The Apostolic Reformation is
warring against the spirit of racism to unite believers of
all races and cultures.
Martin Luther King Jr. used to say that the
most segregated hour in America was 11 a.m. on Sunday. He was
referring to weekly church services that divided whites and blacks.
Decades later not much has changed.
The pain of racism is real for thousands of minorities in the
Church. As an African-American growing up in the segregated south I
experienced first hand the ugly effects of racism with its repeated
blows of mental degradation, spiritual chains of deprivation,
suppression, and humiliation. I’ve seen it in the workplace, in the
schoolyard, in the political arena, and, sadly to say, even in the
Church.
We must acknowledge that racism and prejudice exist among Christians
before we can rid ourselves of its stench. Sure, there have been
small steps toward unity since King’s day. In the 1960s, Caucasian
evangelist A. A. Allen gathered both black and white believers
together under one tent and encouraged them to give each other a
hug. This simple act of integration was uncommon and it marked a
bold stand against prejudice in the Church. Allen was looked upon as
radical and risky, but he was willing to face the spiritual
opposition head on.
Without a unified front, however, Allen’s efforts did not bring
sweeping change. The Southern Baptist Convention just a few years
ago made
headlines when its leaders renounced racism, condemned slavery and
apologized for the Church’s intolerant past. That was another step
in the right direction, but the demographics of the local church
still didn’t reflect lasting change.
Enter apostolic times. The restoration of true apostles is
bringing
multi-cultural truth to the Body of Christ and through this
reformation believers of all colors, races and nations are
encouraged to gather together to praise and worship the Lord and to
get equipped in a local church to do the work of the ministry.
Through the eyes of the apostolic, segregation is a sin and racism
is a direct attack on Gospel truth.
Racism is one of the most intense spiritual battles in the heavens.
The apostolic reformation is bringing hope for change with strong
prayer against the spirit of racism. While it’s true that only love
can conquer hatred and Church leaders need to take steps toward
unity in the natural, we cannot afford to deny the spiritual warfare
necessary to bring about a true transformation.
The apostolic anointing carries the grace (supernatural ability),
boldness, and commanding authority necessary to make an impact in
the spiritual realm that will manifest in the natural. Indeed, the
apostolic grace imparted to the Body of Christ will spiritually
equip every believer to tear down the walls of racism that divide
us. Moreover, the apostolic grace prepares us to enter a level of
prayer even for those who hate us. I’ll never forget our church’s
grand opening in 1998. It was a milestone in our ministry; a time of
celebration as we prepared to open the doors of our new facility.
Hundreds of people gathered to see the fruit of years of sown time,
money and prayers.
And then racism reared its ugly head. Our beautiful new building had
been spray painted with racist graffiti, including the “N” word, KKK,
and swastikas. Instead of fighting back in the natural, the
apostolic grace emboldened our church to unite in prayer and stand
on the mission of our con-gregation: the ministry of
reconciliation.
Through warring prayer, faith and love, what the devil meant for our
harm, God turned for the entire community’s good. The incident lead
to an overwhelming response in our region. Area pastors of all
ethnic groups demonstrated their support and the gathering spawned a
panel discussion with local and surrounding area clergy on racial
reconciliation.
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This event received extensive media coverage in our area. Several
television, radio stations and newspapers not only covered “the
morning after the grand opening graffiti incident,” but also
reported on the first racial reconciliation conference held in the
area. The apostolic exposes this type of hate for what it really is,
an effort to divide the Body of Christ. Jesus, our Chief Apostle,
said “I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail
against it” (Matthew 16:18). The spirit of racism is from hell and
it will not prevail.
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Yet, we cannot expect the world or the unsaved to do what God has
called us, his apostolic people, to do. The Word declares, “It is
now God’s intent that through his church his manifold wisdom might
be made known to the principalities and powers” (Ephesians 3:10).
Together, black, white, red, yellow – or purple with polka dots – we
can stand against the wiles of the devil.
These are apostolic times, and God is raising up bold leaders who
will release God’s power to build local churches that reflect
multi-racial, cross-cultural expressions of God’s love and unity.
Through the apostolic reformation, God is tearing down everything
that brings division among His people. He is breaking down all the
walls that separate His people from one another. It is every
Christian’s duty to reach all people and races with the Gospel of
Jesus Christ. The Apostolic Movement teaches believers how to let
God’s love dominate our motives. It teaches the Body of Christ truth
about the pride of racism. It challenges the saints to boldly
confront racism by walking in love, praying fervently and forgiving
unconditionally so that Jesus can return for a Church without spot
or wrinkle.
Bobby Davis is the founding apostle of Miracle Faith World
Outreach in Monroe, Connecticut.
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