THE NDOLA RESURRECTION

Five Reasons why it is Deception of the uppermost level.

A young lady in the city of Ndola has resurrected from the dead!

It’s close to two weeks now since the city of Ndola was infested with some unpalatable supernatural entertainment of a resurrection. Though not adequately substantiated, what started out as a rumor to many of us in far towns eventually turned out to be some sort of “truth” to the Ndola community. Subsequent to the escalation of the story, the Zambia Police department (ZP) swung into action to carry out necessary forensic investigation. The last I read from one local newspaper the bishop/apostle behind the exploit has since been detained so as to protect his endangered life.

I was made aware of the “resurrection” by one local radio station here in Lusaka. Sadly, though, the manner with which they handled such a grave matter was so disappointing that I was incited to seek for more information from other media sources.

Nonetheless, the story goes, that a known (wont be named in this article) young lady who died close to 2 years ago had come back to life. At the mighty power of a Ndola city miracle worker the ‘tombstone rolled away and she triumphantly walked out of her grave having defeated death’. She has since appeared before many in her physical body. All the doubting Thomas, if they so wish, can visit Ndola to satisfy their curiosity. Her grave was also visited and found “empty” yet the police managed to collect necessary samples for their investigation.

The resurrected lady’s family has since identified and claimed her. Ironically, a second family has also come to light claiming she is in fact their once upon a time reported missing person. If only the young lady could clearly speak for herself much dust could have been settled by now. However, it is reported that she is incapacitated by various limitations. Deadlock! Am reminded, in the Bible, of Lazarus, the young girls and young men brought to life by Jesus Christ and the Apostles how they made it easier for their communities to agree with their resurrections. Something fishy is going on in Ndola.

Conversely, to the joy and comfort of many Zambians, the ZP has heightened their vigorous forensic investigation; DNA testing being the major work at the moment. Praise the Lord for ZP who do not tolerate “hear say” and the “claim-it-spirituality” that flies around by day and night in this country.

Now, whether the Ndola resurrection is true or not, a lot of Zambians, particularly the close family members and friends have been affected. Therefore, the question; “Should we believe this resurrection as authentic, and thus look forward to more of such in our time?” This question beacons a pastoral response. So, here are Five reasons why I beseech you not to believe the Ndola resurrection. Rather, consider it as deception:

1. A True and Authentic Resurrection will only be at the Coming of the Lord. 

Friends, the Bible is very clear on this matter. Paul taught the wondering saints of Thessalonica that “For the Lord himself [Jesus Christ] will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore, encourage one another with these words (1Thesselonians 4:16-18 ESV).

2. Only the Lord Jesus Christ can and will bring a Resurrection of the dead.  

Too many deceivers (so called men of god) in Zambia claim to have brought people to life or at least have the power to raise the dead. Don’t believe them! Not one has ever demonstrated an authentic resurrection. All of them are deceivers! Bringing life to a dead person, later on one who was buried for almost two years is totally impossible. Only Jesus Christ can resurrect a person. Jesus said “… I have the keys of Death and Hades (Revelations 1:18 ESV)”. Paul taught that “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ (1 Corinthians 15: 22-23 ESV).”

3. A True and Authentic Resurrection of the Dead is not a Small Phenomena.  

Don’t expect it to happen vaguely. The resurrection of the dead will happen at once for all the dead at the end of ages. It will be one of the greatest wonders that earth has ever experienced. In fact, concerning the dead Jesus admonished that “Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.  (John 5:28-29 ESV).

4. A True and Authentic Resurrection is Scientific and Theological.

In light of the aforesaid biblical Truth, do not be disturbed by these spiritual claims. There are simple and straight forward ways of determining the authenticity of anything. The resurrection is no exception. In this case let us lovingly subject the person in question to the necessary scientific and theological methods of verification. If she fulfills the odds rejoice in Lord. Here are a few questions we must answer:

• Is her grave totally empty? Meaning every material element that composed her body has been recomposed into her. Not a single bone should be left behind.
• Has the DNA test pointed her back to the family?
• Can she relate with her past life by recognizing her family, friends, schoolmates and the environment around? If it is truly the work of God she should be the one to first recognize all this and not the other way round.

5. The Ndola Resurrection is just another 21^st Century False Prophet’s Deception.

Just like any other false prophet’s spiritual acrobat in Africa, the Ndola resurrection is neither different nor any glorious. A pure hoax. It will leave its passionate followers frustrated with no answers and their faith to blamed.

