Another African Conversion
In the Holy Record, Acts 8:26-40, we read of the conversion of an African. Although he was the "Minister of Finance" for Ethiopia, he was a religious man; religious, but unsaved. Being joined by an evangelist for a period of study, according to Scripture, Philip preached unto him Jesus. A simple story; Jesus. But the man was converted. Today I should like to share with you the story surrounding the conversion of David Olusanya Adeniyi Martins; another African conversion.
On 3 December, 1965, I travelled to Mushin, a suburb of Nigeria's capital city, Logis, picking up brother George Oginni on the way. At Mushin we met Martins, a man who had been a former student of brother Oginni's when both were members of a popular Nigerian denomination called the "Apostolic Church." Years ago, teacher and student separated to meet again only recently. Their meeting is a rather dramatic story in the quest of truth.
Martins had left the "Apostolic Church" for the same reason brother Oginni had; that is, the formation of a "constitution. "He wandered from denomination to denomination, seeing they were all folly in the light of the Bible. He then determined to establish the true church.
One Sunday a "stranger" (visitor) worshipped with them, after which he remarked that they worshipped just like a church in Abeokuta, some 65 miles to the northwest of Mushin. Martins told him this was not possible, for there was not another church like this one in all Nigeria. However, the stranger insisted that it was so.
Martins tried to dismiss the report but memory of the stranger's adamantine nature forbade him. So, a few days later, he went to Abeokuta to either confirm or finally dismiss the matter. Having spent the day in a fruitless search he was about to give up when he was directed to the house of brother Oginni. Martins was amazed to find his former teacher, and even more amazed at the doctrine he embraced. Both men rejoiced and wept at having learned of the other's search for truth.
Brother Oginni talked with Martins long into the night. A few days later he went to Mushin, on a Sunday, and taught the assembly the way of the Lord more perfectly. As a follow-up, brother Oginni and I went there together on December 3rd. I preached in their building on Friday and Saturday nights, twice on Sunday, and could not help but be impressed with their earnest desire for the truth. I am unable to convey the emotional impact made when one sees the pure gospel so readily absorbed?
Martins then pleaded for an opportunity to come to Ibadan (pronounced ee-BAD-an) to study with me. He arrived at my compound on Monday, 24 January, 1966, and remained for two weeks. We studied the Bible up to six hours a day. I have preached to thousands on the streets, but I have never faced a greater challenge than those two weeks with Martins. It was thrilling!
Out of that session comes still another rather unique story. Martins had earnestly sought to establish the true church. In that effort he had baptized 75 or more persons for the remission of sins. Ironically, upon leading his thinking by questioning him for 2 1/2 hours in our first study period, he admitted that he had not been immersed for the remission of sins; rather, to gain entry to the "Apostolic Church," and that he had not obeyed the Bible command by the "A. C." plan. Upon that admission, Martins, two native preachers and I fell silent. Suddenly he exclaimed, "I am lost!" We all burst into tears. David Olusanya Adeniyi Martins was scripturally baptized, Philippian jailor style, the same hour of the night.
Brother Martins, at 34 years of age, has illustrated sacrifice few Americans (even those who are objects of "anti-poverty" programs) will ever know, all in the thirst and search for truth. I have often wondered what happened to the Ethiopian after he went on his way rejoicing, for the Bible simply does not say. But the story of brother Martins does not end with his personal rejoicing. He has established the true church a few miles from where he lives, has had a significant part in converting three denominational preachers, has baptized scores of people who perhaps would have never known the truth but for him, while continuing to preach to and lead the congregation he began before meeting Oginni.
Formerly a purveyor of conscience-soothing deception, brother David Olusanya Adeniyi Martins is now a proclaimer of the soul-saving doctrine. This is my story of another African conversion.