By Seyi Gesinde
June 16, 2026
The shepherd in charge of Grace Covenant International Christian Bible Church, Reverend Akinlolu Raphael, has challenged Christians to examine the authenticity of their faith, insisting that true followers of Christ should naturally embrace evangelism and obedience rather than waiting to be persuaded by pastors.
Speaking during a ministration on discipleship and the grace of God, Reverend Raphael declared that the mission of Jesus Christ was not to establish a religion but to transform lives and raise disciples who faithfully follow His teachings.
“Christ did not come to start the Christian religion, He came to make new creatures. He came to make disciples. Are you His disciple? Because His disciples follow Him, they hear His voice,” he said.
The cleric maintained that genuine disciples are driven by obedience to Christ and do not require constant encouragement before participating in the work of the Kingdom.
“They obey Him. They do not need a pastor to cajole them. You are not serving pastors. A pastor is running his race, and you are running your race. Whose disciple are you?” he asked.
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Throwing a direct challenge to believers who repeatedly absent themselves from church outreach programmes, Reverend Raphael questioned whether such individuals could genuinely claim to be disciples of Christ.
“Why would a church organise evangelism and you are so busy that you cannot show up? Whose disciple are you?” he asked.
Drawing from Titus 2:11, he explained that the grace of God that brings salvation has been made available to everyone, but stressed that people must first hear the Gospel before they can make the decision to receive it.
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It is available to all men, but if they do not hear, how would they make their choice? How would they develop the faith to receive the grace? How would they develop the faith to enjoy the grace? All they need to do is hear it,” he said.
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Reverend Raphael also encouraged believers to deepen their knowledge of God, citing 2 Peter 1:2-3 as evidence that divine grace and peace increase through knowing Christ and that GOD has already provided everything necessary for a victorious life.
“According as His divine power has given unto us all things. How many things, church? All things. All things that pertain to life and godliness,” he said.
He explained that God’s provision extends to every aspect of life, including spiritual growth, physical well being, material needs, financial stability, mental strength and ministerial service.
“There is a way to run life, your life spiritually, physically, materially, financially, mentally, ministerially, and of course, godliness. All things that pertain unto life and godliness come through the knowledge of Him who has called us to glory and virtue,” he added.
Concluding his message, the preacher celebrated the completeness of God’s provision for His children, declaring, “What a great grace. What a great grace. That is what has been provided.”
