Free eBook - Sermons On the History of Melchizedek, by John Calvin, link in comments

Translated out of French by Thomas Stocker, Gent.

John Calvin's "On the History of Melchizedek" explores the biblical account of Melchizedek, offering theological insights into his character and significance. Calvin explores Melchizedek's role as a figure (or type) of Christ, highlighting his priesthood and kingship as prefigurations of Christ's eternal priesthood. Through detailed exegesis, Calvin unpacks the implications of Melchizedek's interaction with Abraham, emphasizing the theological and spiritual lessons relevant to Christian faith and practice. This work serves as a bridge between Old Testament figures and New Testament fulfillment in Christ, underscoring Calvin's exegetical skill and deep theological understanding.

Calvin articulates how Melchizedek, as both king and priest, prefigures the dual roles of Jesus Christ, emphasizing the unique position of Melchizedek in the biblical narrative as being without genealogy, which serves to underscore the eternal priesthood of Christ. This typology is crucial for Calvin's theological framework, highlighting the continuity between the Old Testament figures and the fulfillment they find in New Testament revelation. Melchizedek's interaction with Abraham, particularly the blessing and the receiving of tithes, is interpreted as symbolizing the superiority of Christ's priesthood over the Levitical priesthood, and thus, Melchizedek's priesthood becomes a prophetic foreshadowing of the eternal priesthood of Christ.

Calvin deeply explores the theological significance of Melchizedek’s priesthood and kingship as direct figures of Christ's own ministry, emphasizing that Melchizedek's appearance in Genesis is not just a historical account but a divine appointment that reveals significant truths about the nature of Christ's work of salvation. Melchizedek's blessing of Abraham is particularly poignant, illustrating the greater reality that Christ, the true High Priest, blesses humanity with salvation and reconciliation to God. Calvin uses this typology to argue for the centrality of Christ in all of Scripture, asserting that understanding Melchizedek's role is key to grasping the comprehensive scope of God's redemptive plan as revealed through biblical history.

Moreover, Calvin's interpretation serves as a bridge between the testaments, showcasing his exegetical skill in drawing out Christological meanings from Old Testament figures. This approach not only enriches the reader's understanding of Scripture but also reinforces the Reformed emphasis on Christ as the culmination of God's revelation. For Calvin, Melchizedek is more than a historical figure; he is a theological symbol that points to Christ's surpassing priesthood and kingship, reinforcing the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone. Calvin's work on Melchizedek thus stands as a testament to his deep commitment to uncovering the Christ-centered unity of the Bible, offering profound insights into the character and work of Jesus Christ as foreshadowed in the Old Testament.

In the latter chapters, Calvin shifts his focus towards the patriarch Abraham, particularly emphasizing his obedience and faith through the narrative of sacrificing his son Isaac. Calvin explores the profound trial of faith Abraham endured when commanded by God to offer Isaac as a burnt offering, a test that transcends mere obedience to reveal the depth of Abraham's trust in God's promises. Calvin interprets this act not just as an isolated command but as a pivotal moment in the unfolding of divine providence, where Abraham's actions prefigure the ultimate sacrifice of Christ. This narrative serves as a lens through which Calvin examines themes of divine testing, the supremacy of faith over natural affection, and the believer's call to surrender wholly to God's will.

Calvin's sermons on Abraham further consider the theological implications of Abraham's response to God's command, highlighting the patriarch as a model of unwavering faith amidst seemingly contradictory divine promises. Through Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac, Calvin underscores the essence of faith as a complete reliance on God's fidelity to His word, even when human reason and natural affections would argue against obedience. This narrative, Calvin argues, demonstrates the necessity of subordinating all human desires and understandings to the will of God, trusting in His power to fulfill His promises in ways that surpass human comprehension.

