John 4:7–26; Acts 15:1–12; 1 Corinthians 3:11
Introduction
Many African Christians live between two worlds. They cherish Christ as Lord, yet often struggle with questions of culture, identity, belonging, and heritage. Some have been taught that becoming a Christian requires abandoning everything African. Missionaries to Africa changed the names of their African converts to what they named "Christian names." Even African traditional musical instruments were considered heathen. These and more have lingered till this day as we wrestle with how to honour our cultural heritage without compromising the Christian faith.
Scriptures offer a liberating truth that Christ does not call us to cultural homelessness. Rather, He invites every people, tribe, and nation to worship God authentically through the redeeming power of the gospel. The Bible teaches that God created all nations from one humanity to inhabit the earth. Rather than a mistake, the diversity of languages, lands, and cultures is part of God's deliberate design to help humanity seek Him (Acts 17:26). As we celebrate our heritage, we affirm that the foundation has already been laid, Jesus Christ, and upon that foundation we can build faithful Christian lives within our redeemed cultural contexts.
Three key points for consideration.
1. Worship Beyond Cultural Barriers
Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman was revolutionary. Even though Jews and Samaritans are from the same heritage stock, Jacob (Israel), they were still divided by history, tribe, ethnicity, and religious tradition. The woman in John 4:20 raised the question of the proper place of worship, referring to "this mountain," Mount Gerizim or Jerusalem (Deut. 11:29).
Christ Jesus redirected the conversation on worship from location to relationship, saying, “True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth” (John 4.23). Jesus then adds that, "for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks."
Child of God, Jesus was not abolishing culture, meanwhile, He was transcending cultural exclusivism. Worship would no longer be confined to one ethnic tradition or a sacred geographical location. This is to say that, through Christ, all peoples are invited into genuine fellowship with God.
For African Christians, including those in the diaspora, this means one need not worship as a European, American, or any other cultural model to be authentically Christian. African languages, music, storytelling, communal values, hospitality, respect for elders, and celebration can become vessels for worship when submitted to Christ.
As Psalm 96:3 puts it, "Declare His glory among the nations, his marvellous deeds among all peoples."
Different colours do not define our Christian worship, but it is our relationship with God in truth and spirit that matters.
2. The Gospel Frees Believers from Cultural Domination
Acts 15 addresses one of the earliest crises in church history. Some Jewish believers insisted that Gentile converts must adopt Jewish cultural customs to be fully accepted by God.
Peter firmly rejected this requirement. God had already given the Holy Spirit to the Gentiles without imposing Jewish cultural identity upon them. Salvation came through grace, not cultural conformity.
The Jerusalem Council established a principle that remains vital today. No culture has a monopoly on Christianity. The gospel is supra-cultural. It enters every culture, affirming what reflects God's truth and transforming what contradicts God's will.
For the African Christians, this text provides rest. One need not abandon African identity to follow Christ. The issue is not whether a practice is African, but whether it is compatible with the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Let us always remember that the gospel redeems culture, not erases it.
3. Christ Is the Foundation of Our Heritage
Crowning it all, Paul writes, “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
The foundation is not ethnicity, tradition, tribe, nationality, or history. The foundation is Christ alone. Yet every generation builds upon that foundation using the materials available within its particular cultural experience.
African cultural values such as community solidarity, reverence for family values, care for the vulnerable, respect for divine wisdom, and communal responsibility can become our powerful expressions of Christian discipleship when grounded in Christ.
As John Stott observed, “The gospel does not destroy culture. It evaluates and transforms culture according to the lordship of Christ.”
Conclusion
Our heritage is a gift, not a burden. The Samaritan woman discovered that true worship transcends cultural barriers. The Jerusalem Council affirmed that God's grace is not confined to one culture. Apostle Paul reminded Christians that Christ alone is the foundation.
Therefore, let the contemporary African Christians and others all over the world find rest in this truth. You do not have to choose between being authentically African and authentically Christian. In Christ, redeemed culture becomes a platform for worship, witness, and discipleship.
Let us celebrate our heritage, not by placing culture above Christ, but by building our cultural identity firmly upon the foundation already laid, Jesus Christ our Lord. For in Him, every nation, every language, and every people find their true home.
Shalom aleikhem...
