How Ayo Babalola Was Imprisoned by the Nigerian Colonial Government

 

Joseph Ayo Babalola was one of the greatest healing revivalists raised by God in Africa. He was born on April 25, 1904, in present-day Kwara State and was raised as an Anglican. He attended elementary school in Lagos.

Divine Calling and Supernatural Encounter

Babalola had no prior ministerial experience when God called him, except that he was the son of an Anglican priest. At just 24 years old, he was working as a motor mechanic and steamroller driver for the Public Works Department, which was then under British control.

While working on the Igbara-Oke road construction project in 1928, his steamroller suddenly stopped working. For an entire week, he could neither fix the machine nor determine what was wrong with it.

Then, on October 9, while making futile attempts to repair the roller, a voice, as audible as the roar of thunder, called him into divine service. This encounter was followed by seven days of fasting and prayer in a secluded place, after which he emerged with extraordinary power.

Early Miracles and Prophetic Acts

Following his spiritual encounter, Babalola demonstrated the power of God through miraculous healings and prophetic actions. He:

• Healed a boy who was dumb.
• Delivered a woman who had been pregnant for four years by giving her a cup of sanctified water to drink.
• Prophesied and dethroned a local king who opposed the gospel message.

Joining the Faith Tabernacle Congregation

In 1929, Ayo Babalola joined the Faith Tabernacle Congregation, a local mission church with headquarters in the United States.

In July 1930, his fame spread widely when he raised a dead boy back to life after praying and ringing his bell three times over the child's body. News of this miracle quickly spread, drawing large crowds and setting the stage for a great revival.

The Oke-Oye Revival: A Move of God

This miraculous resurrection led to the Oke-Oye Revival, a historic movement marked by unprecedented signs and wonders:

• The dumb began to speak.
• The mentally ill were restored to sanity.
• Thousands of Muslims and idol worshippers converted to Christianity.

Within five days, over a million people had gathered at the revival grounds, seeking healing and salvation.

Expansion of the Revival and Persecution

The Oke-Oye Revival did not remain confined to one location. It spread to:

• Ibadan
• Ilesha
• Efon Alaaye
• Ghana

However, this rapid expansion triggered severe trials and persecution for the Faith Tabernacle Congregation. The colonial government, fearing the growing influence of the movement, fabricated false allegations against Babalola and his followers.

Babalola’s Arrest and the Church's Struggles

The government labeled the revival as a lawless movement and arrested Babalola, sentencing him to six months in prison.

Leaders of the Faith Tabernacle faced severe victimization and harassment:

• Their place of worship was locked.
• Services were banned.
• Some leaders were detained and later tried for offenses such as disturbing public peace with vigil prayers and discouraging the use of modern medicine.

Separation from the American Faith Tabernacle

In their distress, the Faith Tabernacle in Nigeria reached out to their American counterparts for help, but their plea was rejected. The American leaders claimed that "it was against their practice to go to other countries for the work of the gospel unless through Christian literature."

Additionally, the two branches held conflicting theological views:

• The American Faith Tabernacle believed that speaking in tongues was demonic.
• The Nigerian Faith Tabernacle believed in speaking in tongues as a gift of the Holy Spirit.

As a result, the Faith Tabernacle in Nigeria disaffiliated from their American counterpart.

Alliance with The Apostolic Church in Great Britain

Shortly afterward, the leaders of the Faith Tabernacle learned about The Apostolic Church Mission in Great Britain, which shared similar beliefs regarding the workings of the Holy Spirit. They quickly reached out for assistance.

Their request was met with an instant response. In September 1931, the Apostolic Church Mission in Great Britain sent three delegates to Nigeria:

• Pastor D.P. Williams
• Pastor A. Turnbull
• W.J. Williams

These delegates negotiated with the colonial government, leading to Babalola’s release after six months in detention.

Birth of The Apostolic Church (TAC)

Following these events, the Faith Tabernacle in Nigeria underwent restructuring. In 1931, a new denomination—The Apostolic Church (TAC)—was officially established.

This marked a new era of Pentecostal Christianity in Nigeria, with Babalola at the forefront as a great apostolic leader.

Thank you for reading. God bless you.