Moreover, Calvin draws parallels between Abraham's faith and the Christian experience, stressing that true believers are called to emulate Abraham's obedience and trust in God. He points out that just as Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness, so too is the believer's faith in Christ the basis of their justification before God. In doing so, Calvin connects the Old Testament narrative of Abraham's sacrifice to the New Testament understanding of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Through these sermons, Calvin not only provides a rich theological analysis of Abraham's life but also offers profound insights into the nature of faith, obedience, and the believer's relationship with God, reinforcing the continuity between the Old and New Testaments in the divine plan of redemption.

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The National Assembly of the House of Representatives in Nigeria Call for Memoranda on the proposed review of the Constitution!

*HISTORY*

At the Jos Township Stadium, during the SDP primaries in 1993, Babagana Kingibe, who came very tightly close to Abiola, had the support of most SDP Governors like Oyegun of Edo, Bamidele Olumilua, Felix Ibru etc and also others like Emeka Ojukwu, Arthur Nzeribe, Olusola Saraki, Ben Obi, Ebenezer Babatope were all bitter haters of MKO and great supporters of Kingibe and as delegates, they cast their votes for him in the first ballot and were ready to do same in the second ballot.
MKO got support from Osoba, Kolapo Ishola, Isiaka Adeleke, Lamidi Adedibu, Bola Tinubu, Lateef Jakande, Chuba Okadigbo, Sule Lamido, Balarabe Musa, Abubakar Rimi, Dosu Ladipo, Yohana Madaki, Tony Anenih, Ango Abdullahi etc.

First Ballot....
Abiola 3,617
Kingibe 3,255
Atiku 2,066

Those three were the leading aspirants and a run off must be conducted among the trio to select the flagbearer.
Yoruba Leaders in Jos thought it may be over for MKO since Kingibe and Atiku polled 5,321 to MKO's 3,617.....if Atiku merged with Kingibe, one of them will get the ticket!!!!
To break any possible alliance between Atiku and Kingibe, these three people headed straight to Ambassador Kwande's house where General Yar'adua was to have a chat him, they were Dosu Ladipo, Adedibu, SM Afolabi.
General Yar'adua was Atiku's godfather.
On getting to Kwande house, they approached Yar'adua personal assistant Inua Baba who told them that General was sleeping and shouldn't be disturbed. The trio ignored him and went straight to General's bedroom and banged his door!
"Mi ni ni?" Yar'adua shouted..
"Open the door General" the trio screamed back.
He opened the door.
The trio begged Yar'adua to stop Atiku. "Remember how we became Yoruba people enemies when we supported you and jettisoned Falae, help us too to regain our love back from our people. Tell Atiku to step down."
Yar'adua agreed....."For you good people, I agree to support MKO. Go and bring him. I can do anything for my friends" Yar'adua replied.
Immediately, Abiola joined the trio and Atiku also came in to join Yar'adua.
Yar'adua and Atiku spoke in Hausa at length and in the end, Atiku broke down in tears, wept when his boss asked him to step down. Yar'adua gave him handkerchief.
While he was weeping, Abiola went close to him, hugged him and told him "you will be my deputy.."

Atiku then spoke, facing Yar'adua "Since you're the one who brought me into politics sir, I cannot disobey you..."
That was the statement that sealed Kingibe's fate in Jos and by the time Atiku announced his withdrawal for MKO, the SDP ticket went to Bashorun Abiola.

HISTORY 202.....Part 2.