Every human being is a theologian; you either believe or deny the existence of the God of the Bible. Therefore, your theology should resolve your conclusion on the Ndola resurrection. If yours is the Christian theology (this is the theology of this article) you should easily perceive it as deception. But if you hold to the theology of African tradition, religion & black magic then you have a lot to wrestle with; good luck!

Let me end with my convictions. First, I am convinced, in the strongest terms that the Ndola resurrection did not take place. Necessary and vigorous investigations by the Zambia Police is urgent. If the young lady belongs to the first family, we need to know whose child did they initially bury two years ago. And if she’s the second family’s, again, we need to know how and why she was found in the hands of the man of god and for how long? Second, whichever side of the coin one takes, there’s no biblical warrant for the bishop/apostle behind this acrobat of a wonder to be freed. He has proven that he is a worker of spiritual maladies of fairytales; a well trained prevaricator of charlatanic theology. For the sake of poor, innocent and vulnerable Zambians who are genuinely seeking for the Truth, this imposter must be arrested, charged, imprisoned and his ministry brought to an end.

And so, the Ndola Resurrection is deception of the uppermost level, a well-defined conformation of 1 Timothy 3:13 (“…evil people and imposters will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived”).

 

SACRIFICE FOR ONE ANOTHER’S SAKE

It seems like everybody in the church is very busy. Busy to the point that it is near impossible to check on or spur one another. We are all so diligent about how to make ends meet; business, the corporate ladder, school, sport, health and the list just goes on. Exceptionally, there is always a few who are busy about the spiritual needs of others. Those with whom it is expected (elders, deacons, and ministry leaders) even though they are busy as well. However, though we are all engrossed in the maze of life, we should still be engaged in the life of other believers if we chose to sacrifice something for their sake. Deliberately working on “how to stir up one another to love and good works,” (Heb 10:24). And by so doing fulfill Ephesians 4:3 (Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace).

Currently, I have been reading The Compelling Community by Mark Dever and Jamie Dunlop (a recent add-on to the 9Mark series). Thanks Chopo Mwanza for this timely gift. The writers demonstrate the unity in diversity that must exist in the community of the church which is a great display of the power of God at work. 

As the book title suggests, it has really compelled me to revisit my view and participation in the life of my local church community and that of other individual believers. I have been refreshed to be an encouragement in the spirit of Hebrews 12:12-13 “Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed”.

There are so many nuggets to gather from The Compelling Community which I would love to share with you but space does not allow. Nonetheless, here are four things that Jamie Dunlop has tabulated in the forth chapter. These four are so inviting to a life of sacrifice for one another’s sake in the body of Christ. The writer calls them sacrifices that help foster unity in diversity. I believe, if we Christians can be just a little more sacrificial with our busy lives much good, blessings and joy would fill the church community today.

We can sacrifice our comfort for one another’s sake:

If we are to reach out and associate with someone whom we’re not naturally drawn to we must be willing to sacrifice our comfort. For example, whenever you see two different people you might talk to after a church service, make sure that at least half the time you walk up to the one you’re less comfortable with.

We can sacrifice our preferences for one another’s sake: 

At times we destroy each other, especially the weaker, by making an issue on our preferences over others’. What kind of food we eat at the fellowship event; which songs we wish the church sang more often, our better dispositions etc. At times we even insist on How other people should conduct themselves in our likeness. Rom12:10 “Love one another with brotherly affection.” This means we focus more on other’s needs than self.

We can sacrifice our resources and our time: 

If we are to serve fellow church members in need, even when society would deem their time less valuable than ours we must still make effort to sacrifice our resources and time.  1 John 3:18 “Let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” For example, what a great blessing it would be to see a busy CEO of some corporation (a member the church) spending time with a simple garden-boy (member of the same local church) who needs to hear the same advice for the third time around.

We can sacrifice our habits: 

If we are to spend time with those with whom we’d otherwise never see we need to sacrifice some habits. Habits such as a structured day week or month. Meaning, if you’re someone who always plans your schedule two months out, spontaneously go to lunch after church with someone who’s different from you. Slot into your schedule time for other believers. Deny yourself a sporting schedule and meet up with a brother on their terms.

So, the next time you are called upon to participate in the life of another believer despite of how busy you are, make every effort to be an encouragement by sacrificing something in your life for the sake of the Lord’s glory in the church family. Therefore, busy or not the church community really matters and certainly needs you and I. All we need to do is simply sacrifice for the sake of one another.