Journal: Conspectus
Volume: CONSPECTUS 39:1 (Apr 2025)
Article: Joel 2:28–32, Me Spirit Of God, And Prophetic Practices In Nigeria: An Exegetical-Theological Inquiry
Author: Zwandien Bobai

SATS 39:1 (April 2025) p. 59

Joel 2:28–32, Me Spirit Of God, And Prophetic Practices In Nigeria: An Exegetical-Theological Inquiry

Zwandien Bobai

ECWA Theological Seminary, Kagoro

About The Author

Zwandien Bobai holds an M.A. in Biblical Studies (Old Testament) from ECWA Theological Seminary, Kagoro. At this seminary, he is a tutor in Biblical Hebrew Grammar and Old Testament, as well as Assistant Registrar and Dean of Student Affairs. He has a keen interest in understanding the Bible from an exegetical and theological perspective since a good grasp of the original language engenders good contextual readings of the Bible.

Email: [email protected]

This article: https://www.sats.ac.za/conspectus/spirit-god-prophetic-practices-nigeria https://doi.org/10.54725/conspectus.2025.1.4

Abstract

References to prophecies, prophetic declarations, prophetic prayer, or a prophetic unction are commonplace in Nigeria, where people claim such utterances as magical gateways to triumphs on many fronts. Joel 2:28–32 is a fundamental text on which the bulk of New Testament and contemporary church discourses on the Spirit of God are based. The Apostle Peter first appropriated this text in his address in Acts 2:17–21. This reference to God pouring out his Spirit on the people to enable sons and daughters, men and women, and servants to prophesy, dream, and see visions has been and continues to be defining in discussions on the activity of the Holy Spirit today. Using the exegetical-theological approach in analyzing Joel 2:28–32 and Acts 2:17–21, it was discovered that although the prophecy may have been given primarily for the Jews, its implications based upon Peter’s appropriation of the passage indicate that Pentecost was the ripe time for it to begin coming true. Given that prophetic practices in Nigeria today are quite problematic, this article critiques some “prophetic” practices in Nigeria. This article invites practitioners to rethink prophetic practices in the church in general and the Nigerian church specifically.

Keywords

Spirit of God, prophecy, prophetic practices, foretelling, forthtelling.

SATS 39:1 (April 2025) p. 60

1. Introduction

In Africa in general, and Nigeria specifically, prophetic practices are a part of daily life for many people. Some scholars (Ogidiolu 2020, Chukwunyere 2021) agree that prophetic ministries exist today just as was the case in ancient Israel. They ar...