After MKO hugged Atiku and told him "you will be my deputy", here is the politics that follows..
Atiku and co left Ambassador Kwande's house and headed to the Jos Township Stadium where he mounted the podium and announced his withdrawal from the race leaving only Abiola and Kingibe.
Atiku's withdrawal gave victory to MKO.
The normal thing for MKO was to immediately announce his deputy during his acceptance speech, that was the plan. But immediately Abiola was declared winner, before anyone could say Jack Robinson, Kingibe stood up and walked towards MKO "My President, I'm loyal", he said, before Abiola could recover from the shock of Kingibe unexpected greeting "I'm the best VP that can give you victory" Kingibe continued right inside the stadium while his "corpse" is not yet cold. "Please, Please, Ambassador, this is not the right time for this, please".....Abiola replied Kingibe.
But 12 out of 14 SDP Governors also asked Abiola to pick Kingibe or they sabotage his campaign!!! Only Kolapo Ishola and Osoba supported Mko to wholeheartedly.
This was why Abiola completely omitted VP issue in his acceptance speech to avoid the wrath of the governors and not to break Atiku's heart!!!!
Shortly after his victory, IBB called MKO and told him to pick Pascal Bafyau if "you want me to handover to you".....IBB also warned MKO not to pick Atiku at all as he won't be able to survive the Fulani collaboration being sponsored by Yar'adua and symbolised by Atiku.

Abiola was in dilemma.
Again, Abiola was to address SDP supporters in Kaduna, expectedly, to announce his deputy. Atiku had arranged two horses, one for Abiola, one for him. That was SDP style of celebration. Again, for the fear of the governors and IBB, Abiola didn't announce his deputy again, for the second time.
One day, in his house in Ikeja, Abiola, via a press conference, announced Kingibe as his deputy, There by bowing to the deadly wishes of Governors and ready to go into war with IBB and pacify Atiku.
The excuse given to justify this was that "Atiku stepped down but he didn't say he stepped down for Abiola".....Abiola supporters knew that Abiola won't win if Atiku didn't step down but politics is a crafty game.
It pained Atiku to his bones.
Indeed, IBB kept his threat. He sabotaged June 12 and Yar'adua took his pound of flesh when he threw his weight behind the annulment and opted for Interim Government!!
May God bless the reading of History for enlightenment of our souls.
#Dr Okon

Prayer Pledge for Speaker of the House of Assembly Ogun State,
Olusegun Elemide In this increasingly intense and significant time for our nation and the world, I commit to pray for our elected leaders, specifically Speaker of the House Olusegun Elemide and his family as he seeks to lead the Ogun State House of Assembly in accordance with biblical truth and righteousness. I will consistently pray for...

Wisdom

"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." - James 1:5

Discernment

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you." - Psalm 32:8

Unity and Cooperation

"Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." - Ephesians 4:3

Humility

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves." - Philippians 2:3

Integrity

"The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy." - Proverbs 12:22

Courage

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1:9

Guidance

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." - Psalm 119:105

Perseverance

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9

Justice

"Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow." - Isaiah 1:17

Patience

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." - Ephesians 4:2

Protection

"But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you."
- Psalm 5:11

Righteousness

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." - Matthew 5:6

Peacemaking

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." - Matthew 5:9

Guidance in Speech

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer." - Psalm 19:14

God's Will

"Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." - Matthew 6:10

THE UNTOLD STORY OF CHIEF O̩BAFE̩MI AWOLO̩WO̩

CHIEF O̩BAFEMI JEREMIAH OYENIYI AWOLO̩WO̩, GCFR, S.A.N. (6 March 1909 – 9 May 1987).

He was a Nigerian nationalist and statesman who played a key role in Nigeria's independence movement, the First and Second Republics and the Civil War. The son of a Yoruba farmer, he was one of the truly self-made men among his contemporaries in Nigeria.

BIRTH:
Jeremiah Oyeniyi O̩bafe̩mi Awolo̩wo̩ was born on March 6, 1909, to Chief David S̩opolu Awolo̩wo̩ and his wife Mary E̩funye̩la Awolo̩wo̩ in Ikęnę Ręmo̩, in what is now Ogun State of Nigeria.

EDUCATION:
He had his primary school education at St. Saviour's School, Ike̩nne̩, and at Imo Wesleyan School, Abe̩okuta. His education at this early stage was interrupted for several years by the sudden death of his father in April 1920, an event that left him without financial support and compelled him to fetch firewood for sale, and do similar jobs, to support his schooling.

