I want to take out this great opportunity to write about this great man – Benson Idahosa. If God’s Hand was ever upon a Man [a member of the Human Race] for ministry, it was definitely upon the late Archbishop Benson Andraé Idahosa. He died (passed on into glory) on the 12th day of March, in the year 1998 – 20 years ago, short of a few weeks, today. This was a man through whom God re-defined “christianity,” not only in this country, Nigeria, but, indeed, across the world. His ministry – which spanned approximately 40 years – was probably the greatest thing that ever happened to Nigeria, in terms of CATALYSING the charismatic movement that had slowly started earlier on through the ministries of Moses Orimolade, Ayo Babalola, and, eventually that great man of the Spirit, Rev. S. G. Elton. Truth be told, Idahosa was Elton’s greatest “gift” to Pentecostalism in Nigeria. It is rather difficult to describe to today’s generation this enigma called Benson Idahosa.
Benson Idahosa was a man of miracles – he raised the dead, healed the sick, operated in unusual supernatural wonders – even multiplying construction materials at a construction site, through prayers! I personally saw him, several times, speak to elements of the weather, and they obeyed!
This is the man, in Nigeria, who gave us the Revelation of the Father-God – kingly, colourful, charismatic.
This is the man who made government authorities in Nigeria to begin to respect ‘pentecostals.’ Before Idahosa, those who prayed in tongues were generally looked down upon by the rest of the society. This is the man who brought COLOUR to the faith of Christ in Nigeria!
I celebrate him today! Benson Andraé Idahosa! One of the greatest men of the 20th Century! Benson Idahosa, the man who built his house “on top of the devil” – shaming the devil and declaring that Jesus is Lord!
Benson Idahosa! the man who “made” David Oyedepo; the man who “made” Francis Wale Oke; the man beside whom Adeboye was a “dwarf;” the man who spoke and government authorities shook! The man who spoke to the Naira (Nigerian currency) and the Naira appreciated in value; the man who was so full of God-consciousness that he said, “If you want to know what God looks like, look at me;” Benson Idahosa, the man before whom the magician Professor Peller would KNEEL DOWN to receive prayers! Benson Idahosa, the man who took the ancient, powerful Benin Kingdom by the jugular and shook them for Jesus! Benson Idahosa! the man who preached to more white men than any black man had ever done; Benson Idahosa! the man who preached to more black men than any white missionary had ever done! Benson Idahosa! the man who spoke (without praying) to the dead and the dead answered!
Benson Idahosa! the man who “fathered” an entire generation of world-shaking christian leaders from practically every continent on the planet! Benson Idahosa, the man who made people on wheel-chairs to stand up as though it was the easiest thing in the world to do! Benson Idahosa! the man who exuded LOVE like an aura from his being!
Benson Idahosa! the man who preached at his own funeral!
Benson Idahosa! Benson Idahosa! Benson Idahosa! How we LOVE you!
May God’s Mercy release unto us a generation that would take the world for Jesus the way Benson Idahosa did!
Benson Idahosa was a man of miracles – he raised the dead, healed the sick, operated in unusual supernatural wonders – even multiplying construction materials at a construction site, through prayers! I personally saw him, several times, speak to elements of the weather, and they obeyed!
This is the man, in Nigeria, who gave us the Revelation of the Father-God – kingly, colourful, charismatic.
This is the man who made government authorities in Nigeria to begin to respect ‘pentecostals.’ Before Idahosa, those who prayed in tongues were generally looked down upon by the rest of the society. This is the man who brought COLOUR to the faith of Christ in Nigeria!
I celebrate him today! Benson Andraé Idahosa! One of the greatest men of the 20th Century! Benson Idahosa, the man who built his house “on top of the devil” – shaming the devil and declaring that Jesus is Lord!
Benson Idahosa! the man who “made” David Oyedepo; the man who “made” Francis Wale Oke; the man beside whom Adeboye was a “dwarf;” the man who spoke and government authorities shook! The man who spoke to the Naira (Nigerian currency) and the Naira appreciated in value; the man who was so full of God-consciousness that he said, “If you want to know what God looks like, look at me;” Benson Idahosa, the man before whom the magician Professor Peller would KNEEL DOWN to receive prayers! Benson Idahosa, the man who took the ancient, powerful Benin Kingdom by the jugular and shook them for Jesus! Benson Idahosa! the man who preached to more white men than any black man had ever done; Benson Idahosa! the man who preached to more black men than any white missionary had ever done! Benson Idahosa! the man who spoke (without praying) to the dead and the dead answered!
Benson Idahosa! the man who “fathered” an entire generation of world-shaking christian leaders from practically every continent on the planet! Benson Idahosa, the man who made people on wheel-chairs to stand up as though it was the easiest thing in the world to do! Benson Idahosa! the man who exuded LOVE like an aura from his being!
Benson Idahosa! the man who preached at his own funeral!
Benson Idahosa! Benson Idahosa! Benson Idahosa! How we LOVE you!
May God’s Mercy release unto us a generation that would take the world for Jesus the way Benson Idahosa did!
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