Apostle Babalola

APOSTLE JOSEPH BABALOLA

Apostle Joseph Babalola was one of the progenitors of the early revival fire that swept through Nigeria in the early 1930's and 40's. Those who knew the man said he was on fire for God. There was not so much noise and razzmatazz. With his bell in his hand and a mismatched 'babariga' and 'sokoto' and a pair of sandal standing on a make-shift pulpit, the anointed servant of God strode through this world like a blazing comet. He didn't need to scream and shout yet he was anointed to the teeth. His simplicity and humility is simply enchanting.

    He was a terror to the kingdom of hell. He put many herbalist out of business and expelled demons who had the forest as their place of domain. Times without number it was reported that they brought the invalid to his meetings and lay them right in front of the alter where he ministered and without getting distracted from his message, the sick will get up and walk from where they have been kept.

    He turned the mountains to his Prayer gym and on one occasion, it was said while he was praying, a snake crawled over him and never cared only to get up after prayers to discover the python lying dead by his side. His sweat dropped on the reptile it dried up. I remember my boss telling me this because his father, Pa Ibitoye of Sosan, Akoko was among his lieutenants.

   The life and time of Apostle Babalola is a challenge to Christians of these days. Someone said and I quote:

"His life is a reprimand to many of us. God is seeking for men who He can invest His unction to trigger another flame of revival in this depraved world. Thank God for the world in which we live in and praise Him for the advancement of technology but this will never take the place of prayer and the Holy Spirit."

As said by John Wesley; "set me on fire Lord and cause the world to come watch me burn." This should be the prayer of believers.