He had higher education at the Wesley College, Ibadan (Teachers' College) in 1927, and much later at the University of London as an External Student.

He was awarded the degree of Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) and the Bachelor of Laws by the University of London. He was called to the Bar by the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple on November 19, 1946.

MARRIAGE:
On 26th December, 1937 O̩bafe̩mi Awolo̩wo̩ got married to Miss Hannah Idowu Dideolu Adelana. They remained each other's best friend to the end; together they fought for the cause of justice and for the release of their fellow man’s mind from ignorance and the freedom on his body from disease.

They had 5 children: Oluse̩gun(1939-1963), O̩mo̩to̩la, Oluwo̩le, Ayo̩dele and Tokunbo̩.

After a brief spell as school teacher, stenographer and Daily Times reporter-in training. O̩bafe̩mi Awolo̩wo̩ set himself up in Ibadan as a produce buyer and a transporter.

It was in Ibadan that his political life began to unfold: he served there as secretary of the Nigerian Youth Movement before he went abroad to study Law in Great Britain.

Back home from Britain. Awolo̩wo̩ formed the cultural group known as “E̩gbe̩ O̩mo̩ Oduduwa” in 1949 and a political party, the Action Group, (AG), in 1951 also known as E̩gbe̩ Afe̩nifere in Western part of Nigeria as part of the Social Programme for the emancipation of Yoruba race.

His party won the first elections ever conducted in Western Nigeria. As a result of that victory, the AG formed the first elected government in the Western Region and O̩bafe̩mi Awolo̩wo̩, now a Chief, became the Leader of Government Business and Minister for Local Government in 1952.

In 1954, Awo (as he had come to be fondly known within his party) became the first Premier of the Western Region.

His party won the elections again in May 1956 and Awo retained his position as the Premier. He voluntarily gave up that position when, on Dec 12, 1959, he was elected into the House of Representatives where he became the Leader of Opposition in Nigeria's central legislature.

He stood up stoutly against mediocrity and drift in government, and began to define alternative channels along which Nigeria's government should go. His own concept of a Nigerian nation was probably too advanced for his opponents, who began to see the Awolo̩wo̩-led opposition as a major threat.

Following a trial for treasonable felony, he was jailed for 10 years in September, 1963.

By July 1966, Nigeria's problems had become so interactable that disintegration of the country seemed inevitable.

A new Federal Military Government promptly opened the gates of Calabar Prison, brought Awolo̩wo̩ out and appointed him as a minister to take charge of the country's treasury and to provide political support as Vice Chairman in the Federal military administration.

In those two roles, he was one of the major architects of Nigeria's victory over sucession in the 3O-month Civil War.

When the war ended, Awo waited just long enough to give Nigeria a National Development Plan; as soon as the Plan was completed, he resigned from the government, although, to his last day, he remained grateful to the man who gave him an opportunity to serve his country.

When Nigeria's Armed Forces lifted the ban on civilian participation in politics in September 1978, Nigerians who believed in Awo’s political ideas and principles joined him in forming the Unity Party of Nigeria which presented Nigeria with a dynamic programme of socio economic change along democratic socialist lines.

Awo led the party until it was banned, along with Nigeria's other political parties, during the military take-over at the end of 1983.

Chief Awolo̩wo̩ was a great political thinker who committed many of his thoughts to writing. From 1946, he had started a long career in political writing, which flourished whether he was in freedom or in detention, whether he was in power or out of it. It continued to flourish till the very end of his life.

ACHIEVEMENTS:
Chief Awolo̩wo̩’s greatest achievements resulted from the foresight, clear sense of direction and sheer competence that he brought into government.

At the beginning of his career in government, Chief Awolo̩wo̩ quickly reformed the Local Government system of the Western Region and took revolutionary steps to Nigerianise and improve the Western Nigeria Civil Service.

