University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh THE INFLUENCE OF CHARISMATIC CHURCHES ON MUSAMA DISCO CHRISTO CHURCH (MDCC) AND APOSTLES’ REVELATION SOCIETY (ARS) IN GHANA. BY EMMANUEL EBO AINOO 10443577 THIS THESIS IS SUBMITTED TO UNIVERSITY OF GHANA, LEGON IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF MPHIL RELIGIONS DEGREE JULY 2015 University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh DECLARATION I hereby declare that with the exception of references which were cited from the works of other researchers and authors, this essay was written through my own original research under the supervision of Rev. Dr. A. N.O. Kwakye and Professor Elizabeth Amoah of the University of Ghana. In places where references of other works were cited, full acknowledgements have been given. No part of this essay has been presented in whole or in part to any other institution for any award. ……………………………………… …………….……. EMMANUEL EBO AINOO (Rev.) DATE (STUDENT) ……………………………………… …………….……. REV. DR. A. N. O. KWAKYE DATE (SUPERVISOR) ……………………………………… …………….……. PROF. ELIZABETH AMOAH DATE (SUPERVISOR) i University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh DEDICATION This work is dedicated to my wife Joycelyn and children, Gladys and Emmanuel for permitting me to leave them to pursue this course despite the challenges they faced when I was absent. ii University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My special thanks go to God Almighty for the strength and ability to start and finish this work. Special gratitude and appreciation goes to the following people who contributed in various ways to my training. I express my profound gratitude to my supervisors, Professor Elizabeth Amoah and Rev. Dr. A. N.O. Kwakye for the immense guidance, encouragement, support and patience throughout this research. I further express my appreciation to the entire staff and lecturers of the Department for the study of Religions, especially the Head of Department Rev. Fr. Dr. Ossom-Batsa. I am also grateful to Bishop Wovenu-Gokah Head Pastor of Musuku-37-Burma camp Branch and the husband Deacon Gokah. To Rev. Mrs. Joyce Mensah and Mr. Ato Ainoo, for being there for me throughout my study. The members of the Charismatic Reformed Church, Achimota, Ainoo and Mends family, I say God bless you. iii University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AFI Aglow Fellowship International AG The Assemblies of God AICs African Independent Church (es) ARS Apostles‟ Revelation Society ASM Azusa Street Mission CAC Christ Apostolic Church CAFM Christian Action Faith Ministries CoP Church of Pentecost EPC Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana. FGBMFI Full Gospel Business Men‟s Fellowship International ICGC International Central Gospel Church MDCC Musama Disco Christo Church TLPC The Lords Pentecostal Church TV Television iv University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh TABLE OF CONTENTS Content Page DECLARATION ................................................................................................................. i DEDICATION .................................................................................................................... ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .............................................................................................. iii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS............................................................................................ iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................... v ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................................... x CHAPTER ONE ................................................................................................................. 1 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Background to the study ........................................................................................... 1 1.2. Statement of the problem ......................................................................................... 3 1.3 Research Questions ................................................................................................... 4 1.4. Aims and Objectives ................................................................................................ 4 1.5. Focus of the Study ................................................................................................... 5 1.6 Methodology and methods of data collection ........................................................... 6 1.7. Theoretical framework ............................................................................................. 8 1.8 Literature review ..................................................................................................... 10 1.9. Limitation of study ................................................................................................ 22 1.10 Thesis outline ........................................................................................................ 22 1.11 Significance of the Study ...................................................................................... 23 1.12. Conclusion ........................................................................................................... 24 v University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh CHAPTER TWO .............................................................................................................. 25 THE ORIGINS, GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF MUSAMA DISCO CHRISTO CHURCH (MDCC) AND APOSTLES‟ REVELATION SOCIETY (ARS) ................... 25 2.1. Introduction ............................................................................................................ 25 2.2. A brief History of Christianity in Ghana ............................................................... 25 2.3. Typology of churches in Ghana today ................................................................... 26 2.4. African Independent Churches (AICs) .................................................................. 27 2.5. The Ghanaian Context ........................................................................................... 28 2.6. Factors leading to their emergence ........................................................................ 29 2.7. Fore-Runners of AIC Prophets .............................................................................. 31 2.7.1. William Wade Harris (c 1860-1929) .............................................................. 31 2.7.2. Kwame Samson Oppong (c 1884-1965) ......................................................... 33 2.8 Musama Disco Christo Church (MDCC) and Apostles‟ Revelation Society (ARS). 1920-1980. .................................................................................................................... 34 2.8.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 34 2.9. The founders (Joseph William E. Appiah and Charles Kobla Nutonuti ................ 35 2.10. The Call ............................................................................................................... 36 2.11. Sacred Places and Objects ................................................................................... 38 2.12. Dietary Prohibitions/Taboos/Uncleanliness ........................................................ 40 2.13. Faith Healing ....................................................................................................... 41 2.14. Religious Practices ............................................................................................... 45 2.14.1. Prayer/Fasting ............................................................................................... 45 2.14.2. Sacraments .................................................................................................... 46 2.14.3. Water Baptism .............................................................................................. 47 2.14.4. Marriage ........................................................................................................ 47 2.14.5. Holy Communion ......................................................................................... 48 2.14.6. Liturgy/ Worship .......................................................................................... 48 2.14.7. Dress Codes/Removal of footwear/Covering of head .................................. 50 vi University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 2.15. Conclusion ........................................................................................................... 51 CHAPTER THREE .......................................................................................................... 52 THE ORIGINS, GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF CHARISMATIC CHURCHES IN GHANA AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON MUSAMA DISCO CHRISTO CHURCH (MDCC) ............................................................................................................................ 52 3.0. Introduction ............................................................................................................ 52 3.1. Pentecostalism ....................................................................................................... 53 3.2. Pentecostalism in Ghana ........................................................................................ 56 3.3. Neo-Pentecostal Movement/ Charismatic Churches in Ghana. ............................. 57 3.4. Charismatic