Promoting Discernment in African Churches

Three major movements have shaped how Ugandan Christians understand themselves:

1) The East African Revival emphasized that we are sinners.

2) Today’s hyper-grace movement emphasizes that we are saints.

3) Some Word-Faith teachers confidently say we are gods.

Is there truth to any of these positions? 

A healthy Christian life depends on properly understanding the believer’s position before God. 

Rodgers Atwebembeire explains these movements—and brings sharp clarity from Scripture.

Many Christians are aware that the Jehovah’s Witness cult promotes heretical doctrines. But did you know that their aggressive denial of Jesus’ deity is nothing new? This teaching was first made popular in the fourth century AD by Arius of Alexandria, who claimed that “there was a time when the Son was not.” Danson Ottawa gives the biblical remedy for this deadly teaching.

The article on which this message is based was first published by The Gospel Coalition Africa.

For more insights on this topic, see

> Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Deity of Christ (YouTube)

> 4 Dangers of Jehovah’s Witnesses (downloadable tract)

In the first century there were dangerous “mockers” who caused divisions in the Body of Christ and were “worldly minded, devoid of the Spirit.” We, too, must be ready to recognize and respond to those who deny Jesus and His Gospel. Danson Ottawa of ACFAR Kenya applies Jude 17–23 to our day, giving three clear exhortations on how to respond to the challenge of false teaching and deal compassionately with those who are harmed by it.

The Book of Hebrews emphasizes the centrality and supremacy of Jesus Christ. This focus is especially important for us today as cultic errors about Christ proliferate, Rodgers Atwebembeire explains.

www.ACFAR.org

Are you prepared to detect spiritual counterfeits? Cultic churches and “fellowships” are on every university campus, promising you prosperity and supernatural power. Rodgers Atwebembeire opens the Scriptures to identify key characteristics of these spiritually dangerous groups so you can resist temptation.

Key passage: 2 Corinthians 11

Learn more at www.ACFAR.org

In light of the unfolding Shakahola horror, what should Christians know—and do—about cults? Rodgers Atwebembeire and Danson Ottawa of ACFAR give practical responses to urgent questions in this wide-ranging interview.

(Originally broadcast on KUTV-Nairobi)

Across East Africa, cult recruiters are targeting students—and young people who don’t know they’re in danger are the ones most easily trapped. How can teachers, chaplains and CU patrons equip students to recognize and resist cultic groups on campus, on social media and elsewhere? ACFAR director Rodgers Atwebembeire gives solid answers to real-life questions in this special presentation to the 2023 East Africa Christian Teachers’ Conference.

Have you heard of the “five-fold ministry”? Many Christians quote Ephesians 4:11 to claim that these five "offices" are active roles in the church today: prophets, apostles, evangelists, teachers and pastors. There’s no controversy about the last three, but what about apostles and prophets? Is God still calling people to fill these two roles, just as He did in New Testament times? Rodgers Atwebembeire explains.

For more on this topic, see also:

https://www.apologeticsindex.org/f09.html

What challenges does today’s Christian face in the area of discernment? What tools does the Bible give us to rightly distinguish between truth and error, sound doctrine and heresy? Are we actually using them—or just ignoring them at our peril? Rodgers Atwebembeire answers these and other vital questions in this live presentation.

Everywhere you look, the cross is the most popular symbol for Christianity. But have you ever wondered why? We know that Jesus died on the cross, but again—why? Was the Father unable to save Him from an unjust, painful death? Couldn’t He have found another way to forgive sinners without the murder of Jesus? Rodgers Atwebembeire guides us through these and other important questions.