An extremely good judge of men’s qualities, he had also put together a very efficient team of ministers.

Having taken those steps, he was set to achieve within 5 years a string of "Firsts" in the history of Africa. Between 1954 and 1959, his government evolved, and was served by, the most efficient Civil Service in Black Africa; introduced and successfully implemented the first Free Primary Education programme in Africa.

He introduced and successfully managed the first Free Medical Service programme in Nigeria - for children up to the age of 18.

He established the first Television Station in Africa; built the Liberty Stadium, the first such modem sports facility in Nigeria; introduced and successfully implemented the first minimum wage policy in Nigeria and actually paid to Western Nigerians from October 1954 a minimum wage that was double the amount paid to workers of the same level in some other parts of Nigeria.

He set up Nigeria’s first industrial complex at Ike̩ja; Lagos also set up Nigeria's first commercial Housing Estates at Ike̩ja Lagos and Bodija, Ibadan.

Besides these, Chief Awolo̩wo̩’s government had laid the foundation for development in commerce and industry by creating an efficient Western Nigeria Development Corporation, the ancestor of the present-day O'dua Investment Company; taken successful bold steps to revolutionise the production and marketing of cocoa by farmers in Western Nigeria.

He created the infrastructure for rural development by promoting 900 cooperative societies in about 3 years and by providing within 5 years almost 10 times as many miles of road as he inherited from the British administration.

There is a not so-visible achievement arising from all these. By making election promises and fulfilling them within a few years, Awo had led his region to evolve a culture that demands and evaluates a socio economic programme from those who seek to govern them.

In the Federal government, Awo managed the finances of Nigeria so shrewdly and so competently that the Federal Government successfully waged an expensive 30-month war against secession without resorting to foreign loans and without compromising its sovereignty.

HONOURS:
In recognition of his intellectual contributions, Awolo̩wo̩ was honoured by the following institutions of learning:

University of Nigeria, Nsukka: LL.D. (1962)

University of Ife̩, Ile-Ife̩: D.Sc. (1967)

University of Lagos: D.Litt. (1968)

University of Ibadan: LL.D. (1972)

Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria: LL.D. (1975)

University of Cape Coast, Ghana: LL.D. (1976)

He was Chancellor of the University of Ife̩ (1967-1975) and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (1975-1978).

In recognition of his professional contributions at the Bar, he was made a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 1978.

In recognition of his invaluable service to Nigeria, he was given the highest honour in the land, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR) in 1982.

He was honoured with many chieftaincy titles, including the following:

As̩iwaju of Yoruba

As̩iwaju of Re̩mo̩

Losi of Ike̩nne̩

Lisa of Ije̩un

Apesin of Os̩ogbo

Odole of Ife̩

Ajagunla of Ado-Ekiti

O̩do̩fin of O̩wo̩ and

Obong Ikpan Isong of Ibibio Land.

In recognition of his esteemed contributions, he was awarded the Grand Band of the Order of the Star of Africa by the Republic of Liberia in 1968, and made Grand-Officer de l’Ordre National du Lion, Republique du Senegal, in 1972.

PUBLISHED WORKS:

He published many books and still had some in the press at the time of his transition. Among his best known works are: Path to Nigerian Freedom (1947), Awo - an autobiography (1960), Thoughts on the Nigerian Constitution (1966), The People’s Republic (1968), The Strategy and Tactics of the People's Republic (1970), The Problems of Africa: The need for ideological reappraisal (1977), Adventures in Power­

Book 1: My March Through Prison (1985). He had planned to launch Book 2 entitled The Travails of Democracy and the Rule of Law on 6th June 1987.

The oldest privately owned newspaper in Nigeria, the Nigerian Tribune, and two other newspapers (the weekly Sunday Tribune and Irohin Yoruba) were founded and owned by Chief O̩bafe̩mi Awolo̩wo̩.

May His genuis soul have peace in Heaven!

Culled by boye ADEYINKA