentions two African nations of Egypt and Ethiopia. Egypt is said to be the bearer of a prince while Ethiopia will turn to the Lord. The book of Psalms was written way before Jesus was born. This is a prediction of Jesus running to Egypt to escape the wrath of Herod. As for Ethiopia, it is the recognition that the wise men gave to Jesus that signifies the turning to God. One of these men is said to have come from Ethiopia.
Egypt is mentioned extensively in both the old and new testaments, albeit as an oppressor. This is where Joseph ended up after being sold by his brothers. His brothers find him there while searching for food during a major drought. It took Moses and the 7 calamities to rescue Israelis. In fact, an oppressive state is still referred to as being in Egyptian bondage.
The New Testament introduces Africa through the flight of Mary and Joseph when Herod wanted to kill them. It is the angel of God who instructed them to run. The death of Jesus would have spelt doom to salvation. It is Africa that gave refuge to the Son of God.
On the journey to Calvary, a passerby by the name Simon of Cyrene is forced to carry the cross of Jesus. History has it that Cyrene was a colony of Rome in Africa, alongside Alexandria. It was a source of high quality oil, corn and wool. Its people were also renowned long distance traders and runners. This makes Simon of Cyrene an African who does the last act of mercy on Jesus before his death. This is a significant lesson to learn.
The disciples of Jesus were ordered to preach throughout the world. There is evidence in Acts 13, 1-2 that they went all the way to Africa. In fact, Simon in the chapter is referred to as the Black One. This makes it impossible to separate Africans from the biblical story of salvation. Their presence is very secure.
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